Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers below or click here to check out last week’s new appointments.
1. Senior Reed Manager Sciacca appointed to lead AIME 2018
Angela Sciacca has been promoted to Project Manager of the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meeting Expo (AIME), and will be responsible for the overall delivery of the 2018 show.
Angela has worked as the Operations Manager for AIME since 2004 and has been in the exhibition industry since 1992. She has a clear understanding of the needs of both exhibitors and delegates and will be a key driver of the new initiatives for 2018.
Kerry Prince, ibtm Events, Portfolio Director, said in appointing Angela; “We are very pleased to have Angela move into this role given her extensive involvement with AIME over the years and her operations background; she was the ideal candidate for this role focusing on flawless delivery.
“As this is our final show for MCB, we are committed to ensuring a fantastic experience for all, to ensure our legacy remains strong in the business events community.
“We would like to thank the outgoing exhibition director, Ian Wainwright for his hard work and passion for the industry over the past two years,” said Ms Prince.
AIME is where inspiration begins, 20-21 February 2018, at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.
2. ONYX Hospitality Group promotions in regional expansion
As part of its continued expansion across the Asia-Pacific, ONYX Hospitality Group has announced two senior promotions with David Cumming named Regional Vice President of Operations for Bangkok, Malaysia and Laos; and Pierre-Andre Pelletier named Regional Vice President of Operations for South Thailand, Vietnam and the Maldives.
David is elevated from his previous role as Vice President and Area General Manager for Bangkok. In his expanded role, David will support the company’s future growth in Malaysia, where ONYX has one newly-launched Amari and three additional hotels in the pipeline, and Laos, the location of three new Amari properties currently under development.
A 25-year veteran in hospitality, David has been with the company since 2004 and has been General Manager at both Amari Pattaya and Amari Watergate Bangkok. He also held a corporate leadership role as Vice President of Operational Development at ONYX Hospitality Group, providing his wealth of industry expertise to new hotel openings. David will continue to be based at Amari Watergate Bangkok, location of the group’s global head office.
Previously the Vice President and Area General Manager for South Thailand, Pierre-Andre takes on added leadership responsibilities in the Maldives and Vietnam. ONYX currently operates Amari Havodda Maldives and is preparing for the early 2018 opening of OZO Hoi An. The company is in active negotiations with partners on potential new developments in both destinations.
Hailing from a family of hoteliers and restaurateurs, Switzerland-born Pierre-Andre joined the company in 1993. He has served as General Manager of Amari Pattaya, Amari Watergate Bangkok and more recently, the group’s flagship Amari Phuket, where he will continue to be based.
“This is an exciting time in the ongoing development and expansion of ONYX Hospitality Group, and also the year that we enter new markets like Malaysia, Vietnam and Laos,” said Douglas Martell, President & CEO, ONYX Hospitality Group. “The expansion of both David and Pierre-Andre’s roles is an important step towards enhancing our commitment within these markets and paving the way for our future growth.”
3. David Monson appointed GM at COMO The Halkin, London
COMO Hotels and Resorts is pleased to announce the appointment of David Monson as the new General Manager of COMO The Halkin — COMO’s 41-bedroom boutique hotel in Belgravia, London.
Monson joins the team after two years serving as Hotel Manager at COMO Metropolitan London on Park Lane, the sister property of COMO The Halkin.
Monson’s career in hospitality began with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts at their London Park Lane property, before he transferred to their Canary Wharf branch in 1999, to work as Director of Catering. He has also worked at Four Seasons properties in Texas and the Bahamas.
“I am thrilled to be the new General Manager at COMO The Halkin,” says Monson. “This hotel stands out in a competitive city thanks to its incredible reputation for luxury.”
“’David’s two years at COMO Metropolitan London have been incredibly successful,” said Regional General Manager, Thomas Orchard.
“David has an enviable wealth of experience in hotel management, and will be a very significant asset to COMO The Halkin and its Michelin-starred restaurant, Ametsa with Arzak Instruction.’”
4. Sabre names Clinton Anderson as President, Hospitality Solutions
Sabre Corporation named Clinton Anderson as president of Sabre Hospitality Solutions (SHS), effective Aug. 7. He will succeed Alex Alt who has accepted an executive position at another company.
