Full-Time
Event Planning Manager-Sales
Marketing & Revenue Management
Davidson Hospitality Group
5,001-10,000 employees
Hospitality management focused on value creation
Compensation Overview
$55k - $58k/yr
Little Rock, AR, USA
In Person
Bachelor's
 Business & Strategy (1) |
|---|
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- A bachelor's degree and/or at least 2 years of hotel sales experience.
- At least 1 year of food and beverage experience.
- Strong understanding of negotiation and contract interpretation.
- Developed written and verbal business communication skills.
- Working knowledge of computers and Microsoft Office.
- Ability to present a professional appearance with confidence.
- Ability to communicate effectively with the public and other team members.
- Strong time management skills and ability to work under pressure.
- Experience with major hospitality sales customer relationship management systems.
- Coordinate all aspects of events from initial planning through execution.
- Act as a liaison between the customer and hotel salesperson, providing direction and supervision during meeting, banquet, and event execution.
- Be available to customers during events to solve problems and suggest alternatives to previous arrangements.
- Serve group and catering customers proactively.
- Coordinate the logistics of group room blocks, food and beverage, public meeting space, and billing processes.
Davidson Hospitality Group provides hotel management services for a select portfolio of properties, acting with an owner’s mindset to operate hotels on behalf of property owners. Its offering includes day-to-day operations, revenue generation, and cost management designed to improve financial performance while delivering consistent hospitality for guests. The company differentiates itself by positioning as a value-creation partner rather than just a manager, emphasizing collaboration, entrepreneurial thinking, and treating each property as if it were its own. Its goal is to deliver hospitality and create value for every customer, every time, while driving top-line revenue and bottom-line results for property owners and setting a standard in the hospitality industry.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Atlanta, Georgia
Founded
2005
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- May 2026 Cadillac Hotel win adds a 357-room Miami Beach resort to Davidson’s portfolio.
- June 2026 Joe Masi hire strengthens Davidson Hotels operations for heritage-brand assets.
- Davidson is expanding in Europe and the Caribbean, boosting non-U.S. growth into 2027.
What critics are saying
- Hersha’s Cadillac renovation starts late 2026; execution misses damage Davidson’s Miami Beach credibility.
- Luxury and international expansion depends on Houghton and Harrell delivering pipeline wins in 2026.
- If Davidson underperforms, owners switch to PM Hotel Group, Aimbridge, or Marriott-aligned operators fast.
What makes Davidson Hospitality Group unique
- Davidson operates four verticals, including Davidson Hotels, Pivot, Davidson Resorts, and restaurants.
- Its 2026 portfolio spans 88 hotels, 240 restaurants, and 1.4 million meeting-space square feet.
- Davidson wins owners through an owner’s mindset and renovation-heavy repositioning expertise.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Company Match
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Holidays
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Tuition Reimbursement
Hotel Discounts
Pet Insurance
24/7 Teledoc service
Free Maintenance Medications
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 20%1 year growth
↑ 20%2 year growth
↑ 20%Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) names Pete Sams president. Summary. Hospitality Ventures Management Group, with 60 premium-branded full-service and upscale hotels, names Pete Sams as president. He assumes responsibility for daily operations and performance as the firm targets operational excellence and growth. Sams brings over three decades of hospitality leadership, including roles at Highgate Hotels and KSL's Peregrine and Davidson groups. ATLANTA, Aug. 19, 2026 - Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), an Atlanta-based operator of 60 premium-branded full-service hotels, resorts, and upscale select-service hotels, today announced that Pete Sams has joined the company as president. As president, Sams will oversee the day-to-day business and be responsible for company performance as HVMG continues its pursuit of operational excellence and enters its next phase of growth. "After a thoughtful and diligent search process and spending significant time getting to know Pete both personally and professionally, it became very clear that he is the right person and an exceptional fit for this role," said Robert Cole, founder and CEO. "We share a strong alignment around leadership philosophy, and Pete brings a compelling combination of operational excellence, industry relationships, financial and business acumen, and a proven ability to develop high-performing teams." Cole added, "His career provides a rare depth and breadth of experience across the hospitality industry - from his first 10 years in finance and accounting, to a decade in property-level general manager roles, to the past 12 years in senior, above-property leadership overseeing full-service, multi-unit operations. Finally, with Pete assuming the role of president, I'll be able to take a step back from the day-to-day operations and devote more of my time to strategy, strengthening our existing relationships and building new ones that will support our continued growth." Sams joins HVMG most recently from Highgate Hotels, where he served as president. Previously, Sams held multiple leadership roles within the KSL portfolio, including serving for more than six years as chief operating officer of Peregrine Hospitality and Davidson Hospitality Group. At Peregrine, he helped launch a dedicated, in-house management platform for KSL Capital that operated more than 45 distinguished hotels, including several premier destination resorts. As COO of Davidson, the company doubled in size during his tenure and won the prestigious J.D. Power Award for top guest satisfaction among third-party operators. Earlier in his career, Sams held corporate above-property leadership positions with Interstate Hotels & Resorts and White Lodging Services and spent more than a decade as a general manager with Omni Hotels & Resorts, including at its 836-room flagship hotel in Washington, D.C. After proudly serving in the U.S. Army, Sams earned his bachelor's degree in finance from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. "I am honored to join HVMG as president at such an exciting time in the company's evolution," Sams said. "As a founder of two companies and a former general manager himself, Robert has built HVMG from a single hotel 25 years ago into an organization with a strong foundation, an inspiring culture and values that align with my own. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Robert and lead this talented team as we build on that foundation, continue raising the bar on performance and position HVMG for its next chapter of growth."
