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Patrick Miller
Vice President of Marketing at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
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Please welcome Patrick Miller to Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Patrick will be responsible for the overall direction of marketing here at Mandalay Bay including Slot and National Marketing, Special Events, VIP Casino Services, Campaign Management, Branding and Advertising and Interactive Marketing.
Patrick has been with MGM Resorts International for sixteen years, most recently as the Vice President of Casino Operations at Monte Carlo.
Patrick originally began his career at the Mirage in 1995 as a Pit Clerk. In 1996, he was accepted into the Management Associate Program. Upon completion of the program, Patrick held various positions, including Marketing Analyst, Slot Marketing Administrator, and Slot Manager. In 1999, he was promoted to Director of National Marketing and assumed the position of Director of Slot Marketing in 2000. Patrick was promoted to Executive Director of Slots in 2003 and ultimately Vice President of Slots at Mirage.
Patrick is a Diversity Champion and has a Bachelor of Business Degree in Marketing and Spanish from the University of Notre Dame.
Patrick is an active board member of Bishop Gorman High School. He enjoys hunting, fishing, cycling, snowboarding and most importantly, spending time with family.
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Rob Solomon
Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Outrigger Hotels & Resorts
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Rob Solomon is Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, a Honolulu-based, privately held company that owns the largest and most diverse hotel chain in Hawaii. Rob is responsible for all of the company's sales and marketing efforts as well as Outrigger's global reservations network and the marketing of Outrigger's rapidly expanding portfolio of resorts in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Guam and Tahiti.
Solomon is well known within Hawaii's visitor industry, having served on numerous boards and committees, including the Research, Marketing and Internet committees of the Hawaii Visitors & Conventions Bureau.
Solomon holds Masters degrees from Princeton and Yale University in the fields of public and international affairs and Southeast Asia studies. In his spare time, Rob is an avid cyclist and one of Hawaii’s very few cross-country skiers.
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Dave Hartvigsen
Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Xanterra Parks & Resorts
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Dave M. Hartvigsen, CHA, joined Xanterra's executive team in 2009 as vice president of sales and marketing and oversees all of the company’s sales and marketing activities, including advertising, public relations, Web sites/e-commerce, regional sales offices and other related functions.
Hartvigsen is also responsible for the company’s reservations offices located in Denver, Colorado and Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Hartvigsen has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. His work has ranged from traditional hotel and resort management to the development, design and operations of major destination resorts across North America and Europe. He has held senior executive roles over the past 15 years in development, sales, marketing and operations, having served as vice president of worldwide sales and vice president of management services for Radisson Hotels Worldwide; senior vice president of lodging for Intrawest Corporation; and vice president of strategic development for Centex Destination Properties.
Hartvigsen has received numerous awards throughout his career for excellence in leadership and management and in 2004, was named by the HSMAI as one of the Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales and Marketing. Hartvigsen is a graduate of Utah State University and a graduate of the 1998 inaugural class of the Carlson School of Management’s Executive Leadership Program at the University of Minnesota.
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Tom Storey
Executive Vice President Business Strategy at FHRI
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Thomas W. Storey (Tom) is Executive Vice President Business Strategy for Fairmont Hotels and Raffles International, a leading global hotel company with over 100 hotels worldwide. As Executive Vice President Business Strategy, Mr. Storey is responsible strategic planning and helping to identify new opportunities that capitalize on improving business fundamentals.
Mr. Storey has been instrumental in the development of FRHI and he has helped steer the business through an important period of growth. He began his career with the company in 1999 and has been a driving force behind many of the strategic initiatives of the last decade. He led the initial project that provided a leading edge technology platform that includes the guest data warehouse, CRM and early website development. He has also been responsible for a number of new products including Fairmont Heritage Place and Willow Stream Spa as well as business ventures such as Avendra. Since joining FRHI, Mr. Storey has held a series of progressive leadership positions including President.
