The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has appointed Kimberly Miles, CMP, to senior vice president of industry relations, and Kathryn Potter to senior vice president of marketing & communications.
In addition, the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF), the not-for-profit affiliate of AH&LA, promoted Michelle Poinelli to senior vice president of foundation programs.
Most recently serving as vice president of conventions & events, Miles is responsible for overseeing the conventions and events for the association, the Educational Foundation, and the Educational Institute, as well as creating and managing the educational opportunities the association provides to its members. In addition, she is the staff liaison to the AH&LA board of directors, Resort Committee, and handles industry relations with various schools, corporations, and other industry associations.
She began her career with Westin Hotels & Resorts, and has also managed the education and conventions for two nonprofit associations in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Miles received a bachelor of arts degree in public relations and communications from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, Va., and received additional certification through the Convention Industry Council (CIC) as a certified meeting professional (CMP) in 2000.
Since joining the staff in 1989, Potter has held several positions, most recently serving as vice president of marketing & communications. In her new role, she has overall responsibility for the development of communications activities, marketing strategies, and diversity initiatives for the association. Specifically, Potter has oversight over all external and internal communications activities, industry public relations campaigns, and editorial content in printed and electronic materials, including AH&LA's three Websites.
In addition, she oversees all aspects of the association in terms of brand identity and visibility for AH&LA products and services, including conferences, membership, and AH&LEF. She also is charged with increasing the industry's diversity efforts and raising industry awareness about the benefits of embracing diversity within its overall management practices.
A graduate of Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga., Potter coordinates the activities for several AH&LA committees, including the Communications Committee, the Multicultural Diversity Advisory Council, the Women in Lodging Council, the Labor Relations Council, and the Membership Sales & Marketing Committee. In addition, she serves on AH&LA's Executive Committee.
As senior vice president of foundation programs, Poinelli oversees the day-to-day operations of AH&LEF's programs in the Washington, D.C. office. Having most recently served as vice president, Poinelli is the staff liaison to the Scholarship Committee, Research and Project Funding Committee, and AH&LEF board of directors.
Prior to joining AH&LEF in 1993, she worked for the American Nurses Foundation and the American Red Cross. Poinelli holds a bachelor's degree in public relations and communications from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, Va.
'We are pleased to have Kimberly, Kathryn, and Michelle take on these expanded leadership responsibilities,' said AH&LA President/CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA. 'Each one of them has been a major part of our success. In their new roles, they are positioned to play a key role in shaping the direction of the association and the Foundation.'
Serving the hospitality industry for nearly a century, AH&LA is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added services to provide bottom line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. Partner state associations provide local representation and additional cost-saving benefits to members.
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