Preferred Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Susan Devine as executive vice president, Europe.

The appointment is part of a drive for a larger presence for Preferred Hotels in Europe.

The company has expanded its global sales and marketing presence in Europe by increasing the number of associates dedicated to representing its member hotels directly to corporate and leisure travel agents, and group planners in the region. 

In addition, Preferred added a new role dedicated to public relations for Europe.

“We see tremendous growth potential in Europe” said Lindsey Ueberroth, president of Preferred Hotel Group.

“We plan to open an office in Kazakhstan next month, and expand our offices in Moscow, Munich, and London later this quarter.”

During her five years with Preferred Hotel Group, most recently in the role of area managing director, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Devine was responsible for tripling the growth of Preferred’s LAC membership, and was instrumental in developing key partnerships with several internationally acclaimed hotel companies.

A 20-year veteran of the hospitality industry with extensive experience working directly with hotel management in marketing and sales, Devine has lived in 11 countries and 16 cities around the world, and is currently based in Madrid.

She will head a team of professionals across Europe dedicated to increasing Preferred’s development in the region.

Preferred Hotel Group currently represents over 180 hotels in Europe and has added nine new properties in the region during the first quarter.