Wyndham's good quarter meets a rough trading day. July 23rd, 2026 at 3:53 PM EDT Skift take. Wyndham Hotels reported second-quarter results, which were solid, but Skift wondered if it would be enough. Plus, hotel development news. (Note: Daily Lodging Report is on vacation until August 2.) Wyndham Hotels reported second-quarter results, which were solid, but as soon as Skift saw the report, Skift wondered if it would be enough. Judging by the early reaction, this is what Skift has been concerned about for this coming earnings season. Up until now, the lodging group has been kind of in a sweet spot, going in the opposite direction when investors punish the market indexes for oil spiking, but taking part when the markets rebounded and rallied. It is early in the earnings season, but Skift is just concerned that if the markets remain volatile, earnings reports have to be sensational, not just good. WH did what they have a habit of doing, beating and raising. It reaffirmed its NUG outlook and bought back $54 million of stock in the second quarter. A report that probably would have been well received if the Nasdaq were not leading stocks into the abyss today. There will be no Daily Lodging Report from July 26 to August 2. RIMAP Hospitality Services Inc. announced the opening of Moxy Ottawa Downtown. Located in the heart of Ottawa's iconic ByWard Market district, the property features Moxy Bar, a fitness center, and flexible gathering spaces. Chartwell Hospitality completed a $10 million renovation of the 303-room Franklin Marriott Cool Springs Hotel and Conference Center, located in Franklin, Tennessee. The extensive upgrades include a complete refresh of the 30,000-square-foot Conference Center, updated guestrooms and lobby, and enhancements to its restaurant. Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. announced the reopening of the Royal Palm South Beach Miami, Tribute Portfolio Resort, following the completion of the iconic oceanfront resort's more than $100 million comprehensive renovation. The reopened property features 404 fully renovated guestrooms and suites, including the addition of 11 new guestrooms, a redesigned lobby and arrival experience, four new food and beverage concepts, refreshed indoor and outdoor public spaces, an enhanced pool and beachfront amenities, and modernized and expanded meeting and event facilities spanning approximately 20,000 square feet. Crescent Hotels & Resorts announced the addition of Hilton Short Hills to its portfolio. Hilton Short Hills offers 314 guestrooms and suites, more than 21,000 square feet of flexible event space, multiple food and beverage venues, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, a fitness center, an executive lounge, and a tented outdoor pavilion. Amaterra Hospitality Group announced the acquisition of RiverPlace Hotel, located in Portland, Oregon. The property features 85 guestrooms and suites, premier dining, outdoor gathering spaces, and more than 7,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor function space. Amaterra Hospitality Group selected CoralTree Hospitality to manage the property. Hard Rock Hotels is temporarily closing two of its flagship all-inclusive resorts in Mexico as part of an extensive renovation project that will see both properties reopen in late December 2026. Hard Rock Hotel Cancun and Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta, located in Nuevo Vallarta in Nayarit, will suspend operations this summer for approximately five months while undergoing comprehensive upgrades to guestrooms, public areas, meeting facilities, and guest experiences. Plans are taking shape for the construction of a Hyatt Studios hotel in Cornwall, Ontario, to begin sometime later in 2026. Lakeview Development Holdings Inc. will break ground once its site plans are finalized and approved by the City of Cornwall. The hotel will feature 100 guestrooms, a market, self-service guest laundry, a fitness studio, outdoor patio, grills, and pet-friendly accommodations. Hyatt Studios is still targeting a 2028 opening. The Hanford Hotel, formerly a Comfort Inn until August last year, is undergoing extensive renovations to modernize the building. The Hanford Hotel is under the Ascend Collection by Choice Hotels International. Purchased in 2019 by A2Z Investments, the property is undergoing a $2.7 million facelift, which will be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2027. The Hanford, California, property has seen a laundry list of updates, including those done to the laundry room, and includes bathrooms being redone, new windows, and new flooring. The pool was redone