Meeting News - July 27, 2009 - (Page 16)

Meeting People By Chris Davis cdavis@meetingnews.com Elliott Ferguson To Take Reins Of D.C.’s CVB As President, CEO Destination DC, Washington, D.C.’s convention and visitors bureau, this month promoted former senior vice president of convention sales and services Elliott Ferguson to replace longtime organization head Bill Hanbury as president and CEO. Ferguson will lead the sales and marketing organization and manage the finance and business development operations. Ferguson has spent seven years with Destination DC and previously led convention sales teams at the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Savannah Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Elliott brings a wealth of experience, great sales focus and outstanding leadership,” said Destination DC chair Sheila Stampfli. “The quality of the candidates we reviewed is a testament to how terrific D.C. is as a destination.” “I’ve learned a lot in my years working with Bill Hanbury and the wonderful team at Destination DC,” said Ferguson. “It’s an exciting opportunity and challenge to lead this organization and set the strategy for continued success.” Hanbury, who had served as president and CEO of the organization since 2001, resigned in April and became president and CEO of the National Capital Area United Way on July 1. returned to the city where his meetings and conventions career began as an event manager for Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center. “I didn’t have the opportunity to work with Nathan when he was a GHCVB sales manager, but I look forward to doing so now,” said Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau president Greg Ortale. “His energy and creativity will be a wonderful addition to our sales team.” Tollett pointed to his stint at the Golden Nugget, his first as a hotel salesperson, as key to learning “how to sell and deliver a successful convention—from sales prospect to move-out,” according to a statement. Former Ritz-Carlton Executive Scott Russell To Lead Sandestin Sales Destination resort developer and operator Intrawest late last month tapped former RitzCarlton sales executive Scott Russell to serve as vice president of sales and marketing at its Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, Fla. Russell not only will oversee all sales and marketing activities for Sandestin, but also serve as strategic counsel for Intrawest Hospitality Management for the Marriott Courtyard and Marriott Residence Inn, both located at Sandestin, as well as Cottage Rental Agency in nearby Seaside, Intrawest officials said. Russell served more than 18 years with Ritz-Carlton, most recently as vice president of sales and marketing for the company’s properties in the Caribbean and Mexico, and was responsible for all companywide sales training initiatives. “Scott Russell is known as a marquee player in the sales and marketing arena and has a proven track record for building and developing outstanding teams,” said Intrawest president Brian Collins. r Cory Carlson Joins Squaw Creek As Sales Director Destination Hotels & Resort’s Olympic Valley, Calif.based Resort at Squaw Creek last month hired Cory Carlson as director of sales, overseeing a team of five representatives. Previously, Carlson served as associate director of sales at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe in Incline Village, Nev. “I’ve known Cory professionally for many years, through his days in Colorado and Lake Tahoe, and he brings with him a wealth of knowledge about mountain resorts,” said Les Pedersen, director of sales and marketing for Resort at Squaw Creek. “I’m delighted to have landed at one of the nation’s top ski hotel resorts at the base of one of the great mountains, Squaw Valley USA,” said Carlson. “Resort at Squaw Creek has so much to offer to group and leisure guests alike, and I look forward to promoting the resort.” Greater Houston CVB Rehires Nathan Tollett As Director Of Sales The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau late last month hired former national sales manager Nathan Tollett as its new director of sales. Tollett, who spent about a year and a half as a national sales manager for Las Vegas’ Golden Nugget property, has 16 MeetingNews July 27, 2009 Please e-mail meetings industry personnel announcements to cdavis@meetingnews.com. www.meetingnews.com http://www.meetingnews.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meeting News - July 27, 2009

Meeting News - July 27, 2009
Contents
Newsmaker
Meetings Spotlight
Meeting Post
Viewpoint
Association Watch
Event Profile
Meeting People
MeetingNews Research
Travel Dashboard
Mid-America Regional
Golf Meetings
Hawaii

Meeting News - July 27, 2009