Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/875351
N E W S M A K E R S BENCHMARK® a global hospi- tality company, has named Kimberly Atkinson director of human resources for Hotel Durant. The property, locat- ed in Berkeley, California, is part of Benchmark's prestigious Gemstone Collection. Dell Dellinger, regional managing director, made the announcement. "It is a pleasure to formally wel- come Kimberly to our hotel," said Dellinger. "She comes to us equipped with extensive experience and important knowledge of the human resources function within the hotel setting. As she led the human resources function at anoth- er Benchmark property, Kimberly is very familiar with the compa- ny's 'Be The Difference' guest service platform, which will be invaluable for our property." Kimberly Atkinson was previously director of human resources for Hotel Zelos San Francisco. Prior to this, Atkinson served in the role of human resources manager for the Villa Florence Hotel in San Francisco. She is a graduate of City College of San Francisco, California. Atkinson is relocating to Los Angeles. CINCINNATI USA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ADDS NEW NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Tamara Whiting Will Oversee Religious, Fraternal and Ethnic Meetings Segments For Cincinnati USA The Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau expanded its sales department with the recent hire of national sales manager, Tamara Whiting. A veteran of the industry since 2000, Whiting comes to Cincinnati USA from VisitPittsburgh where she held the role of national sales director and engaged with social, military, edu- cational, religious and fraternal groups as well as government and national association markets in the US Southeast. Her experience and expertise in these markets will be used to bring new conventions to Cincinnati, maintaining the region's reputation as a top national meetings destination. Whiting is an active member in several meeting and hospital- ity organizations, including Connect Diversity, Connect Faith, National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners and RCMA. "Tamara is a tremendous addition to our strong sales team," said Dan Lincoln, president and CEO of the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau. "She brings deep relationships and will be a great advocate to bring conventions and meetings to Cincinnati USA. We know she will be a great success here." Whiting's experience in the hospitality industry began with Westin Hotels. Later, Whiting assumed the role of a field market- ing manager for Starwood Hotels and Resorts, where she led hotel marketing initiatives for properties throughout the Midwest. Whiting is also the founder of SisterFriend, a nonprofit organ- ization dedicated to providing homeless and underprivileged women and girls with feminine care products. "Cincinnati is hot right now," Whiting said. "This is such an exciting time to show off the city to meeting planners, and I'm thrilled to join this team and to be part of the excitement." Whiting joins Kariuki Epps as sales contacts for Cincinnati USA for religious, fraternal and ethnic organizations. They often work in conjunction with Jason Dunn, Vice President of Multicultural and Community Development, to bring meetings for large, diverse organizations to the region. KIMBERLY ATKINSON APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HOTEL DURANT, BERKELEY A Gemstone Collection Property B M & T ••• January/February 2017 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 12