Hilton Tour Ends in harmony
After logging more than 10,000 miles on the road, stopping in
eight cities and raising over $100,000 toward music education, the
Hilton Harmony Piano made its ninth and final stop at the Henry
Fonda Music Box Theater in Hollywood, Calif., where more than 500
Los Angeles-area schoolchildren witnessed singer-songwriter Josh
Kelley and eight-time Grammy Award-winner Natalie Cole become the
last two artists to sign the piano after its cross-country
journey.
Sponsored by Hilton, the Grammy Foundation and the Recording
Academy, the Hilton Harmony Tour criss-crossed the nation to help
raise money for music education. At each stop, musicians like Bruce
Springsteen, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder and Sheryl Crow signed
the piano, and for each signature, Hilton promised to donate $1,000
to support the cause.
At the Los Angeles event, schoolchildren were treated to a
private concert. Cole sang from her forthcoming album and wowed the
audience with an a capella performance of “Everlasting Love.”
Kelley performed on both the guitar and the piano. Both artists
took questions from the kids and put the last two signatures on the
piano.
Elliot Moves to Starwood Hawaii
Don Elliot was recently named vice president of operations at
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii. Elliot will oversee the
multi-million-dollar redevelopment of the Sheraton Waikiki,
Sheraton Moana-Surfrider, The Royal Hawaiian and Sheraton Princess
Kaiulani hotels.
He is returning to his roots at the Moana hotel where he joined
Starwood as assistant controller, while leaving his position as the
area manager for the Sub-Saharan African Region of Starwood Hotels
and Resorts and general manager of the Sheraton Pretoria in South
Africa. Elliot will report to Keith Vieira, senior vice president,
operations, Hawaii and French Polynesia.
Avanti Appoints Worksman
Avanti Tours announced the appointment of Lisa A. Worksman as
director of sales.
Worksman’s previous experience includes positions with Rail
Europe, as business development manager for Southern California,
New Mexico and Arizona and as director of sales/Western Region for
DER. She has also served in management for several prominent tour
operators.
Worksman will now work with Avanti’s enhanced sales program,
reflecting their growth in the FIT niche in the travel
marketplace.
Harry Dalgaard, President of Avanti Destinations commented:
“Lisa is a skilled professional with in-depth travel experience.
She will provide strong leadership for our expanded sales
program.”
