People on the Move

Last month, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort® announced the appointment of a new Executive Director of Sales, Laurie Frank. Frank has been selected to lead both the Sandestin® and Hotel Effie Group Sales Departments, while maintaining a service of excellence to current and future clients. Frank’s sales career spans three decades, with her most recent position being Director of Sales and Marketing of the Hilton New Orleans St. Charles Avenue. 

INSPIRE, a global event solutions company owned by Ashford Inc., is pleased to announce the appointment of Sayi Puligandla as Chief Operating Officer. In this position, he will oversee human resources, hospitality operations, information technology, and other projects to support the entire organization. Puligandla brings an extensive background in the hospitality industry and valuable experience in data, analytics, and building efficient operational units for accelerated growth. 

The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Gold Resort & Spa announces Roxanne Khairzada as the new Spa Director for the resort’s on-site Well & Being Spa. In the position, Khairzada oversees performance of spa personnel, ensures the spa’s goals are met, maintains financial records, and aims to adhere to regulations regarding spa cleanliness, accessibility and safety. Following her upbringing in Kabul, Afghanistan, Khairzada started her professional career in New Jersey. In 2005, Khairzada moved to Dallas where she began specializing in the spa and wellness industry. The new Spa Director is equipped with over 15 years of spa and hospitality management experience. 

Hot off the Press

For the past several years, White Light (WL) has worked closely with Culture Creative and Sony Music to supply the lighting and technical support for their renowned Christmas trails. Taking place at much-loved and famous locations across the UK, the trails feature trees and woodland drenched in Christmas colour, shimmering waterside reflections, tunnels of light as well as fire gardens. WL once again supplied the Trails in 2022 and not only invested in several new fixtures for the illuminations but also helped develop a new unit that is now part of the company’s extensive hire stock. The 2022 Christmas Trails featured a more expansive list of locations than ever before, ranging from Kew Gardens and Blenheim Palace to Leeds Castle and the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh.