Meeting News - January 5, 2009 - (Page 11)

People Making News background in corporate sales in the high-tech arena, as well as in development of national sales programs for new product launches, development of customer loyalty programs, and management of events for a Fortune 500 client base. I Destination Colorado, the state’s tourism agency, chose Joanne Melser, national sales manager for Vail’s Keystone Resort & Conference Center, as its 2008 Member of the Year. Melser was selected for her promotion of Colorado in a number of regional and national industry trade shows. Destination Colorado spokesperson Janie McCullough said, “Joanne is our best example of a person who promotes the entire Colorado destination in addition to her own property.” I In December, Robert Balsam Jr. was selected by Philadelphia-based Global Spectrum, operator of the Miami Beach Convention Center, as the venue’s new general manager. A 30-year industry veteran who was most recently assistant general manager of Cincinnati’s Duke Energy Center (another Global Spectrumrun venue), Balsam brings experience in administration, operations, and the booking and implementation of events at convention centers. Prior to joining Global Spectrum in 2007, Balsam was director of sales at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston from 2004 to 2007. He also served as senior event manager and guest services manager for the San Diego Convention Center from 2001 to 2004. He was assistant manager of operations for the Albert Thomas Convention Center from 1983 to 1999, and was event coordinator at the Astrodome from 1978 to 1983, both in Houston. I Last month, Bill Dowling, the director of catering for the Wynfrey Hotel at Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, AL, was named Hospitality Department Manager of the Year in the 2008 Restaurant & Hospitality Stars of Alabama, a competition sponsored by the Alabama Restaurant Association and the Alabama Hospitality Association. “It’s an exciting time to be in the hospitality industry in Alabama, and it’s an honor to be recognized by my peers,” said Dowling, who has worked for numerous organizations and meeting planners during his 18-year tenure with the Wynfrey Hotel. I Doug Gehret was appointed general manager of the new 1,400-room Hilton Orlando, which will connect with the North/South Building of the Orange County Convention Center via an openair walkway when it opens this August. A 16-year veteran of Hilton Hotels, Gehret held several management positions at the famed Waldorf=Astoria in New York City and at the Hilton Short Hills in New Jersey. H Unwind a lot to enhance any meeting or convention. Find a lot more at 800-722-1994 or charlottesgotalot.com. http://www.charlottesgotalot.com http://www.charlottesgotalot.com

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Meeting News - January 5, 2009

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