Denise Lodrige has been named vice president - national sales for Hilton Hotels Corporation.

Lodrige most recently served as managing director of sales for the Hilton Sales Worldwide office in Chicago.

In this newly created position, Lodrige oversees management of the Hilton Sales Worldwide offices in the United States and works closely with the regional vice president - sales & marketing and brand managers to ensure that worldwide sales efforts are aligned with the goals of all brands in the Hilton family. She also executes corporate strategic initiatives, and supports Hilton`s corporate vision. Lodrige is based in Chicago and reports to G. Steven Armitage, senior vice president - sales of Hilton Hotels Corporation.

An 18-year veteran, Lodrige began her career with Hilton at the New Orleans Airport Hilton in 1982 as a sales manager. She later became sales manager for the former Greenbelt Hilton, in the Washington area, before being named director of sales for that hotel in 1985. In 1988, she was named director of sales and marketing for the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner.

From 1993 to 1996, Lodrige served as director of sales and marketing at the Hilton Pittsburgh and Towers. In February 1996, Lodrige was promoted to managing director of sales - Washington, D.C. In October 1998, she assumed the additional responsibility of managing director of the Atlanta/Florida office of Hilton Sales Worldwide.

Lodrige is a member of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), and has served on the Annual Program Committee for three years and on the Educational Committee for three years. She is also a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) where she served as chairman of the Exhibits Advisory Committee and is currently a member of the Meetings & Exhibits Advisory Council. In addition, Lodrige is a member of MPI and Association Forum.

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