Meeting News - September 21, 2009 - (Page 15)

Meeting People By Michael B. Baker & Chris Davis Wyndham Hotel Group Promotes Carla Dunn To Sales Vice President Corporate buyers and agencies have a new sales leader at Wyndham Hotel Group with the appointment of Carla Dunn to vice president of global sales for transient and specialty markets. Wyndham on Aug. 24 announced Dunn’s promotion. She previously had served as an area director of sales for Wyndham, leading sales efforts for the company’s franchised hotels. In her new role, Dunn will direct Wyndham’s relationships with corporate travel managers, government travel managers, consortia and travel management companies, as well as clients in the tour, wholesale, transportation and sports and leisure segments, according to Wyndham ofﬁcials. “Carla has a strong track record of ensuring growth for major company accounts,” Wyndham Hotel Group executive vice president of global sales Ross Hosking said. “Her ﬁrst-hand knowledge of the lodging industry and expertise in the area of sales will serve Wyndham Hotel Group well as we look to expand our hold on key transient and specialty market accounts.” Prior to joining Wyndham in early 2008, Dunn worked in corporate and property-level sales positions for Remington Hotels, the Procaccianti Group and Wyndham’s earlier incarnation as Wyndham International. David Sargent Returns To Chicago As CCTB Senior Vice President Longtime hotel sales executive David Sargent has joined the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau in the newly created position of senior vice president and will lead the bureau’s efforts to acquire new meetings and convention business. Sargent joined CCTB last month after serving as senior vice president of sales and marketing for the Orlando/Orange County CVB. Previously, he was the area director of sales and marketing for the Hiltons of Chicago, where he led a team of more than 50 people at three properties, and director of sales and marketing at The Westin New York at Times Square and Sheraton New York. Sargent said, “Chicago’s reputation as a serious business destination, its diverse meeting facilities, a built-in attendee base and more will provide a solid platform in selling the destination to meeting planners seeking a partner to help grow their events.” Visit Milwaukee President & CEO Doug Nielson Departs Doug Nielson last month resigned his post as president and CEO of Visit Milwaukee, the city’s convention and visitors bureau. Nielson had said in February that he would remain in the position until Dec. 31, but he instead will serve as a consultant to the bureau while giving up day-to-day responsibilities. The role will be ﬁlled on an interim basis by vice president of administration Judy Widlowski, vice president of public relations David Fantle and vice president of sales and marketing Brent Foerster, with oversight from the organization’s executive committee. A search committee has been formed to ﬁnd a permanent replacement. “All parties agreed that it was in the best interest of Doug and Visit Milwaukee to relinquish the position of president at this time so he may return to his native San Francisco, rejoin his family, pursue new opportunities and allow the organization to move forward in search of his successor,” said Visit Milwaukee board chair Lynda Kohler. Neilson joined Visit Milwaukee in 2001 after serving in an executive post with the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau. H September 21, 2009 MeetingNews 15 Carlson Hotels Taps McKinnon For Brand Development Carlson Hotels Worldwide has appointed a Rezidor Hotel Group executive to lead the growth and development of its five brands. Gordon McKinnon on Sept. 1 began his role as executive vice president and chief branding officer, working out of Carlson’s Minneapolis office and reporting to Carlson CEO Hubert Joly. McKinnon previously served as the executive vice president of brands for Brusselsbased Rezidor, which operates Carlson’s brands and in which Carlson is the main shareholder. Prior to Rezidor, McKinnon helped to create and promote the Glasgow, Scotland-based Malmaison luxury hotel brand, first serving as a consultant and eventually joining the company full-time in 1999. “We look forward to drawing upon Gordon’s extensive experience and unique skill set as we continue to enhance our hotel brands and market position,” Joly said. H 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 - September 21, 2009

Meeting News - September 21, 2009

Contents
Pricing Forecast
Newsmaker
Meetings Spotlight
Event Profile

Meeting News - September 21, 2009

Meeting News - September 21, 2009 -

Meeting News - September 21, 2009

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Meeting News - September 21, 2009 -

Meeting News - September 21, 2009