June 8, 2010 - InnLink, LLC, a leading provider of online hotel reservation technology, continues to expand. InnLink is positioned and ready for growth while dedicated and driven to improve their promise to customer excellence. To maximize the opportunities ahead, InnLink has hired and promoted numerous key managers. Kristin Intress has been named CEO and President of InnLink, LLC. She brings with her 20 years of Sales, Marketing, Change Management and Strategy experience. She is ideally suited for the opportunities and challenges InnLink will be navigating as it grows and addresses the requirements necessary in our current economic environment. Kristin most recently served as President of InnLink where she developed and built the sales and marketing teams, established the strategy, and grew the organization from 780 lodging facilities in 2007 to over 3000 hotels, resorts, inns, and extended stay properties today.

InnLink came out of 2009 operationally sound with tremendous success; enhancing the CRS platform, establishing process discipline throughout the business and expanding the customer base to service over 3000 customers.  During this high growth period we were able to maintain financial stability through capital reinvestment to assure future profitability and stability for both our employees and our customers.  InnLink is stronger in our ability to support our next phase of growth than ever before.    

To ensure our growth and continued customer centric strategy we are excited to announce new InnLink sales team members and promotions to our management team. David Leitner has recently joined the InnLink Sales team as our Regional Sales Manager, InnVite CRS. David brings 20 plus years of hospitality experience. David Leitner served as regional director of business development in the U.S. for PassKey International, as director of franchise development for Hilton Hotels Corporation and numerous positions with Promus Hotels. David has demonstrated the ability to deliver significant incremental revenue, enhanced customer loyalty and critical business expansion.

Matt Hughes joined the sales team as Regional Sales Manager, BridgeLink Specialist, bringing 8 years of Franchise Sales experience to the BridgeLink Program. InnLink has created this new program to focus on providing a comprehensive solution to hotels transitioning brand’s or as an opportunity to succeed as an independent. Matt’s unique experience with LaQuinta, Choice and Cendant will be valuable to both InnLink and transitioning hotels as we build this new service offering. 

Gigi Filippi joined the sales team as Regional Sales Manager. With over 20 years of hospitality management experience, Gigi has excelled in many operational and sales roles most recently as GM of a 100 room property. InnLink believes understanding our customers’ needs is key to success and Gigi will provide a consultative role to new customers as they strive to succeed in today’s economy. She will service the California, Nevada and Hawaii customer base.

Marie Ainsworth, a 20 year hospitality veteran, has accepted the new position of Product Manager.  Marie served as Product Manager with TravelClick and Director of Electronic Distribution at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. In her new role Marie will be responsible for driving key customer initiatives focused on programs to grow customer reservation revenue and effective distribution.

Kelly Gale, who has served for three years as an InnLink Sales Manager, has been promoted to Director of Sales. Kelly brings a broad range of Sales Management experience to this role with 10 plus years of managing sales teams through high growth and development stages.

Sissy Armstrong, a 10 year veteran of InnLink, has been promoted to Director of Account Management responsible for improving and maintaining our reputation of providing exceptional revenue management training and recommendations. Sissy’s team is dedicated to driving new revenue opportunities and ensuring our customers are able to maximize their CRS distribution. Concurrently, Sissy will continue to serve as the key Account Manager for AmericInn and NickHotel.

Laurie Bechler, a 15 year veteran of InnLink has expanded her role as VP of Operations. Laurie will oversee all daily operational activities with all operational teams reporting directly to her. Laurie will continue to manage key vendor relationships. Laurie has continuously proven her ability to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional results during her tenure.

The management team will consist of Kristin Intress, CEO and President, and department heads: Laurie Bechler, VP Operations; Jennifer Hauge, Director, IT; Sissy Armstrong, Director, Revenue Management; Kelly Gale, Director, Sales; Pam Walrond, Director, Marketing; Melinda Bailey, Manager, Call Center Operations; Jennifer Hight, Manager, Customer Service and Implementation; Annette Cobb, Manager, Accounting; and Marie Ainsworth, Product Manager.

InnLink is positioned and ready for growth and is dedicated and driven to deliver customer excellence.