MIAMI – July 18, 2012 – A pace-setting 2011 and continued growth in 2012 fueled by an improving economy, rising demand in the meetings and events segment, and a booming number of international visitors, has prompted Kimpton’s Florida hotels to reinforce their award-winning sales team with key promotions and additions.

Kimptons of Florida Lands Top Sales Team Awards

At the recent Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants annual national meeting, the sales and revenue teams from all 54 hotels across the country gathered to discuss goals and plans for the coming year, while honoring the brand’s best sales and marketing executives.

In a sweep of the top awards, the EPIC Hotel, Miami was named 2011 Sales Team of the Year, while Eric Jellson, Area Director of Sales and Marketing based in Miami, Florida, was presented with the brand’s top Sales and Marketing honor - the 2011 Bill Kimpton Award. Jellson was also named 2011 Director of Sales and Marketing of the Year. In addition, Jeff Peterson, also part of the Kimptons of Florida team, was named 2011 Group Sales Person of the Year, while Mark Pawlowski, Area Director of Revenue, Kimptons of Florida, was named 2011 Revenue Director of the Year.

In addition to being the top revenue-producing team within the company, Jellson and the sales team were recognized for their efforts in leading Kimpton’s growth and expansion in South Florida, which began with the brand first entry into the market in 2008 with the opening of EPIC, Miami, and now also include Surfcomber Miami, South Beach; and Vero Beach Hotel & Spa. The awards also recognized Jellson and the team’s innovative marketing programs, and strategic sales and customer development efforts, some of which have been adopted at other properties and throughout other areas of the company.
 
Continued Growth Spurs Sales Team Promotions and Expansion

The Kimptons of Florida also recently promoted 2011 Kimpton sales award-winner, Jeff Peterson to Director of Sales and Marketing for Surfcomber. Peterson joined Kimpton Hotels in November 2008 as Area Director of Travel Industry Sales to support EPIC’s opening later that year. His responsibilities expanded to include National Account Sales as well as sales efforts on behalf of Vero Beach Hotel & Spa and Surfcomber, which underwent a top-to-bottom renovation under Kimpton Hotels before re-opening in December 2011. Before joining Kimpton, Peterson held several directors of sales positions for Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort and Doubletree Guest Suites.

A recent addition to the Kimptons of Florida sales team is Alex Garcia, who joined in June 2012 as Area Director of Travel Industry Sales. With responsibilities that cover the international territories of Latin America and Europe, Garcia will support all three Kimpton Florida hotels. Prior to joining the Kimpton team, Garcia held the position of Director, Leisure Sales for Fairmont Hotels’ Turnberry Isle Miami, which followed eight-years with Starwood Hotels and included three years as Global Account Director. Garcia also held sales positions with Wyndham Hotels, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Allied Tours.

The two industry veterans bring extensive domestic and international hospitality sales expertise to a growing team that also includes the following recent additions: Patty Builes, Sales Manager (Kimptons of Florida); Adriana Campos, Sales Manager, Business Travel and Groups (Surfcomber); Madi Daday, Senior Sales Manager, West Coast/Entertainment Industry Specialist (Kimptons of Florida); Nicole DeStefano, Convention Services (Surfcomber); Denise Leon, Marketing Manager (Kimptons of Florida), and Heather Willett, Director of Sales and Catering (Vero Beach Hotel & Spa).

The new appointments were made under the leadership of Jellson, who maintains sales and marketing oversight for each of the three Florida properties.

“Since Kimpton Hotels set its first footprint in Florida with the opening of EPIC in 2008, our team has done a stellar job of growing demand and repeat business for the brand’s expanding portfolio of hotels in the Florida market,” said Jellson. “As we look forward at the opportunities that lie ahead, it is important that we set ourselves up for continued success with the right team in place to manage our future growth while meeting the individual needs of our customers.”

ABOUT KIMPTON’S EPIC HOTEL
A member of the award-winning San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, EPIC – a Gold List recipient of World’s Best Places To Stay in 2012, named one of the Top 50 Hotels in the U.S. on the Conde Nast Traveler’s 2011 Reader’s Choice List and Best Miami Accommodations by Porthole Magazine in 2012 – combines the style of a cosmopolitan boutique hotel with the amenities of a resort to create a sophisticated oasis for guests amidst the energy and pulse of Miami. Located at the edge of the Miami River and Biscayne Bay, EPIC’s 411 rooms and suites are artfully designed by Cheryl Rowley, with furnishings that convey an understated sense of cool, and all feature private balconies that provide inspiring views of the city and bay. EPIC’s 25,000 square feet of meeting and event space offer the kind of cohesive Miami meeting space that helps create meetings of lasting influence. From the gorgeous meeting rooms on the 14th floor to the 16th floor pool deck with stunning views to our outdoor EPIC lawn, over 25,000 square feet of meeting space in eight flexible meeting rooms can accommodate up to 300 seated guests or 400 for a reception. EPIC’s meeting and event planning staff offers the dedication and execution you need, providing the assurance that your event will exceed your expectations and those of your guests. For more information on EPIC and/or reservations, please call (866) 760-3742 or (305) 424-5226 or visit www.epichotel.com. To stay up-to-date on the latest news and travel deals, become a fan of the EPIC Facebook page by visiting www.facebook.com/EPICHotel or follow us on Twitter @KimptonInFL.

