Black Meetings and Tourism

July/August 2014

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The Hyatt Palm Springs, the only all-suite hotel in the heart of Downtown Palm Springs, ann- ounced recently that David York has been appointed general manager of the 197-room hotel. In his new position York is responsible for managing all operations of the hotel. He over- sees a staff of more than 100 employees, cater- ing to the needs of local Palm Springs and Coachella Valley residents and travelers from around the world. In his role as general man- ager of the Hyatt Palm Springs he will also be overseeing completion of major refreshments to the hotel including suite, lobby and pool upgrades, as well as enhancements to the hotel's indoor and outdoor restaurants. York began his career in the hospitality industry in Colorado Springs. The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) recently ann- ounced the selection of Darryl R. Mat- thews, Sr. as the new executive direc- tor of the associa- tion, the largest org- anization of journalists of color worldwide. Matthews had been serving in the role in an interim capacity. Most recently he served as the executive director of the National Medical Association, a national professional organization which repre- sents the interests of more than 50,000 African- American physicians. He has also served as executive director for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and was the fraternity's 32nd general pres- ident. Earlier in his career, Matthews was the executive director and chief operating officer of the National Association of Black Accountants. Michael L. Wal- ker has been named general manager of the 350-room Dou- bleTree by Hilton Houston Down- town conveniently located in the heart of the downtown busi- ness and financial district, according to Ted Ratcliff, senior vice president operation eastern region for Hilton Worldwide. Effective immediately, Walker will oversee the day-to-day operations of the hotel, which is connected to the Allen Center and is within walking distance to the theater and enter- tainment district. Walker's background includes experience in all operations, revenue management, food and beverage and sales with over 20 years management experience in full service, upscale, branded properties. Walker has been with Hilton Worldwide for 16 years. The St. Louis Convention & Visit- ors Commission (SLCVC) has hired Holly Lammert as its executive meeting sales manager. Lam- mert will be responsi- ble for producing sales leads for St. Louis with emphasis on 149 and under peak room nights. Prior to joining the SLCVC, Lammert was the regional sales manager at Lodging Hospitality Management. Lammert has a BS degree in hos- pitality administration/management from Missouri State University. The St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission is the official destination marketing organization for St. Louis City and St. Louis County. The CVC also manages and operates the America's Center® convention complex and Edward Jones Domes. Hilton World- wide announced the appointment of Ronald J. Hunter as general manager of Embassy Suites Raleigh-Crabtree North Carolina, effective immediate- ly. Hunter will direct and oversee the day-to-day operations of this all-suite hotel just ten miles from Raleigh-Durham Airport. Dedicated and award winning general man- ager, Hunter is familiar with North Carolina hav- ing attended North Carolina Central University and chairing the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau for three terms during service from 1996 to 2014. He joins the Embassy Suites team after recently consulting at Research Triangle Park (RTP) Foundation in Durham and directing all aspects of operation of a full service hotel with just under 200 guestrooms. Karly Watson is the newest member of the SMG sales team at the Penn- sylvania Convent- ion Center where as sales manager she is responsible for the social, multicultural, educational, reli- gious and fraternal markets. Raised in Philadelphia, Watson returns to the East Coast from Long Beach, CA, where she was an event manager for SMG at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. "As America's birthplace and one of the largest cities in the nation, Philadelphia is a key destination for major events, conferences and conventions and SMG offers the structure for great experiences here," Watson said. A graduate of the Temple University's School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Watson began her hospitality career in 2004 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. S p e a k i n g O f P e o p l e B M & T ••• July/August 2014 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 22

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