Going Places

Illinois

• Patrick Cook was named director of sales and marketing for the Chicago area’s new luxury hotel, the InterContinental Chicago O’Hare, which opens Sept. 3 in Rosemont. Cook brings more than 21 years of hospitality experience to the 560-room luxury property, managed by Portfolio Hotels & Resorts, based in Oakbrook, Ill. He previously held the position of director of sales and marketing at the Holiday Inn Select Naperville, also managed by Portfolio Hotels & Resorts. Cook will oversee development and execution of all marketing initiatives for the hotel, which will offer more than 53,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

• White Lodging appointed Cory Chambers director of sales and marketing for the JW Marriott Indianapolis complex, scheduled to open in downtown Indianapolis in 2011.

• Greta Lawrence was appointed director of catering and conference services for the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit, scheduled to open in October following a restoration. Prior to her appointment, Lawrence was general manager of Sodexho Corporate Services at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Lawrence will oversee social and business catering functions in the hotel’s Crystal, Venetian and Woodward ballrooms and the Italian Garden, as well as manage the hotel’s grand opening charity dinner.

•  Regent Hotels & Resorts named Christopher Cestari director of global sales. Cestari brings over 20 years of luxury hotel and cruise experience to his new role. He will direct global sales efforts for Regent in the U.S., promoting the brand’s portfolio of properties in several markets overseas. Cestari most recently served as director of sales at New York’s Hotel Plaza Athenée. Previous hotel sales positions in New York include the Four Seasons, St. Regis, Omni Berkshire Palace, and Forte Hotels Worldwide… Ed Shartar, president and CEO of Experient since 2004, stepped down in June. The Experient board appointed George S. Benson to serve as interim president and CEO while a search is conducted for a replacement. Experient is a source for integrated meeting and event solutions including full-service, customized registration, housing, event management, and lead retrieval services.