Mr. Storey is a seasoned hotelier with an extensive hospitality background. Recognized as an industry authority on brand building, Mr. Storey has served in various senior management roles over the course of his career, making significant contributions in the areas of business development, strategic planning and sales and marketing. As a testament to his influence and business savvy, Mr. Storey has been honored with a number of high-profile awards and acknowledgements. Past achievements include being named to the list of The Top 25 Industry Leaders for Business Travel News and Travel Agent Magazine as well as appearing on the prestigious Marketing 100 list as awarded by Advertising Age magazine. As a leading voice within the hospitality industry, Mr. Storey has also been a member of various organizations including the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Travel Industry Association of America, Professional Conference and Meeting Planners as well as being a member of The Hotel Counsel for the Urban Land Institute.
Mr. Storey possesses a Master’s of Business Administration degree from the Johnson School at Cornell University and also holds his Bachelor’s degree in economics from Bates College.
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Dorothy Dowling
Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Best Western International
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Dorothy Dowling joined Best Western International in November 2004 as senior vice president of marketing, bringing with her more than 20 years of experience within the hospitality and travel industries. This year, she is also serving as chair of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI).
In her current role at Best Western, Dorothy directs the execution and delivery of all brand marketing strategies including frequency, consumer and field marketing programs, advertising/creative services, public relations and e-commerce initiatives. In addition, she oversees promotional efforts related to the company's role as the first-ever Official Hotel of NASCAR.
Previous to joining Best Western, Dorothy was vice president of operations, parks & resorts for ARAMARK, a leading managed services provider based in Philadelphia. She joined the company in December 2002 as vice president of marketing, handling its national park and convention center portfolios.
Prior to that, Dorothy served as president and COO of Travelodge Canada. During her tenure, she was instrumental in increasing the brand's number of franchised locations by 25 percent. Dorothy has also held other executive positions with Cendant Corporation and Royal Host REIT, in addition to her work with several Canadian companies including Forte Hotels, Relax Hotels & Resorts and Laventhol & Horwath Management Consultants.
She earned her joint masters of arts degree in sociology and leisure studies from the University of Waterloo in Ontario.
A respected veteran in her field, she serves on the North American board for the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) and is a member of the marketing committee for the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). A past president of HSMAI Canada, Dorothy has been honored with a number of key industry awards including the prestigious American Hotel Foundation Award for Best Practices in Guest Loyalty Programs.
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Rob Torres
Managing Director, Travel at Google, Inc.
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With over 20 years of travel industry experience, Rob Torres serves as Google’s Managing Director of advertising and marketing for the North American Travel sector. In this role, Rob oversees the strategy development and profitable growth of integrated and innovative advertising campaigns. His group serves some of the largest Web and brick-and-mortar travel brands in the US.
Prior to joining Google, Rob was Vice President of Strategic Hotel Partnerships at Expedia.com. During his seven year career at Expedia, Rob managed a team that had Global responsibility for 30 strategic accounts, generating gross bookings in excess of $2 billion.
Rob is a frequent speaker at numerous marketing and interactive conferences such as Phocuswright, TravelCom and Eye for Travel. He has been quoted in such publications as Business Week, Advertising Age and Media Post. In June 2009, he authored "Savvy Searching: Leveraging the Online Behavior of Travelers in a Down Economy." an article for HSMAI's Marketing Review.
Rob holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California and holds a Masters of Business Administration from Georgetown University. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), the Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME), and the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau (SFCVB).
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Woody Peek
Deputy Director at Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel
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Woody Peek has served as deputy director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB), representing The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida, since August 2010.
This industry veteran is responsible for overseeing the sales, marketing, and communications functions of the VCB domestically and internationally, as well as assisting the executive director in other bureau operations. Besides planning, directing, and coordinating the VCB’s activities and programs, Peek also assists in developing the bureau’s budget, supervises the daily efforts of the advertising contract, and develops multi-level campaigns.
In addition, Peek develops long-term strategic alliances both within the local community and globally, and works with the Lee County Port Authority to build demand for new and expanded air service. His position also entails overseeing the progress of the VCB’s creative work, such as printed material, print and electronic ads, social media, and website development.
