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Indy Hotel Development Gets Approval from Historic Preservation Commission
By Jordan Bradley
A burgeoning hotel and entertainment development from Indiana Pacers owner and real estate developer Herb Simon got the necessary green light to move forward at September 4 meeting of the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission.
The forthcoming hotel and entertainment venue’s developer, Boxcar Development LLC, an investment group led by Simon and the rest of the Simon family, had been seeking permission to demolish the vacant and historic CSX building in downtown Indianapolis to make way for a luxury Shinola hotel and a 4,000-seat entertainment venue.
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Industry Movers
Steve Mackenzie
Steve Mackenzie has been named Executive Vice President of Hotel Operations at Peachtree Group. Mackenzie will assume a central role overseeing Peachtree’s hotel portfolio’s financial performance while ensuring franchise procedures, regulations and standards are adhered to while growing company culture and teams. With 25-plus years of experience, Mackenzie most recently served as area director for Hilton Worldwide, where he provided operational oversight of company-managed properties in Florida.
Laura Maldonado
Laura Maldonado has been appointed General Manager at the Hotel Haya, Aparium Hotel Group’s property located in Tampa’s Ybor City. Most recently Maldonado served as the general manager for the Heathman Hotel and restaurant in downtown Portland, Oregon, where she oversaw a complete overhaul of the property, including food and beverage, and the sales and operating departments. She is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico.
Mikey Termini
Mikey Termini is now Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa’s Executive Chef. He joins Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort with 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, having previously worked at various hotels across the country. Most recently, he held the position of executive sous chef at JW Marriott Marco Island Resort, having been promoted from senior sous chef. He also worked in Wyoming.
Etienne Courchesne
Etienne Courchesne has been promoted from Assistant General Manager to General Manager at its Home2 Suites by Hilton Destin in Florida. McNeill Hotel Company made the announcement. Courchesne joined MHC in 2023 as assistant general manager at Home2 Suites by Hilton Destin. Prior to MHC, Courchesne was director of housekeeping at Fox River Resort in Illinois. He earned Director of the Year Award at Fox River Resort.
Mike McLeod
Mike McLeod is now General Manager at the Hilton Portland Downtown and The Duniway. He returns to the complex after serving as director of sales & marketing, a position he held from 2004–2007. He worked for Red Lion Hotels and was the general manager at the Hilton Vancouver Washington. He also spent more than eight years as general manager at Doubletree by Hilton Spokane City Center.
Association NEWS
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United States Tour Operators Association Announces Future Lights of the Tour Industry… Alison Atkinson, Commercial Director and executive team member at Avanti Destinations; and B Lavornia, Sr. Region and Account Manager at WorldStrides, are this year’s United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) Future Lights of the Tour Industry honorees.
This year’s honorees are recognized by the association as champions of sustainability and DEI for contributions to these initiatives within their companies.
“It is such an honor to welcome Alison and B as USTOA Future Lights of the Tour Industry,” said USTOA President & CEO Terry Dale. “These two individuals are outstanding examples of the kind of creative drive and initiative needed to guide our industry to a more sustainable and equitable future for us all.”
Dale continued: “We are so grateful for the truly noteworthy nominations from our Active Tour Operator Members this year. While there is much to be done, we can be proud of the proactive way our members have embraced and supported USTOA’s efforts to move us towards a responsible future for travel. Alison and B as shining examples of that commitment.”
Collaborating with ownership and stakeholders, Atkinson is driving the Avanti Footprint. This initiative highlights sustainable products as well as shaping the Avanti Footprint Foundation, a charitable fund that supports local endeavors to better the circular economy. She has also worked on evolving Avanti´s partnerships with product suppliers to include select Business Impact Assessment requirements.
Lavornia oversees participant enrollment in Higher Education programs and co-chairs the DEI Higher Education Committee. B designed training courses on diversity, equity, accessibility, justice, and belonging. She helped identify relevant DEI resources and created a learning framework for cultural competency.
The 2024 USTOA Future Lights will be acknowledged during the USTOA Annual Conference and Marketplace in Marco Island, Florida, from December 9–13.
Hotel NEWS
Checking Inn
Mohegan Sun, the casino-hotel owned by Mohegan based in Uncasville, Connecticut, was voted “Best Casino Hotel” by the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for the seventh consecutive year, the hotel-casino shared on September 5.
Jeff Hamilton, President and General Manager, said the casino hotel’s receipt of seven consecutive “Best Casino Hotel” awards from the publication is an “achievement [that] continues to be a direct result of the dedication that our team members put forward every day in creating unforgettable experiences for our guests.”
The hotel was also voted into the top five for “Best Casino Outside of Las Vegas” and “Best Players Club” by USA Today readers.
The Radisson Salt Lake City Downtown in Salt Lake City, Utah, has completed the first phase of a multi-million-dollar renovation that renovated the property’s 381 guest rooms, and its lobby, local news outlet KSL reported on September 4.
The guest rooms were renovated with a “clean Scandinavian look with influences from Salt Lake City’s natural landscapes,” according to the hotel chain. The hotel lobby, meanwhile, was also renovated to highlight the city’s natural landscape with materials that “compliment the surrounding landscape, embodying the city’s spirit,” according to the hotel’s executives. The renovation of the hotel lobby also includes a new executive club lounge for club-level guests.
The next phase of the renovation will include on the hotel’s amenities, including an update to the property’s pool and hot tub areas as well as a new coffee shop.
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts has debuted the hotel brand’s first Registry Collection Hotels in the United States with the renovation and renewal of The Mining Exchange, a Registry Collection Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Mining Exchange was first opened in 1902 and is a boutique 128-room hotel managed by Practice Hospitality. As part of joining the Registry Collection, each of The Mining Exchange’s hotel rooms were renovated and updated.
“Registry Collection Hotels provide guests with an oasis from daily life while exploring some of the most stunning destinations in the world,” said Leonardo Danese, Brand Leader of Registry Collection hotels and Wyndham. “In the case of The Mining Exchange, the hotel seamlessly blends the rich history of its surroundings with unmatched service and elevated décor. It’s an ideal example of the rich, rewarding and memorable visits for which the brand stands for.”
Convention Bureau/Center NEWS
CVB Update
Visit Anaheim has announced that Jeannie K. Kim, Associate Director of Sales for the Embassy Suites by Hilton Anaheim South, has been awarded the 2024 TAI International “CTA of the Year” Star Award.
This is the first time an ambassador of Visit Anaheim’s Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) program has been selected to receive this award by the Tourism Ambassador Institute.
Kim is the 12th recipient of the TAI International “CTA of the Year” Star Award. Kim was Visit Anaheim’s 2023 recipient of the “CTA of the Year” award before being nominated for the 2024 TAI International “CTA of the Year” Star Award.
“The CTA program is a cornerstone of our community’s commitment to hospitality. For over a decade, it has unified local businesses and residents in our shared mission to provide unparalleled experiences for every visitor,” said Mike Waterman, President & CEO of Visit Anaheim. “This program stands as a powerful testament to our collective spirit and dedication, ensuring that we consistently exceed expectations, making Anaheim a standout destination known for its exceptional warmth and welcome.”
