THE COMMUNITY NEWS OF ASSOCIATIONS, CVBs and HOTELS
Gatlinburg

Industry Movers

Linda Griffin

Linda Griffin

Linda Griffin has been appointed as Hilton’s Area General Manager, Canada. She will oversee hotels across Ontario, Québec and British Columbia. Griffin will provide leadership and oversight for Hilton Québec, Hilton Toronto, Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel & Suites, Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Belleville, and Hampton Inn by Hilton Chilliwack. She studied hospitality and tourism Management at Ryerson Polytechnic University, now Toronto Metropolitan University

John Wickham

John Wickham

John Wickham is now the General Manager of The Washington Inn in Santa Fe. He has more than 15 years of experience in hospitality, nightlife, and guest relations and returns to Santa Fe after several years in the Texas Hill Country. Wickham will oversee operations for both AdobeStar Vacation Rentals and The Washington Inn. Recently, he was general manager and hotel director of the historic Prince Solms Inn.

 

Tony Pallas

Tony Pallas

Tony Pallas has been promoted to Choice Hotels International’s Chief Technology Officer. Pallas will lead enterprise technology, engineering, and SkyTouch Technology, Choice Hotels’ hotel operations and property management technology platform. He was chief commercial and technology officer of Choice Hotels’ hotel property management system business. He also served as executive sponsor and chief architect for CHARLIE, an AI-powered solutions Choice Hotels unveiled during its annual convention.

Paul Fitzgerald

Paul Fitzgerald

Paul Fitzgerald is now General Manager of Hilton Alexandria Old Town in Virginia. Fitzgerald brings more than a decade of experience across several Hilton properties, most recently serving as hotel manager at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor, where he oversaw operations across all departments. His career includes food and beverage roles at Hilton Boston Logan Airport, the former Madison Washington DC, A Hilton Hotel, and Washington Hilton.

Jessica Sibley

Jessica Sibley

Jessica Sibley is now Visit Orlando’s Sr. Director of Convention Sales. With more than 17 years of group sales experience, Sibley was director of sales for the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. She began her career at Reunion Resort, where she also served as group sales and catering sales manager. Sibley holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration from Florida State University.

Michelle Gomez

Michelle Gomez

Michelle Gomez has been appointed Executive Chef of Dream Inn Santa Cruz. Gomez’s culinary journey began at just seven years old, working alongside her father in his Mexican restaurant. Gomez worked with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, where she contributed to pre-opening culinary operations. She is actively involved with Les Dames d’Escoffier, an organization dedicated to supporting and promoting women in the professions of food, wine, and hospitality.

Michael Cairns

Michael Cairns

Michael Cairns is now Director of Food and Beverage for the South Coast Winery Resort & Spa and Carter Estate Winery and Resort in Temecula, California. Carter Hospitality Group made the announcement. Cairns brings more than 25 years of experience across luxury resorts, private clubs and destination dining venues. Most recently, he served as director of food and beverage at Maui Country Club in Paia, Hawaii.

Andrew Buwalda

Andrew Buwalda had been named as the Vice President, Hospitality Operations within the Freed Hotels & Resorts hospitality portfolio. He has built a diverse career spanning operations, finance, and industry leadership. He has worked in Toronto and served as the vice president of finance & operations with the Hotel Association of Canada. He serves on the board of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation and Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax Association.

Editor’s Pick

Sharon Wyman Tapped to Lead Discover Long Island

Sharon Wyman Tapped to Lead Discover Long Island

Read more

Hotel Workers Strike in Downtown Philadelphia

Read more

Dallas Council Rejects Redesign for Convention Center

Read more

Photos of the Week

Visit Savannah President & CEO Joseph Marinelli

Visit Savannah President & CEO Joseph Marinelli, along with CVB staff members DeeAnn Gesling and Shelina Vinson (left), joined the National Praline Day mascot and the candy makers at River Street Sweets to celebrate the holiday. National Praline Day was June 24.

Atlanta CVB’s (ACVB) international sales team, in partnership with Brand USA, hosted a familiarization trip with Spanish tour operators for the city’s inaugural FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Spain and Cabo Verde, which ended 1-1, on June 15. Left to right: Maria Vélez, Product Manager, North America and Caribbean, Catai (Ávoris Group); Germán Hijón, Product Director, TUI Spain, Portugal and Americas; Brandon Barnes, Sr. Director, International Tourism Sales, ACVB; Ángel Seijas, Product Manager, North America and the Caribbean, Icárion (W2M Group); Mariona Claramunt, Trade Marketing Team, Hopscotch and Brand USA Spain Representative; and Lorena Aleman, Analyst, Research, ACVB.

Atlanta CVB’s (ACVB) international sales team, in partnership with Brand USA, hosted a familiarization trip with Spanish tour operators for the city’s inaugural FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Spain and Cabo Verde, which ended 1-1, on June 15.

Lisa Vanderpump walks the purple carpet during the Grand Opening of the Vanderpump Hotel on June 11 in Las Vegas. Caesars Entertainment hosted a media experience in conjunction with the occasion.

Lisa Vanderpump walks the purple carpet during the Grand Opening of the Vanderpump Hotel on June 11 in Las Vegas. Caesars Entertainment hosted a media experience in conjunction with the occasion.

New Orleans & Company hosted a media experience at the end of May in conjunction with the launch of Sail 250 and the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards Ceremony. Shown here are bureau staff along with media members at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Photo by New Orleans & Company

New Orleans & Company hosted a media experience at the end of May in conjunction with the launch of Sail 250 and the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards Ceremony. Shown here are bureau staff along with media members at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Photo by New Orleans & Company

Visit Savannah President & CEO Joseph Marinelli Atlanta CVB’s (ACVB) international sales team, in partnership with Brand USA, hosted a familiarization trip with Spanish tour operators for the city’s inaugural FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Spain and Cabo Verde, which ended 1-1, on June 15. Left to right: Maria Vélez, Product Manager, North America and Caribbean, Catai (Ávoris Group); Germán Hijón, Product Director, TUI Spain, Portugal and Americas; Brandon Barnes, Sr. Director, International Tourism Sales, ACVB; Ángel Seijas, Product Manager, North America and the Caribbean, Icárion (W2M Group); Mariona Claramunt, Trade Marketing Team, Hopscotch and Brand USA Spain Representative; and Lorena Aleman, Analyst, Research, ACVB. Lisa Vanderpump walks the purple carpet during the Grand Opening of the Vanderpump Hotel on June 11 in Las Vegas. Caesars Entertainment hosted a media experience in conjunction with the occasion. New Orleans & Company hosted a media experience at the end of May in conjunction with the launch of Sail 250 and the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards Ceremony. Shown here are bureau staff along with media members at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Photo by New Orleans & Company

Featured

Gregory Heidrich
Gregory Heidrich

 

 

Heidrich became a Forum member in 2007 when he joined the Society of Actuaries. “It was a critically important step as I moved from working for trade associations to a professional society,” he said.

Trending NOW