Kristen Babich

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Babich is events manager for The Gant Aspen in Colorado. Babich previously worked with Aspen Ski Company, which took her to restaurants such as Ajax Tavern, Limelight Aspen, Limelight Snowmass and Sam’s. She has also worked with Kenichi Aspen, Matsuhisa Aspen, Hotel Jerome and W Hotel Aspen.

Read MoreColorado: Rocky Mountain High

Alinio Azevedo

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Aspen Hospitality in Colorado named Azevedo CEO. He previously worked as the company’s managing director and chief operating officer. Before joining Aspen Hospitality, Azevedo worked as vice president of acquisitions and development for Loews Hotels and vice president of development for the Americas for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.           

Rachel Riggs, CMP, DES, SEPC

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Riggs is general manager of environmental strategy for Maritz Global Events. Riggs joined Maritz Global Events Design Studio in 2018. Before joining Maritz, she worked as Tourism Vancouver’s meeting and convention sales manager for Chicago and the Midwest.

Riggs is also involved in environmental advocacy in other ways, including serving on the Net Zero Carbon Events Measurement Working Group, the Events Industry Council APEX Commission and the Global Wellness Institute’s Workplace Wellbeing Working Group.

Christina Mertz

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Mertz is Fairmont Dallas’ director of catering and conference services. She previously worked as the property’s assistant director of catering and conference services. In her 20 years of hospitality experience, Mertz has also worked with Goldman Properties in Miami as director of special events, The Setai and The Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach as senior catering and group sales manager and W South Beach in Florida as director of catering and convention services.

David Hoffman

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Photo: Pendry Hotels & Resorts

Hoffman is general manager for California’s Pendry Newport Beach, scheduled to open late summer 2023. Before this, Hoffman worked as opening general manager for Pendry West Hollywood in Los Angeles and opening general manager for Sagamore Pendry Baltimore. He also opened Montage Hotels & Resorts properties, including Montage Kapalua Bay in Hawaii, Montage Beverly Hills in California and Montage Laguna Beach in California.

Eugenia Dwyer

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Dwyer is general manager for The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour in Miami. She most recently worked as general manager at Eden Roc and Nobu Miami Beach. She has also worked at properties in New York City, including The Westin Times Square, Waldorf Astoria New York and W Times Square, as well as W Hoboken in New Jersey and The Gates and 24 North in Key West, Florida, as complex general manager.

Raghu Addagada

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Addagada is hotel manager for Pendry Park City in Utah. Addagada comes from The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain in Marana, Arizona, where he worked as director of operations. Further experience with The Ritz-Carlton includes The Ritz-Carlton Toronto, where his most recent position was executive chef, and The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun.

Matthew Grauso

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Grauso is Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa at Sky Ala Moana’s general manager, slated for completion late 2023. He previously worked as general manager at Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, a role he will keep until a new general manager is named. He has also worked as general manager for Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa, hotel manager for Sheraton Waikiki and director of human resources for The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas.

Ginny Long

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Long is director of national accounts for Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Long most recently worked as senior complex sales manager for Hilton Los Cabos and Conrad Punta de Mita in Mexico. She has also worked with Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

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