Meeting News - February 2, 2009 - (Page 6)

People Making News MPI Fast-Tracks Fast Food Executive In December, Dallas-based Meeting Professionals International named Trey Feiler as its new COO. Reporting directly to MPI president and CEO Bruce MacMillan, Feiler will be in charge of several key MPI divisions, including Knowledge and Events, Marketing and Communications, and Member Care. Feiler brings over 20 years of leadership experience, having held held key positions in real estate, finance, and development at Brinker International (parent firm of Chili’s, Macaroni Grill, On the Border, and Maggiano’s), and at Yum! Brands Inc. (Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver’s, and A&W). Most recently, Feilier was senior vice president of development for Jamba Juice Co., where he was responsible for all aspects of company and franchise store development. “Trey impressed us with his proven leadership skills,” said MacMillan. “His diverse background in international business and his ability in nontraditional business models will be extremely helpful as we identify growth opportunities for the MPI community.” the Northern California Concierge Association recognized Tom Wolfe, the chief concierge of the Fairmont San Francisco, for his achievement as the first concierge in the U.S., at a tribute hosted by the landmark hotel. Back in the 1970s, Wolfe, who trained as a concierge in Europe, set up the first concierge desk in America, in the lobby of the Fairmont San Francisco; he later founded the U.S. chapter of the international organization of hotel lobby concierges, Les Clefs d’Or, in 1978. At the tribute, Wolfe explained, “By introducing concierge service to the United States, I feel that I have done what I was put on earth to do. Ever since I was a little boy, I have always been enamored with grand hotels. I am fortunate to have been able to follow my dream and realize my true calling.” Thomas Klein, regional vice president and general manager of the Fairmont San Francisco, commented, “Tom is an integral part of the Fairmont legend. He not only raised the bar for service excellence at our hotel but throughout the nation’s hotel industry.” A plaque commemorating Wolfe’s pioneering role in the hospitality industry has been placed at the Fairmont’s front desk in perpetuity. Visitors Association has hired Ronnie Burt, Jr. as its new senior vice president of sales. Previously, Burt was vice president of convention sales and services for the Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association, where he worked since 1999, when he joined the agency as director of national accounts. I The San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau hired four new national sales directors in its hotel meetings sales division: Jenna Bisesi, based in San Diego, handles the Paciﬁc Northwest region; Elaine Kady, also based in San Diego, handles select southern California markets, including Orange County, Riverside County, and the desert communities of Palm Springs and Palm Desert; Jennifer Gordon, based in Hickory Creek, TX, oversees Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas; and Amber Levy, based in New York, handles the Northeast. I Noel Hoekstra, director of international accounts for Chicago-based CEP International, has earned her CEM (Certified in Exhibition Management) designation from the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). Having completed IAEE’s threeyear CEM educational program, Hoekstra was recognized for her achievement at IAEE’s annual meeting and exhibition in Miami in December. I Kristin L. Skille is the new regional director of sales at the San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center in Galveston, TX. She is responsible for directing, coordinating, training, and supervising sales managers, revenue managers, and sales administrators, as well as for growing existing accounts and generating new business. Skille was the director of sales for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Spa in Laguna Niguel, CA, since 2006. She is a member of Meeting Professionals International, the Professional Catering Managers Association, the Houston Society of Association Executives, and Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International. H Head’s Up at NA Office For Flanders, Belgium In January, Dan Benjoseph was named director of the North American ofﬁce of the Tourist Ofﬁce for Flanders, Belgium. A veteran of the travel industry, Benjoseph comes from Costa Cruises, where he served as business development manager. His previous posts include SuperClubs, Trafalgar Tours, Isramworld, and Galilee Tours. In addition, Liliane Opsomer was elevated from press and public relations director to deputy director. Opsomer will continue to be the media relations contact for the Tourist Ofﬁce for Flanders. Shout Outs I Eric Kuester of Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, NC, was promoted to director of national accounts. Previously group sales manager for Pinehurst’s midAtlantic and Southeast markets, Kuester joined Pinehurst in 2002, at which point he worked in front-office operations. In his new role, he continues to develop corporate group business in the Southeast region, in key markets such as Charlotte and Atlanta. I The Indianapolis Convention & Fairmont SF’s Wolfe Lauded As America’s Concierge Pioneer In December, Les Clefs d’Or USA and E-mail your personnel announcements in the meetings and hospitality industries to Terri Hardin, Editor-In-Chief, at terri.hardin@nielsen.com, or mail them to MeetingNews, 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003. 6 MeetingNews February 2, 2009 www.meetingnews.com http://www.meetingnews.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meeting News - February 2, 2009

Meeting News - February 2, 2009
Contents
What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com
Inside the Industry
People Making News
Transportation
Green Beat
Ad Index
Live from the Forum

Meeting News - February 2, 2009