10:00 AM |
-
Food and Beverage Trends, Wellness
Join industry pioneers, health and wellness experts, and culinary visionaries in a transformative session that explores the convergence of well-being, travel, and culinary experiences.

April Merenda, Gutsy Women Travel/St. John's University
(St. John's University Alumni)
April Merenda has held key positions within the... More
April Merenda, Gutsy Women Travel/St. John's University
(St. John's University Alumni)
April Merenda has held key positions within the hospitality and tourism industry over the past 4 decades, most notably being the President and Co-Founder of Gutsy Women Travel, LLC, the largest niche marketing company promoting travel designed for women and their unique interest. Gutsy Women Travel is operated by Club Adventures which is a division of AAA Extraordinary Vacations.
Ms. Merenda is highly regarded for her high energy and hands-on approach to business development and has solidified major industry relationships within the Hospitality industry. Merenda, daughter of an Italian immigrant family from Salerno, Italy, was born and raised in Brooklyn N.Y. and earned her Bachelor’s of Science Degree and her Masters in Leadership Management at St. John’s University; where she taught as an adjunct Professor within the Hospitality Management program for 12 years while simultaneously being employed as an Assistant Dean/External Affairs for the College of Professional Studies.
April is currently an Assistant Professor/Industry Professional tenure-track within the Hospitality Management program at St.John's University and brings a wealth of industry experience and networking opportunities to the classroom. She recently accepted the position of Director of International Hospitality Management M. S. at St.John's University.

Chris Reed, The Ranch Malibu
(California State University)
CHRIS REED SVP, Sales, Marketing & Revenue – THE RANCH... More
Chris Reed, The Ranch Malibu
(California State University)
CHRIS REED SVP, Sales, Marketing & Revenue – THE RANCH and the Co-Founder of AVANCE Collective. With 20 years of luxury hospitality sales and marketing experience, Chris Reed has worked with some of the most prestigious brands in the hotel space, including most recently helping to expand the award-winning luxury wellness retreat brand, The Ranch, across the US and internationally. Reed successfully launched Equinox Hotels' flagship location in Hudson Yards and prior to that, oversaw the North American global sales division for The Langham Hospitality Group. In September 2023, he co-founded the 501(c)(3) public charity, AVANCE Collective, with the goal of uniting travel industry professionals to fund human initiatives that support inclusivity, education and community. Additionally, he has served on the Board of Directors and Committees for MPI, SITE, FICP, as well as serves as a volunteer counselor for The Trevor Project, advocating mental health education and crisis support for LGBTQ youth. An avid traveler, Reed has lived, worked, studied, and traveled extensively throughout six continents, bringing with him an array of cultures and viewpoints that he can draw on in both his career and philanthropic endeavors. In addition, he holds certifications in both personal training and nutrition health coaching. One of his greatest passions is connecting people, as well as persuading others to try out the latest (and sometimes unusual) wellness

Dan Gibson, The Modern, Union Square Hospitality Group
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Doctorate from John Hopkins Alumni) Dan... More
Dan Gibson, The Modern, Union Square Hospitality Group
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Doctorate from John Hopkins Alumni) Dan Gibson is the general manager of The Modern, a two Michelin-starred, contemporary American restaurant at the Museum of Modern Art.
Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Dan’s passion for restaurants was inspired by the humble, meticulously crafted hospitality his grandfather offered during Sunday lunches and the vibrant gatherings of his mother’s Mauritian family.
Dan began his hospitality career in Melbourne, where he held roles at several award-winning restaurants. He started in fine-dining at Greg Malouf's celebrated Momo, then moved to Ephoca as a sommelier where he won the World of Fine Wine Best Short Wine List Australasia award. Following, he served as the manager of Lûmé, a Gault & Millau Restaurant of the Year winner.
In 2018, Dan moved to New York and began working at the Michelin-starred Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Tarrytown. In 2024, Dan joined The Modern as general manager where he oversees the three dining rooms, complementing Chef Tom Allan's food with exceptional service.

