Susan Devine named executive vice president
London 23rd April 2012 -- Preferred Hotel Group™, a leading provider of sales and marketing support to independent hotels around the world, today announced the appointment of Susan Devine as Executive Vice President of Preferred’s European Region. The appointment is part of a larger presence for Preferred Hotels in Europe.
The company has expanded its global sales and marketing presence in Europe by increasing the number of associates dedicated to representing its member hotels directly to corporate and leisure travel agents, and group planners in the region. In addition, Preferred added a new role dedicated to public relations for Europe.
“We see tremendous growth potential in Europe” said Lindsey Ueberroth, President of Preferred Hotel Group. “We plan to open an office in Kazakhstan next month, and expand our offices in Moscow, Munich, and London later this quarter.”
“Devine brings experience and leadership to our presence in Europe,” Ueberroth added. “I am confident that her appointment, coupled with the additional sales, marketing and public relations representatives, will launch a period of strong growth for Preferred throughout the region.”
During her five years with Preferred Hotel Group, most recently in the role of Area Managing Director, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Ms. Devine was responsible for tripling the growth of Preferred’s LAC membership, and was instrumental in developing key partnerships with several internationally acclaimed hotel companies. A 20-year veteran of the hospitality industry with extensive experience working directly with hotel management in marketing and sales, Ms. Devine has lived in 11 countries and 16 cities around the world, and is currently based in Madrid. She will head a team of professionals across Europe dedicated to increasing Preferred’s development in the region.
“Throughout Europe there is amazing history, art, architecture and cultural diversity. This part of the world is a truly exceptional place to live, work and travel. I look forward to working with our team to increase Preferred Hotel Group’s presence in these markets, and to developing opportunities to enhance value to our 180 hotels in the region,” said Ms. Devine.
The development team working with Ms. Devine includes Bruno Chiaruttini, Area Managing Director-Continental Europe based in Paris; Chris Fradin, Regional Director-UK and Scandinavian countries based in London; Christian Hribar, Regional Director-Central Europe based in Munich; and Roberta Possenti, Regional Director-Southern Europe, based in Milan.
The company also recently named Sylvia Smith, who will focus on MICE initiatives, as Director, Group Sales-UK & Ireland, and Aysem Monaco as Senior Manager, Public Relations. In this role, Ms. Monaco will focus on heightening brand awareness across the European region.
Preferred Hotel Group currently represents over 180 hotels in Europe and has added nine new properties in the region during the first quarter.
About Preferred Hotel Group™
With a global reach extending into 70 countries, Preferred Hotel Group represents a collection of over 600 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™. Preferred Hotel Group offers sophisticated programs such as Preferred Residences™ luxury shared ownership resorts, I Prefer™ global guest benefit program, and Preferred Golf, a collection of celebrated golf resorts, plus Preferred Family, hotels and resorts certified to provide rich experiences for travelers of all ages. For more information, visit us on the web at PreferredHotelGroup.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Aysem Monaco
Senior Manager, Public Relations – EMEA
Tel: +44 20 7647 5184 | Fax: +44 20 7647 5181
amonaco@preferredhotelgroup.com
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