People News: New CEOs for Global DMC Partners, San Diego Tourism and More

February 24, 2020

The latest round of people announcements is all about girl power. Check out the latest promotions, new hires and appointments of (mostly) women across the industry this month: 

Catherine Chaulet is now president and CEO of Global DMC Partners, a network of independently owned destination management companies. Serving as president of the company for six years, her promotion to CEO came as a result of her strong leadership skills. 

Julie Coker, president and CEO of Philadelphia CVB, will depart from her role in March to take on a new position as president and CEO of San Diego Tourism Authority. She has been with Philadelphia CVB since 2016.

People

Destinations International has hired Gail Mutnik for a newly created position of director of meetings within the organization. She will begin on March 19 and brings more than three decades of experience to her new role.

Sonia Fong has been named vice president of convention sales for the Greater Miami CVB. She’s been with the organization for 20 years, and her main focus will continue to be selling the Miami Beach Convention Center for citywides. 

Womenswear trade event COTERIE has appointed Colleen Sherin to lead as president. She was most recently vice president of wholesale at Alexander McQueen. 

Crystal Kennedy is now senior national accounts director at Philadelphia CVB. With 17 years of hotel sales experience, she was most recently associate director of sales at Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. She’ll be based in Dallas to focus on customers in the Western U.S.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB welcomed Mike Sophia as vice president of sports business development. He’ll oversee efforts to draw professional, collegiate, amateur and recreational sporting events to Broward County.

People

Karin Gillard has joined CSI DMC as senior account executive. She was most recently director of catering sales at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas and will be based in Las Vegas for her new role. Also within CSI DMC, Morgan Alexander has been promoted to director of event management in the Chicago office.

Elizabeth Yienger is now a national sales manager at Louisville Tourism, where she is responsible for Northeast sales territories. She’s held previous regional director roles with Hilton and Starwood Hotels in the region.

Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Board of Directors in Chicago has named Larita Clark, the organization’s previous CFO, as active CEO and CFO. She has been with the Authority since 1984.

In combining its Learnings and Meetings department functions, ASAE has appointed Amy Ledoux as chief learning and meetings officer to oversee this new combined operation. She’s been with ASAE for 15 years and brings 30 years of industry experience to her new role.

Detroit Metro CVB has restructured its leadership organizational structure, promoting four directors to newly created vice president positions: Harriet Carter is now vice president of customer/partner services; Renee Monforton is vice president of marketing and communications; Susan Richardson is vice president of group and convention sales; and Jessica Strasser is vice president of talent resources. 

Exhibition and event services company Fern has hired Mark Shadwick as senior national sales manager. He’ll be based in the Alexandria, Virginia, office and brings more than 30 years of industry experience to his new role.

People

Kari Morehead has been named special events and partnerships coordinator for New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, where she’ll be responsible for coordinating all activities related to special events.

Washington, D.C.-based trade show marketing agency Fixation Marketing has a new hire and two promotions. Sydney Bowker has joined the company as senior account executive, and both Rachel Gellman and Julia Ruxer have been promoted to account manager.

CEDIA Expo, an event for technology within the intelligently built environment, has brought on Ron Trznadel as account executive.

Edmonton, Canada-based event rentals company River City Events has appointed a new general manager, Marnie Gomes. She has more than 25 years of experience in the events industry.

Debbie Megna has joined Travel Costa Mesa as destination sales executive, where she’ll be focused on bringing in new group business to Costa Mesa in Orange County, California.

 


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Partner Voices
Dallas already boasts 35,000 hotel rooms, award-winning global cuisine, and a walkable downtown. But we are just getting started. Visit Dallas is thrilled to announce that the city of Dallas is doubling down with a massive new convention center and entertainment district. Featuring 800,000 square feet of exhibit area, 260,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and 170,000 square feet of ballroom. The center will connect business travelers with dining and shopping options in the popular Cedars District means more places to get down to business, and even more ways to unwind. “Dallas is already a great meetings and conventions destination, with the accessibility of two major airports, affordable labor, and an outstanding hotel product,” said D. Bradley Kent, Visit Dallas senior vice president and chief sales officer. “The new center and Convention Center District will enhance Dallas’ competitive position and are exactly what our customers’ need and have been asking for." What’s New – AT&T Discovery District Located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, this new district on the AT&T corporate campus is tailor-made for groups of all sizes. It boasts a multi-sensory experience, including outdoor event space, the AT&T Theater, and multiple dining outlets including JAXON Beer Garden and The Exchange, a bustling food hall. Hotels Coming Soon Names like the JW Marriott (Downtown), lnterContinental Dallas (Uptown), and Hotel Swexan (Uptown) are adding luxury amenities and bountiful event spaces. The projects will debut in 2023 and beyond. JW Marriott This new, 15-story, 283-room hotel will open in the heart of the city’s downtown Arts District this year. The property features a 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom, as well as a spa, restaurant, lobby bar, fitness center, and a rooftop pool deck and bar. InterContinental Dallas  Located in Cityplace Tower in Uptown, InterContinental Dallas will feature sweeping panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. Guests will enjoy spacious, high-end rooms and amenities, including more than 21,000 square feet of event space.   Hotel Swexan Hotel Swexan, a new, 22-story luxury property, is rising in Uptown’s Harwood District and will make its mark on the Dallas skyline. Opening this year, it is a sculptural building with cantilevered upper floors, as well as a 75-foot rooftop infinity-edge swimming pool and a hidden underground lounge.