AUSTIN, Texas, Sep 24, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE)—Director of Sales & Marketing Tyler McDonald has introduced the ground floor sales team for the 800-room Hilton Austin opening in January 2004.
McDonald, a longtime hospitality professional seasoned by 18 years of executive sales, marketing and operations positions with such leading hotel companies as Metro, Starwood, Meristar and Hilton, holds the ultimate responsibility for sales and marketing as well as team leadership for the hotel`s five Group Sales Managers.
Director of Sales Allen Alderman is responsible for co-directing, leading and supporting the Hilton Austin team. A 15-year employee of Hilton Hotels, Alderman has been Director of Sales at Hilton Tamarind Resort in Durango, CO and Associate Director of Sales at Hilton Palacio del Rio in San Antonio. A recipient of both the prestigious Hilton Circle of Excellence and the Hilton Excellence in Sales awards, he also served on Hilton Hotels Corporation`s 2000 Sales Team of the Year. In addition to his role as Director of Sales, Alderman is responsible for generating sales.
A team of five experienced Sales Managers report to McDonald and Alderman, including:
— Rick Nelson, an eight-year hotel sales professional who most recently was a Sales Manager at the Renaissance Austin Hotel.
— Polly Scull, a seven-year hospitality sales veteran and former meeting planner whose most recent position was a Sales Manager at the Hilton Austin Airport.
— Kevin Palermo, a 13-year hospitality sales veteran who was formerly a Sales Manager at the Renaissance Austin Hotel.
— Rosie Muguerza, a 16-year hospitality sales professional who most recently served as Regional Director of Key Accounts—South Central Region—for Six Continents Hotel Group.
— Greg Schneider, who most recently was Sales Manager at
Doubletree Guest Suites Austin.
McDonald says that the sales team will expand in the 15 months before the hotel`s opening. “We are only tapping the surface of prospective business for this very unique property,” he said. “As our opening grows nearer, we will continue to expand our sales team as needs dictate. But for now, we`re ahead of forecasts and on target for success.”
Construction on the 31-story hotel is also ahead of schedule. The “topping off” (completion of the top floor and installation of the hotel roof) is predicted by mid-November.
The Hilton Austin is located just seven miles from Austin Bergstrom International Airport. The hotel is an easy drive to all major business centers and leisure attractions in the Austin area, including the State Capitol, the University of Texas, the LBJ Presidential Library and the world-famous 6th Street entertainment district. When completed, the 31-story hotel will feature approximately 60,000 square feet of ballroom and meeting space, two restaurants, and a full service health club and swimming pool.
McDonald and the Hilton Austin pre-opening team may be reached at (512) 482-8000 or via fax: (512) 469-0078. The hotel`s website is www.hiltonaustin.com.
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