Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced that it has merged its North American sales organization and its global sales organization under the leadership of travel industry veteran, Bob Moore. Moore joined Starwood recently as senior vice president of sales and marketing for Starwood`s North America division. In his new role, Moore will oversee Starwood`s worldwide sales efforts as senior vice president of global sales. Moore reports to Brenda Barnes, who has management responsibility for Starwood`s operations on an interim basis.

Moore has spent more than 30 years in the tourism industry. Before joining Starwood, Moore was executive vice president of the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, a position he held since 1996. During his tenure with the Los Angeles CVB, Moore guided the organization toward the achievement of new sales records and standards of service every year.

“Bob`s appointment is an illustration of Starwood`s goal of attracting the best and brightest talent in the travel industry,” said Barry Sternlicht, chairman and chief executive officer of Starwood.

Prior to joining the Los Angeles CVB, Moore was senior vice president of Sales for Hilton Hotels Corporation, a position that put him at the helm of worldwide sales programs for Hilton and Conrad hotels. During his long tenure with Hilton, Moore served in a variety of other sales and marketing positions for the company. He also served as executive vice president and later president of Hawaiian Adventure Tours.

Active in industry affairs, Moore recently served as Board Chairman for Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the world`s largest global meeting professional organization with more than 17,000 members. In 1994-1995, Moore served as the National Chairman for the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA). Moore is a graduate of Baylor University and the Stanford University Executive Program.

Starwood, through its subsidiaries, owns, manages and franchises hotels under its St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Westin, Sheraton, Four Points and W brands. Starwood is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 700 hotels in 76 countries and 130,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.

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