Kariuki Epps
Epps rejoins Visit Cincy as senior sales manager. He brings experience in religious, fraternal and ethnic meetings segments to drive new conventions and meetings to Cincinnati and establish it as a top national meetings destination. He previously worked for Visit Cincy as national manager of diversity sales, during which time he booked numerous large conferences and conventions.
Julio Flores
Flores joins the recently renovated Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Carson as general manager. He comes most recently from his role as general manager at the Residence Inn Anaheim Garden. He began his 20-year career in hospitality as a front desk agent at the Doubletree Irvine Spectrum, and now brings his extensive experience to manage the 225-room property.
Russell Stewart
The Westin Atlanta Gwinnett welcomes Stewart as director of sales and marketing. He brings decades of experience in the industry, an extremely successful track record and a wide network. He will lead the sales team and develop and implement strategies to grow the hotel’s customer base, with attention to premier group customers, high-end corporate business and luxury travelers.
Greg Redman
Redman joins leading Hawaii-based destination and event management company MC&A as director of sales. His extensive background in experiential marketing and hospitality management equips him to manage the Hawaii sales team and maintain their current clients, while also developing strategic sales objectives and strengthening MC&A’s presence as a destination management company.
Mariya Baker, CMP
As director of sales in the convention department at Louisville Tourism, Baker will oversee a team of sales directors and managers, will work to grow trade, business and commercial markets and will maintain TBC legacy accounts. She most recently worked as the director of meeting and convention sales at Explore Branson, where she led their sales team in driving revenue to the Branson area through meetings and events.
Rainell Mano and Susan Barnes
Mano is director of sales and events at Turtle Bay Resort. Over her 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and business event management, she has developed expertise in diverse branding cultures, DMCs and non-traditional marketing opportunities. She served as Vice President for MPI’s Aloha Chapter in 2019 and is passionate about creating extraordinary guest experiences.
Barnes comes to Turtle Bay Resort as director of incentive sales with nearly 30 years of experience in sales and operations. She began her career at Starwood Hotels & Resorts and eventually assumed the role of director of sales. In her new role, she will solicit and manage group business in the Midwest and Atlantic incentive markets.
Gary Farstad
Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort brings in Farstad as general manager. With 15 years in hospitality experience, Farstad is an excellent candidate to continue the property’s successful operation and provide outstanding guest experiences. Hotels led by Farstad have received numerous recognitions, including the TPS Marriott Sudbury’s award as the 2019 Revenue Performance Team of the Year.
Lydia Pierce and Renee DiLiddo
Pierce joins Station Casinos as executive director of events to lead its seven properties. She recently celebrated ten years with the company, having joined in 2013 as a catering sales manager. In this role, she will personally oversee high-profile bookings from contract to completion. She will lead various catering teams across the company’s meeting and event spaces to drive revenue and ensure a memorable guest experience.
DiLiddo will lead all sales, catering and related banquet activities for Station Casino’s newest luxury resort, Durango Casino & Resort, in her role as director of sales and catering. With over 12 years of experience in sales and hospitality, including demonstrated success at Red Rock Casino & Resort’s spa sales team, DiLiddo has exceptional expertise to take this new property to the next level.
Cliff Atkinson
As president of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, a Curio Collection by Hilton, Atkinson will draw on his nearly 30 years of experience to lead the resort in continued success and exciting growth. His illustrious hospitality career has included leadership roles in hotels across the US, including Luxor Hotel & Casino, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Gramercy Park Hotel.
Shaun Robinson
Robinson is general manager of the 1,190-room Hilton San Diego Bayfront. He will lead the hotel in providing professional and personal customer service for leisure, business and group travelers. He comes most recently from his 11-year role as general manager at Hilton Anaheim. With over 40 years of experience and numerous leadership roles, Robinson brings outstanding hospitality management expertise.
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