SAN JOSE – September 5, 2014 – Kelley Cosgrove, General Manager of the Fairmont San Jose is pleased to announce Benjamin Shih as the new Director of Sales and Marketing at the iconic Silicon Valley hotel. In his new position, Ben will oversee all group and transient sales, public relations and catering/conference services at the hotel.

“I am delighted to join the Fairmont San Jose during this exciting time and I am especially pleased to oversee the sales and marketing efforts at the prominent hotel, which has defined San Jose hospitality for decades. I look forward to working with the hotel’s leadership team in bringing the landmark hotel to new heights of luxury and guest satisfaction,” states Shih. “I am looking forward to further developing community partnerships and outreach programming.”

“With his extensive sales, marketing and conference service leadership experience and proven success most recently in the repositioning of the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, following a multi-million dollar renovation, Ben is a strong addition to the Fairmont San Jose team,” shares General Manager, Kelley Cosgrove. “Mr. Shih’s sales expertise and community involvement will prove to further elevate the success and prominence of the hotel.”

Benjamin boasts two decades of progressive experience in hospitality sales, beginning his career at Marriott Hotels in 1998. After joining Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in 2004, Ben held various sales leadership positions at sister hotels throughout the Greater Bay Area including the Fairmont San Francisco. In 2005, during his tenure at the flagship San Francisco property, Ben received the 2005 Fairmont Masters Award. Most recently, he served as Director of Sales and Marketing at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. Ben holds a B.S. in Hospitality Management from Florida International University and an M.B.A. from the University of San Francisco. Ben currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Guardsmen, a non-profit philanthropic group committed to supporting underprivileged youth in the Bay Area.