Marriott promotes Deb McDiarmid
Deb McDiarmid has taken a big step up, promoted from director of marketing at Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas to area director of marketing for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.
In her new role McDiarmid will drive the marketing strategy for 47 hotels across 16 brands and six countries for Marriott International.
She will be responsible for increasing brand awareness, market share, revenue and profit across the region.
After two and a half years at the Sheraton property in Port Douglas, during which the resort had its best two years ever, McDiarmid has relocated to Sydney for her new position.
“I look forward to fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation within the team, aiming to contribute to Marriott’s vision as the world’s favourite travel company with a focus on enriching communities and expanding presence in new destinations,” said McDiarmid.
“By embodying innovation and adapting to change, we are well poised to further elevate our position as one of the region’s biggest players in hospitality.”
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre announces new deputy managing director
Diane Chen has been appointed as the second deputy managing director at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), taking leadership of three of the venue’s divisions.
Chen will be oversee marketing and sales, communications, human resources and administration for the centre, which offers 91,500m2 of event space.
Chen comes to HKCEC from Shenyang New World EXPO in northeastern China, which she joined in 2012 during its pre-opening period. She was made general manager of the venue in 2016.
“With the different global economic momentum and continuous development of the event industry in Asia after the pandemic, I’m delighted to have someone of Diane’s calibre onboard,” said Monica Lee-Müller, HKCEC’s managing director.
“With her professional qualifications, diverse experience, leadership skills and enthusiasm, I am confident that she will contribute greatly to HML [Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited] in meeting ever increasing demands from customers and stakeholders, while upholding the highest level of integrity in leading the HKCEC’s business and people developments.
“The new appointment of a second deputy managing director will enable HML to continuously evolve and develop our proposition to ensure that the HKCEC remains competitive and a venue of choice for world-class events.”
New general manager for Shenyang New World EXPO in China
Following Chen’s move to HKCEC, Leslie Li has been appointed general manager at Shenyang New World EXPO.
Li moves over from China National Convention Center in Beijing, where he has been vice president for the last five years.
“Li comes to EXPO with exceptional educational, business and venue experience and credentials,” said EXPO’s senior executive advisor, Cliff Wallace.
“His people skills and overall leadership experience will ensure a seamless transition into his executive position following the dynamic leadership provided by Diane Chen who we congratulate on her extraordinary promotion to HKCEC.”
Shenyang New World EXPO opened in 2017 and offers 28,000m2 of meeting and exhibition space.
“My key goals are to energise the staff daily and to increase the venue’s economic impact to Shenyang while assuring EXPO leads in the venue professionalism of China’s exhibition and meeting industry,” said Li.
