Hospitality Veteran Heads Sales At New Sheraton Orlando North

"Anita has a tremendous track record of success," says Peter Marino, senior vice president at Paramount Hotel Group, an owner and operator of the Sheraton property. "Her in-depth knowledge of this market, combined with her leadership skills and expertise in hospitality sales and operations, will be invaluable as we build North Orlando's premier hotel and conference facility."

Before joining the new Sheraton, Blackwelder served as general manager of Homewood Suites by Hilton Hotels, Maitland, Fla. She opened the 143-room, all-suite hotel ahead of schedule in 2000. Under her leadership, the property quickly became the North Orlando leader in revenue per available room. From 2001 Homewood Suites in Maitland ranked consistently as one of the chain's Top Ten hotels nationally for guest satisfaction. Blackwelder was named Homewood Suites' General Manager of the Year, 2002. High productivity and employee retention made her a 2004 Motivator of the Year finalist for Hilton Hotels nationwide.

Prior to Homewood Suites, Blackwelder was with Embassy Suites Orlando North, Altamonte Springs, Fla., for nine years, where she served as director of sales. She trained the sales and catering teams and oversaw sales and marketing at the 277-room meeting and conference hotel. Blackwelder's initiatives contributed to significant gains in profitability and guest satisfaction. While she was at Embassy Suites, revenue per available room increased 22% percent, groups sales jumped from 34% to 45% percent of hotel sales, and Embassy Suites became the North Orlando market leader.

Blackwelder began her career in 1985 as sales and catering manager at the Holiday Inn Orlando; Altamonte Springs.

"Meeting planners have become close friends," she says of her longevity in the North Orlando market. "I work closely with planners to create exciting events with flawless execution. My role is to create 'wow!' If a planner looks fantastic, then I've done my job."

Blackwelder holds two degrees from University of Central Florida in Orlando: a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Marketing as well as a Masters degree in Public Relations. A North Orlando native, she has a long history of involvement in community organizations, including local Chambers of Commerce and the Orlando Chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation. Blackwelder lives in Longwood, Fla., with her husband and three school-age children

The Sheraton Orlando North is a 390-room conference hotel located in the heart of the bustling Maitland, Fla., business corridor. The property, scheduled to open in July 2006, is close to Downtown Orlando and the Orlando International Airport. It also is convenient to major Orlando theme parks, golf courses, shopping, restaurants and entertainment. At 296,000 square feet, the new Sheraton will house 15,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a 2,500-square-foot spa, 24-hour business center, state-of-the-art gym, restaurants, bar, concierge lounge, game room and outdoor swimming pool with dramatic water features. For information, call 407-660-9000.

About the Owners: AMC Delancey and Paramount Hotel Group

The new Sheraton Hotel in Maitland Center is owned in partnership with AMC Delancey Group, Inc., and Paramount Hotel Group, LLC. The partners have an impressive track record. Their joint venture acquisitions include the award-winning Radisson Hotel Jacksonville Butler Boulevard and the new Radisson Hotel, Largo, Maryland/Washington DC.

Paramount Hotel Group, founded in 1999, is a premier hotel management and development company. As an independent operator, the Fairfield, New Jersey-based company has successfully managed hotels under every major brand, including Marriott, Hilton, Radisson, Sheraton, Crown Plaza, Holiday Inn, Ramada and Howard Johnson. For information, visit www.paramounthotelgroup.com.

Based in Philadelphia, AMC Delancey Group, Inc., is a leading real estate investment and development firm that co-invests with a growing number of real estate operating partners throughout the U.S. The company's current investment programs include hotel, office, retail, multi-family, condominium, mixed-use, and land development. More information is available at www.amcdelancey.com.


Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

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