AWARD WINNER
For the 11th consecutive year, Robert Koch has been named Collette
Vacations’ Sales Person of the Year. The award was presented at
Collette’s Global Sales Meeting in Scotland and honored Koch as the
individual who has generated the most revenue in sales in the
previous fiscal year.
“[Koch] is everything a great sales person should be: motivated,
customer-oriented, educated on the product and always striving to
get better,” said Collette’s executive vice president of sales
Kevin Kramich. “Bob is in a league of his own and Collette is lucky
to have him.”
Bob has worked in the travel industry since 1980 and has been a
district sales manager for Collette in the state of Pennsylvania
since 1991.
ROSENBERG TO HEAD SALES & MARKETING
Travel industry veteran Bruce Rosenberg will join Pleasant Holidays
as its senior vice president of sales and marketing.
“Bruce will have a huge responsibility and will be charged with
expanding our business,” said Tim Irwin, president and CEO of
Pleasant Holidays, “taking Pleasant Holidays to a new and higher
level.” Rosenberg has over 22 years of senior management experience
in the travel industry, including a background in hospitality,
airlines and e-commerce.
PEBLEY NAMED DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Paul Pebley was recently appointed director of marketing for the
Fontainebleau Suites and Fontainebleau Resort in Miami Beach.
Pebley will oversee advertising and public relations for the
37-story Fontainebleau Suites. He’ll also lead marketing efforts
for Fontainebleau Resort, which is undergoing a $400 million
expansion and renovation expected to be completed in 2008. Pebley
has more than 25 years of hospitality sales and marketing
experience, including involvement with several upscale resorts.
ULTRA SANDALS
During the recent Sandals Ultra Convention, held on July 20 at the
Manhattan Beach Marriott in California, Travel Impressions
representatives Susan Creighton and David Hoshin welcomed agents to
visit their booth throughout the day.
According to officials, agents specializing in Caribbean travel
were particularly impressed with Travel Impressions’ online
technology and “Cancel for Any Reason” Travel Protection.
Also at the convention, Molly Sumption (a Certified Sandals
Specialist and Platinum Lifetime Achiever from Travel Concepts in
Seattle) and Libbey Wisecarver (Sandals’ Sales Manager for Nevada,
Arizona, and Seattle) traveled to Los Angeles to flank Elmo and his
other furry friends as part of the Caribbean Adventure with Sesame
Street.
WESTIN PROMOTES HORVATH
After three years as senior sales manager of the Westin Casuarina
Las Vegas Hotel, Casino & Spa, Sandra Horvath has been
appointed director of sales and marketing. As director, Horvath’s
new duties include generating group-room sales; enhancing the
visibility of the property in local, key domestic and international
feeder markets; and maintaining marketing and sales budgets and
managing the hotel’s sales team.
“Horvath’s extensive knowledge of the hospitality industry,
involvement in the community and experience with our property will
continue to drive revenue and exemplify our service standards,”
said Sig Ortloff, general manager.
MICHAEL ROSS NEW CEO
The Pasadena Center Operating Company (PCOC) announced the
appointment of Michael Ross as its new CEO. As CEO, Ross will
oversee operation of the 75,000-square-foot Pasadena Conference
Center, the historical 3,000-seat Pasadena Civic Auditorium and the
Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“Michael’s diverse experience makes him an ideal fit for this
position,” said Ray Serafin, president of the PCOC’s board of
directors. “It is rare to find a candidate who has a strong
background in managing convention and performing arts facilities,
as well as a thorough understanding of destination marketing.”
TWO NEW ADDITIONS AT THE RITZ
The Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena, Calif.,
has appointed two new directors.
General manager Martin Nicholson recently announced that
Christopher Orta has been appointed director of food and beverage.
Orta will be responsible for the leadership of all aspects and
functions of the food and beverage department. Orta brings 14 years
of hospitality experience to his position as an executive committee
member.
David Byloff has been appointed director of finance. Byloff will
be responsible for the leadership of all aspects and functions of
the accounting department. Byloff has been a part of Ritz-Carlton’s
parent company, Marriott International, since 1999 and has most
recently served as director of finance and accounting for the
1,000-room JW Marriott Orlando-Grand Lakes Resort.
