BRUSSELS, BELGIUM—Wolfgang M. Neumann, President & CEO of Rezidor, is the new Chairman of the International Tourism Partnership (ITP). He succeeds Ian Carter, President, Development, Architecture and Construction for Hilton Worldwide who steps down after four years. “It is an honor to succeed Ian Carter as Chairman of ITP,” Neumann said. “Responsible business must be an essential element of any business strategy today and tomorrow—we must care for our planet and our people. I look forward to continue to join forces with our peers and to keep sustainability high on the agenda of the international hotel industry.”During Carter’s tenure...

AGOURA HILLS, CALIF.—The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, which has awarded $1 billion in grants in the United States and around the world to improve the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people, named Peter Laugharn its incoming President and CEO, effective January 1, 2016. Laugharn has 25 years of foundation and nonprofit experience internationally, focusing on improving the wellbeing of vulnerable children. He most recently served as executive director of the Firelight Foundation, a Hilton Foundation grantee.“I am truly excited to join an organization that I have long admired for its accomplishments both domestically and internationally,” Laugharn said. “I am...

Name: Lindsay WilkinsonTitle: Manager—Environmental Sustainability, Corporate ResponsibilityCompany: InterContinental Hotels GroupYears in position: TwoPrimary responsibilities: “I oversee integration of programs in the Americas and China. I also have some key functional responsibilities with sales, brand and operational teams. I manage our relationship with Clean the World and serve on the Global Business Travel Alliance Sustainability Committee.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: “Our IHG Green Engage system. It was launched in 2009. The tool is our online sustainability platform. Hoteliers have access to more than 200 solutions.”Organization’s most significant sustainability-related challenges moving forward: “Things like fuel usage and energy consumption. Another...

BUFFALO, N.Y.—Jim Houser has been promoted to president of Delaware North’s parks and resorts business, as well as company operations in Australia and Asia. Houser most recently served as COO of the parks and resorts business and company operations in Australia and Asia. A Delaware North veteran of more than 35 years, Houser began his career as a vendor with Delaware North Sportservice and steadily climbed the ranks to become general manager of the company’s operation at the former Cinergy Field in Cincinnati. Houser was promoted to director of labor relations and then chief operating officer of Delaware North...

LAS VEGAS—Caesars Entertainment Corporation’s Jan Jones Blackhurst, Executive Vice President of Communications, Government Relations and Corporate Responsibility, was recently recognized as the “2015 CSR Professional of the Year” by PR News. This award honors the most powerful, highest impact and most inspiring individuals leading CSR efforts for their organizations and beyond. This year’s finalists included Bob Langert from McDonald’s Corp., Angela Peruso from Verizon Foundation, and Tessie Tapel from Time Warner Cable, to name a few.“I am humbled by this recognition from PR News as CSR Professional of the Year,” said Jan Jones Blackhurst. “I have been fortunate in...

Name: Jane MackieTitle: Vice President, Fairmont BrandCompany: Fairmont Hotels & ResortsYears in position: A year and one-halfPrimary responsibilities: Mackie is responsible for developing brand strategy, focusing on refining and articulating the brand positioning and communicating Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brand messaging. She also defines strategies that further enhance Fairmont’s competitive position in the luxury hotel segment. In addition, Mackie leads a dedicated brand team in setting brand standards for product, service and communications as well as Fairmont’s sustainability strategies.  Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: Reducing operational CO2 emissions by 20 percent below 2006 levels. “The large portion of our...

ST. LUCIA—A prominent Caribbean hotelier, Karolin Troubetzkoy, has been appointed Chairman of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST). The appointment is the latest Caribbean tourism sector leadership role for Troubetzkoy, who serves as Executive Director of the storied Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet resorts in Soufrière, St. Lucia.“It is with great honor that I accept this role of promoting responsible environmental and social management within the region’s hotel and tourism sector,” said Troubetzkoy, who will work alongside the recently appointed CAST Technical Director, Denaye Hinds, the Sustainability Director for OBMI—a leading Caribbean-based architectural and master planning firm.Troubetzkoy, who...

CHICAGO—Ryan McKenzie has been appointed General Manager at Chicago’s newest downtown hotel, the LEED Certified Hampton Inn Chicago Michigan Avenue, opening June 2015. The hotel’s owner, Integrated Motor Club LLC, an affiliate of Murphy Asset Management (MAM), has invested substantially into the transformation of one of Chicago’s finest Art Deco buildings, the historic 1928 Chicago Motor Club Building. Opening in the heart of Downtown Chicago at 68 E. Wacker Place, just steps from the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park and the Theater District, Hampton Inn Chicago Michigan Avenue will feature a grand, three-story Art Deco lobby, a 67-seat 1920s-style cocktail...

Name: Judy PinesTitle: Director Strategic Sourcing Sustainability & Special ProjectsCompany: Hilton WorldwideYears in position: Almost one yearPrimary responsibilities: “I am the lead sustainability resource within Hilton Supply Management with responsibility for the coordination of all global sustainability and corporate responsibility strategy and planning.”   Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment in the area of strategic sourcing: “Implementation of our mattress recycling program.”  Organization’s most significant sustainability-related challenge in the area of strategic sourcing: “Driving awareness and helping owners to see the value of being sustainable. Also, learning how to look at the total cost of ownership.”  MCLEAN, VA.—Last year Hilton Worldwide...

Name: Naomi MirskyTitle: Vice President of Sustainability and InnovationCompany: Denihan Hospitality GroupYears in position: Almost one yearPrimary responsibilities: “Focusing on enhancing the financial performance and efficiency of the company’s portfolio, as well as the health and wellness of Denihan’s associates and customers. Developing a cohesive strategy so Denihan can get full value from what it does in the area of sustainability. Understanding where the industry and technology is going and bringing that back to Denihan to develop best practices.”   Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment so far: “Getting utility data into a format so that we can start using the...