A number of resorts in the U.S., the Caribbean and Mexico—as well as hotels in major cities—have appointed sales and marketing directors in recent weeks.
The Botany
The Botany, an independent resort scheduled to open this winter on St. Thomas’ western tip, has named Melissa Pope director of sales and marketing. The appointment is one of the resort’s first executive leadership hires as the property prepares for its debut.
Pope brings more than two decades of experience spanning luxury hospitality, destination marketing and consumer brands. Before joining The Botany, she worked with Marriott and spent a decade at YETI, where she helped expand the outdoor lifestyle brand while overseeing sales across the western United States. Combined with her longstanding ties to St. Thomas, Pope brings both national brand-building experience and local market knowledge as the resort enters the market.
Casona Roma Norte
Casona Roma Norte, a 32-suite boutique hotel in Mexico City’s Roma Norte neighborhood, appointed Ángel Sentíes director of sales. Sentíes has more than 19 years of experience with Marriott International, including working as the commercial liaison for a 53-hotel portfolio across Mexico. Most recently, he was sales manager for Marriott’s Mexico Market Sales team.
Throughout his career, Sentíes has led property sales teams, developed strategic accounts and worked across corporate, group, entertainment and events segments. His experience includes five years at The Westin Guadalajara as senior sales manager, as well as leadership roles at Hotel Camino Real Tuxtla Gutiérrez, where he rose to director of sales.
The Driskill
The Driskill in Austin, Texas, has appointed Travis Breen director of sales, marketing and events as the recently renovated historic hotel prepares to celebrate its 140th anniversary.
Breen arrives with more than 25 years of hospitality experience across luxury, lifestyle and independent hotel segments. Before joining The Driskill, he was director of sales, marketing and events at Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin. Earlier in his career, he held senior commercial leadership positions with Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Modus Hotels, YOTEL and Piatt Hotel Group. His experience includes revenue growth initiatives, digital marketing strategy and sales leadership across multiple hotel portfolios nationwide.
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Pflugerville / Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham Pflugerville
The dual-branded La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Pflugerville and Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham Pflugerville, managed by Beechwood Hospitality, have named Jonathan “Jon” Waits director of sales.
Waits brings experience in sales leadership, business development and revenue growth. Most recently, he was director of sales and operations for Launch Commercial, a national commercial real estate support company. His background also includes five years working with Wyndham-branded products, providing familiarity with the company’s customer base, sales channels and brand systems.
Moxy Hotels
Moxy Hotels owned by Lightstone in New York City and Miami have appointed Amy Birnbaum regional director of sales and marketing. Birnbaum previously was sales director at Moxy Williamsburg and will now oversee sales and marketing for Moxy Times Square, Moxy East Village, Moxy Chelsea, Moxy Lower East Side, Moxy Williamsburg and Moxy South Beach.
Over her 15 years in the industry, Birnbaum has spearheaded hotel portfolio launches including Moxy Williamsburg, The William Vale, The Hoxton, Langham, Chicago and Wythe Hotel. She has developed relationships with travel agencies and event planners to help sales, build strong partnerships and generate new business opportunities for the properties she represents.
Pinehurst Resort
The Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina has appointed Ethan Ganot vice president of marketing, expanding the resort’s executive team as it continues a multiyear growth and development strategy.
Ganot joins the property with more than 20 years of marketing and brand-management experience. Most recently, he was head of marketing for Foresight Sports and Bushnell Golf. Before that role, he spent a decade with Callaway Golf, ultimately rising to director of marketing, where he oversaw go-to-market strategy, media planning, public relations and brand execution. Earlier in his career, he worked in brand management at MillerCoors, building expertise across consumer marketing and partnerships.
The Pyrmont Curaçao Beach Resort
Ahead of its scheduled November opening, The Pyrmont Curaçao Beach Resort—an all-inclusive property in Marriott's Autograph Collection—has promoted Anjali Bakmeijer to multiproperty director of sales and marketing, adding responsibility for the new resort alongside Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort.
Bakmeijer brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience across sales, marketing, revenue management, reservations, events and catering. Before the promotion, she spent six years as director of sales and marketing at Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort. Earlier in her career, she held sales and wedding services roles at several Curaçao properties, including Hyatt and Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort, developing strong relationships throughout the island’s hospitality sector.
River Inn of Harbor Town
The River Inn of Harbor Town in Memphis has added Hailey Micic as director of sales and catering as the boutique hotel looks to expand weddings, corporate events and group business.
Micic joins the property from Slider Inn Downtown and brings experience in event sales, client relations and event coordination. Her background includes overseeing private events, corporate gatherings and community functions within the Memphis market, giving her direct knowledge of the region’s meetings and special-events landscape.
Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos
Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos has appointed Erick Ramirez director of sales and marketing.
Ramirez brings 24 years of hospitality experience across luxury, group and corporate segments. Before joining Solaz, he was director of sales and marketing at Hilton Mexico City Reforma, where he led the property’s commercial strategy and sales efforts. His career also includes leadership roles with Hilton, Hyatt, Live Aqua, St. Regis and W Hotels, providing experience across a range of luxury and upscale hospitality brands.
The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa has added two longtime Marriott executives to its commercial leadership team, naming Sally Mignone complex director of marketing and Abigail Gravgaard complex director of sales and marketing.
Mignone brings more than 22 years of experience with Marriott International, where she held positions across sales, leisure and group travel, ecommerce, performance marketing and brand development at the property, regional and enterprise levels. Her career spans both hotel operations and broader brand strategy initiatives.
Gravgaard has spent her entire hospitality career with Marriott International. Most recently, she helped lead the repositioning of The Westin Charlotte following its $50 million renovation. Her experience includes commercial strategy, sales and marketing leadership within the Marriott portfolio, particularly during significant repositioning and renovation projects.