The Weekly Community Newspaper of Associations, CVBs, and Hotels
Top Story
Trump Implements Travel Ban for Citizens of 12 Countries
Seven Other Countries Have Restricted Access
By Jonathan Trager
Citing national security concerns, President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation banning citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States while restricting access for citizens from seven others. The new policy takes effect on June 9.
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Photos of the Week
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Industry Movers
Carissa Koral
Carissa Koral has been promoted to Director of Northeast Sales at Louisville Tourism. She joined Louisville Tourism in 2023 as a senior sales manager. Koral has more than 20 years of industry experience. Before joining Louisville Tourism, she represented Quebec City Business Destination as a business consultant in the U.S. She worked for Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Waikiki and is a member of MPI and PCMA.
Brahim Ait Daoud
Brahim Ait Daoud is now General Manager of Westgate Vacation Villas & Town Center Resort, located in Kissimmee, Florida. He has more than 28 years of experience in the industry and recently served as General Manager of Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa in Orlando, where he oversaw a team of more than 700 employees and $70 million in operations. He’s fluent in English, Spanish, French and Arabic.
Leonel De Leon
Leonel De Leon is now the Hilton Irvine’s Executive Chef. He brings more than 20 years of experience in hospitality and fine dining to the Orange County property. He is a graduate from Le Cordon Bleu and has trained in a variety of Southern California kitchens. He spent his early years working at restaurants such as Beechwood in Marina Del Rey before moving into various hotel kitchens.
Paul Rinaldi’s
Paul Rinaldi’s been named Sr. Vice President, Operations and Safety of Airlines for America (A4A). Rinaldi began his career as a certified controller with the Washington-Dulles Tower (IAD) and rose through the ranks of elected leadership of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). Membership elected him to an unprecedented four three-year terms as association president. He has been honored by membership as NATCA President Emeritus.
Sean Flanigan
Sean Flanigan is now the Acting Managing Director and Vice President of Operations of Highgate. The firm manages The Elser Hotel in Miami. Flanigan will oversee all facets of the hotel, including performance management, sales, revenue strategy, marketing and guest services. Flanigan held leadership positions at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and HEI Hotels & Resorts. He recently served as regional vice president at AKA Hotels & Residences.
Scott Ward
Scott Ward is now General Manager at the Signia by Hilton Atlanta. A hospitality veteran with more than 30 years of experience, Ward served as Complex General Manager of Hilton Tampa Downtown and Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Convention Center. Ward joined Hilton in 2009 as Resident Manager of Hilton Waikoloa Village. He held various roles in New Orleans, including Resident Manager of Hilton New Orleans Riverside.
Association NEWS
Around Associations
SITE and CityDNA Launch Collaborative Initiative to Support Emerging Talent… The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) and City Destinations Alliance (CityDNA) have announced a collaborative initiative focused on nurturing the next generation of industry professionals.
The program centers on education and talent development, with both organizations committing to contributions to CityDNA’s Summer School and SITE’s Young Leaders program.
“This partnership reflects a shared belief in the transformative power of education and the importance of creating inclusive, accessible pathways for future leaders,” said Annette Gregg, CEO of SITE. “By working together with CityDNA, we can better align the role of incentive travel within the wider visitor economy and inspire new talent to see this industry as a meaningful and impactful career.”
Barbara Jamison-Woods, President of City Destinations Alliance, added: “CityDNA’s Summer School has long been a foundation for professional growth in our community. Collaborating with SITE allows us to amplify this programme and strengthen the connections between city promotion and the business events sector—especially incentive travel, which is a growing opportunity for many urban destinations.”
More information is available at siteglobal.com.
Hotel NEWS
Checking Inn
The Courtyard San Jose Airport, California announced on May 22 its reopening following a multi-year, $15 million renovation. The hotel offers 199 guest rooms, including 13 suites, meeting and event spaces that can accommodate up to 250 guests, an on-site restaurant, The Bistro, and a new deli-style market, The Crate. The property is owned by Beach Point Capital and is managed by Crestline Hotels & Resorts.
“We are excited to open the reimagined Courtyard San Jose and to collaborate with Crestline as the manager of the property,” said Jerome Yuan, of ASAP Holdings, which asset manages the hotel on behalf of Beach Point Capital. “Crestline has extensive experience managing Marriott branded properties and is well known in the market for their unparalleled reputation for excellence in financial performance and guest service. Given Crestline’s strong track record, and this beautiful new hotel’s prime location in the Bay area, we are confident that we can deliver a unique and enjoyable experience for guests.”
Days Inn by Wyndham announced a promotion designed to reunite long-distance best friends on June 3.
In honor of National Best Friends Day, Wyndham is holding the Besties Days Inn-sider social media content competition. Wyndham is inviting long-distance best friends to spend a weekend together and document their “days out” experiences—from must-eat bites to must-snap sights”—near their hotels, sharing experiences and stories together, the hotel chain said.
Five pairs of besties will win $10,000 cash, shared Days Inn hotel room for two nights for two guests, a travel stipend of $2,000 each for transportation and meals, DIAMOND level membership in Wyndham Rewards, a suitcase full of Days Inn swag, and “a real-life reunion with your favorite person.”
“In a world where group chats fade and schedules collide, Days Inn is making sure one thing stays strong—closeness,” John Henderson, Vice President, Brand Operations, Days Inn by Wyndham. “With destinations that offer everything from laid-back beach escapes to vibrant city adventures, our hotels create space for best friends to share the kind of moments that stick – and that’s exactly what our Days Inn-siders will help bring to life.”
For more information about how to enter and what qualifications are necessary, visit daysinn.com/besties.
Submissions must be made by July 1.
CVB Updates
Visit Seattle and Seattle Bank announced on June 3 the participating businesses for its Community Partnership Program.
This initiative aims to bolster economic vitality and drive visitation to Seattle neighborhoods and small businesses by supporting BIPOC- and LGBTQIA-owned restaurants, cafes, retail establishments, and creative arts businesses. Now in its fourth year, Visit Seattle and Seattle Bank partnered with the Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area to select 12 outstanding businesses in Seattle’s historic Chinatown-International District (CID).
“One of the most rewarding aspects of Visit Seattle’s mission is connecting visitors to the culturally rich spaces that make our city so special,” said Visit Seattle President & CEO Tammy Canavan. “This year, we’re especially excited to highlight Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, a historically significant neighborhood that continues to shape Seattle’s cultural identity. With family-run restaurants that have operated for multiple generations, and innovative cafes and shops, Chinatown-International District is a place where visitors can truly feel and experience Seattle’s heartbeat.”
To view the list of community partners, visit here.
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