Banks Brown
AHIA presents Distinguished Service Award to Brown
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DENVER, Colo. — Banks Brown has been awarded the 2010 Distinguished Service Award by the Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys. The award will be presented at the Academy’s Fall Meeting on Nov. 5 in Las Vegas.
The Academy was formed in 1995 by a group of attorneys from across the United States who represents clients or serves in-house for companies in the hotel, travel, tourism, convention, meeting and restaurant industries.
In addition to offering industry-specific CLE programs twice a year, the association provides its members with a useful network of recognized and experienced hospitality attorneys and leaders.
Each year AHIA recognizes an attorney whose character and achievements exemplify the Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys’ commitment to promoting professionalism, education and improved communication within a network of highly skilled and experienced attorneys serving the hospitality industry.
Banks Brown is a partner in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP and is based in the Firm’s New York office. He is head of the New York office Trial practice and focuses his trial practice on complex commercial litigation and disputes.
Since 1995, he has served as the General Counsel for the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc. He is also General Counsel to The Destination Marketing Association International, and was General Counsel to the Travel Business Roundtable until its merger with the USTA.
He regularly writes for Lodging Law, a publication of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and is the 2006 recipient of the Anthony G. Marshall Award for Pioneering and Continuous Contribution to Hospitality Law. He is co-author of a recognized treatise on hospitality law entitled “Understanding Hospitality Law” (5th Ed. Educational Institute, AHLA). He was admitted to the Bar of the State of New York in 1978.
“I have gotten immense pleasure from helping the hospitality industry for 15 years (and counting) and had always thought that was reward enough," Brown said. “But, this award is like a jewel to me because those who have chosen me--the members of AHIA--have rendered such consistently high quality and invaluable service to the industry over the decades. Given their vast contribution, I am humbled that they would think of me as deserving of this honor.
Kenric Hall
GM of Embassy Suites Cleveland Downtown named
 NEW YORK, N.Y. — Kenric Hall has been appointed General Manager of the 252-room Embassy Suites Cleveland Downtown, effective immediately.
Hall comes to Hilton Worldwide, Embassy Suites’ parent company, with more than 25 years of hotel management experience, having held positions in the areas of event management, food and beverage, and front desk operations. He brings to the property a strong familiarity of the Midwest, along with a proven track record of success in customer service, team building, and sales and marketing.
In his new role, Hall will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the hotel, along with overseeing the daily operations at the newly renovated all-suite property, located steps away from the renowned Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Cleveland Convention Center, Playhouse Square, Cleveland Art Museum, Great Lakes Science Center, and the Lake Erie Beach and waterfronts. In addition, the property will be within walking distance of the much-anticipated Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center, which is scheduled to open in 2013.
“Kenric’s professional connection to the Midwest and acute knowledge of the Cleveland hotel market places him in a great position to manage this property,” said Ted Ratcliff, senior vice president, operations, Eastern North America, Hilton Worldwide. “Downtown Cleveland – with its performing arts, professional sports stadiums and convention center – is a hotbed of activity year-round. Kenric has the tenacity to reach this audience and market the Embassy Suites Cleveland Downtown as a premiere hotel destination.”
Hall previously spent 11 years with Winegardner & Hammons, Inc., a full-service hotel management and development company that operates Marriott, Doubletree, Embassy Suites and Holiday Inn properties nationwide. During his tenure, Hall served in general manager positions at properties in Michigan and Ohio, most recently as General Manager of the 295-room Cleveland Marriott East. The hotel consistently scored in the top ten percent of guest satisfaction scores brand-wide under his direction.
As general manager of the Radisson Hotel Lansing, Hall oversaw a $1.5 million renovation of the hotel’s restaurant, and implemented new strategies that successfully increased sales and customer satisfaction. Previously, he spent two years as Assistant General Manager of the 347-room Holiday Inn Fairlane – Dearborn. Both properties consistently ranked high in guest satisfaction scores.
“I’m thrilled to start this new chapter of my career with such a prestigious hotel company,” Hall said. “Cleveland is a vibrant city, and the Embassy Suites Cleveland Downtown is in a great location, within a stone’s throw of all the major cultural and recreational attractions. I’m eager to start working with my new team to create a memorable experience for every guest who walks through the lobby of this outstanding hotel.”
Hall assumed top leadership positions after a 15-year career with Renaissance Hotels and Resorts prior to its acquisition by Marriott International. The various roles Hall held in events, conventions, restaurants and room service helped contribute to the success of several large urban properties in Missouri and Ohio, including the Renaissance St. Louis Airport and the Renaissance Cleveland.
Hall graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from The Ohio State University. He resides in Westlake, Ohio with his wife Mary and their two children, Matthew and Emma.
Lois McLaughlin
Morial CC selects director of events services
 NEW ORLEANS — Lois McLaughlin has been named director of event services at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center – the sixth largest convention center in the nation. In her role as director, she will supervise the planning and execution of all events held at the Convention Center.
