Italian Masters
The Italian Tourism Board introduced the 2007 edition of The Florentine Genius (Genio Fiorentino), at a presentation at their Los Angeles offices Feb. 26. The festival, which honors famous geniuses (like Dante Alighieri, Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti) will be held May 12-27. Events will include exhibitions, performances, conferences and other activities throughout Florence. www.geniofiorentino.it
Miller New VP at Marriott Fred Miller has been appointed vice president travel industry relations for Marriott International, Inc. Miller will be responsible for establishing and maintaining Marriott’s position on issues relevant to the travel industry and the global marketplace. Additionally, he will be responsible for the development and execution of Marriott’s wholesale strategies and programs. Miller is a 40-year veteran of the travel industry. He began his career as national sales manager with Holiday Inn in Atlanta. He joined Marriott in 1997 and was most recently vice president of global sales.
HVCB Appoints Zadeh The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) has appointed Julie Zadeh as the new managing director of travel-trade marketing. Zadeh is primarily responsible for planning and managing HVCB’s travel-trade initiatives with agencies, wholesalers and online providers in the mainland U.S. and Canada. “We’re delighted to have Julie joining the HVCB marketing team and see her as a great fit for advancing our marketing programs with the travel-trade community,” said John Monahan, HVCB president and CEO. “She has a proven track record of success in developing cooperative business partnerships to promote Hawaii and an insightful understanding of what travel professionals require to meet their sales objectives in today’s highly competitive market.” Zadeh comes to the HVCB from Expedia, Inc., where she held the position of director of market management for lodging in Hawaii. Prior to that, she worked at The Travel Place, a travel agency in Bellevue, Wash.
Staff Changes at Outrigger Steve Winter, vice president of operations for Outrigger’s Condominium Collection announced the promotion of Barrette De Santos as general manager for the Outrigger Aina Nalu on Maui, as well as the appointment of Dale Stetson to regional director, Outrigger Condominium Collection-Kauai. During his 29-year hospitality career, Stetson has served as general manager of several resorts in Hawaii. In his new position, he will continue to be responsible for the daily operations of the Outrigger Waipouli Resort & Spa as general manager, as well as regional responsibilities for Outrigger’s other two properties on Kauai.  At Outrigger Aina Nalu, De Santos is now responsible for day-to-day operations at the Maui property, overseeing all departments. He has over 25 years of experience in the industry and has spent the last six years as senior sales manager for the company’s beachfront division, including Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach and Outrigger Reef on the Beach.
New GM at Starwood’s Princess Kaiulani Starwood Hotels & Resorts has named Fred Orr general manager of the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani. Orr was most recently the managing director of the Sheraton Moana Surfrider, as well as the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani for the past six years and has an extensive background in the industry. “Fred will provide the experience, vision and leadership needed as we embark on this exciting project that will revitalize and reposition the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani in Waikiki,” said Keith Vieira, senior vice president and director of operations – Hawaii and French Polynesia, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Orr joined the Sheraton Corporation in 1968 as assistant manager at Sheraton Moana Surfrider, where he subsequently served as sales manager and later, director of sales. | 