with updated tiling and coping, and the hotel now has a new gym. Inn on Main, a six-room bed and breakfast in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, has new owners. David and Ruta Gordon have taken ownership of the historic inn. The property features shared common areas and onsite parking. Excavators began clearing the site this week as SolTerra officially broke ground on CASCADA, a 68-room boutique hotel and thermal wellness facility expected to open in late 2028 in Bend, Oregon. The centerpiece will be an adults-only thermal wellness facility featuring eight pools and water experiences. The facility will also include a fitness center, spa treatment rooms, two restaurants, and hotel accommodations. While the hotel and restaurants will welcome guests of all ages, the thermal wellness areas will be limited to those 21 and older. The project includes an internal parking garage with roughly 80 to 85 spaces. Alchemy Real Estate Advisors announced the sale of the Hotel Indigo Downtown St. Louis, an 88-room boutique hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. Alchemy sold the hotel on behalf of a court-appointed receiver for a local bank. The buyer is a private investment group, partnering with a local St. Louis operator. Mumford Company represented Burton Hotel Group of Round Rock, LLC in the sale of the Sleep Inn & Suites in Round Rock, Texas. The purchaser was Icon Lodging. Personnel moves. Davidson Hospitality Group announced the promotion of Steve Keck to Vice President, People & Culture - Field Operations. In his role, Keck partners with operations leaders across all Davidson verticals to oversee the seamless integration of people, processes, and culture while maintaining compliance and operational excellence. Additionally, he is responsible for leading the team of Regional and Area Directors of Human Resources, driving accountability for engagement, turnover, and talent metrics at the property and regional level. Keck was promoted to Senior Director of Human Resources in 2024. Eugenio Pirri joined Hand Picked Hotels as Chief Culture Officer on July 20, 2026. David Spooner will join the group as Chief Commercial Officer on September 7, 2026. Both bring more than 30 years of international leadership experience across some of the world's most recognized luxury hospitality brands. Pirri and Spooner will be based at Hand Picked Hotels' recently opened central London office. As Chief Culture Officer, Pirri will lead Hand Picked Hotels' culture and people agenda. He will work with colleagues across the business to build a positive, high-performing culture that supports the continued transformation of the group. As Chief Commercial Officer, Spooner will lead Hand Picked Hotels' integrated commercial strategy. He will be responsible for driving top-line growth and guest proposition across the group, while leading sales, marketing, revenue management, digital, and group reservations.
Davidson Hospitality taps SVP of operations for Davidson Hotels vertical. Davidson Hospitality Group has appointed Joe Masi as senior vice president, operations for its Davidson Hotels operating vertical, which is dedicated to managing heritage brand assets. In this leadership role, Masi will oversee the operating standards, practices and procedures for the portfolio. Masi brings more than 35 years of leadership experience spanning hotel operations, portfolio management, asset optimization and organizational development, and has extensive experience working with private equity firms, institutional investors and individual owners. Most recently, he served as EVP of operations for Remington Hospitality, where he oversaw a portfolio of 125 hotels and guided strategic initiatives focused on operational performance, talent development, guest satisfaction and long-term value creation for ownership groups. Previously, he held senior leadership positions with increasing roles and responsibilities at several hospitality operators and brands, including Schulte Hospitality Group, TPH Hotels & Resorts and Interstate Hotels and Resorts. "We are incredibly proud to welcome Joe to the Davidson family," said Jason Reader, COO, Davidson Hospitality Group. "Known for his strategic mindset, highly organized leadership style, and ability to align teams around common goals, Joe will undoubtedly thrive in our culture, creating value in all that he does through strong financial results and service excellence." The Davidson Hotels portfolio includes Embassy Suites Nashville Downtown, Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa, Sheraton Philadelphia University City Hotel and more.
