The Weekly Community Newspaper of Associations, CVBs, and Hotels
Top Story
Implementation of U.S. Travel Ban May Be Imminent
By Jonathan Trager
The Trump administration seems poised to impose a new travel ban on foreign citizens from targeted countries entering the United States following a March 21 deadline for finalizing the proposed measure (after USAE went to press).
The New York Times had reported earlier this month that the administration was working on developing the proposal, which the news outlet said could affect citizens from 41 countries.
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Industry Movers
Heather Nowakowski
Heather Nowakowski, Visit Buffalo Niagara’s former director of research operations in now Sr. Director, Business Intelligence. She’d spent seven years in the previous role. She’ll lead research initiatives, analyze key metrics to support marketing and sales strategies, and oversee the database. The position includes supporting partners to leverage resources and enhance visibility and promoting Visit Buffalo Niagara’s online presence through its extranet system.
Trent Williamson
Trent Williamson is the new Vice President of Membership & Innovation at the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. He was CEO of the Don Ryan Center for Innovation and has worked with the Metro Atlanta Chamber as well as serving in developer relations for Hargray (now Sparklight). An Auburn University graduate with a degree in business administration, he’ll start at the Chamber on April 1.
Cristen Korman
Cristen Korman has been named General Manager of The Inn & Club at Harbour Town, a 60-room, boutique hotel at The Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Korman joins the property from Boar’s Head Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she was director of hotel operations. Previously, she served as concierge manager at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal Orlando Resort and has worked in Savannah.
Ed Conway
Ed Conway is General Manager of The Admiral Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina. Avocet Hospitality made the announcement. Conway most recently served as General Manager of The Whitehall Hotel in Chicago. Previously, he spent 16 years as General Manager of Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa in Arizona. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and has worked in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Jessica Wilk
Jessica Wilk has joined Choose Lansing as a Sales Manager. Wilk joins the team with previous experience as a sales manager in the Lansing market. She’s a graduate of Northern Michigan University. As sales manager, Wilk will work with the state association market to bring association meetings and conferences to the Greater Lansing area. She’s a Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) and joined the CVB last month.
Alexia (Lexi) Zambrano
Alexia (Lexi) Zambrano is now The Ritz-Carlton, Denver’s Marketing Manager. The Denver native’s career began at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, where she was a vacation planner and subsequently a marketing coordinator. She then moved to the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in 2019. During her tenure there, she was marketing coordinator and marketing manager. She worked on the Gaylord Hotels’ brand marketing and creative team.
Association NEWS
Around Associations
Events Industry Council Recognizes 2024 FICP Annual Conference for Achieving Sustainable Event Standards Certification… The Events Industry Council has announced the 2024 FICP Annual Conference, hosted by the Financial & Insurance Conference Professionals (FICP) in Denver from November 10–13, achieved silver level certification to the EIC Sustainable Event Standards. This is the first EIC certification for FICP, an EIC member and community of 1,500 financial services and insurance industry meetings professionals and hospitality partners from across North America.
“Achieving this certification is a testament to our team’s dedication and collective effort,” said Ellie Hurley, SECP, Director Of Events, FICP. “I’m honored to have led this initiative, but it would not have been possible without the full support of our team—from FICP staff to volunteers and our partners, including Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel and Visit Denver. This accomplishment truly showcases the power of collaboration and shared commitment to sustainability.”
The EIC Sustainable Event Standards were created through a global collaborative process with participation from subject matter experts in all sectors. They provide a framework for collaboration and a strong focus on guidance and metrics so that event professionals at all stages of their sustainability journey have the support needed to implement and measure sustainable practices.
“FICP’s certification demonstrates how organizations can embrace sustainability in ways that are both strategic and impactful,” said Amy Calvert, President & CEO, EIC. “By achieving this recognition, FICP is not only advancing its own sustainability goals but also setting an inspiring example for the meetings and events industry. We congratulate them on this important milestone and appreciate their continued support of EIC as an association member.”
The Alliance for Audited Media, a nonprofit auditing organization, performed the independent third-party certification of FICP’s compliance with the Event Organizer standard.
“FICP’s achievement at the silver level highlights their strong commitment to transparency and sustainable event planning. We commend them on this accomplishment,” said Richard Murphy, CEO, President, and Managing Director, Alliance for Audited Media.
Hotel NEWS
Checking Inn
A new boutique hotel has opened in Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown neighborhood.
The Canal House of Georgetown, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, and a Marriott International property, opened its doors and is now accepting reservations for hotel stays beginning March 12.
The property takes its name from the nearby Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, according to Marriott.
The Canal House offers 105 guest rooms, 10 specialty suites, three terrace rooms, and two townhouses; a fitness center, expansive lobby, and the C&O Lounge, which offers, breakfast and dinner. The C&O Lounge features a menu “inspired by heart, rustic, local ingredients and flavors,” the hotel said.
Each of the property’s guest rooms is non-smoking and pet-friendly.
The DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown Capitol in Austin announced the unveiling of a full renovation of its 195-guest-room-and-suite property on March 13. The renovation included the property’s flexible meeting spaces, boardrooms, and its lounge and bar, and took inspiration from the Texas landscape.
“Infused with souther charm,” the Austin DoubleTree’s renovation included updates to the property’s interior design highlights textures, patterns and art “that reflect the spirit of the region,” according to a release from the hotel.
“DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown Capitol takes pride in providing a memorable travel experience for visitors and this highly-anticipated transformation will allow guests extra comfort after a day exploring Austin,” said General Manager Stephen Drew. “The property’s reimagination further demonstrates our commitment to guest satisfaction and alignment with the standards of this award-leading brand.”
CVB Updates
Sonoma County Tourism (SCT) in California announced on March 19 the launch of Sonoma County Signature Experiences, a curated collection of immersive, behind-the-scenes offerings that connect visitors with the people, landscapes, and traditions that define Wine Country and beyond.
Developed in collaboration with select local partners, these activities reinforce SCT’s Wine Country for All of Us initiative, inviting travelers to engage with the region through exclusive, intimate, and interactive experiences.
“From getting hands-on in a winemaker’s world to foraging for coastal delicacies, these Signature Experiences highlight the region’s culinary innovation, outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship while honoring Sonoma County’s rich heritage in wine and hospitality,” according to SCT.
For more information, visit sonomacounty.com.
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