On the Move
Planners
Currier to manage exposition sales for NAHB
The National Association of Home Builders has promoted Michael Currier to head of exposition sales. His duties include supervising exhibit and sponsorship sales for the NAHB's annual convention, the International Builders' Show, which Currier has been involved with in some capacity for 16 years. Prior to the promotion, he managed housing industry accounts for Hanley-Wood LLC, a media company covering the construction industry.
Suppliers
John Allan has been named assistant general manager and director of sales and marketing for the 374-room Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort.
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau has hired Jerelle Anthony as senior sales manager and promoted Randy Kidwell to associate director of sales.
Imam P. Butler has been named director of sales and marketing at the 300-room Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia.
Bill Dowling has been named director of sales and conference services at the 300-room Oasis Hotel in Shorter, Ala., which will open in late 2010 with an 80,000-square-foot conference center.
The Carlton Hotel in New York City has hired Victor Freeman as general manager and Bonnie Somerstein as director of sales and marketing.
Kate Jerkens has been appointed vice president of sales and marketing for JRK Hotel Group Inc., which is based in Los Angeles.
The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau has named Joan Palmtag as western regional director of accounts for the corporate meetings and incentives division.
David J. Sargent has been appointed to the newly created post of senior vice president at the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau.
Erica Schatz has been named senior sales manager at the 267-room Resort at Marina Village in Cape Coral, Fla., scheduled for a November opening.
Sandra Ward has been hired as director of events for the 1,400-room Hilton Orlando, set to open this September.
"Another traveler could become your next client or provide a lead to your next venue."
Wendy Haught, CMP, recently launched Framework Meetings and Destinations, a meeting planning and destination management company in the picturesque northern Idaho town of Coeur d'Alene.
Have you always wanted to be a planner? I have been in the catering and event planning business since I was 15. I graduated from Gonzaga University with a marketing degree but chose to stay in catering, the industry that had helped pay my way through college. The planners I have worked with over the past 18 years have shared their experiences with me, and the joy in their career choice has been infectious.
Would you ever do anything else? The only other job I have ever dreamed of was having a little bed and breakfast in Ireland. Of course, the inn would cater to corporate retreats, family celebrations, weddings, etc. -- so I would still be planning.
What's your best travel tip? Visit with people along the way. You never know, another traveler could become your next client, have great insight to share about meetings and conventions they have attended, or provide a lead to your next venue.
Describe your perfect attendee. Realistic rather than antagonistic. We all have moments when what we experience doesn't meet our expectations, but so much more can be done if we work to solve our problems together, rather than simply complain about something.