Buoy Haus Beach Resort St. Thomas and the Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort expand leadership team across hotel, culinary and beverage programs. The resorts, operated by Davidson Resorts, name Carlos Macias as general manager of The Westin St. Thomas, Joan Hernández as executive chef of Buoy Haus Beach Resort St. Thomas and Mea Leech as complex beverage director overseeing both resorts. Summary. Davidson Resorts appoints Carlos Macias as general manager of The Westin St. Thomas, Joan Hernández as executive chef of Buoy Haus Beach Resort and Mea Leech as beverage director amid recent enhancements. Enhancements include the new Salt Shack Caribbean dining venue and a beachfront room category with private lounge chairs and a walkout terrace. ST.THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (June 17, 2026) - Buoy Haus Beach Resort St. Thomas and The Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort, neighboring resorts overlooking Frenchman's Reef and operated by Davidson Resorts, are pleased to announce the appointment of Carlos Macias as general manager of The Westin St. Thomas, Joan Hernández as executive chef of Buoy Haus Beach Resort St. Thomas and Mea Leech as complex beverage director overseeing both resorts. These appointments follow a series of recent complex-wide enhancements, including the debut of Salt Shack, a new dining concept nestled between Buoy Haus and The Westin St. Thomas offering authentic Caribbean cuisine, as well as the introduction of a new beachfront room category at Buoy Haus featuring elevated amenities such as a complimentary top-shelf in-room bar, private beachfront lounge chairs and a walkout terrace. "I am honored to be joining The Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort at such an exciting time," says Carlos Macias, general manager of The Westin St. Thomas. "Over the years, our team has set the standard for delivering an authentic U.S. Virgin Islands experience paired with elevated accommodations and exceptional service. I look forward to building on this legacy and ensuring every moment of the guest experience celebrates the rich culture and beauty of St. Thomas." Macias brings a dynamic, team-first approach to his role as general manager, shaped by extensive experience across operations, culinary and leadership. Originally from Guatemala, Macias began his journey in the industry at a young age, supporting his family's restaurants across Charlotte, North Carolina, and Quito, Ecuador. He launched his career with Omni Hotels & Resorts, starting as a barback and in-room dining server at Omni Charlotte before rising through leadership roles at large-scale and luxury properties, including Omni Orlando, The Ballantyne and Lansdowne Resort in Northern Virginia. He also played a role in the opening of The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor and completed Omni's rigorous management training programs. Most recently, Macias served as hotel general manager at Nobu Hotel Miami Beach and interim general manager at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort in Naples, Florida, earning multiple industry accolades along the way. At The Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort, he brings a collaborative philosophy, a focus on operational excellence and a passion for delivering elevated guest experiences while deepening the resort's connection to the local community. Joining Buoy Haus Beach Resort St. Thomas as executive chef, Joan Hernández oversaw the recent opening of Salt Shack, a new toes-in-the-sand dining concept available to locals, visitors and guests of Buoy Haus and The Westin St. Thomas. Inspired by the bold flavors and traditions of Caribbean cuisine, the beachfront restaurant offers a menu of fresh seafood and proteins prepared over an open flame, including whole local fish, whole Caribbean lobster and smoked jerk chicken, along with inventive cocktails using locally sourced ingredients like the "One Eye Open" featuring Don Q Cristal Rum, Wray & Nephew Rum, PAMA, soursop juice, lime, coconut cream and bitters. Throughout the week, guests can enjoy Caribbean-inspired cuisine and refreshing cocktails alongside live entertainment, including karaoke nights, fire dancers and live music from local musicians. Prior to joining Buoy Haus, Hernández honed his skills in prestigious resorts, including Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and St. Regis Bahia Beach, where he served a variety of roles from sous chef to executive sous chef. Originally from Puerto Rico, Hernández developed a passion for cooking at a young age, inspired by his grandmother, and today is known for a contemporary, minimalist cooking style that highlights local ingredients while incorporating traditional French techniques. In his role as executive chef, Hernández also oversees Sugarfin, Buoy Haus' all-day Caribbean-Asian fusion dining concept. Complementing the resorts' culinary program, Mea Leech steps in as complex beverage director of Buoy Haus and The Westin St. Thomas, bringing nearly two decades of experience to her role. Throughout her career, Leech has worked alongside pioneers of the hospitality industry, including Charles Joly of The Drawing Room and Ian Schrager of PUBLIC Chicago, curated noteworthy cocktail programs at hotels across the globe, and consulted on boutique openings in Dubai, Singapore and Cambodia. At The Westin St. Thomas and Buoy Haus, she crafts inventive cocktail and non-alcoholic menus featuring fresh, locally sourced Caribbean ingredients, with signature creations like the "Tropical Revival" - a playful twist on a classic Corpse Reviver - reflecting her commitment to flavor, presentation and barefoot luxury. Buoy