Simon Marxer, Hyatt
(University of Vermont Alumni)
Simon brings over 20 years of experience in the wellbeing... More
Simon Marxer, Hyatt
(University of Vermont Alumni)
Simon brings over 20 years of experience in the wellbeing industry. Over the course of his career, he held leadership positions for premier Wellness hospitality brands such as Canyon Ranch, Golden Door and including seven years at Miraval Arizona, becoming Miraval Group Director of Spa & Wellbeing where he led the opening of spa and wellbeing programming at Miraval Austin and Berkshires. Most recently, Simon was promoted to VP of Wellbeing and Spa at Hyatt, where he drives the strategic vision for wellbeing at Hyatt and focuses on wellbeing programming concepts in the Americas region, and was responsible for the oversight of the spa and wellbeing integration into the overall guest experience of the Lifestyle and Timeless portfolios at Hyatt.
Simon has led Miraval’s wellbeing teams to Virtuoso “2019 Best of The Best Award for Best Wellness Program” and Travel + Leisure “World's Best Awards”. Simon has also been recognized by ISPA Innovation awards for experiences created for the Miraval brand.
1 hour
|
12:30 PM |
-
Leadership in Hospitality
Leadership in hospitality
Anne DiGregory, Auberge Resorts Collection
(Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania BBA Alum)
Bio coming soon.

Asad Ahmed, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
(BBA Boston University, MBA Columbia Business School Alum)
Asad is responsible for managing... More
Asad Ahmed, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
(BBA Boston University, MBA Columbia Business School Alum)
Asad is responsible for managing Hyatt’s Commercial Services in the Americas, which encompasses Sales, Marketing, Revenue Management, Digital Strategy, Loyalty and Events. He has been in this role since May 2020 and has been with Hyatt since 2017. Asad is based in Maryland.
Asad was previously with Marriott briefly and with Starwood in various sales leadership roles, across both the US and Europe. Most recently, he was VP Sales for Starwood Europe, Africa, Middle East division where he led the divisional sales strategy and operations, across all Starwood Sales Offices and field teams. Prior to his time at Starwood, Asad worked in a variety of Sales positions at American Express in their credit card organization, based in New York. Asad Ahmed holds a BBA from Boston University and an MBA from Columbia Business School. He is married and has two daughters.
Clio Knowles, SH Hotels & Resorts
(BA Barry University, Harvard Business School Exec Education, Business & Leadership... More
Clio Knowles, SH Hotels & Resorts
(BA Barry University, Harvard Business School Exec Education, Business & Leadership Alum)
Bio coming soon.

Jennifer Fugolo, AHLA Foundation
(B.A. University of Maryland, Cornell Certificate in Diversity & Inclusion)
Jennifer... More
Jennifer Fugolo, AHLA Foundation
(B.A. University of Maryland, Cornell Certificate in Diversity & Inclusion)
Jennifer Clark Fugolo is Vice President of Industry & Stakeholder Engagement for the AHLA Foundation.
She provides leadership, direction, and strategic plans for AHLAF’s position within industry – working to build the Foundation’s reputation through the creation of an atmosphere that aligns the hotel industry’s workforce needs with the organization’s programming and results. This includes efforts that influence awareness and the adoption of AHLAF’s programs among the hotel industry and its partners. In 2023, she assumed leadership responsibility to expand and strengthen ForWard, an industry-wide initiative to advance women leaders through a holistic suite of community building, events, professional development opportunities, and strategic partnerships.
Jenn joined the Foundation from Sunrise Senior Living, where, as Senior Director, she led the company’s corporate communications function spanning crisis and reputation management, employee communications, executive visibility, and various aspects of external communications. In addition, she architected the company’s DE&I roadmap and helped introduce new approaches to employee engagement through a DE&I lens. Jenn started her career at global public relations and marketing agency FleishmanHillard, where she served a range of non-profit, government, and corporate clients. Jenn received her undergraduate degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park, and D&I certification from Cornell University.
Michelle DeCosta, Takeda
(George Mason University, Valencia College - AA, Management Alum)
Bio coming soon.
1 hour
|
2:00 PM |
-
Sales and Marketing Trends
Immerse yourself in a dynamic session led by industry trailblazers, where we'll explore the latest trends and strategies shaping success in these interconnected fields.

