Hotel Online
News for the Hospitality Executive


advertisement


Wendell Bush Named General Manager and Melanie Koscelnak Named Director
of Sales and Marketing at the 332-room Renaissance Blackstone
Chicago Hotel in Illinois



May 9, 2011 (Chicago) - The Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel has announced the appointments of two executives to head up the historic property on Michigan Avenue: Wendell Bush as General Manager and Melanie Koscelnak as Director of Sales and Marketing. Two seasoned hotel professionals with nearly 40 years of combined experience behind them, Bush and Koscelnak will oversee on-property management, sales and marketing operations for the historic Beaux-Arts landmark in Chicago's South Loop.

"We are thrilled to have two such experienced hospitality professionals join the team at the Blackstone," said Alexandra Walterspiel, Senior Vice President of Premier & Lifestyle Brands for Sage Hospitality, which manages the Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel.  "Both Wendell and Melanie bring infectious passion for hospitality, and we're excited to welcome them to what one of the city's most dynamic historic hotels."

Wendell Bush, General Manager
Bush joins The Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel from The Omni Fort Worth Hotel, which he joined as opening Hotel Manager in 2009. Previously, he spent several successful years with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, serving as Hotel Manager of the 1,068-room Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta and General Manager of the Westin Grand in Washington, D.C. Bush got his start in hospitality as a desk clerk at the Doubletree Hotel in Nashville. An active and involved professional, he served on the Board of Directors for the Hotel Association of Washington, D.C. and the Hotel Association of Tarrant County, Texas.

A native of Tennessee, Bush credits his passion for his profession to this grandmother, who ran several restaurants while he was growing up and taught the valuable lesson of treating people like they are guests in your home. Bush earned a Business Administration degree from University of East London in England. He currently resides in Chicago, where he enjoys spending time with his family and traveling.

Melanie Koscelnak, Director of Sales and Marketing

Koscelnak joins The Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel from The Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, where she began as a Sales Manager in 2000 and was promoted first to Director of Group Sales, then to Director of Sales & Marketing. Previously she held an sales positions at an array of hotel properties in or near the Steel City, including Pittsburgh Marriott City Center, Embassy Suites Pittsburgh Airport and the Harrisburg Marriott.  She got her start as an Executive Meeting Manager at Pittsburgh Green Tree Marriott back in 1995.

Born and raised Pittsburgh, Koscelnak earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Marketing at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh. She currently resides Chicago and enjoys exploring the city and spending time with friends and family.

The Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel

The Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel is located in the heart of Chicago's arts and theater district and adjacent to Grant Park. The historic property, which has accommodated 12 U.S. presidents, is a Beaux-Arts architectural landmark offering 332 stylish rooms, among them the fabled Presidential Suite and legendary "Smoke-Filled Room"; the award-winning destination restaurant, Mercat a la Planxa, serving Catalan-inspired cuisine; an extensive collection of contemporary art by emerging artists; a 23rd floor Concierge Lounge with sweeping views of Lake Michigan; and 12,000 square feet of meeting space, including the lavishly restored Crystal Ballroom. Opened in 1910, closed in 1999, and reopened in 2008 following a $128 million showcase restoration by Sage Hospitality, The Blackstone's décor is a dynamic mix of historic architecture and savvy design combined with luxury amenities and thoughtful guest services.  For reservations: 1 888-236-2427; www.theblackstonehotel.com.

About Sage Hospitality
Founded in 1984, Sage Hospitality has strategically grown into one of the largest privately held hotel management and development companies in the nation operating a variety of large, full-service hotels and extended-stay and select-service properties.  Sage Hospitality's comprehensive management portfolio includes major international brands for Marriott, Starwood, Hilton and IHG as well as the independent boutique hotels.  Sage Hospitality has further differentiated with the creation of the Sage Restaurant Group, which has created and is managing 10 unique restaurant concepts including the acclaimed Mercat a la Planxa in Chicago.  For more information, visit www.sagehospitality.com.
.
Contact: 

Anna Stancioff 
Hawkins International PR
(212) 255-6541
 [email protected]

 


Receive Your Hospitality Industry Headlines via Email for Free! Subscribe Here

 
To Learn More About Your News Being Published on Hotel-Online Inquire Here

 
Also See: Sage Hospitality Names Peter Psihas Director of Sales and Marketing for THE BLACKSTONE, a Renaissance Hotel, Chicago / September 2007

Sage Hospitality Names Fletcher C. Mayes General Manager for The Blackstone, a Renaissance Hotel; $112 million Renovation of Chicago’s Legendary Hotel Set for Completion Late in 2007 / September 2007
..
To search Hotel Online data base of News and Trends Go to Hotel.OnlineSearch

Home | Welcome | Hospitality News
| Industry Resources

Please contact Hotel.Online with your comments and suggestions.