A number of hotels—including several in Chicago—appointed sales and marketing leaders in recent weeks. Here are some names to know.
B Ocean Resort
The B Ocean Resort in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., appointed Michael Dutton to its executive leadership team as director of sales and marketing, a position he previously held from 2016 to 2018.
Previously, Dutton was area director of sales and marketing at two hotels in the Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio: Hotel Theodore and Hotel Max in Seattle. Other positions throughout Dutton’s international hospitality career have included roles at Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach, Resorts World Bimini and Lord Baltimore Hotel.
The Chatwal, New York
In Manhattan, The Chatwal, New York—part of Hyatt's Unbound Collection—appointed Ryan Planski as its new director of sales and marketing.
Planski most recently was the director of sales & marketing at Renaissance New York Chelsea, a role he was promoted to in 2023. Previously, he played a key role in opening the property in 2019 as senior sales manager. Earlier in his career, he worked at Marriott's Autograph Collection hotels under The Kessler Collection in Orlando as senior catering sales manager.
Four Seasons Resorts Lanai
Four Seasons Resorts Lanai appointed Brittany Thompson West Coast leisure sales manager for Four Seasons Resort Lanai and Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort. In her role, she will work with key travel agency partners, overseeing territories including California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Hawaii.
Before transferring to Lanai, she was a member of the commercial team at Four Seasons Nashville, starting with the property in its pre-opening stage. Thompson also held positions with luxury hospitality brands including Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and Proper Hotels.
Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago Medical District
The newly opened Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago Medical District appointed Anthony Visone as director of sales and marketing.
Visone has served in key leadership roles including sales manager at Marriott International, complex assistant director of sales for the boutique properties Canopy by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Central Loop and director of luxury sales for The LaSalle Chicago, Autograph Collection.
IHG Hotels & Resorts
IHG Hotels & Resorts has promoted Alexandra LaLoggia to area director of sales and marketing. In her expanded role, LaLoggia will oversee commercial efforts for the 792-room InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, the 293-room Kimpton Gray Hotel in Chicago and the 158-room Kimpton Journeyman Hotel in Milwaukee.
LaLoggia joined InterContinental Chicago in 2019 and was soon promoted to director of sales and marketing in 2020. Before joining IHG, LaLoggia held senior sales leadership roles with Loews Hotels and at several landmark properties in Chicago and Los Angeles.
The Junto
The Junto—Columbus, Ohio’s first independent lifestyle hotel—appointed Ken Tutt vice president of sales and marketing.
Before joining The Junto, he was executive director of hotel sales & marketing for North and Central America at Accor S.A., where he provided strategic guidance to Fairmont Hotels across the region and acted as an advisor to sales and marketing teams. Tutt also held senior roles with brands such as Highgate Hotels, The Sagamore Hotel, Morgans Hotel Group and Hyatt Hotels.
The Line DC
The Line DC in the capital’s Adams Morgan neighborhood appointed Heidi Calhoun director of sales.
Before joining the Line DC, Calhoun was director of sales & marketing for Timbri Hotel where she played a pivotal leadership role during the hotel’s transition from the Line SF to the hotel it exists as today. Calhoun has also held sales positions across various other D.C. hotels, including Courtyard by Marriott Embassy Row, Canopy by Hilton Washington D.C. Embassy Row and The Dupont Circle Hotel.
Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile
Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile appointed Petra Malbasa marketing coordinator. A dual U.S.-Croatian citizen, Malbasa was born in New York and moved to Croatia as a teenager.
Malbasa began her career with Croatia’s Bluesun Hotels & Resorts, spending seven years there in total. She was part of the digital marketing team and independently managed one of the brand’s websites, serving as the direct contact for all marketing and content needs. She then joined Foreo, a global skincare and beauty tech brand, where she coordinated campaigns and visuals for Western European markets. After relocating to Chicago, Malbasa worked with Victoria Venues, supporting digital marketing efforts—such as website traffic and paid advertising—for all three of the group’s event-focused hospitality venues.