Haus and The Westin St. Thomas are located just six miles from STT airport, offering a convenient Caribbean escape thanks to no passport requirement for U.S. citizens and direct flights from major cities including New Jersey, Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, New York City and Washington, D.C. For more information or to book a reservation, visit Buoy Haus Beach Resort St. Thomas or The Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort. Media Contact ABOUT BUOY HAUS BEACH RESORT ST. THOMAS, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION Nestled on the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Thomas, Buoy Haus Beach Resort St. Thomas, Autograph Collection is a boutique retreat that seamlessly blends barefoot luxury with a world-class resort experience. The resort features 94 sophisticated guest rooms and suites with contemporary furnishings and soothing color palettes, including a collection of beachfront rooms with private beach access and dedicated beach butlers. Guests can enjoy diverse onsite dining along with full access to restaurants and amenities at the neighboring Westin St. Thomas, including rejuvenating treatments at Heavenly Spa by Westin. A range of experiential touchpoints speak to the island's Caribbean culture, such as a weekly rum and chocolate tasting in the lobby, while a private dock allows guests to seamlessly depart on snorkeling excursions, enjoy sunset sails aboard the hotel's exclusive Flying Frenchman catamaran, embark on night kayaking adventures and beyond. From intimate gatherings to celebratory events, Buoy Haus offers over 18,000 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor space along with attentive planning services and premium catering. The resort recently introduced a new dining concept, Salt Shack, featuring locally inspired cuisine, creative cocktails, and daily curated entertainment set against a stunning backdrop of the Caribbean Sea. Buoy Haus Beach Resort is located just six miles from STT airport, offering a convenient Caribbean escape thanks to no passport requirement for U.S. citizens and direct flights from major cities including Philadelphia, New Jersey, Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, New York City and Washington, D.C. For more information or to book a reservation, please visit the website. ABOUT THE WESTIN ST. THOMAS BEACH RESORT & SPA Overlooking the turquoise waters and white sand beaches of U.S. Virgin Island St. Thomas, The Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort & Spa offers a rejuvenating island escape that draws inspiration from the surrounding Caribbean landscape. The hotel's 392 elevated guest rooms reflect vibrant coral reefs with brilliant blues, sun-bleached whites, natural textiles, and furnishings that mirror the organic forms of tidal pools and coral formations. An epicurean escape, the resort features five onsite dining concepts with diverse cuisine, along with access to three restaurants at the neighboring Buoy Haus Beach Resort St. Thomas. On-site amenities include The Heavenly Spa by Westin, three ocean view pools with private cabanas, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and robust programming that caters to all ages, like the Westin FAMILY Kids Club, access to ocean adventures via a private dock, sunset sails aboard the hotel's onsite catamaran and more. For weddings, corporate retreats and memorable events, The Westin St. Thomas offers more than 85,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor space, including the largest event space in the U.S. Virgin Islands and largest ballroom on St. Thomas, alongside attentive planning services, premium catering and sweeping ocean views. The Westin St. Thomas is located just six miles from STT airport, offering a convenient Caribbean escape thanks to no passport requirement for U.S. citizens and direct flights from major cities including New Jersey, Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, New York City and Washington, D.C. For more information or to book a reservation, please visit the website.
Davidson Hospitality Group adds Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection, to its portfolio. May 5, 2026 ATLANTA, Georgia - Davidson Hospitality Group announced that it has been selected by Hersha Hotels & Resorts to manage Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection, a 357-room oceanfront resort in Miami Beach, Florida. The property, originally opened in 1940 and designed by renowned architect Roy F. France, includes four food & beverage venues; two pools, a fitness center, and more than 6,200 square feet of indoor-outdoor event space. Under Davidson management, the property will undergo a phased renovation in late 2026 and 2027, with planned upgrades to public spaces and guestrooms to enhance the overall experience. "It's an honor to welcome the iconic Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club to our growing Davidson family," said Jason Reader, chief operating officer, Davidson Hospitality Group. "We are excited to leverage the property's unique and rich Miami Beach history to deliver standout guest experiences and look forward to creating exceptional value for our ownership partners as we steward a strategic transformation." Comprised of two towers, the original 14-story tower at the northern end and a second eight-story addition built in 1956, Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club combines the characteristics of the signature Miami Beach architectural styles, Art Deco and Streamline Moderne. The resort has a preserved aesthetic, with original terrazzo floors in the lobby, greenery, and a wraparound mezzanine overlooking the check-in and lounge area.