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Photos of the Week

Brand USA concluded its inaugural Brand USA Travel Week Canada in Toronto and Montreal at the end of October. The event welcomed nearly 60 U.S. partner organizations and more than 160 Canadian travel, trade, and media representatives from across the country, generating more than 2,000 prescheduled business appointments. Pictured here is Fred Dixon (back row, second from left), President & CEO, Brand USA; Jennifer Tong (front row, third from right), Senior Director of International PR, Brand USA; Andrew Felts (front row, second from right), Senior Manager, Media Relations & Communications, Brand USA; and members of the U.S. delegation that participated in the media track during the event. Credit: Brand USA

Destinations International (DI) held its Business Operations Summit from October 26–28 in Oklahoma City. The Business Operations Summit brings together destination organization professionals in finance, human resources, operations, and technology to strengthen the systems that drive organizational success. Pictured here: Shaun Yates (center left), Sr. Vice President, Tourism Development, Visit Oklahoma City; Christy Gillenwater (center), President & CEO, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber; Don Welsh (center right), President & CEO, DI; and members of DI’s staff.

A plaque presentation took place during the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Center on October 21. Javits Center was recognized for achieving LEED Silver Certification for Operations and Maintenance. Left to right: Peter Templeton, President & CEO, U.S. Green Building Council; Joyce Leveston, President & CEO, Javits Center; Yashi Dadhich, Sr. Director of Energy & Sustainability, Javits Center; Kenneth Sanchez, COO, Javits Center; and Eli Dryer, Event Sustainability Lead, Javits Center.

Sherrif Karamat, CAE, President & CEO, PCMA and CEMA; Paul Van Deventer, President & CEO, MPI; and Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, AAiP, President & CEO, ASAE, explored neuroinclusion research that the ASAE Research Foundation produced in partnership with the MPI Foundation during a session at IMEX America. Find more information here.

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Francis Desjardins

Francis Desjardins has been appointed Regional Vice President, Pacific Northwest and General Manager of Fairmont Pacific Rim. He’ll oversee Fairmont Pacific Rim, Fairmont Empress, Fairmont Waterfront, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, and Fairmont Vancouver Airport. With more than 28 years of leadership experience with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Desjardins joins the Pacific Northwest region from Fairmont Taghazout Bay in Morocco, where he has served as general manager since 2019.

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Mary Grego

Mary Grego has been appointed General Manager of The Stonebridge Inn. The hotel is in Snowmass Village, Colorado. Grego brings nearly a decade of leadership experience and will oversee operations as the property prepares to reopen this winter following its $15.7 million transformation. She joins The Stonebridge Inn from Snowmass’ Top of the Village, CoralTree Residences, where she was assistant general manager.

Kelly Keel

Kelly Keel has been named President & CEO of the Texas Association of Business (TAB). The announcement was made by TAB and Texas State Chamber of Commerce. She was executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. A native Texan, Keel earned a bachelor of science degree in economics from Texas A&M University and a master of public service and administration degree from the Bush School at Texas A&M.

Johann Runarsson

Johann Runarsson has joined the InterContinental San Diego as Director of Food & Beverage. He previously held similar roles at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, PGA National Resort & Spa, and Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. He worked in Florida and was Opening Director of Food & Beverage at the JW Marriott Austin. Runarsson holds hospitality related degrees from César Ritz Colleges in Switzerland and Washington State University.

Christina Cooper

Christina Cooper has been promoted to Chief Administrative Officer at Visit Milwaukee. The move expands her responsibilities to include finance and information technology alongside human resources. Cooper will also lead Visit Milwaukee’s office renovation. The bureau said she will ensure its workspace and internal operations support the goals of its strategic plan. She was vice president of human resources.