THE COMMUNITY NEWS OF ASSOCIATIONS, CVBs and HOTELS

Photos of the Week

The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) held its inaugural Kermit J. Hall Leadership Summit at the J.W. Marriott Clearwater Beach from April 22–24. Shown here (left to right): Kevin L. S. Richardson, Chair, National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals; Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector; and Jason Dunn, CEO, National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals.

The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) held its inaugural Kermit J. Hall Leadership Summit at the J.W. Marriott Clearwater Beach from April 22–24. Shown here (left to right): Kevin L. S. Richardson, Chair, National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals; Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector; and Jason Dunn, CEO, National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals.

U.S. Travel Association’s Destination Capitol Hill was held on April 14–15 in Washington, D.C. Approximately 400 industry advocates participated in the annual event.

U.S. Travel Association’s Destination Capitol Hill was held on April 14–15 in Washington, D.C. Approximately 400 industry advocates participated in the annual event.

On April 16, Apiary Hotel & Residences in Denver, CO celebrated the grand opening of the hotel and the residences.

On April 16, Apiary Hotel & Residences in Denver, CO celebrated the grand opening of the hotel and the residences.

USAE writer Jordan Bradley took a riding lesson on April 2 from trainer Scott Scheyli with Arabian horse ShI’mVaguelySurprised (also known as JT) in Tucson, Arizona.

USAE writer Jordan Bradley took a riding lesson on April 2 from trainer Scott Scheyli with Arabian horse ShI’mVaguelySurprised (also known as JT) in Tucson, Arizona.

Don Welsh - welcome reception

Don Welsh, President & CEO of Destinations International, spoke to attendees during the association’s 2026 CEO Summit from March 30 to April 1 in Newport Beach, California.

The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) held its inaugural Kermit J. Hall Leadership Summit at the J.W. Marriott Clearwater Beach from April 22–24. Shown here (left to right): Kevin L. S. Richardson, Chair, National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals; Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector; and Jason Dunn, CEO, National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals. U.S. Travel Association’s Destination Capitol Hill was held on April 14–15 in Washington, D.C. Approximately 400 industry advocates participated in the annual event. On April 16, Apiary Hotel & Residences in Denver, CO celebrated the grand opening of the hotel and the residences. USAE writer Jordan Bradley took a riding lesson on April 2 from trainer Scott Scheyli with Arabian horse ShI’mVaguelySurprised (also known as JT) in Tucson, Arizona. Don Welsh - welcome reception

Editor’s Pick

Judge Sets Hearing Date for Fate of Historic W.V. Hotel

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Signia by Hilton Indianapolis Opens Reservations Book

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AAHOA Hosts<br />
Competitions and Sessions<br />
at Annual Conference

Industry Movers

Joseph Min

Joseph Min

Joseph Min has joined the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs as the Director of Food & Beverage. He has more than three decades of luxury experience. Most recently, Min served as director of food & beverage at The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel in Huntington Beach. He has also held senior positions at various luxury properties throughout Southern California, including Terranea Resort and The Langham Huntington Pasadena.

Lenny Cumberbatch

Lenny Cumberbatch is now Vice President and General Manager of The Reef at Atlantis Paradise Island. Cumberbatch joined Atlantis as vice president of food & beverage in 2024. Prior to this role, he held several leadership positions at Atlantis and across the Caribbean, including at SLS Baha Mar and The Windjammer Landing Villa Beach. 

Natasha Casillo

Natasha Casillo

Natasha Casillo is now General Manager of JW Marriott Nashville. Originally from a suburb of London, she is a graduate of Oxford Brookes University’s Hotel and Restaurant Management program and began her career at the Boston Marriott Cambridge. She advanced through leadership roles at Boston Marriott Copley Place. She later served as director of rooms at Hotel Commonwealth, where she helped oversee the property’s $55 million expansion.

Alfonso Perez-Vega

Alfonso Perez-Vega

Alfonso Perez-Vega has been promoted to General Manager of The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa and Holiday Inn Express Downtown Denver. Perez-Vega will oversee operations across both properties. He has 14 years of experience. Perez-Vega joined Highgate in 2023 and was appointed as complex hotel manager to The Brown Palace and Holiday Inn Express Downtown Denver in 2025. His background includes working in Los Angeles and Austin.

Patrick Fisher

Patrick Fisher

Patrick Fisher has been appointed President of Hotel ZaZa, a collection of four distinctive luxury properties across Dallas, Houston, and Austin, which was acquired by Rockbridge Holdings. Fisher will lead the full Hotel ZaZa portfolio: Hotel ZaZa Dallas Uptown, Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District, Hotel ZaZa Houston Memorial City and Hotel ZaZa Austin Downtown. 

Stan Iliev

Stan Iliev

Stan Iliev has been announced as the Dual General Manager of the Le Méridien and AC Hotel Denver Downtown. Both properties are owned and operated by White Lodging. Iliev’s tenure with White Lodging began in 2011 when he served as assistant general manager and front desk manager at the Hilton Garden Inn, Chicago Midway. He has held general manager roles at properties in Chicago, Valparaiso, Louisville and Nashville.

Daniel Weber

Daniel Weber

Daniel Weber has been appointed Executive Sous Chef of Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley, Arizona.  A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, his career has spanned destinations including Walt Disney World, Bay Hill Country Club – where he cooked for Arnold Palmer – and Four Seasons Resort Orlando, along with posts at The Current Hotel in Tampa and Southbound in Richmond. He worked in St. Louis.

Leslie Johnson

Leslie Johnson

Leslie Johnson has been promoted to Chief Sales Officer at Visit Milwaukee. She was Vice President of Sales. She leads a team that booked more than 328,000 room nights in 2025. Johnson will oversee sales initiatives that expand Milwaukee’s presence in key markets and fuel long-term economic impact. IAEE honored Johnson with its Outstanding Marketing & Sales Award, which recognizes exceptional achievement in marketing and sales activities.

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