Coffee With... Monica Robinson

Monica Robinson is the new director of diversity sales for the Little Rock (Ark.) Convention and Visitors Bureau. In addition to having 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Robinson has toured as an actress with a national production company, including a performance on Broadway, and founded An Artist Prepares, a St. Louis-based nonprofit for young artists breaking into the entertainment industry.

Did you always want to be performer? I come from a family that sings gospel around the Thanksgiving table and Christmas tree. I majored in musical theater. My list of things to accomplish in life included Broadway and winning a Tony and an Oscar. I was able to achieve one when I performed in the Gospel stage play, Be Careful What You Pray For, at the Beacon Theater on Broadway.

Do you have a favorite stage show? I'm really excited about the revival of Dream Girls. It wouldn't matter if Minnie Mouse played Effie, I'd still go.

Talk about An Artist Prepares. The recording industry doesn't care as much about the talent as it used to, and a lot of young people don't know how to market themselves. My company taught them how to prepare, by doing the public relations and styling for their debuts.

If you could have dinner with one living person, who would it be? Oprah Winfrey. She's a profound thinker of our time. I'm from East St. Louis, where the view from my window wasn't always the best. To see what a black woman can accomplish has been an inspiration for me.

On the Move PlannersTerry joins ASAE & The Center Alexis Terry has been appointed director of diversity and inclusion for the Washington, D.C.-based ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership. She will develop and facilitate a strategic initiative supporting diversity within the association community. Prior to this post, Terry served as project manager for BoardSource, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit. Tucker hired at Meeting Sites Resource Carole Tucker, CMP, has joined Meeting Sites Resource, a global site-selection company based in Irvine, Calif., as senior director, global meeting services. Responsibilities include working with customers on site research and contract negotiations. Previously, Tucker worked at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif., as director of insurance sales, and also served as a corporate meeting planner. SuppliersNashville-based Gaylord Entertainment Co. has promoted Kemp Gallineau to senior vice president and chief sales officer for Gaylord Hotels; Johann Krieger moved up to Gallineau's previous position of senior vice president and general manager at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla. Chris Gowe was appointed director of sales for the Vancouver (British Columbia) Convention Centre. USA Hosts Ltd., a destination management company headquartered in Las Vegas and New Orleans, has appointed Belinda Maguire as director of sales at the Las Vegas office. Kasey McNabnay was named regional sales manager for the 744-room Broadmoor Hotel and Resort in Colorado Springs. Kerry Mitruska has been promoted to director of sales and marketing for the 252-room Radisson St. Martin Resort, Marina & Spa. The 3,000-room Las Vegas Hilton has named David Monahan its new chief executive officer and general manager. Matthew Vesely was appointed director of sales and marketing for the 129-room Joule hotel in downtown Dallas. Susan Winkelmann has been named national sales manager for the 250-room Montage Laguna Beach (Calif.).

On the Move

PlannersTerry joins ASAE & The Center
Alexis Terry has been appointed director of diversity and inclusion for the Washington, D.C.-based ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership. She will develop and facilitate a strategic initiative supporting diversity within the association community. Prior to this post, Terry served as project manager for BoardSource, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit.

Tucker hired at Meeting Sites Resource
Carole Tucker, CMP, has joined Meeting Sites Resource, a global site-selection company based in Irvine, Calif., as senior director, global meeting services. Responsibilities include working with customers on site research and contract negotiations. Previously, Tucker worked at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif., as director of insurance sales, and also served as a corporate meeting planner.

SuppliersNashville-based Gaylord Entertainment Co. has promoted Kemp Gallineau to senior vice president and chief sales officer for Gaylord Hotels; Johann Krieger moved up to Gallineau's previous position of senior vice president and general manager at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla.

Chris Gowe was appointed director of sales for the Vancouver (British Columbia) Convention Centre.

USA Hosts Ltd., a destination management company headquartered in Las Vegas and New Orleans, has appointed Belinda Maguire as director of sales at the Las Vegas office.

Kasey McNabnay was named regional sales manager for the 744-room Broadmoor Hotel and Resort in Colorado Springs.

Kerry Mitruska has been promoted to director of sales and marketing for the 252-room Radisson St. Martin Resort, Marina & Spa.

The 3,000-room Las Vegas Hilton has named David Monahan its new chief executive officer and general manager.

Matthew Vesely was appointed director of sales and marketing for the 129-room Joule hotel in downtown Dallas.

Susan Winkelmann has been named national sales manager for the 250-room Montage Laguna Beach (Calif.).

Coffee With... Monica Robinson

More From Meetings Group

More From Meetings Group