hospitalitystyle.com

(May 2010) posted on Mon May 10, 2010 EDT

Industry news for the week of May 10, 2010

HIRINGS/PROMOTIONS:

Hilton Worldwide has hired Stan Soroka as area vice president, Florida & Hilton Grand Vacation Resort Operations. Soroka was previously managing director of El Conquistador Resort and Las Casitas Village in Puerto Rico.

Hans Birkholz has been named president and ceo of Ambassadors International Inc. and ceo of its Windstar Cruises unit. Birkholz was previously president and chief operating officer of Grand Expeditions Inc.

Chesapeake Hospitality has hired Joseph Smith as executive vice president, responsible for owner relations and new business development.

OPENINGS/RENOVATIONS/BRAND NEWS:

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has opened Le Méridien Philadelphia, a 202-key hotel housed in a former YMCA building designed by architect Horace Trumbaue. HEI Hotels & Resorts is the hotel's owner and operator.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened the Crowne Plaza San Salvador, the first member of that flag in El Salvador. The 194-room property, formerly the Hotel El Salvador, is part of a franchise agreement between IHG and Latin American Hospitality Management Inc., the hotel division of Grupo Agrisal

JHM Interstate Hotels India has signed agreements to manage two new-build hotels in India: a 62-room independent luxury resort in Kukas, Jaipur, that's slated to open in August, and a 140-room Ramada Hotel in Amristar that's set to open in September. JHM Interstate Hotels India is a joint venture involving Interstate Hotels & Resorts and JHM Hotels.

The MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport, Tenn., will open a $14 million executive conference wing this fall. The two-story, 22,000- sq.-ft. addition will include two U-shaped amphitheatres, two boardrooms, a conference room and a 5,000 sq.-ft. ballroom.

BUSINESS BRIEFS:

Amerlux Global Lighting Solutions has rebranded its national manufacturing operation of outdoor lighting, fixtures and accessories as Amerlux Exterior Global Lighting Solutions.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has launched a collaborative partnership with Conservation International (CI) that will focus on setting and achieving environmental performance goals and creating awareness about environmental issues. In addition, Starwood ceo Frits van Paasschen has joined the executive council of CI's Center for Environmental Leadership in Business.

Eggrock Inc., a producer of factory-built bathrooms, has received approved manufacturer status with Marriott International. Eggrock's bathrooms have been incorporated into Marriott's master specification document and are approved for use in such Marriott brands as Courtyard, Springhill Suites, Fairfield Inn, Towneplace Suites and Residence Inn.