Peek most recently held the position of vice president tourism sales, marketing and membership development at the Palm Springs Desert Communities Convention and Visitors Authority. He coordinated sales, marketing, and promotional efforts targeted at the leisure, incentive, and convention markets. For nearly two decades, Peek served as vice president of travel industry sales and marketing for Gaylord Entertainment in Nashville, TN. During his tenure, his accomplishments were many, such as overseeing brand development and product expansion, including the launch of the 1,800-room expansion of the Opryland Hotel, the reopening of the historic Ryman Auditorium, and the debut of the Wild Horse Saloon. Most importantly, Peek brought these various entities of Gaylord Entertainment under one unified brand. This achievement resulted in an increase of revenue by 200 percent over a three-year period.
In 1998, Peek created his own marketing firm, specializing in brand development and strategic planning for clients including Munich International Airport, Bavaria Tourism Marketing, Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks, and the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. This seasoned professional further polished his skills as director, tourism marketing for the Tampa/Hillsborough Convention & Visitors Association.
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Jay Talwar
Senior Vice President of Marketing at Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau
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When Jay Talwar became the head of marketing at the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) in January 2004, his professional goal of working in his dream job was achieved. And he hasn’t looked back since. Who can blame him?
As senior vice president of marketing of the No. 1 tropical leisure vacation destination in the world, Talwar’s marketing expertise and passion for travel have energized HVCB’s destination marketing initiatives with the overall objective of spurring travel from North America. He has developed a deep knowledge of the diverse workings of Hawai‘i’s visitor industry and the nuances that make the Islands of Hawai’i so special.
Under his leadership, HVCB’s marketing campaigns have strengthened Hawai‘i’s brand as a world-class destination for active travelers. These efforts have resulted in record visitor arrivals and national honors for its creative, effective, and measurable results in online and offline advertising, public relations, travel trade and co-op partnerships, and brand development.
Away from the office, you’ll likely find Talwar on a golf course, traveling around the world, on the pursuit of unique culinary experiences, and enjoying the great outdoors. Active in community affairs, Talwar serves as co-chairman of the board for Aloha Festivals, is a member of the community board for the American Heart Association in Hawai‘i, and a past president of the Sales & Marketing Executives of Honolulu.
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Isaac Collazo
Vice President of Performance Strategy & Planning at InterContinental Hotels Group PLC
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Isaac J. Collazo is vice president, performance strategy & planning for InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United Kingdom (LON: IHG; NYSE: IHG [ADRs]), the world's largest and most global hotel company. As vice president, performance strategy & planning, Mr. Collazo is responsible for centralizing brand reporting and business analysis for each of the brands globally as well as assisting in the formulation of the company's overall strategy.
Previously, Mr. Collazo served as vice president, operations strategy & planning in the Americas where he was instrumental in establishing divisional and company objectives, developing long-range and strategic plans, and creating industry-based performance benchmarks for the company.
Before joining InterContinental Hotels Group in April 2002, Mr. Collazo was vice president, strategic brand knowledge with Marriott International where he led their guest satisfaction program and competitive analysis group. Prior to his tenure at Marriott International, Mr. Collazo also served with Promus Hotel Corporation. His responsibilities there included the administration and management of market and customer tracking systems and the development and communication of strategic briefs. Mr. Collazo began his career in the hospitality industry in 1987 with La Quinta Inns where he held several senior management positions.
Mr. Collazo holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and radio, television & film from Trinity University and a master's of business administration from the University of Texas at Austin.
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Frank Maduro
Vice President of Marketing at Palace Resorts
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Frank Maduro is the Vice President of Marketing at Palace Resorts. Maduro leads development of comprehensive marketing, brand awareness and communications for the Palace Resorts brand, its 12 oceanfront resort properties in Mexico and the Dominican Republic along with its luxury adults-only boutique property in Cancun, Le Blanc Spa Resort. Maduro is also responsible for providing new and innovative tools, education and support needed by travel agents to effectively leverage the Palace Brand.
Maduro has an extensive background in hospitality marketing, most recently serving as vice president of sales and marketing for Luxury Retreats at Cap Cana in Miami, Florida, and in a senior management role for Sandals and Beaches Resorts.
