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.
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.