Alice Harrington-Caravello, Marriott International
Alice Harrington-Caravello joined Marriott International in January 2017 as the Vice President... More
Alice Harrington-Caravello, Marriott International
Alice Harrington-Caravello joined Marriott International in January 2017 as the Vice President of Account Sales. In this role, Alice is a member of Marriott America’s leadership team and is responsible for both Group and Transient revenues across Corporate, Association, Airline, Wholesale / Tour and Travel, Consortia, Affinity, Government, Convention Resort Network & Luxury Specialization driving over $12B in revenue for the company annually. In addition, in 2021 Alice took on the direct oversight for Marriott International’s National Group Sales Team.
Alice started her career at Starwood nearly 25 years ago, as the director of business transient sales for the W Hotels of New York. She has held a series of positions within the Starwood Sales Organization, including Complex Director of Sales, Managing Director Strategic Accounts, and Vice President of Global Corporate Sales. Alice led the global corporate accounts team from 2013-2015 where she provided strategic direction for Starwood’s largest customer accounts and was the segment leader for Corporate Transient, Corporate Group, Intermediary Group, Airline and TMC. In 2016 she led Sales & Marketing efforts for the East Region responsible for the company’s overall top line revenue, an organization of more 67 full service and luxury hotels managing over $3B in revenue.
She is based in New York City with her husband and her 2 children. She is an active member of GBTA, PCMA and Women Leading Travel. She is on the HSMAI Sales Board, MPI Global Board of Trustees and has served on the GBTA Group & Meetings Committee and BTN Advisory Board. Alice was named as one of the Industry Leaders by Smart Women in Meeting in 2023.

Amber Voelker, Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI)
(California State University Alumni) Amber Voelker is the Senior Vice President of Sales... More
Amber Voelker, Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI)
(California State University Alumni) Amber Voelker is the Senior Vice President of Sales Strategy for Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI).
Amber brings over 25 years of luxury hotel experience and 10 years of GSO sales leadership with ALHI. Her rapid progression from Regional Director to Senior Vice President of Sales Strategy reflects her exceptional ability to drive record-breaking revenue growth and lead high-performing teams. Amber has spearheaded strategic initiatives, expanded client relationships, and achieved all-time personal and regional sales highs, including successfully leading the West, The MidAtlantic, and the South Region's growth efforts.
Prior to joining ALHI, Amber excelled as Director of Group Sales at Ritz-Carlton and Langham Hotels in Pasadena, building a strong foundation in luxury hospitality sales and leadership. She actively contributes to industry organizations such as MPI and Site, and plays a pivotal role in ALHI’s leadership programs, including Executive Women in Leadership and the ALHI Executive Exchange.
Amber holds a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from California State University, Northridge, and is based in ALHI’s Los Angeles office. Outside of work, she enjoys fitness, hiking, traveling, holistic wellness, horseback riding, and spending time with her family, including her husband of 21 years, Todd, their 16 year old daughter Siena, and their two dogs, Remy and Roxy.
Amber is a survivor and pushed past tough life obstacles including the loss of her father at the young age of 10 years old. She believes in the mentality that you have a choice to be a victim or be a survivor, and you have to put in the work. She looks for ways to give back by donating and spending time with organizations such as Maryvale Orphanage and Junior Achievement. Helping others see the vision of success and believing in themselves is something she is passionate about.

Gissell Moronta, Atrium Hospitality
(Harvard University alum)
Gissell is the Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing for... More
Gissell Moronta, Atrium Hospitality
(Harvard University alum)
Gissell is the Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing for Atrium Hospitality where she leads the sales organization’s strategic and tactical initiatives and help the sales team focus on optimizing financial results.
Gissell kicked off her hospitality career in sales as a Business transient manager in the Dominican Republic after graduating college. After moving to the US, her career progressed in hotels through catering and group sales, as Director Sales & Marketing, and customer contact centers.
She has served in area and regional roles leading teams to Gold and Platinum award winning performance over two decades and created the first centralized inbound RFP team for Starwood Hotels, which she took from a pilot into a multimillion-dollar inbound operation. She held positions of Area, Regional and VP of Sales, Sales & Marketing for TPG and Colwen Hotels where she led the sales function for the company.
Gissell is an active member in the industry, serving as Chair of the Sales Advisory Board at HSMAI. Named HSMAI’s Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales, Marketing and Revenue Optimization. Gissell also serves in the Diversity and Inclusion Collective resource group at Atrium Hospitality and is the recipient of the Inclusion Champion award in 2022.
Gissell holds a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Business Administration from Dominican Republic (PUCMM), meeting management certification (CMP), Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) certification from Northwestern University, and a master’s degree in Liberal Arts from Harvard University.
1 hour
|