Intercontinental New Orleans Boosts Sales Team With Hiring of New Director
Luxury hotel in New Orleans continues transformation with addition of Melanie Walent, boasting over 20 years of hospitality sales experience
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Intercontinental New Orleans has named a new director of sales to help lead the hotel into a new season of success.
Providing a proven track record of excellence, Melanie Walent joins the luxury New Orleans hotel from her previous role as director of sales, marketing and events at Hyatt Regency Boston. During her stint in The City on a Hill, she was responsible for the creation and execution of a $52.2 million budget and was a 2014 nominee for annual awards in the director of sales and events team categories.
"I'm excited to be returning to New Orleans, the great city where I grew up and where a lot of my family is still located," Walent said. "The hotel has recently undergone an incredible multi-million dollar transformation, and I can't wait to work with such an amazing team to reposition it within the New Orleans market."
Investing $26 million in a total renovation under the management of Dimension Development and General Manager John Romano, the Big Easy hotel recently added state-of-the-art meeting spaces and completed updates to its 484 luxurious guest rooms and suites as well as its first floor lobby with an exquisite restaurant and lounge. Walent said she is looking forward to the opportunity to employ her past experiences and lead the hotel toward a better future.
Before her role in Boston, Walent worked for five years at Hyatt Regency Dulles in Herndon, VA, where she assisted in the design and creation of the Executive Meeting Center, a $15 million expansion that added 29,000 square feet of gathering space to the hotel.
Beginning her career at Hyatt as a catering and convention services manager at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa in Colorado, she then was hired as social catering manager at Park Hyatt Washington in D.C., where she continually exceeded expectations. She was next promoted to associate director of sales back at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa.
Walent graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
In her time outside of work, Walent loves doing anything outdoors, working out, experiencing new restaurants and volunteering in the community.
Intercontinental New Orleans, located in the Central Business District, offers 19 event rooms with 33,000 square feet available for conferences, strategic planning sessions, board meetings, weddings, receptions, showers and any other social or charity soirees. A professional team of event planners will assist in taking care of every last detail. For information, contact Walent at 1-504-585-4353.
About Intercontinental New Orleans
Intercontinental New Orleans at 444 Saint Charles Ave. in New Orleans, LA has been an integral part of the city's tourism for more than three decades. Located in the heart of the Central Business District, the hotel is located a few blocks from the historic French Quarter, Canal Street, Harrah's Casino, Smoothie King Arena and Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The downtown hotel, which recently completed a $26 million renovation, features 484 luxurious guest rooms and suites, a rooftop pool, state-of-the-art fitness center and 19 flexible meeting spaces. Guests are invited to dine on site at Pete's, offering lighter fare, and Trenasse with its exquisite Southern Louisiana-inspired dishes. For information, visit www.icneworleans.com or call 1-504-525-5566.
PRESS CONTACT
Melanie Walent
1-504-585-4353
[email protected]
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160912/406644
SOURCE Intercontinental New Orleans
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