Vantage Hospitality’s upscale development team continues to expand with the addition of industry veteran Gene Conklin, who will serve as the new Regional Vice President of Development for the western region of the U.S. and Canada. The company’s midscale to upscale offerings include Lexington by Vantage and the brands that are being relaunched under the Vantage umbrella – Jameson Inn, Jameson Suites and 3 Palms Hotels & Resorts.
Most recently, Conklin served as Regional Director of North American Development for Best Western International, Inc., where he earned Salesman of the Year and other awards that reflect his ability to help hotel owners identify and meet their branding needs. He also served 25 years as a Regional GM with Marriott, during which he gained a diverse background in operations, sales and marketing, finance, renovations and new construction.
“I’ve worn many hats within the lodging industry and this has allowed me a greater understanding of the hotel business from the perspective of both a brand and an owner/operator,” said Conklin. “Vantage is different than any other hotel company because it puts control back into the hands of hotel owners while providing more resources, lower fees and a better bottom line.”
“I’ve worked with Gene for years and I can’t tell you how excited I am to have him join our team. He has that rare insight into the lodging industry that will help us take Vantage’s brands to the next level,” said Mark Williams, Group President of Vantage’s Upscale Brands. “2015 is going to be a really big year for us.”
This month, Vantage will close on the acquisition of the America’s Best Inns & Suites, Country Hearth Inn & Suites, Jameson Inn and Signature Inn brands, and is managing the 3 Palms Hotels & Resorts brand pending its acquisition by Vantage later this year. Further development of the newly acquired brands and Vantage’s legacy brands (Lexington by Vantage, Americas Best Value Inn and their brand extensions and international counterparts) will resume later this month.
