ORLANDO, Fla.- March 17, 2008 - Intrawest Hospitality Management
(IHM), a worldwide resort management company with 10 properties throughout
North America, Canada and France announces the executive management team
of The Westin Imagine Orlando.
Located across from the Orange County Convention Center, in Orlando,
Fla., The Westin Imagine Orlando opens April 3, 2008 and is the newest
upscale hotel providing both business and leisure travelers luxury accommodations
and easy access to the nation�s second largest convention center.
�With the innovative services and a distinctive Westin culture, we are
confident that The Westin Imagine Orlando will set a new standard of hospitality
in Orlando,� said Mike Speicher, general manager of The Westin Imagine
Orlando.
Mike Speicher, General Manager
Speicher is charged with the overall day-to-day operational and management
responsibilities of The Westin Imagine Orlando. He will hire and manage
a staff of more than 200 associates, dedicated to delivering the luxurious
Westin brand of service to each and every guest. Speicher draws on more
than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, 12 years of which
were acquired with Renaissance Hotels and Resorts across the Southeast,
Texas and Colorado. In 1999, Speicher joined the Intrawest Corporation
as part of the management team at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, and
spent eight years growing the resort into one of the largest destination
resorts in Florida.
Matt Boris, Director of Lodging
�Building a strong team of associates requires the right mixture of
enthusiasm and knowledge.� Boris oversees guest experience operations from
reception to housekeeping. Boris draws on his 10 years of experience in
the hospitality industry with prior Westin experience from his previous
role with The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort.
Cheryl Cain, Director of Revenue Management
Cain began her career in hospitality in Central Florida with previous
management experience at the Greenleaf Resort and, more recently, at The
Sheraton Safari Hotel & Suites. �Revenue management is focused on strategic
planning and must go hand in glove with sales and marketing initiatives.�
Bob Geller, Director of Sales & Marketing
Geller has direct oversight of the hotel�s sales team and is responsible
for sales, marketing and public relations to deliver The Westin brand promise
through guest experience. Geller�s sales and marketing experience includes
working for celebrated hospitality leaders such as Adam�s Mark Hotels and
Resorts, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., InterContinental
Hotels & Resorts, Doral Conference Center and Hilton Hotels.
Cheryl Gromlich, Sales Manager
Gromlich is a sales professional with more than 20 years of experience
in travel and tourism. Previously, Gromlich was with the Royal Plaza in
the Walt Disney World Resort and Orlando Marriott Downtown. Keys to success
for Gromlich include �passion, relationships and hospitality.�
Jennifer Lewis, Sales Manager, CMP
With more than 10 years of expertise in the hospitality industry, Lewis
thrives on growth, networking and building partnerships with her clients
and guests. Prior to her role with The Westin Imagine Orlando, Lewis was
with the House of Blues, Doubletree Castle Hotel, Church Street Station
and Wet �n Wild in successful sales management roles.
Richard Mendoza, Executive Chef
European-trained, Chef Mendoza takes the helm at Fiorella�s Cucina
Toscana at The Westin Imagine Orlando. Chef Mendoza�s award-winning expertise
includes previous roles with Atlanta Renaissance Downtown, Atlanta Marriott
Northwest, Renaissance Vinoy Resort, as well as several noteworthy fine
dining restaurants. �My culinary point of view is authentic, rustic ingredients
and presentation. Food should be exciting and fun.�
Rick Pelletier, Director of Engineering
�Safety and comfort are my top priorities for the overall guest experience.�
Pelletier�s former management roles include a 16-year career as the engineering
director of the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Michigan before moving
to Florida with the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort team.
Stewart Smith, Director of Food and Beverage
With more than 25 years of experience in food and beverage and hospitality
management, Smith�s philosophy is simple, �Welcome every guest into the
hotel as if they were visiting your home.� Smith joins The Westin team
from Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza as well as previous leadership
roles at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.
Robin Ward, Director of Human Resources
�Westin is more than a hotel; it is a destination where we want our
guests to leave feeling rested, energized and renewed. Our associates are
the key to this experience.� Ward draws on her 25 years of hospitality
and corporate human resources management including Fortune 500 companies.
Most recently, Ward was with the former Westin Grand Bohemian and part
of the �best brand� award-winning team in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
 The
Art Deco, modernist style identified with Florida transpires throughout
the 12-story building and into the well appointed 315 hotel rooms and one-
and two-bedroom suites. All rooms feature The Westin Heavenly Bed®,
Heavenly Bath® and high-speed Internet access. Additional amenities
include The Westin WORKOUT® fitness center, a lagoon-style pool and
an upscale, contemporary restaurant; Fiorella�s Cucina Toscana. The Westin
Imagine Orlando also offers a lively cocktail lounge and 24 hour in-room
dining. For meetings and banquets, The Westin Imagine Orlando offers 7,200
square feet of meeting space with five function rooms, plus outdoor event
venues. All areas of meeting space are equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual
facilities, a public address system and wireless high-speed Internet access.
About Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts, with 155 hotels and resorts in more than
31 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT). Starwood Hotels & Resorts is one of the
leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850
properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned
and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator
and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally
renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®,
Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Meridien® and
the recently announced AloftSM and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns
Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators
of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information,
please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
About Intrawest
Intrawest ULC is a world leader in destination resorts and adventure
travel. The company has interests in 10 resorts at North America's most
popular mountain destinations, including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue
for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Intrawest network
also includes Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest
� a private resort club with nine locations throughout North America. Intrawest
develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North
America and in Europe. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British
Columbia. For more information, visit www.intrawest.com. |