ABOUT SURFCOMBER MIAMI, SOUTH BEACH
Managed by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Surfcomber sits on the Atlantic Ocean’s edge along 200 feet of oceanfront property in the heart of the Art Deco District in South Beach on historic Collins Avenue. With direct beach access, this newly and fully renovated hotel offers visitors to this fashionable destination a distinctively relaxed, yet worldly guest experience within a “backyard bliss” design-driven environment. The hotel’s 186 guestrooms feature luxurious bed linens and bath products by European fashion designer, Etro. Guests of the new Surfcomber will enjoy a diverse mix of dining and lounge options including Lantao Kitchen + Cocktails, and Lantao Social Club, an ode to Southeast Asian cuisine served in a casual and sexy atmosphere. Surfcomber’s signature pool/beach experience includes the hotel’s expansive outdoor deck with heated pool, 12 well-appointed cabanas, and beach activities such as paddle boarding and volleyball. Surfcomber’s meeting and event space can accommodate intimate poolside weddings and events, small meetings for up to 70 people, and meetings on the beach. Additional guest services and amenities include 24-hour room service, 24-hour on-site business center, fitness center, mind and body experiences with in-room and beachside massages. Additionally, Kimpton guest programs at Surfcomber include Forgot It? We’ve Got It!, creative mini bars, complimentary Wi-Fi for Kimpton In Touch members, complimentary morning coffee and tea service in the living room, hosted evening wine hour daily, and health-minded wellness options and healthy in-room dining menu, bikes, and complimentary on-demand yoga, Pilates and meditation channels, with yoga bag filled with accessories for use during guest stay. For more information or to book a stay visit www.surfcomber.com or call (800) 994-6101.  Become a “friend” of Surfcomber Miami, South Beach on Facebook at www.facebook.com/surfcomberhotel and follow us on Twitter @KimptonInFL.  Surfcomber Miami, South Beach is located at 1717 Collins Avenue, Miami, Florida.

ABOUT KIMPTON’S VERO BEACH HOTEL & SPA
Located on one of the country’s most exclusive and pristine beaches in Vero Beach, Florida – less than two hours from Palm Beach and Orlando International Airports – the AAA four diamond oceanfront Vero Beach Hotel & Spa offers 113 West-Indies-style designer guest rooms appointed with dark mahogany woods, Jerusalem stone flooring, granite countertops, flat screen televisions, sumptuous bedding and spacious balconies overlooking the spectacular Atlantic Ocean.  Popular with guests are the adjacent oceanfront Cobalt restaurant and Heaton’s Reef Bar & Grill.  Favorite hotel amenities include a private beach, heated ocean view pool, complimentary evening wine hour for overnight guests, fitness center, golf privileges at private clubs, an executive boardroom and private event room, concierge, laundry, valet parking, business center services and a full-service onsite spa. For more information call 1-866-602-VERO or visit the www.verobeachhotelandspa.com. To stay up-to-date on the latest news and travel deals, become a fan of the Vero Beach Hotel & Spa’s Facebook page by visiting www.facebook.com/VeroBeachHotelandSpa or follow us on Twitter @KimptonInFL.

ABOUT KIMPTON HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a collection of boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants in the US, is an acknowledged industry pioneer and was the first to bring the boutique hotel concept to America. In 1981, Bill Kimpton founded the company that today is well-known for making travelers feel welcomed and comfortable while away from home through authentic and unscripted customer care, stylish ambience and embodying a certain playfulness in its approach to programs and amenities. Adjacent to the hotels are locally-loved, top-rated, Kimpton restaurants. Kimpton leads the hospitality industry in ecological practices through its innovative EarthCare program that spans all hotels and restaurants. Market Metrix, a recognized authority and leader in feedback solutions, consistently ranks Kimpton above other hotel companies in luxury and upper upscale segments for customer satisfaction. Privately held Kimpton was recognized by Fortune Magazine as a Best Company to Work for in 2012.  The company operates more than 50 hotels and more than 50 restaurants in 24 cities. For more information, visit www.KimptonHotels.com or call 1-800-KIMPTON.