This week saw some major appointments in the meetings and hospitality industry. Bob Moore, recently senior vice president, global sales, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, has joined Freeman Decorating of Dallas, Texas, in the newly created position of executive vice president, corporate sales. Meanwhile, former United Airlines executive Christopher Bowers has been selected as chief executive officer of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau (CCTB).
Moore has more than 30 years in the meetings and hospitality industry, including senior management positions with Hilton Hotels and the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau. He has served as chairman of both Meeting Professionals International and the Travel Industry Association of America. He recently completed a term on the board of the American Society of Association Executives.
Moore’s appointment reflects the fact that corporate sales are a significant growth area for Freeman, according to company spokeswoman Ellen Beckert. “The corporate business has grown to the point that it was appropriate to have a senior executive overseeing all of those areas,” says Beckert. “Bob not only has experience within our industry, he’s got quite a bit of insight and experience working with corporate clients on a national basis. He emerged as the perfect combination of resources that we need.”
Bowers hiring culminated a four-month search to find a replacement for current CTTB CEO Jim Reilly, who announced last fall he would not seek an extension of his contract, which expires this month. Bowers is a 30-year veteran of United Airlines, where he most recently served as senior vice president, sales & reservations. He is a past chairman of the Travel Industry Association of America and has served as a member of the board of directors for online travel engine Orbitz.
Bowers takes on his new duties at the CTTB effective March 29.