INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Hotel Business has been tracking personnel shifts in the industry. Magnuson Worldwide, GreenTree Hospitality Group and MGM Resorts International have all made moves. Here’s a look:
Magnuson Worldwide Appoints Alysha Smith to VP of Operations and Development
Alysha Smith has been appointed as VP of operations and development for Magnuson Worldwide. With experience across agency, casino gaming and hotel marketing, Smith will be responsible for providing strategic direction to Magnuson Worldwide as it begins phase two of its expansion into the European marketplace.
In her previous role as global head of marketing, Smith oversaw the marketing and acquisition strategies for 500 hotels across several brands primarily in the United States, United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe. Smith also held the position of group head of loyalty for Aspers Group/Crown Entertainment Australia where she managed the U.K. loyalty program across all gaming venues. Prior to this appointment, Smith practiced venue marketing for flagship properties at Caesars Entertainment U.K.
As Magnuson Worldwide’s youngest VP, Smith will leverage her international experience to lead the growing hotel operations for the global chain and manage all stakeholder relationships with the consortia, including Louvre Hotels Group in Europe and Jin Jiang Hotels in China.
GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. Names New CFO
Dr. Yiping Yang, formerly the VP of operations of GreenTree Hospitality Group LTD, has been appointed as the new CFO. The employment contract for its previous CFO Jasmine Xin Yue Geffner expired.
Yang began her career at GreenTree in 2016 as an executive assistant to the chairman. She was promoted to VP of sales and marketing with responsibility over sales channels, reservation and customer services, and public relations.
Former Nevada Governor Joins MGM Resorts International
Former Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval will join MGM Resorts International as president of global gaming development. Sandoval will drive MGM Resorts’ global expansion efforts, most importantly in Japan, and focus on state public policy efforts around sports gaming while solidifying MGM Resorts’ leadership in the growing sports betting market, according to the company.
With the addition of Sandoval, MGM Resorts President Bill Hornbuckle will now lead global casino marketing and be responsible for leveraging MGM Resorts’ worldwide assets and reputation to drive revenue growth and maximize the value contributed from MGM Resorts’ assets. Hornbuckle’s marketing focus will also help drive MGM Resorts’ overall growth in Macau.
