After serving just over than 20 years in the post, Phil Hannes has left his is job as director of tourism development for the Anaheim CVB. He is making the move to join his wife, Marilyn K. Hannes, who is vice president, of global sales, Seaworld Parks and Entertainment in San Diego, and has been transferred by the company to Orlando. Prior to his tenure with the CVB, Hannes held sales positions at the Holiday Inn Buena Park and the Doubletree Club Hotel in Santa Ana. For those interested in contacting Phil can reach him via phannes@sbcglobal.net.
Johanne Bélanger has been appointed president and CEO of Tourism Toronto, effective Sept. 1. Bélanger, who has been a member of the organization’s board of directors since 2009, was president of Freeman Audio Visual Canada for the past 10 years and has been globally recognized for her work. She replaces David Whitaker who left Tourism Toronto last May to become chief marketing officer of Brand USA in Washington, D.C.
Tere Frank Stamoulis, a long-time Southern California travel marketing professional, has been named as California representative and strategic marketing consultant for GO 1 2 3 CITY HOP, a new sightseeing transportation company that targets Chinese FIT visitors to Southern California. The new entity is a division of CHD, Inc., a Las Vegas-based DMC. Stamoulis, whose professional CV includes tenures in senior staff positions at both the Long Beach and Santa Monica CVBs, has run her own consultancy for more than a dozen years, specializing in marketing projects for destinations.
Gordon McCreadie has been appointed director of sales and marketing B2B, Travel 2 and Gold Medal. Previously the sales and marketing director for Travel 2, the role will see McCreadie lead a sales and marketing team with direct reports that includes Ruth Hilton, Tracy Hirsz, Stephanie Lord, Rhona Jenkins and Alison Cockburn.
Also at Travel 2 and Gold Medal, Lisa Smith, current operations director for Gold Medal, will expand her role to lead the contact centre sales and operations teams for both Travel 2 and Gold Medal as director of operations. Smith’s direct reports include Bev Dumbleton, Kathryn Sharples, Kristian Slater Scott, Daniel Pound, David Irving, Felice Bretman, Shayna Swinhoe and Fraser Fairley.
Announcement of the two promotions above came from Andy Freeth, who had recently been named as managing director of both Travel 2 and Gold Medal following the acquisition late last year of both businesses by Dubai-based dnata, a part of the Emirates Group. Freeth’s third and final direct report, the B2B director of product and commercial, is yet to be confirmed.
Bob Gilbert has left his position as vice president of sales and marketing for the new Las Vegas attraction, Exotics Racing—just five months after joining the company earlier this year. Through his brief tenure with the company, Gilbert—a widely known veteran in the tourism and hospitality industries who has authored numerous articles and served as the senior sales official of such organizations as Delaware North, Helms Briscoe and Best Western International—had maintained his consultancy, Captivation Marketing. A member of NAJ’s Strategic Advisory Council, Gilbert can be reached at bob@bobgilbert.net.
Andreas Lambeck is leaving his post as e-commerce manager for Alltours by “mutual agreement’ after two years on the job. He was responsible for re-launching the group’s online portals and improving its search engine placements.
Timo Salzsieder has been named chief operating officer at the E-commerce group Tomorrow Focus as the company continues its transformation into a travel retailer. Salzsieder will be responsible for product management and IT. Salzsieder was already chief operating officer for the group’s main portal, Holidaycheck.
Marcel Mayer has left his position as product and sales director at direct sales tour operator Berge & Meer—it is part of TUI— in order to pursue new career opportunities. The company has named Thomas Rolf (right)as his replacement.
Andreas Zahn has been appointed tourism director for Ameropa-Reisen, with responsibility for packages, including holiday packages, city trips and events.