McLaughlin will head a team of nine Event Services managers who boast a whopping 136 years experience at the convention center, with five members serving 22 or more years.
A 23-year veteran of the hospitality industry, McLaughlin comes to New Orleans from the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, where she served as director of event services.
A notable accomplishments was in bringing the departments up to modern standards, which was instrumental in increasing efficiency and response time to the client base.
McLaughlin brings an in-depth knowledge of the convention industry to her new position, having served in various roles such as convention services manager, event coordinator and sales manager as she worked her way through the ranks, eventually serving as director of event services for Atlantic City Convention Center & Boardwalk Hall in New Jersey.
McLaughlin also consulted on several openings, expansions and staffing for convention centers in Puerto Rico, Pennsylvania and Hawaii as a staff member of a private facility management company. Later, she further honed her skills as event services manager at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
A member of Association for Convention Operations Management, McLaughlin earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.
“Lois is a creative, success-driven professional with strong leadership capabilities,” said Bob Johnson, president/general manager of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. “We look forward to her success in directing complex projects and strengthening relationships with our clients.
Patric Callarec
Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco ends executive chef search
 SAN FRANCISCO — The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco has named Patrick Callarec executive chef, following an extensive search to fill the sought-after hotel leadership position. Callarec’s role will encompass all hotel-specific culinary activities, including dining in The Lobby Lounge, In-Room Dining, banquets and catering.
Born in France, Chef Callarec comes to San Francisco following ten high-profile years on Maui, first as executive chef for The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and then as owner of the award-winning Chez Paul Restaurant in Olowalu, two-time recipient of Honolulu Magazine’s Hale Aina accolade as Best Restaurant on Maui.
Acclaimed for his contemporary approach to classic French cuisine, Callarec began his career at the age of 13, attending cooking school in Menton, France followed by a stint in Cannes as a 15-year-old cooking both at the famed Hotel Martinez and at the Hotel Carlton.
While still in his formative professional years, Callarec decided to hone his skills abroad in hopes of establishing a culinary career in North America. Moving to Canada, he joined Toronto’s Four Seasons Inn on the Park and then relocated to Chicago as part of the team at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago.
Later, Callarec joined the Meridien Hotel, Silvano Restaurant, The Registry Hotel/Grand Kempinski Hotel, the Seascape Inn Restaurant, and La Bonne Auberge, all located in Texas. He subsequently joined the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, serving with acclaim at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead (Atlanta), The Ritz-Carlton, Marina Del Rey and The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, where his culinary creations were featured in Food & Wine magazine. Chef Callarec’s work has also appeared in Great Chefs, Delicious Living, the Los Angeles Times, and on the Travel Channel.
“It’s a true pleasure to join a property with renown for its culinary excellence,” says Chef Callarec. “I look forward to complementing an already outstanding team at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, and to creating consistently outstanding dining experiences throughout the hotel.”
Velma Hart
ASAE Chairman honored with
2010 APEX Award by Black Meetings & Tourism
 WASHINGTON — ASAE Chairman Velma Hart was honored with the 2010 APEX Award for Distinguished Service. Presented by Black Meetings & Tourism magazine, the Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions, which have positively impacted travel and tourism. The Award was presented at the Travel Professionals of Color 8th Annual Conference, April 22. Hart is the first African American chairman of the ASAE Board.
“I’m extremely honored and humbled to be recognized with this highly-regarded Award,” said Hart, CAE, chairman, ASAE Board, and national finance director/chief financial officer, AMVETS National Headquarters. “There are still many challenges in terms of representation and inclusion in the association community, which we can resolve by working together. It will not happen overnight, but it will happen with foresight as we plan ahead to meet the needs of our global workforce. I’m so thankful for this recognition and for the work of Black Meetings and Tourism and Travel Professionals of Color for their continued work giving a strong voice to black professionals.”
Black Meetings & Tourism magazine recognizes individuals for providing long-term benefits for the travel industry and the African American market segments, and who represent a national level of prominence and demonstrate a track record of minimum of two years in the profession.
Other Award recipients include Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO, Destination DC; Stella Beene-Venson, president, NCBMP; Michael Munn; chief of staff and director of business development, Boston Convention Marketing Center. Previous Award recipients included William Norman, former president and CEO, Travel Industry Association of America (TIA); George Aguel, senior vice president, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and former chairman of MPI; Pamela Richards, former commissioner of tourism, United States Virgin Islands.
Publishing since 1994, Black Meetings & Tourism magazine is the exclusive, African American-owned, awarding-winning, international trade publication for African American meetings, incentives, leisure and group travel markets. Travel Professionals of Color is an international organization that promotes education, networking and support of minority travel professionals. The organization provides quality training to help travel specialists effectively reach the multicultural minority travel community.
Last updated
May 4, 2010 4:31 PM
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