Human Resources

🏨 Pete Sams has been appointed as the new president of Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG). Sams previously worked at Highgate Hotels and held leadership roles at KSL and Davidson Hospitality Group, where he helped grow operations significantly. HVMG currently manages 60 hotels and resorts across 16 U.S. states, with nearly 12,000 guest rooms. The company is associated with brands like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt. Sams aims to enhance performance and foster growth at HVMG.

🍴 Meldrum House, Aberdeenshire, opens Seton restaurant in September 2026. Named after the Seton family, the restaurant emphasizes contemporary Scottish dining. Tom Scade and newly appointed head chef Ross Bott lead with menus featuring local ingredients. Highlights include Scottish Lobster, Aberdeen Angus pie, and locally sourced dishes. Bott joins from Monachyle Mhor, Château La Chaire, and The Europe Hotel. Monogram Collective's properties, including Meldrum House, Pine Trees Hotel, and The Vineyard, are under Scade's culinary leadership.

📁 Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) in Atlanta announced Pete Sams as president to oversee business operations. Sams previously led Highgate Hotels and served as COO at Peregrine Hospitality, expanding a management platform for over 45 hotels. With over 12 years in senior leadership roles, Sams aims to enhance HVMG's growth, which evolved from a single hotel 25 years ago to a robust organization. CEO Robert Cole will focus on strategy and relationships.

🌐 Five new members join PATA's Executive Board, enhancing leadership representation across Asia Pacific. Jennifer Chun (USA) becomes Secretary/Treasurer, while Yang Li (Singapore), Ibrahim Shiuree (Maldives), Alhasan Aldabbagh (Saudi Arabia), and Suman Pandey (Nepal) join as Executive Board members. These appointments reflect PATA's commitment to broadening industry expertise. The association, founded in 1951 and headquartered in Bangkok, aims to drive positive change in the Pacific Asia tourism economy.

📣 Davidson Hospitality Group, a leading hospitality management company, has launched the GM Edge program in Atlanta, aimed at developing high-performing leaders within its network of 87 hotels and 230 restaurants. The 2026 program includes leaders such as Anne Krugman and Nicole Ramamurthy. Participants engage in regular meetings to enhance skills in various operational areas. Davidson also introduced a General Manager Council this year, fostering leadership across their properties.

🍴 Tyler King, appointed head chef at Knockinaam Lodge in Dumfries and Galloway, leads a dining revamp. The restaurant holds three AA Rosettes and offers a seven-course tasting menu at £135 per person, with wine pairings. A new three-course lunch menu is priced at £40. King emphasizes local ingredients, collaborating with producers like BoTree and Loch Ryan Wild Venison. His approach aligns with the hotel’s ethos of showcasing seasonal Scottish produce.

📍 Meyer Jabara Hotels will manage the 36-room Reitz Union Hotel at the University of Florida, Gainesville. This marks the first university hotel in MJH's portfolio. The hotel is located near Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and UF Health Shands Hospital. Immediate plans include expanding sales and marketing and possible renovations over the next year or two. This partnership aims to enhance boutique hospitality experiences on the campus.

📖 James Thomas, with over 26 years of hospitality leadership experience, has been appointed as the general manager of YOTEL Washington DC. The hotel is preparing to integrate into Hilton's systems, expanding its reach through Hilton's platforms and allowing guests to use Hilton Honors Points. Thomas, previously at Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, has led properties in Washington, DC, and Maryland, including Motto by Hilton Washington DC Downtown and Washington Marriott Capitol Hill.