Jay Spurr
JW Marriott Austin is welcoming Jay Spurr back to Austin as the market director of sales and marketing. Spurr, who has nearly 30 years of hospitality experience, will be primarily responsible for leading the JW Marriott Austin sales and marketing team with expanded responsibilities supporting the new Austin Marriott Downtown, set to begin construction this year. Spurr previously served as the director of sales and marketing for JW Marriott Austin from 2011–2015. He returns to Austin from San Francisco, where he served as the director of sales and marketing for the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.
Riley Sharp
Global DMC Partners announced that Riley Sharp, formerly director of sales, has been promoted to vice president of sales in the company’s U.S. sales and marketing divisions. Based in Chicago, Sharp will continue to spearhead sales efforts and provide service to meeting and incentive planners in the Southwest and Western regions of the U.S.
Mark Gorgon
Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) has hired Mark Gorgon as vice president, U.K. and Europe. In this newly created position, he will be assisting event professionals throughout Europe who are interested in conducting their programs at any of ALHI’s member hotels or resorts. Prior to joining ALHI, Gorgon — who will be working out of ALHI’s London office — served for six years as director, global sales, meetings & incentives for Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI Hotels & Resorts), which is now part of AccorHotels.