Mercedes Miller
Miller takes on the role of president of The ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau, the destination marketing organization for the cities of College Park, Hapeville and Union City, following Cookie Smoak’s retirement. She brings nearly 30 years of hospitality industry experience, throughout which she has been recognized for her leadership and industry knowledge. Miller has served on various boards and committees, including as chairperson of the ATL Airport District CVB Board of Directors, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors and the Board of Ethics for Fulton County.
Ed Skapinok
Explore St. Louis appoints Skapinok as chief commercial officer for the DMO and operator of America’s Center Convention Complex. The chief commercial officer role has been a staple in large hotel operations, but its presence in a DMO is a newer development. Skapinok brings deep experience in hotel industry sales, marketing and revenue management, and will draw from this expertise in his new role, which combines the consumer-facing functions of the DMO to create a unified approach to selling St. Louis as a leading destination.
Morgan Simo
Visit Panama City Beach promotes Simo to the role of special events operations manager. After joining the team in 2023 as sports and special events coordinator, Simo has demonstrated immense passion and dedication for her projects. Simo remains actively involved with the Bay County Chamber and Panama City Beach Chamber and has recently joined their Young Professionals program. She holds a master’s degree in public and corporate communications.
Joye Lucas
Lucas joins Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique as director of sales & marketing. She brings extensive experience in luxury hospitality sales and marketing, most recently having served as complex director of luxury sales for Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya and Waldorf Astoria Cancun. She now brings her skillset to serve as a member of the opening team of the first Waldorf Astoria property in Costa Rica.
Mariles Krok
Visit Sacramento appoints Krok as chief of convention sales & services officer. Born and raised in California, Krok brings over 25 years of experience in the hospitality and meetings and conventions industry, most recently serving as vice president of meeting & partnership sales for Visit Anaheim. She will now lead Visit Sacramento’s Convention Sales and Services division as the team works to bring major meetings and conventions to the city and support groups before and during their events in the city.
Trevor Tkachyk
Tkachyk is promoted to the role of director of conference services from his former role as director of banquets at Fairmont Dallas, home to several major annual conferences in Dallas. He has moved through ascending roles at Fairmont Dallas, beginning as the food and beverage manager/assistant director of banquets, and earlier as interim director of banquests and assistant director of banquets at Fairmont San Jose. He will now oversee the 545-room hotel’s conference services team.
Lindsay Swanson and Pepe Avila
Visit Anaheim makes two key executive appointments to lead the DMO as Anaheim continues to grow and evolve and invests in its community.
Swanson is promoted to the role of vice president of communications. She has worked with Visit Anaheim for seven years, moving through ascending roles, from communications specialist, to manager, to director and now as vice president. In her new role with Visit Anaheim, she is now responsible for creating and executing strategic communications plans to help build and enhance Anaheim’s reputation.
Avila is promoted to the role of senior vice president of community relations & partnerships. He has worked with Visit Anaheim since 2003, beginning as director, tourism development. He is lauded for his big-picture thinking, results-oriented mindset and dedication to his community.
Clinton Coleman
Coleman is promoted to the role of national sales manager at Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB). He joined ACVB in 2023 as a sales coordinator. In his new role, he will sell and market Atlanta as a premier destination for group meetings of 51-250 rooms on peak night, and will represent ACVB at trade shows and coordinate participation with the organization’s partners.
Jane Hague
Convene welcomes Hague as director of UK sales. She brings over 20 years of experience in meetings and events industry sales and business development. In this new role, she will oversee a team of 32 event sales professionals in London, Manchester and Birmingham responsible for selling across the Convene portfolio. She most recently served as head of business development at ExCel London, where she spent 12 years attracting top global brands to host their events at the venue while spearheading revenue-driving initiatives, from new business partnerships to the creation and renovation of event spaces.
Angela Showley
Southeast hospitality group Kessler appoints Showley as vice president of marketing & revenue. She brings extensive experience in spearheading impactful marketing and communications initiatives, with over 24 years in digital marketing, social media, advertising and PR across the travel and hospitality industry. She will lead the brand’s marketing strategies, oversee revenue generation across its entire hospitality portfolio and elevate Kessler’s reach by increasing engagement with existing customers and attracting new audiences.
