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ARLINGTON, Va. — The Consumer Electronics Association announced that Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer will deliver a preshow keynote address at the 2011 International CES.

Owned and produced by CEA, the 2011 International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, is scheduled Jan. 6-9, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nev.

“As leader of one of the world’s most innovative technology companies, a keynote address from Steve Ballmer is the perfect way to kick off the 2011 International CES,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. “Microsoft’s entrepreneurial spirit and drive have been major forces behind the success of the company and its impact on the global consumer technology industry. We look forward to hearing Steve’s strategic vision for the future of Microsoft and our industry.”

Steve Ballmer will kick off the 2011 International CES with a preshow keynote address at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5, in the Las Vegas Hilton Center. In previous years, Microsoft has used the CES keynote stage to launch major products including Xbox, Windows Vista and its Sync technology partnership with Ford.

The full line-up of 2011 CES keynote addresses will be announced in the coming months.

Millennium Hotels & Resorts names new Biltmore GM

NEW YORK — Millennium Hotels & Resorts announced the appointment of Kathy Faulk as General Manager of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel.

In her new position, Faulk will oversee day-to-day operations and manage continued growth at the historic hotel, which includes four food and beverage outlets and 70,000 square feet of meeting space.

A skilled hospitality professional with 25 years of experience, Faulk began her career with The Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas before serving as Controller of the Biltmore under the Wrather Hotel Corporation. She has also held leadership positions with Sunburst Hospitality, Hilton Hotels and Destination Hotels and Resorts, overseeing historic and 4-diamond properties in Texas including The Richardson Hotel and The Driskill Hotel.

Most recently Faulk served as General Manager of the boutique Hilton Checkers in downtown Los Angeles where she was awarded 2008 General Manager of the Year.

“The opportunity to continue my involvement in the downtown Los Angeles market in such a historically significant and iconic hotel is a true honor and privilege,” Faulk said.  “As the market continues to rebuild out of this economic downtown, The Millennium Biltmore Hotel will be uniquely positioned to offer a luxury alternative to the typical downtown hotel experience in a truly special and unique way.”

Faulk holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Texas A&M, is a member of the Downtown Breakfast Club, an appointed member of the Business Tax Advisory Committee for the City of Los Angeles and serves on the Board of Directors for the Downtown Center Business Improvement District and LA Inc., The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Bedrosian Ryan joins Experient sales network as director of talent acquisition

TWINSBURG, Ohio — Industry veteran JoAnn Bedrosian Ryan in May joined Experient as Director of Talent Acquisition.

Her duties, in support of recruiting for the Experient Sales Network, will focus on attracting high caliber professionals to grow National Account Manager ranks in North America.

Bedrosian Ryan has an impressive 20-plus year career with United Airlines and most recently was with the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“JoAnn will be leading our efforts to identify and attract key sales professionals to Experient. In conjunction with this initiative, she will assist with on-boarding our new ENAMs during their first 90 days. We are very excited to have JoAnn with us to fulfill our objective of growing our team by attracting top entrepreneurial and industry professionals to Experient,” said Andy Smith, Vice President, Independent Agent Channel.
Experient currently has 57 ENAMs in place throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, and Bedrosian Ryan’s charge will be to expand the Network with top talent in all major event markets. She will be based in Chicago.

Bedrosian Ryan has served as a director for the foundations of MPI, ASAE and PCMA, is active at the local level through Association Forum of Chicagoland, is a founding board member of the Greater Midwest Chapter of PCMA and is the recipient of numerous industry honors, including ASAE Fellow and PCMA’s Professional Achievement Award, among others.

World of Concrete announces staff promotions

DALLAS — World of Concrete recently announced the promotion of two long-term employees.

Tom Cindric, CEM, formerly Director, World of Concrete, has been promoted to Group Director. As Group Director, Cindric will oversee management of World of Concrete, World of Concrete Latin America, CONSTRUCT, TFM Show, as well as the AIA Convention and Design Exposition, a recent five-year agreement signed allowing Hanley Wood to build on the existing successful AIA Convention utilizing their long-time expertise in the design and construction industry.

Cindric started at Hanley Wood in April of 2001 based out of the Chicago office, and relocated to Dallas as Show Manager for World of Concrete.

With 27 years of domestic and international industry expertise and strong knowledge of Marketing and Operations, Jackie James started her career at Hanley Wood Exhibitions in 2002.

James has been promoted from her current position as associate director to director, World of Concrete. With this promotion, James will oversee all day-to-day aspects of World of Concrete as well as World of Concrete Latin America, working closely with Hanley Wood Business Media.

With this continuing leadership of Cindric and James, World of Concrete will continue to be a powerful event in the commercial concrete and masonry construction industries and will continue to evolve and change, as it has done over the last decade, to meet the needs of its exhibitors, attendees, and industry alike.

World of Concrete World of Concrete is the industry’s ONLY annual international event dedicated to the commercial concrete and masonry construction industries. Featuring indoor and outdoor exhibits with the industry’s leading suppliers showcasing innovative products and technologies, exciting demonstrations and competitions, and a world-class education program. Visit www.worldofconcrete.com for complete show details.

