Jennifer LeMaster
LeMaster is the new president and CEO of Seattle Convention Center. She began her 26-year career leading marketing and special events in college sports at the University of Kentucky Athletics Association. She went on to oversee $22 million in annual revenue and a $30 million renovation at the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA). Later, guiding public affairs during the development of the $1.7 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium, led to her overseeing the development and implementation of three phases of strategic planning that reshaped culture, internal governance and future growth. Her experience equips her to now lead Seattle Convention Center through Seattle’s next phase of growth in the meetings and conventions space.
Elizabeth Giron
Giron takes on the role of global director of strategic partnerships at Terramar, a DMC Network Company. In collaboration with Lisa DeLeon and Kate Patay on the global roster, Giron will oversee client and partner relations while providing additional infrastructure for the continuous growth of the destinations in which Terramar operates. In addition to extensive experience and knowledge, Giron brings a recognized leadership presence in the meetings and events community.
Crystal Resto
Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico appoints Resto as director of sales and marketing. With 15 years of experience, in which she has held several director positions and successfully developed sales teams, set standard operating procedures and led marketing efforts, Resto has held role in sales and marketing at AC Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk, The Gunter Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk and more. She will now be responsible for sales strategy development, customer relationships, monitoring market trends, achieving KPIs and meeting budgets for Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico.
George Fleck
Fleck is appointed as senior vice president and global brand leader for EDITION Hotels. He will guide the brand as it continues to grow, overseeing all aspects of brand culture, training platforms, hotel openings, design evolution, marketing strategy, nightlife programming and F&B concept development. Fleck has worked with Marriott International for over 20 years and has held roles in brand management, marketing and sales leadership across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.
Paul Baker
Baker takes on the role of president of Atlantis Resorts. He will oversee the Atlantis brand, managing the operations of Atlantis, The Palm; Atlantis, The Royal; and Atlantis Sanya in China. Reporting directly to Philippe Zuber, CEO of Kerzner International, Baker will guide all aspects of Atlantis Dubai, including administrative, commercial, retail, F&B, banqueting and events, marine and waterpark and recreational services. He brings nearly 20 years of experience in international hospitality and entertainment, holding pivotal roles such as deputy chief operation officer at Genting Malaysia Berhad, the world’s largest integrated luxury resort, which demonstrates his strong track record of managing large-scale, complex operations with leadership and strategic acumen.
Jing Butler
Jing Butler, The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa Avon, Vail Valley The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa Avon, Vail Valley, promotes Butler to the role of director of sales. She began with the property over a decade ago as an executive meetings manager, and later was promoted to the role of associate director of sales, which she held for the past three years. She earlier held sales positions at the Aloft Charleston Airport and Convention Center, The Arrabelle at Vail Square and the Vail Cascade Resort by Destination Hotels & Resorts, and is a Certified Hospitality Sales Professional and a graduate of Switzerland’s IHTTI School of Hotel Management.
Michelle Martinez
Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver appoints Martinez as director of sales. She brings nearly two decades of experience in hospitality, primarily in sales. Most recently, she served as director of sales and business development at Monarch Casino Resort Spa, and at Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver, she will manage accounts, prepare presentations and proposals, service client needs, maintain synergy with other hotel departments and support the sales team to meet group and business sales goals.
Jon Hixon
Hixon is appointed as senior vice president of business strategy for Travel Portland. He brings three decades of experience in the travel industry, most recently as a managing director of sales at Visit Indy. He is a Certified Destination Management Executive and a Certified Meeting professional, as well as a member of ASAE, DI and PCMA. In his new role, he will work with Travel Portland’s convention sales and services teams to bring diverse and economically impactful convention customers to Portland and exceed customer service expectations and gain repeat business.
Lee Rekas
Remington Hospitality’s Pier House Resort & Spa and La Concha Key West appoint Rekas to the role of area director of sales & marketing. She has served in numerous sales and marketing leadership positions with Highgate Hotels, including regional vice president of sales and marketing, area director of sales and marketing and complex director of sales and marketing, as well as vice president of sales and marketing for FOD asset management at The Perry Hotel Key West and The Perry Hotel Naples. She brings a strong background in hospitality with a specialty in sales, marketing, catering and event management.
Ildebrando Salazar
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa welcomes Salazar as director of sales and marketing. He will provide support and guidance to the hotel’s sales team to ensure outstanding meeting and event experiences for group guests in addition to overseeing the hotel’s marketing. He brings over 15 years of hospitality experience and went on to hold numerous roles at Hyatt Regency Hill Country, the downtown Grand Hyatt San Antonio and Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, and most recently was part of the opening team for Hyatt Regency Conroe.
