The Greater Houston CVB Expands Its Territory with New DC Office, Additional East Coast StaffMarch 19, 2009
Contact Information: “The goal of the DC office is to help the GHCVB better connect with the 2,400 association customers in the greater DC area, and thus bring in more convention business to the city of Houston,” said Greg Ortale, president and CEO of the GHCVB. “With the help of the new DC office, I hope to increase the number of meeting bookings by 15 percent within one full year of operation.” Houston also has sales representatives in Dallas, New York City and Chicago. The Washington, DC office is the GHCVB’s first multi-person office outside of Houston. The DC office is led by Sidney Chang, director of sales for the Mid-Atlantic region, as well as five other employees. The office is located at 700 12th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHO’S WHO IN THE DC OFFICE: SIDNEY CHANG, director of sales for the Mid-Atlantic region Sidney Chang has joined the GHCVB as director of sales for the Mid-Atlantic region. Chang will anchor the new DC office and manage the staff on the East Coast from Maine to Miami. Chang has more than 15 years experience in the hospitality and convention industry for the Mid-Atlantic region. He previously worked for Westin Hotels and Resorts and the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Additionally, he has worked with the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta focusing on the Mid-Atlantic region. “I am looking forward to expanding Houston’s reach to the 7,000 association customer base in the Mid-Atlantic region,” said Chang. “I will be working hard to promote Houston’s hotels, entertainment venues and convention facilities, especially the George R. Brown Convention Center and Reliant Park.” Chang was born in Hong Kong and is married with two children. Sidney’s Take on Houston: What makes Houston special? It is a melting pot of people with a diverse culture. When your family and friends are in town where do you suggest they go? Shop? Eat? I love taking my friends and family to the Museum and Theater Districts. My favorites are the Museum of Fine Arts and the Houston Symphony. When it comes to shopping, you can’t go wrong with The Galleria. My favorite Houston restaurant is Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse in downtown. What’s an event that you never miss in Houston? Watching the Rockets play at the Toyota Center. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RON SIPES, national account executive Ron Sipes has been the national account executive for the GHCVB since 2005. His primary responsibility is the development of new business in the Northwest quadrant of the Greater Washington area. Ron started his career as an air traffic controller, then spent 22 years with American Airlines. Ron’s Take on Houston: What makes Houston special? Warm tropical climate and the diversity of the people. When your family and friends are in town where do you suggest they go? Shop? Eat? We always go to the Galleria for the unique shopping experience and to the outlet malls for great bargains. When we are in the mood for fun and food we head to Kemah Boardwalk, on Galveston Bay, for great restaurants and rides for the children. What’s an event that you never miss in Houston? Definitely try not to miss the Art Car parade in June -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NANCY ROSENBAUM, national account executive Nancy Rosenbaum has joined the GHCVB as national account executive for the Mid-Atlantic region. Rosenbaum will be utilizing her relationships that she has established in the region to further develop business opportunities on behalf of the GHCVB. Rosenbaum has more than 15 years of sales and management experience in the Mid- Atlantic region. She began her career with positions at Loews Hotels and Marriott International. In addition, Rosenbaum has held regional sales roles with convention and visitors bureaus, specifically Pittsburgh CVB and the Palm Springs Desert Resorts CVA. Rosenbaum grew up in the Philadelphia area and is a die-hard Eagles fan. She is a graduate of George Mason University and is happily married with two beautiful daughters. Nancy’s Take on Houston: What makes Houston special? Houston is special to me because the people are so friendly and there is so much to do! When your family and friends are in town where do you suggest they go? Shop? Eat? When my family is in town, I always recommend a ballgame at beautiful Minute Maid Park. What’s an event that you never miss in Houston? The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo...of course! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEBBIE ZUNT, national account executive Debbie Zunt will serve as national account executive for the Mid-Atlantic region. Zunt’s new role is to further develop business relationships for the association market in the Mid-Atlantic region. Zunt has been working in the hospitality industry for more than 20 years. She began her sales career with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, where she helped open the Wyndham Chicago downtown property sales department and served as associate director of sales at the Wyndham Northwest Hotel in the Chicago suburbs. In 2001, Zunt was recruited to Las Vegas where she successfully developed accounts in the DC market at the Venetian Hotel and Casino. Her most recent tenure in Las Vegas was with the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino where she continued to be a leader in sales for the team. Zunt grew up in Cleveland, OH and attended college at Cleveland State University. She has been an active member of MPI, PCMA, ASAE and FICP for the past seven years and most recently became a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) in January 2007. Debbie’s Take on Houston: What makes Houston special? The amazing, friendly people that live there! When your family and friends are in town where do you suggest they go? Shop? Eat? I suggest the Theater District for a show, shopping at The Galleria and eating at any of Houston’s delicious barbecue joints. What’s an event that you never miss in Houston? The Rodeo! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROSEMARY MITCHELL, national account executive Rosemary Mitchell, formerly the senior sales manager at the GHCVB’s Houston office, has joined the DC sales team and taken on the new title of national account executive for the Eastern region. Rosemary joined the GHCVB’s sales team in November 2004 as senior national key account sales manager. Previous to her career at the GHCVB, Rosemary worked in several hotel chains, including the English (Trusthouse Forte Hotels), the French (Accor Hotels) and some major U.S. chains, including the Marriott and Hilton. Rosemary is an active member of NCBMP, Rejuvenate, RCMA, National Council of Negro Women and IHMPI. She enjoys cooking and playing bridge, and is thrilled about moving back to the East Coast and reconnecting with her family. Rosemary’s Take on Houston: What makes Houston special? Airlifts, people, service and mild weather in the off-season. When your family and friends are in town where do you suggest they go? Shop? Eat? Museum District, Aquarium, NASA, The Galleria for shopping (Harwin for discount shopping) and last but not least, Luling City BBQ, This is It Soul Food, Morton’s Steakhouse, Maggiano’s Little Italy and Ruth’s Chris. What’s an event that you never miss in Houston? Bayou City Art Festival in Memorial Park -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CASEY OLSON, sales and office manager Casey Olson has joined the GHCVB’s DC team as the sales and office manager. Olson will take on many roles at the new office, specifically coordinating marketing efforts for Sidney and the Mid-Atlantic sales team. Olson graduated from Arizona State University in 2006, earning a double major in International Business Marketing and International Political Science. She most recently worked as a strategic marketing associate for Target Corporate in Minneapolis, MN. In the coming years Olson aspires to earn her MBA while working for the GHCVB. Casey’s Take on Houston: What makes Houston special? Houston is an all-in-one…it can fit any mood and any occasion! I love coming to Houston for the amazing shopping and museums. Houston is such a friendly city and the people really make me feel at home. When your family and friends are in town where do you suggest they go? Shop? Eat? It’s no surprise that I would recommend The Galleria for shopping. With 375 stores to choose from, The Galleria caters to all tastes and all budgets. My favorite place to grab a bite is Damian’s. What’s an event that you never miss in Houston? My favorite event in Houston is the Rodeo. There are so many concerts and shows and the shopping and people watching are amazing! ### |
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