HPN Global hires experienced Internet marketing pro

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Hospitality Performance Network Global, the world’s most global site selection and meeting procurement company, announced the hiring of Orlando-based hotel executive Bryan Bruce as vice president, Internet marketing.

“Bryan has worked both the sales and service side of the business for some of the top hotel brands in the US,” said Bill Kilburg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, HPN Global.  “He is a skilled sales and marketing professional who brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience to the meetings industry including the internet and social media marketing arenas.  Bryan has spearheaded online and print campaigns that have positively impacted the bottom line at some of the most high profile convention resorts in American and we’re lucky to have him on board.”

As vice president of Internet marketing, Bruce will be responsible for developing and implementing all of HPN Global’s internet objectives.

“These are exciting times for our industry and we feel the internet has huge potential for HPN Global to continue to reach customers who we feel we can help with their meeting needs,” said Bryan Bruce. “Social media, mobile applications, search engine placement are the buzz for hotels and the meetings industry and HPN Global wants to be a leader in this space.”

Prior to joining HPN Global, Bruce was in sales with the largest Marriott in the world, the World Center in Orlando.  Additional experience includes time as Sales Director for the Buena Vista Hospitality Group and a Sales Executive with Starwood and Hyatt Hotel Corporations.

“I am excited about joining HPN Global and helping them reach their global expansion goals,” Bruce said. “They are a dynamic group with incredible momentum in the site selection world. The internet is a very important part of every business today and our goal is to be great in all we do.”

Scottsdale-based HPN rebranded under the name HPN Global in March 2010 to better align with its mission of becoming the world’s most global site selection service provider.  With meeting procurement professionals all over the world, HPN Global is committed to being an industry leader – not one founded on being the largest company, but one focused on being the best.  The new international division of HPN Global is the result of a joint venture between HPN and Meetings International.  Both companies have been serving the needs of association, non-profit, corporate and government agencies for 18 years collectively. To learn more, visit www.HPNGLOBAL.com.

Experient names senior VP sales and accounts management

TWINSBURG, Ohio — Jeff Fugate has been hired as senior vice president, sales and account management supporting the Registration and Housing Services business unit of Experient.

Fugate (pronounced FEW-gate) had been employed by Experient as vice president national sales in 2003 and was most recently vice president, eastern region before leaving in 2007 for Sogistics, a leading provider of sales force transformation consulting.  Most recently, Fugate was General Manager of Clearwire Inc., a provider of broadband services out of Washington, D.C.

“We are very excited to have Jeff back in the fold,” said David Erich, Experient executive vice president, Registration and Housing Services.  “His extended skill set and experiences are perfectly aligned for heading up our sales team and leading the charge on our accelerated sales strategy.”

Fugate will be leading a team of strategic sales executives, account managers and support staff and will be stationed in Experient’s Frederick MD office.  He replaces Ian Twentey, who is leaving Experient to pursue other opportunities.

Experient leads the industry as one of the best-known and most respected brands in the event management world.  Its core services include providing registration, housing, event planning and management, site sourcing/contract negotiation, and lead retrieval services to progressive association, corporate and government clients with the support of an extensive supplier network.

Experient employs professionals dedicated to fulfilling its vision of perfecting the event experience to deliver leading-edge thinking, experience and technology solutions for meetings, conventions and tradeshows around the world.  Visit www.experient-inc.com for more information.

“We are very excited to have Jeff back in the fold,” said David Erich, Experient executive vice president, Registration and Housing Services.  “His extended skill set and experiences are perfectly aligned for heading up our sales team and leading the charge on our accelerated sales strategy.”

AmericasMart convention center sales name VP

ATLANTA — Robert D. Schuler has been named vice president in charge of AmericasMart Convention Center Sales, according to Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr., president and chief operating officer of AmericasMart Atlanta and its AMC, Inc. parent entity.

Schuler joins AmericasMart following an eight-year tenure at the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, where he served as vice president/sales and director of the sales division. Under his sales leadership, ACVB booked 1.8 million convention- and meeting-related hotel rooms and attracted more than 2.8 million visitors to Atlanta annually.

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Cantillo joins NYC & company in sales

NEW YORK — Lina Cantillo was recently named regional director, national accounts for NYC & Company.

She was most recently with Millenniums of Manhattan, where she served as director of group sales.

As Regional Director, National Accounts, Cantillo brings more than 14 years of New York City hotel sales experience to the organization, most recently with the Millenniums of Manhatttan.

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Blalock appointed GM of JW Marriott Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — White Lodging of Merrillville, Ind. is earlier this year announced the appointment of Scott Blalock to Vice President and General Manager of the new JW Marriott Indianapolis.

A 22-year industry veteran, Blalock brings extensive operational, sales and administrative experience to this landmark property.

He came to White Lodging in 2006 after more than 18 years of service with Marriott International.

He began his hospitality career as an entry level manager and went on to hold various positions across multiple Marriott brands. [READ MORE]

Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay names GM

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. — Hotel executive Bernd Kuhlen has been named General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay and joined the award-winning destination golf and spa resort this month.

Located 23 miles southwest of the San Francisco International Airport, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is the only oceanfront resort in the San Francisco Bay area.

Bernd Kuhlen joins The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay from The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall, Jamaica, where he has served since 2005, first as Hotel Manager and then as General Manager.

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