“Clinton has demonstrated his tremendous value and executive skills leading initiatives and taking on strategic projects across the company over the past three years, working effectively with customers and employees alike,” said Sean Menke, Sabre’s president and CEO. “Having someone of Clinton’s caliber already on the Sabre team allows a seamless transition as he steps into this new role and builds upon the outstanding organization and opportunities that Alex has created during the past five years he’s been at Sabre. Sabre has identified the hospitality sector as a key engine of growth and Alex has also positioned the company for tremendous opportunities.”
Anderson joined Sabre in 2014, and he currently serves as senior vice president of strategy where he has been instrumental in key product, technology, business and investment strategy initiatives. Prior to joining Sabre, he co-founded Emerson/Anderson, a private investment fund focused on small cap businesses. He was also a partner at Bain and Company where he served as a leader of consumer products and performance improvement practices and led consulting engagements across many industries to drive profitable growth, operational efficiency and strategic differentiation.
“Growing the Sabre hospitality business and taking advantage of the technology opportunities in the sector has been a key focus in building Sabre’s business strategy,” said Anderson. “We have leading technology solutions and intend to continue to build a portfolio that will allow us to scale and work with hotel operators of all sizes and across the globe. Alex should feel very proud of what he has accomplished, and I welcome the chance to take the reins and continue to drive Sabre’s hospitality business to even more success.”
5. Marketplacer, Outdoria appoints Nick Baker as new CEO
Former Red Balloon CEO Nick Baker is headed for the great outdoors. He is the latest key hire for Marketplacer, a global software platform that enables users to create scalable, beautiful & results driven marketplaces, connecting-up buyers & sellers in an online environment. Nick has been appointed CEO of their outdoor equipment and road travelling accommodation and experiences marketplaces, Outdoria and Go See Australia.
With more than 15 years’ experience in the tourism industry, including seven as Chief Marketing Officer at Tourism Australia, Baker’s wealth of knowledge in the sector combined with his expertise in consumer marketing technology made him the ideal candidate for the role.
Marketplacer is a global technology platform that brings like-minded businesses together with an engaged tribe of consumers into a curated community, enabling them to be part of a scalable online marketplace with the potential to reach millions of customers. The platform hosts communities in industries as diverse as children’s products, premium event ticketing, cycling and outdoors living and adventure.
With domestic caravanning and camping on the rise, Baker will be tasked with accelerating the Go See Australia and Outdoria platforms to ensure outdoor lovers and Australian road-trippers have the widest variety of outdoor gear, holiday and caravan park accommodation. The announcement is perfectly timed with Tourism Research Australia data from 2016 showing the highest recorded annual growth in domestic caravanning and camping since data was first recorded in 1998. And Outdoria and Go See Australia could not be more excited to be part of helping Aussies embark on more great adventures.
“Although Marketplacer and their technology can be seen as a digital disruptor, it’s also equally an enabler for companies to get their brands and products to an engaged tribe of like-minded consumers. I firmly believe it’s a growth mechanism for companies, it’s a way of making sure a consumer can find the best products and experiences by searching in one place, not across 500 sites,” said Baker.
“Connecting with the great outdoors and exploring the open road has always been part of the Australian psyche and, in today’s busy lifestyle, it has never been more important. Go See Australia inspires and makes it easy for people to get out and experience Australia, and Outdoria provides a one stop shop for all their camping, caravanning and outdoor equipment whilst on that journey. The outdoor adventure industry is growing and has huge potential,” added Baker.
Marketplacer CEO, Jason Wyatt, welcomed Baker, saying his appointment continues the trajectory of the Go See Australia and Outdoria platforms. “The key hire comes after previous strong announcements regarding strategic partnerships and platform structures and now with the right people in place we are well poised for strong growth”.
Baker’s appointment follows the recent exciting announcement for Outdoria/Go See Australia of a key strategic partnership and equity investment of Discovery Parks.
“We are passionate about the caravan and holiday park industry. Our growth is dependent upon encouraging more people to participate in the sector and there is no doubt that growing online distribution is key to achieving that,” said Discovery Parks CEO Grant Wilckens.