The Kessler Collection, a portfolio of 10 boutique hotels and restaurants, is appointed Jeannie DiGrappa as the new regional sales manager for its western properties: Beaver Creek Lodge, El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa, and Kessler Canyon. DiGrappa’s role includes implementing sales strategies to achieve goals and maximize profits, as well as maintaining high customer satisfaction, developing new accounts and successfully managing sales efforts. Previously serving as area director of sales f...

The Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort, the beach-front hotel destination in the Isla Verde section of San Juan, has announced the appointment of Natalia Luna as director of sales and marketing. In her role, Luna will lead the planning and execution of group sales and marketing initiatives, and will be responsible for developing sales strategies and plans, marketing campaigns, and will oversee the hotel’s sales team. Luna joins the Isla Verde Beach Resort during a strategic growth phase,...

Michael Snapkoski, director of sales and marketing, Lansdowne Resort, has named Joanne Salazar to the position of director of group sales at the Loudoun County property. Salazar joins the property with over 13 years of experience in the Washington, D.C. area—most recently from the Hilton Washington Dulles hotel. As the assistant director of sales, she was responsible for the management of the sales and conference services teams, leading them to not only meet, but exceed revenue goals in 2011. Long ...

The Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort has appointed Steven Horowitz the director of sales. Over his 25-year career, Horowitz has directed sales and marketing for both luxury resorts and city hotels. He comes to the Arizona Biltmore from Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, where as director of sales and resort marketing, he assembled, developed, and oversaw the sales and marketing team of the newly opened resort and casino. Previously, he was with Marriott International for 19 years in...

Veteran Hawaii hospitality executive Marcus Y. Ito has been promoted by Trump Hotel Collection to global sales director, Asia-Pacific. Adding to his leisure sales responsibilities at Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk, Ito will be taking on a broader role, representing the entire Trump Hotel Collection brand to the Asia-Pacific markets. For three years prior, Ito served as director of international marketing for Wyndham Vacation Resorts in Honolulu, playing an integral role in establishin...

Pegah Ghoushbeigui, a hospitality industry executive with extensive experience in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, has been named director of sales and marketing for the Capella Washington D.C., Georgetown, the first Capella-branded property in the United States. The new build hotel is scheduled to open in early 2013. Prior to joining Capella, Ghoushbeigui was director of sales and marketing for the 133-room Latham Hotel in Washington where she achieved exceptional results, consistently excee...

The Hilton Garden Inn Denver Cherry Creek hotel announced that they have chosen Aimee Palifroni as the first catering sales manager. Aimee’s career started off as a wedding planner for the Arrowhead Golf Club in Littleton, Colorado. Aimee furthered her career by assuming the position of catering sales manager for the Hilton Garden Inn Denver Tech Center where she doubled the hotel’s wedding bookings in a short amount of time. In 2010 Aimee became the private dining manager at Sullivan's Steakhouse where...

Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa announced the appointment of Wendy Valdez as executive meetings manager. In her new role, Valdez will specifically handle all groups that require 25 rooms or less, including board retreats and executive meetings. She will also oversee groups that need meeting space or rooms exclusively. An award-winning sales manager with 25 years' in the industry, Valdez has most recently worked as the SMERF sales manager and senior sales manager at Embassy Suites in Destin,...

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. announced the appointment of Mark Kerwin as director of leisure sales, El Encanto. In this role, Kerwin will oversee transient and leisure market sales for this iconic early 20th-century hotel located in Santa Barbara’s American Riviera and scheduled to re-open in March 2013. Prior to joining El Encanto, Kerwin served five years as Director of Sales and Marketing for Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico, driving sales and marketing initiatives at the...

Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa on Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands has announced the appointment of Anne Renken, CMM as sales manager. Renken is responsible for group sales northeast - including Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. She is based in Connecticut. Renken joins Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa following a brief run as a sales consultant, providing expertise and support to U.S. companies on meeting management and strategic account planning for interna...