CROMWELL, CT (March 21, 2011) --- Kristen Pikula has been named Director of Sales for the Courtyard by Marriott in Cromwell, CT. The 145-room Courtyard is managed by Waterford Hotel Group, a national hotel and convention center management firm.

As Director of Sales, Pikula will be responsible for the total sales efforts at the hotel, including developing and maintaining new accounts, supervising sales related personnel, and implementing sales and marketing strategies so as to maximize profits of the hotel while maintaining guest satisfaction. Pikula joined Waterford Hotel Group in February of 2006 as Director of Sales of the Residence Inn in Southington, CT, where she was later promoted to General Manager. During her tenure at the Residence Inn she led her team to win numerous awards from both Marriott International and Waterford Hotel Group, including Waterford’s “Team of the Year” in 2010.  Prior to joining Waterford, Pikula held positions as Event Coordinator for ESPN, Director of Sales at the Centennial Inn in Farmington, CT, and Executive Meeting Manager at the Marriott in Farmington, CT.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Resort Management from the Rochester Institute in Rochester, NY.

“We are excited to have Kristen on board at the Courtyard by Marriott in Cromwell,” commented Chuck Moran, General Manager of the Courtyard Cromwell. “With her extensive hospitality background she is an important asset to our team. We wish her great success in this new role,”
Pikula currently resides in Burlington, CT.

About Courtyard Cromwell
The 145-room Courtyard by Marriott Cromwell is located in the heart of Connecticut just minutes from downtown Hartford. Just off I-91, this location makes all destinations such as Aetna, Pratt & Whitney, Henkel or Bradley International Airport easily accessible. The Courtyard has everything you need with functional and flexible meeting and banquet space, to large corporate friendly rooms, and also offers a full service restaurant and lounge, 24-hr market, indoor pool, and fitness center.

About Waterford Hotel Group
Waterford Hotel Group, Inc., with headquarters in Waterford, CT, currently manages 27 properties in nine states, representing more than 3,600 rooms. Waterford Hotel Group has experience operating virtually every type of hotel property, including limited services properties, all-suite hotels, conference centers, and large full service and resort properties. The company's approach to hotel development and operations is hands-on, and features frequent site visits and constant communication with customers and partners. Additionally, Waterford Hotel Group offers centralized accounting, financial reporting, strategic marketing, human resources, and day-to-day operations management systems to increase market share and profitability at all properties. For more information, visit the company's website at www.waterfordhotelgroup.com.