News for the Hospitality Executive |
STEVENSON, Wash. (February 7, 2012) — Skamania Lodge, located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, has hired Kara Owen in the newly created position of director of group sales. In this new role, Owen is responsible for leading the group sales effort and building awareness of the Lodge as a destination for conferences and group gatherings. The creation of this new position coincides with the design remodel of the Lodge, to be completed in late spring 2012, which will elevate the group meeting experience. “Kara is a highly talented sales professional with deep roots in the hospitality industry here in the Northwest,” said Skamania Lodge General Manager Scott Spann. “We are excited to have her on board to work with local and regional organizations to create awareness for our one-of-a-kind meetings and events.” In addition to working with businesses and event planners to reserve conferences, incentive trips, and meetings, Owen will interact closely with a team of four other sales managers to cultivate relationships within the corporate arena. The sales team also operates from the Lodge’s Portland sales office, located minutes from the city center, in order to better serve local and regional organizations and to be responsive to immediate needs. Prior to joining Skamania Lodge, Owen served as director of sales for the RiverPlace Hotel in downtown Portland, Ore., and for the Portland Marriott City Center. As a seasoned veteran in the hospitality sector, she brings with her a deep knowledge of the marketplace and an understanding of the needs of event and meeting planners. Skamania Lodge’s Conference Center offers 23 meeting rooms and more than 22,000 square feet of dedicated state-of-the-art meeting, exhibition and banquet space. Meeting rooms range in size from 250 square feet for intimate gatherings to 7,000 square feet, accommodating food and beverage functions for up to 500 people. The Lodge is an International Association of Conference Centers (IACC) approved conference center. About Skamania Lodge Surrounded by the waterfalls, peaks, forests and canyons of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Skamania Lodge is an all-season mountain resort and conference center situated on 175 acres, 45 minutes east of Portland, Ore., in Stevenson, Wash. Skamania Lodge boasts the Waterleaf Spa, indoor swimming pool and hot tubs, a fitness center, onsite hiking, an 18-hole par-70 golf course, the Cascade Room, River Rock and the U.S. Forest Service Information Center located in the lobby. Skamania Lodge is centered in a Pacific Northwest playground with hiking, biking and Sternwheeler cruises along the Columbia River in the summer; skiing and snowshoeing in the winter; and golfing, fishing and whitewater rafting all year long for outdoor enthusiasts. The Lodge has received numerous awards and recognitions including: Best of the West by Meeting Focus West magazine; the National Choice Award by Smart Meetings magazine; Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator; and the Gold Tier Green Star award from IACC. For more information about this one-of-a-kind property visit: www.skamania.com About Destination Hotels & Resorts Destination Hotels & Resorts is a privately held hospitality management company headquartered in Colorado. With more than 35 independent, luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and golf clubs, Destination is the third largest hospitality management company in the country. The company’s portfolio features more than 8,970 guest rooms, 15 golf courses and 16 full-service spas. Destination Hotels & Resorts properties are located in key metropolitan and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Seattle, Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Austin, Phoenix, Portland, Palm Springs, Palos Verdes, Maui and Lake Tahoe. The company is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises. For a complete list of properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com. |
Contact:
Krista Hildebrand 503-467-4686 [email protected] |