CHICAGO — June 25, 2013 — Preferred Hotel Group™, a global provider of sales, marketing, and distribution services to independent luxury hotels, is pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Crugnale as Director of Group Sales Events. In her new role, Ms. Crugnale will manage all group sales events, including continuing education conferences, that Preferred Hotel Group hosts globally, with responsibilities spanning the marketing, planning, and execution phases.
“Laura’s diverse background and proven business acumen make her an ideal addition to our team,” said Craig Jacobs, Senior Vice President of Group Sales for Preferred Hotel Group. “As Preferred Hotel Group continues to enhance its global group efforts, Laura will bring an innovative perspective and exciting, revenue-generating ideas to support the goals of our company and our clients.”
Throughout her 25-year career, Ms. Crugnale has demonstrated a true entrepreneurial spirit and passion for hospitality sales and management. Most recently, she served as Director of Sales for The Allison Inn & Spa, a member of Preferred Boutique. During her tenure at the acclaimed property, she oversaw the hotel’s pre-opening sales efforts and generated year-over-year growth for five consecutive years.
Previously, Ms. Crugnale owned and operated two businesses, including the award-winning Restaurant Oceana in Phoenix, Arizona and Crugnale & Associates, a San Francisco-based company that specialized in sales and marketing for small independent hotels located in the western United States and Mexico. Fluent in Norwegian and German, she holds a B.S. in Scandinavian Language and Literature from the University of Washington, Seattle.
About Preferred Hotel Group™
With a global reach extending into more than 85 countries, Preferred Hotel Group represents more than 650 of the finest hotels, resorts, and serviced residences in the world. Preferred Hotel Group’s brands include Preferred Hotels® & Resorts, Preferred Boutique™, Summit Hotels & Resorts™, Sterling Hotels™, Sterling Design, and Summit Serviced Residences™. Travelers gain valuable benefits through branded programs that include Preferred Residences™; Preferred Golf™; the I Prefer™ Guest Benefit Program; Preferred Pride, a collection of TAG-approved or IGLTA-member hotels; and Preferred Family. For more information, visit www.PreferredHotelGroup.com and follow the brand on Facebook and Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Caroline Michaud
Senior Manager, Media Relations
Tel: +1 312 542 9218
cmichaud@preferredhotelgroup.com