According to Andy Anderson, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Destination Hotels & Resorts, the gathering was an opportunity to energize, as well as coach, Destination�s sales force to maneuver and succeed through the current economic climate.

�The conference was a time to instill a sense of leadership in all areas and levels of Destination Hotels & Resorts sales force,� said Anderson. �Everyone is feeling the effects of the economy. This is a delicate time for the travel industry and focusing on the customer has never been more vital. Putting the customer first is key in keeping sales on track. This meeting re-emphasized that it�s all about the customer.�

In addition to training sessions that the sales leaders attended, the conference provided Destination with an opportunity to recognize top talent in the company. Brian Fedorowicz from the Inn and Spa at Loretto in Santa Fe, New Mexico was named the Outstanding Sales Leader of the Year and Managing Director Mike Slosser of the L�Auberge Del Mar in San Diego was honored for Outstanding Sales Advocacy. Kevin Barosso, from Destination�s national sales office, was named Outstanding Sales Performer of the Year. Outstanding Sales Team of the Year went to the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel and Conference Center in Arizona.

The company also recognized two rising stars in their sales force � Josh Novotny from Stowe Mountain Lodge and Kate Springmeyer from Hamilton Park Hotel & Conference Center. 

On the reservations team, Charlotte Roberts from Miramonte Resort & Spa was named Reservations Sales Leader of the Years. Veronica Newman from Destination Resorts Hawaii was named Reservations Sales Associate �Peak Performer.�

In addition to the individual awards given at the conference, the company recognized 21 Chairman�s Club award winners who exceeded 115 percent of their productivity goals 19 sales leaders were honored as part of the President�s Club. These individuals exceeded 100 percent of their productivity goals and received a special bonus for their achievement. 

�In tough economic times, we believe it�s still very important to recognize and support the sales leaders in our company,� added Anderson. �Our commitment to this training conference and our sales force � teaching them how to best support their customers in 2009 � was an important way to energize and motivate our leaders as we face a challenging year in the industry.� 

Destination Hotels & Resorts is the fourth largest independent hospitality management company in the country with more than 30 luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and conference centers. To protect and preserve the unique communities in which the company operates, Destination launched Destination Earth, an environmental sustainability program in 2008. New for 2009 is the 582-room Terranea Resort situated on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in southern California. The 102-acre ocean front resort will feature a 25,000-square-foot destination spa, three swimming pools, three restaurants and a Todd Eckenrode-designed par three golf course. In addition to Terranea in the greater Los Angeles area, Destination operates properties in key metropolitan areas and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Palm Springs, Houston and Lake Tahoe. Destination is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises.  For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com.

Kristin Yantis Mettler
Malen & Mettler
(775) 831-4422
[email protected]