Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) announced changes to the leadership of its global sales organization in Europe. Annie Brooks, formerly vice president of the global sales organization (GSO) in Western Europe, has been named to the newly-created position of vice president, business development, Europe. John Licence, who was previously in charge of global sales for Germany and Central Europe, has been promoted to vice president, global sales, for all of Europe.

In her new position, Ms. Brooks is responsible for optimizing Marriott’s core products, services and relationships to grow incremental sales and revenue from Europe globally. She will focus on a variety of segments, including leisure sales strategy, airline and e-marketing distribution sales, government markets, seminar and small meeting product development and distribution, incentive sales and products, consumer direct opportunities, and new distribution streams.

Ms. Brooks, a 30-year veteran of the hospitality and travel industry, began her career path as a consumer reporter for French TV. Since then she has worked in varying market segments, including corporate buying, airline in- and out-bound tour operations and hotels. Ms. Brooks joined Marriott in 1983 and held positions of increasing responsibility culminating in her leadership of the GSO in Western Europe.

Mr. Licence now oversees all GSO and general sales agent (GSA) offices for Marriott International in all European countries that generate business to Marriott’s 13 lodging brands globally.

Mr. Licence, a 23-year veteran of the lodging industry, joined Marriott in early 1997 as part of its acquisition of the Renaissance Hotel Group. He began his career in 1979 as a management trainee and joined Renaissance in 1983 in Reading U.K. Since then, he has held positions of increasing responsibility in hotel management, including hotel general manager, in the U.S. and London before moving into the sales organization.

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