The Carolina Inn Welcomes Destination Hotels & Resorts Veteran Jack Schmidt as the Director of Sa

Feb. 2, 2011 - PRLog -- Andre’ Fournier Vice President Field Sales & Marketing for Destination Hotels & Resorts, today announced that Jack Schmidt has joined The Carolina Inn as the new Regional Director of Sales and Marketing. Mr. Schmidt will oversee the strategic sales and marketing efforts for this historic hotel. He will also work in concert with The Rizzo Conference Center located in Chapel Hill, NC. “I’m delighted with this opportunity to become a part of such a unique and special property. I also look forward to becoming a part of this vibrant community and to making it my home.” says Mr. Schmidt.

Jack Schmidt joins The Carolina Inn with over 25 years of sales and marketing experience. His most recent role was Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Destination Hotels & Resort’s northwest properties that include the Suncadia Resort near Seattle, Washington and Skamania Lodge near Portland, Oregon where he oversaw their sales and marketing efforts. He also worked with the Destination team at Sunriver Resort to identify synergistic opportunities between the three properties.

Prior to joining Destination Hotels & Resorts, Mr. Schmidt was the Chief Marketing Officer for Benchmark Hospitality International responsible for the entire company’s direct sales and marketing efforts. He oversaw the company’s enterprise sales and marketing system, the national database of meeting planners, all revenue management functions, global distribution, advertising and promotion, the company’s national awareness campaign, interactive marketing, customer relationship management programs, as well as sales training and compensation programming.

Mr. Schmidt studied hospitality management at Widener University in Delaware and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has been an adjunct professor teaching hospitality sales and marketing and co-authored the original sales training materials for the International Association of Conference Centers. Mr. Schmidt also has served on the International Association of Conference Centers board of directors for three terms, and is a past chairman of the America’s board of directors for the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International.

Jack Schmidt also will have regional sales and marketing oversight for the Rizzo Conference Center, a dynamic retreat for executive education owned by the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School. The Rizzo Conference Center combines sophisticated meetings with a serene setting, integrated instructional technology and memorable Southern hospitality.

About The Carolina Inn
Built on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill in 1924 by John Sprunt Hill – distinguished alumnus, successful businessman and University trustee – The Carolina Inn's original concept was "to provide for the special wants and comforts of the University alumni...and University visitors". The Carolina Inn features 185 charming and well-appointed guestrooms including 7 luxury suites, while maintaining the historical charm and elegance for which The Carolina Inn is known.

About Destination Hotels & Resorts
Destination Hotels & Resorts is the fourth largest independent hospitality management company in the United States with more than 30 luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and conference centers. The company has developed a variety of initiatives to better serve its communities, stakeholders and customers including Destination Earth, an environmental sustainability program, and the Destination Delivers guest loyalty program, which provides the best available offers to members. Destination operates properties in key metropolitan areas and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Denver, San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Fe, Aspen, Palm Springs, Houston and Lake Tahoe. Destination is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises. For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com or to join Destination Delivers, visit www.destinationdelivers.com.

For more information about The Carolina Inn visit www.carolinainn.com. For more information about the Rizzo Conference Center visit www.rizzoconfererncecenter.com.