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Carla Raynor
Vice President of Marketing at Homewood Suites by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton
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As Vice President of Marketing, Carla Raynor is responsible for the strategic development of Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites global brand positioning and leading overall marketing initiatives to drive revenue, improve market share, build brand loyalty, and support development growth. Additionally, Raynor oversees marketing and public relations teams for both brands, and directs the development of long-range growth strategy for the brands through strategic plans.
Raynor has over 15 years of marketing experience, 10 of which have been with Hilton Worldwide; most recently as Senior Director, Hilton Family Marketing. In that role, she managed a multi-million dollar media budget to support Family marketing in the United States and Canada, including the company’s 2008 Summer Olympics sponsorship. Raynor has also served as Senior Director of Hampton Brand Marketing, as well as Marketing Manager for Doubletree Hotels.
Recipient of the Google “Big Idea” award in 2008 and named a Young Leader to Watch by Hilton Worldwide, Raynor is also on the board of directors for New York City-based childhood literacy advocacy organization, Books for Kids. Through her efforts and Homewood Suites partnership with the organization, Raynor has helped open two libraries – one in Memphis, TN and the second in Washington D.C. – in addition to raising over $200,000 for Books for Kids.
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Larry Mueller
Managing Director and Founder at Cuvée Ventures
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Larry Mueller is the managing director and founder of Cuvée Ventures—a Private Equity portfolio of ultra-luxury private residences in resort locations. Mueller founded Cuvée out of his passion for elite real estate investments, of which he was personally involved in for more than 20 years. Prior to Cuvée, he was president and CEO of Ariba, a publicly held software company in the Silicon Valley, and also served as CEO at Imageware Corporation, which was sold to EDS. Over a 16-year period, Mueller held several management positions at IBM, including Director of the company’s European headquarters in Paris, France.
Mueller received a BBA from the University of Wisconsin and a graduate certificate at Harvard Executive Management School. He enjoys golf, skiing, participating in 10K road races, traveling, and spending time with his wife and two daughters.
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Jan Fogelberg
Vice President, Customer Experience and Technology
at Frontier Airlines
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Jan holds the position of vice president, customer experience and technology for Republic Air Holdings branded carrier, Frontier Airlines. Jan joined Frontier in 2003 and has held roles in reservations, system policies and procedures, and operations where she was senior director of stations, responsible for operations in the 60+ cities served by Frontier in 3 countries. Her varied background, including tenure at Continental and a number of years as operations manager for a ComputerLand chain, gave her a unique ability to understand how technology could bridge gaps for both customers and employees alike. In December 2008, Jan lead a team that delivered a new ‘branded fare’ product, AirFairs, to the U.S. market place. This product delivery focused not only on the sales but also involved a full role out and delivery plan for all customer touch points in reservations, airports, inflight etc.
A native of New Zealand, whose wanderlust and love of skiing lead her to Colorado, Jan spends winters racing down mountains and summers biking up them with her husband and two children.
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Lucy Kay
Strategy and Business Development at Winter Park Resort
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As Strategy and Business Development consultant, Lucy Kay is responsible for developing short and long term strategy to build the brand, customer base, service levels and revenue streams for Winter Park Resort, part of Intrawest UPC. She is concurrently Project Manager for the Vail Valley Jet Center, International Arrivals Terminal Project in Eagle, Colorado.
Kay has over twenty years experience in the resort business. Most recently, she was Chief Operating Officer of Breckenridge Ski Resort and has held several senior marketing positions with Vail Resorts in their Breckenridge and Keystone resorts. She held leadership roles in both marketing and human resources at Copper Mountain, prior to joining Breckenridge. She has been recognized with several key industry leadership and marketing awards, including a national ADDY award.
Kay earned her Masters of International Business from Thunderbird School of Global Management, and her BA Economics from the University of Pittsburgh. She is an avid world traveler, skier and cyclist, recently serving as LOC Co-Chair for the USA PRO CYCLING Championships which aired in 161 countries.