Florida
Louisiana
Texas
- David Smith was named general manager of the Hilton Miami Airport hotel. He joins the property from Cancun, Mexico, where he served as general manager of the Hilton Cancun Golf & Spa Resort… The Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB appointed Fernando Harb to serve as director of sales. He most recently held the position of director of sales and marketing for the Hollywood Beach Marriott, where he was an essential member of the resort’s management team for its grand opening. Prior to that, Harb was the director of production and international sales for Roney Palace Beach Resort in Miami Beach… Two longstanding Disney employees were tapped to lead the Catering and Convention Services Team for Walt Disney World Resort. Ann Williams, CMP, was promoted to director, catering and convention services, and Joe Sautter was promoted to managing catering and convention services director. In her new executive role, Williams will set the strategies for catering and convention services operations throughout the Walt Disney Word Resort, including all six Disney convention resorts, the four Disney theme parks, Downtown Disney, and Disney Water Parks. She is a 28-year Disney employee, most recently serving as catering operations director, and has led the development and execution of many signature Disney Events, including the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Sautter will provide ongoing leadership and day-to-day direction for select convention services and catering teams and manage a variety of special catering projects. During his 10 years with Disney, Sautter held numerous leadership positions, most recently serving as managing director of catering and convention services for Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Disney’s All-Star Resort.
Louisiana
- New Orleans Fine Hotels, a collection of nine unique hotels located in historic areas of New Orleans, announced the promotion of Stefan Maronge to national sales manager. Maronge has been with New Orleans Fine Hotels for more than five years and is a Certified Government Meeting Professional. He now oversees business development in the citywide social, military, government, religious, and fraternal territories, as well as marketing for the Astor Crowne Plaza.
Texas
- The Austin CVB hired Kumi Anzalone as its Washington, D.C.-based director of national accounts for the Eastern region. The bureau also hired Indianapolis-based Kelly McBride as its new Midwest account director, and promoted Shannon Cannon to assistant director of sales. Anzalone previously worked at the Raleigh CVB. McBride most recently worked for Universal Conference and Incentive Travel. Cannon was promoted from her position as an account director.