Miami (October 9, 2013)?- The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) has named Kathy Semmes to the position of Director of Sales, Regional Sales, Washington, D.C. announced William D. Talbert III, CDME, GMCVB President and CEO.
“I am delighted that Kathy has joined us as Director of Sales to head-up our Regional Sales efforts in Washington, D.C,” said Talbert. “She is a well-known and highly respected industry professional with over 25 years experience with Marriott. Her invaluable national relationships, industry knowledge and years of experience are a welcomed addition to our D.C. sales efforts.”
“Kathy has a very impressive track record having achieved numerous recognitions from Marriott to include multi-year Marriott Chairman’s Circle designations and the Leadership Excellence Special Award for highest performance in Marriott International in 2010,” says Ita Moriarty, Sr. Vice President, Convention Sales. “With Kathy’s high level of professional sales experience, vast contacts and well-established relationships in D.C., her seamless transition will quickly generate results for our destination. We are very pleased to have her onboard.”
Prior to joining the GMCVB Semmes worked as a Sr. Account Executive in-market for Marriott representing the Renaissance Chicago and Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach. While she worked all domestic group markets, she specialized in national association business. Her hospitality career began at the Hotel Washington in D.C., now the W. She joined Marriott during her 12-year tenure at The Mayflower Hotel where she was Director of Sales. Her next step was as a Marriott in-market rep for the Boston Marriott Copley Place and San Francisco Marriott.
Semmes was among the first in the industry to become a Certified Association Sales Executive (CASE) through the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) program. Over the years she has been active in the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Meeting Planners International (MPI) and the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). Semmes is a graduate of Vanderbilt University.