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ASAE Announces 2025 Individual Honors for Exceptional Leadership
By Todd McElwee
Recognizing a trio of association professionals for their exemplary support of ASAE and continued contributions to the sector, ASAE announced the 2025 recipients of the Individual Honors for Exceptional Leadership on May 15.
The 2025 honorees include Wendy-Jo Toyama, FASAE, CAE, CEO, American Epilepsy Society, who is this year’s Key Award honoree; David “DJ” Johnson, FASAE, CAE, Chief Membership and Engagement Officer, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, who is the Professional Performance Award honoree; and KiKi L’Italien, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M, who is the Academy of Leaders Award honoree.
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Photos of the Week
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Industry Movers
Sarah Farrell
Sarah Farrell has been named Regional Sales Manager of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB). In this role, Farrell will focus on building strategic relationships with meeting planners, corporate clients, and group travel organizers across regional markets including Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey. She has more than 17 years of hospitality experience at various Pocono Mountains’ properties such as Mohegan Pennsylvania and Mount Airy Casino Resort.
Jenny Reyes
Jenny Reyes has assumed the role of Area Director of Human Resources at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta. She joined InterContinental last year. Her diverse experience includes human resources roles at Kimpton Shane Hotel and Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center, as well as international positions in the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and other destinations. She’s tasked with overseeing employee satisfaction, developing efficient hiring practices and ensuring human resources compliance standards and practices.
John Washko
John Washko has joined SearchWide Global as a business development consultant. He has more than 30 years of resort sales and marketing experience and will specifically support the hotels and resorts sector. Most recently, Washko served as the Vice President of Sales & Marketing of Mohegan Sun. He previously held leadership positions at properties, including Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas and The Broadmoor in Colorado.
Jim Redington
Jim Redington is now General Ganager at the JW Marriott Chicago. He has more than 30 years of experience in hospitality. Redington recently served as hotel manager at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, the largest Marriott-managed property on the East Coast. There, he oversaw operations for the 1,996-room resort, working closely with sales, marketing and revenue management teams to optimize performance across group and transient segments.
Jonathan Eaton
Jonathan Eaton, PT, is the new in-house physical therapist at The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa in Hots Spring, Vriginia. He has more than two decades of experience in physical therapy and a deep specialization in this highly targeted, hands-on modality. The hotel said he will introduce an advanced therapeutic technique rarely available in resort settings: Fascial Counterstrain (FCS), a cutting-edge approach to healing and restoring mobility.
Rudi Heider
Rudi Heider has been appointed General Manager at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport. A seasoned hotelier, he has led a variety of teams across international borders. He was Director of Operations at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Lake Louise, Alberta. Now on the West Coast, in his spare time, he enjoys skiing, tennis, cooking, and long walks in Pacific Spirit Park with his wife and their dog, Spätzle.
Association NEWS
Around Associations
NAMM Foundation Recognizes More Than 1,000 Schools and Districts as Best Communities for Music Education… NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), and The NAMM Foundation recently announced the 2025 Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Awards. One of The NAMM Foundation’s signature programs, BCME is in its 26th year of recognizing and celebrating school districts and individual schools for their support and commitment to music education.
Two awards are given each year: Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) for school districts and the SupportMusic Merit Award (SMMA) for individual school sites. Both reach K-12 schools and districts throughout the U.S. and offer opportunities to increase access and support for music programs. Over 1,000 districts and individual school sites (public, private, charter, parochial) are recognized for having the highest commitment to producing exceptional music programs.
“Music education has numerous positive effects on communities,” said John Mlynczak, NAMM President & CEO and former educator. “The Best Communities for Music Education award winners serve as models for the power of music education to foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts, and NAMM is honored to recognize the 2025 recipients.”
More than 46 states are being honored in 2025 including 103 first-time winners and two districts (Fulton County, Georgia, and Henrico County, Virginia,) being selected for the 26th consecutive year. Additionally, winners of the award for 25-consecutive years include Berea City School District (Ohio) and Torrington Public Schools (Connecticut).
“We are thrilled to recognize this year’s awardees for their outstanding commitment to music education access,” said Julia Rubio, Executive Director of The NAMM Foundation. “These districts and schools demonstrate that access to music learning helps students thrive, in school and in life, and we celebrate their dedication to creating inclusive learning environments.”
Find more information at namm.org.
Hotel NEWS
Checking Inn
Extended Stay America and Grubhub announced on May 8 a new program offering benefits to guests who order from local restaurants during their stay. The partnership will allow Extended Stay America guests at properties nationwide to take advantage of no delivery fees on eligible orders” and a complimentary Grubhub+ membership valid for 30 days, tailored ordering through the Grubhub app, and 24/7 access to local restaurants, the pair said.
“At Extended Stay America, providing genuine care for our guests is at the heart of everything we do,” said Adam Cannon, Chief Brand Officer of Extended Stay America. “While all our spacious suites have fully equipped kitchens, we understand there are days when you just want to unwind with your favorite takeout, just like you would at home. This partnership with Grubhub allows our guests to do just that.”
The Nobleman Fort Worth, Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel, developed by Jeff Blackman of Bedford Lodging, opened its door in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 9.
The property features 121 guest rooms, 32 extended-stay suites with kitchenettes, a chef-driven restaurant called Duchess, a pool, fitness center and 2,000 square feet of meeting and outdoor event spaces.
“The Nobleman Hotel and our Duchess restaurant will be stylish and approachable additions to the Near Southside neighborhood,” said Blackman. “We want to be a destination for the weekend traveler, for those visiting our renowned medical district, for business purposes, and to serve as a new, consistent dining spot for our local residents—we want to be the go-to neighborhood place.”
For more information or to book a stay, visit thenoblemanhotel.com.
CVB Updates
Visit Tampa Bay on May 13 announced that it’s inviting travelers to press play on their best vacation yet with the launch of its new “Time to Play in Tampa Bay” campaign.
Designed to boost summer visitation to Hillsborough County, the multi-channel campaign showcases the destination’s world-class attractions, MICHELIN-starred dining, and laid-back vibes—positioning Tampa Bay as a must-visit getaway for both families and luxury travelers alike.
Starting in late May and continuing through July, the campaign developed by FKQ Advertising + Marketing focuses on key drive markets including Atlanta, Orlando, and Miami-Fort Lauderdale, reaching both English and Spanish-speaking audiences. With messaging centered around themes like Time to Play, Time for Adventure, Time to Savor, and Time to Breathe, the campaign encourages vacationers to make the most of their time.
”This summer, we’re letting everyone know—it’s time to play in Tampa Bay,” said Santiago C. Corrada, President & CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. “Whether you’re seeking big thrills, MICHELIN-starred cuisine, or just a chance to unwind, Tampa Bay offers it all. From vibrant attractions to luxurious experiences, it’s the ideal destination to make summer memories.”
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