KSL Resorts Appoints Donna Smith as Director of Leisure and Travel Industry Sales and James Buck as Digital Marketing Manager for Two Properties

May 22 , 2013 (Asheville, NC and Hot Springs, VA)?-?The Grove Park Inn?in Asheville, North Carolina, and?The Homestead?in Hot Springs, Virginia, have announced dual appointments to two key sales and marketing roles in time for the summer travel season. The two luxury resort properties operated by KSL Resorts have much in common including southern charm, historic legacies, and locations just over 300 miles apart.

Donna Smith, Director of Leisure and Travel Industry Sales
As Director of Leisure and Travel Industry Sales, Donna Smith oversees industry-specific sales and marketing efforts for the two resorts, working closely with wholesales tour operators, retail travel agents and consortiums such as Virtuoso, Signature, Ensemble and American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts.

Smith has more than 25 years of experience in hotel and hospitality sales. Before joining KSL Resorts, she headed Leisure & Industry Sales for North America and Canada for Salamander Resorts & Hotels, where she was instrumental in the opening of new properties in Florida and the Caribbean. Previously, she earned her reputation for her role as North American Accounts Executive for Half Moon Resort in Jamaica, where she was responsible for developing and implementing a sales plan that incorporated all aspects of leisure travel. Smith also directed sales and marketing efforts for Couples Resorts/Issa Hotels and was a Sales Manager at Club America Vacations. She has represented numerous hotels and resorts throughout the Caribbean and has worked for Continental Airlines.

Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Smith earned a Marketing degree from Memphis State University. She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

James Buck, Digital Marketing Manager
As Digital Marketing Manager, James Buck focuses his expertise in online marketing and social media to achieve strong visible online presences and promote the success of The Grove Park Inn and The Homestead.

Transferring departments, Buck started at The Grove Park Inn in 2012 and was previously the In-Room Dining Captain. He will use his knowledge of the hotel to develop compelling digital content.? Previously, he was Co-Owner/Managing Partner of The Ford Theatre in Conway, Arkansas, developing the theater’s online presence and generating traffic through implementation of marketing and advertising campaigns via Facebook, Twitter and Google. As Event Coordinator and Online Marketing Manager of Silent Events, Inc. in Memphis, Tennessee, Buck maintained the company’s website, social media accounts and oversaw events for clients including Jet Blue, Coca-Cola, Vanderbilt University and LSU.

Born and raised in Hope, Arkansas (birthplace of former president, Bill Clinton and Mike Huckabee) Buck received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. ?He resides in Asheville.