In making the announcement, CHI Group director, sales and marketing, Geoff Andrew, said: “We are expanding and strengthening our sales presence here following a very successful first year in the US market. Ann Tillman brings to Corinthia Hotels extensive experience in the American hospitality industry and we are confident that CHI will continue to expand its growth pattern and brand recognition under her direction.”
Corinthia Hotels International had officially launched a sales and marketing campaign in the US in January 2005 and Ms Tillman will now spearhead all CHI’s sales and marketing initiatives in this vast market.
Ms Tillman settled in New York City in 1979 from her native England to start her own company, Executive Room Service, a service for corporate business travellers, offering a free independent worldwide hotel booking service geared towards travel departments. In many respects, she pioneered corporate travel, as the success of this concept and business model led to American Express Travel Related Services’ acquisition of her company five years later.
Ms Tillman’s career path in the hospitality industry continued with various sales and marketing and business development roles: director of marketing for Loew’s Corporation, The Grand Collection of Hotels; vice-president marketing, Robert F. Warner Inc., an international representation brand for luxury independent hotels; area sales director for Hampshire Hotels and Resorts; director of sales and marketing, Fitzpatrick Group of Hotels; development director North East and Canada, Utell / Pegasus Solutions; independent consultant, Hotel del Coronado.
Most recently, following her relocation to the West Coast, as vice-president of business development of GenaRes Worldwide Reservations Services, Ms Tillman played an integral role in the launch of a hotel connectivity company, a central reservation system, integrating technology, distribution and marketing solutions on one web platform. During her tenure, Ms Tillman was instrumental in the company’s growth in signing on 876 small groups and individual hotels.
Throughout her career, Ms Tillman has held high profile roles in various industry associations including: New York board member and chaired Technology Committee of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI); Charter member and member Industry Advisory Board of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives; chair of the Hotel Committee of the national Passenger Traffic Association.