"The Waldorf Astoria® Orlando And Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Name
Pre-Opening Sales Team Of Future Landmark"
Februay 20, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla., – The new Waldorf Astoria® Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek will usher in a new era of multi-faceted luxury when the landmark opens in October 1, 2009. Planners choosing the largest development in Hilton Hotel's portfolio will have the assurance of unprecedented personalized service from a sales team offering a global perspective and 150,000 square feet of meeting space at their disposal.
"The opening of Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and The Waldorf Astoria Orlando is a historical milestone for Hilton Hotels and the destination of Orlando," states Mike Schugt, Hilton Hotels Corporation regional vice president Southeast, US, Latin America, Caribbean sales & marketing. "We have assembled a sales team of unrivaled experience and talent that will serve as the backbone of this landmark project."
Jason Furniss has been named director of sales, responsible for overseeing pre-opening sales efforts and initiatives for the 497 Waldorf Astoria Orlando and 1,000 room Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. Furniss brings 15+ years of experience and a proven track record of success in Central Florida at the Hilton Walt Disney World Resort, The Peabody Orlando and Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. In addition to Florida-based positions with leading brands, his experience includes serving as director of sales and marketing for Hilton Charlotte and Towers.
Under the direction of Furniss, the properties have added two associate directors of sales and five senior sales managers, each bringing veteran leadership and experience to the team.
Kyla Knudson will serve as associate director of sales and brings eight years of experience to the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek sales team. She comes to the properties after holding leading positions at Hiltons of Washington, overseeing convention sales for the convention-driven property. Knudson began her career with Hyatt, where she held sales positions at properties in Calgary and Vancouver.
Jean Kelly Hays will serve as associate director of sales after holding the assistant director of sales position at the Hilton Walt Disney World Resort for the past four years. Prior to rejoining Hilton Hotels, Hays was a director of sales for LXR's El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa, where she led Midwest accounts. She began her career with Hilton Hotels, holding positions with Hilton Direct USA and Hilton New Orleans Riverside.
"Orlando is among the most competitive hospitality markets in the world and the sales team of Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria Orlando will enhance the destination's service level before we even welcome our first group," states Director of Marketing Thomas Parke, "This team will ensure unprecedented service for groups large as small and usher in a new era for Central Florida tourism."
The following executives will make up the sales force as senior sales managers:
Leigh Sperber-Camel joins the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and The Waldorf Astoria Orlando team after most recently leading sales for Pointe Hilton Resorts in Arizona. She was also director of national sales northeast and pharmaceutical vertical market for LXR's El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa and served as conference center sales manager at the Fontainebleau Hilton. Her career has also included Rubell Hotels and Sheraton Bal Harbor and began at Sydney's Sheraton on the Park in Australia.
Nathalia Cardenas most recently served as senior sales manager at The Trump International Sonesta in Miami and brings a wealth of knowledge in the Latin America and South Florida markets. Cardenas has served in the sales manager position at Ocean Point Beach Resort & Spa and Ritz Plaza Hotel, both on Miami Beach. She began her career in London as an event planner at Allison Price & Company and corporate hospitality service's provider Sodexho Prestige.
Pam Ketover has been appointed to the team after serving as director of national sales for The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott, Grande Lakes in Orlando, Fla. over the past six years. Ketover was previously with multiple Marriott properties in Washington, D.C., Tampa, Fla. and San Antonio, Texas. She returns to Hilton Hotels as she began her career as a convention sales manager at The Atlanta Hilton and Towers.
Leslie Ann O'Loughlin brings five+ years of sales experience with Hilton Hotels most recently as senior sales manager for the Doubletree at the Universal Orlando. She previous held the same position at Hilton McLean Tyson's Corner in McLean, Va. and catering manager at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.
Paul Perrino comes to the sales team after holding the national sales manager position at Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa. Prior to his work at the LXR property, Perrino was with Walt Disney Parks & Resorts in the senior sales manager position and Premier Convention Services. He began his hospitality sales career with Hilton Hotels in the professional development program and at Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort.
A New Meetings Destination Destined for Greatness
Surrounded by Walt Disney World® Resort, the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek development is 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport and five miles from private jet preferred Kissimmee Gateway Airport. Convenient Orlando attractions include Cirque du Soleil, Orlando Ballet, Orlando Museum of Arts and Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre.
The property offers a variety of venues for each event and function. Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek features 122, 000 square feet of meeting space and pre-function area in 51 meeting rooms, including the 36,000-square-foot Bonnet Creek Ballroom and 27,300-square-foot Junior Ballroom. Among these meeting rooms is one Executive Boardroom, two designated boardrooms to accommodate 12 to 24 attendees for executive gatherings and 27 breakout rooms.
The Waldorf Astoria Orlando offers 28,000 square feet of exclusive meeting space and pre-function areas including the 8,100-square-foot Ballroom, which will be designed for opulent galas and functions. Two Executive Boardrooms and a portfolio of 15 meeting rooms are also available. Bonnet Creek Island, surrounded on three sides by a lagoon, is the perfect setting for a cocktail reception.
All groups will benefit from Bonnet Creek Resort's innovative audio visual technology capabilities overseen by an expertly trained support team as well as its all-digital, fully networked Business Center available 24 hours a day. For more information on the Waldorf Astoria Orlando please call 407-597-5500 or visit www.WaldorfAstoriaOrlando.com. For more information on Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek please call 407-597-3600 or visit www.HiltonBonnetCreek.com.
CONTACTS:
Mike Hicks / Gina Stouffer
Lou Hammond & Associates
michaelh@lhammond.com
ginag@lhammond.com
561-655-3836
