WASHINGTON—AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, launched a new platform to streamline its scholarship application process. The platform not only improves the user experience, but includes a built-in eligibility assessment that allows students to access every Foundation-hosted opportunity for which they qualify. The Foundation has supported rising hospitality talent through individual donors and corporations, contributing nearly $17 million to eligible students across the United States to date. “The AHLA
McNeill Hotel Company Names Kim Knop Director of Business Development
Category: Comings & Goings, People
GERMANTOWN, Tennessee—McNeill Hotel Company (MHC) named current Vice President of Sales & Marketing Kim Knop as its director of business development, where she will work with investor and ownership groups as MHC expands its third-party property management portfolio. MHC President Travis Murray made the announcement. Knop has over 30 years of hotel experience in sales and marketing, including with MHC Co-Founder Mark Ricketts at Memphis, Tennessee-based MASTER Hospitality, and as an area director of sales
Concord Hospitality Promotes Crystal Thrasher to VP of HR Services
Category: Comings & Goings, People
RALEIGH, North Carolina—Concord Hospitality announced the recent promotion of Crystal Thrasher to the position of vice president of HR services. In her new role, Thrasher will lead and shape onboarding processes for new teams during hotel openings and acquisitions, implement compliance guidelines, foster positive associate relations, promote an inclusive workplace culture, facilitate learning and development initiatives, and maintain an effective safety program. “I am absolutely honored to step into this new role at Concord Hospitality,”
OTTUMWA, Iowa—Best Western Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of the Best Western Ottumwa Inn & Suites. The hotel is owned by Anil Chaudhari and includes 41 guestrooms and 20 suites. Offering a modern design, the property recently underwent a refresh with renovated guestrooms with a bright color palette, remodeled bathrooms, and new artwork. Guestrooms also come equipped with new sofas, flatscreen televisions, mini-fridges, and microwaves. When visiting the Best Western Ottumwa Inn & Suites,
Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada has announced that the property closed on Jan. 1, 2024, to undergo a renovation and will reopen in early April 2024. The refurbishment will encompass signature spaces throughout the hotel including the lobby and 1927 Lobby Lounge, its accommodations, and the Reflections Terrace. The new design will connect contemporary elements with classic features with materials ranging from marble and dark wood to velvet textures. Aligned with the
