Atlantis Resortswill name Paul Baker as its new president. Baker was previously president of theGrand Lisboa Palacein Macau, a $5 billion resort with close to 1,900 rooms, 300 game tables and 1,150 slot machines. He has close to two decades experience in the industry and spent a year as executive vice president ofWynn Macau, and five years as vice president of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Baker as President, Atlantis. In his new role, Paul will be reporting to myself,” writes Zuber. “Paul brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to our organization. Throughout Paul’s career, working in key markets including Las Vegas, America, Malaysia, and Macau, China, Paul has consistently demonstrated visionary leadership and a deep understanding of the integrated resort industry.”
The memo adds that Baker will “initially” work across Atlantis The Palm and Atlantis The Royal, while the brand’s resort in China – Atlantis Sanya – will be led by long-time Kernzer VP Martin Chung “until Baker has been fully orientated into the brand.”
Baker replaces Tim Kelly who officially left Atlantis last month to head upCity of Dreamsin Macau. Kelly also came from a gaming background. Atlantis The Palm and Royal are two of the largest five-star hotels in Dubai.
Hilton Mumbai Airport is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Arvind Kumar Kewalchand as its new Director of Marketing & Communications. With 16 years of experience spanning both India and international markets, Arvind brings expertise in brand positioning, digital strategy, public relations, and guest engagement, making him a valuable addition to the leadership team.
Recognized Industry Leader :Arvind was recently honored as the Marketing & Communications Manager of the Year 2024 at the Hotelier India Awards, a testament to his outstanding contributions to the hospitality sector.
Extensive Experience in Hospitality Marketing : Arvind has held key marketing roles with Marriott International’s Moxy Hotels and Royal Orchid Hotels, where he played an instrumental role in branding, digital marketing, and strategic communications. He was pivotal in the launch of South Asia’s first Moxy hotel in Bengaluru, driving market entry strategies, large-scale brand campaigns, and innovative guest engagement initiatives. His international experience in Dubai has further refined his understanding of global hospitality trends and consumer behavior.
Driving Brand Growth and Innovation: In his new role at Hilton Mumbai Airport, Arvind will oversee marketing, communications, public relations, and brand partnerships, enhancing the hotel’s market positioning and guest experiences. His expertise in brand storytelling and data-driven marketing strategies will be key in driving growth and strengthening Hilton’s presence in the region.
A Vision for Innovation and Excellence Sharing his enthusiasm about the new role, Arvind stated: “I am thrilled to join Hilton Mumbai Airport and be part of a brand known for its legacy of hospitality and innovation. This role presents an exciting opportunity to create impactful marketing strategies, enhance guest experiences, and strengthen the hotel’s presence in a competitive market. I look forward to working with the team to drive meaningful brand engagement and set new benchmarks in hospitality marketing.”
Turnberry, one of the premier real estate developers in the U.S. and a leading owner and operator of luxury hospitality destinations today announced the appointment of Mary Rogers as Executive Vice President of Hospitality Operations. The 20-year industry veteran is joining the leadership ranks at Turnberry during a period of dynamic growth at the company.
With a focus on value creation, enhancing guest engagement, and elevating service standards, Rogers will lead all aspects of Turnberry’s hospitality operations, ensuring that each destination delivers an unparalleled experience. She will oversee hospitality leadership teams across all properties — fostering a culture of innovation, service excellence, and operational efficiency. Rogers’ responsibilities will extend to strategic planning, budgeting, and sales and marketing initiatives, with a focus on repositioning assets with innovative service models, programming, and world-class dining and lifestyle experiences. She will also play a critical role in talent development and leadership cultivation, ensuring the continued growth and success of the company’s hospitality teams.
In this role, she will work closely with Turnberry branding partners, including Marriott and Hyatt, to optimize brand alignment, and execute long-term strategic initiatives including the pre-opening and stabilization of properties.
Turnberry currently has two major luxury hospitality projects in development: The St. Regis Nashville and The Residences at The St. Regis Nashville, with 145 hotel guest rooms and 192 residences; and the 800-key Grand Hyatt Miami Beach connected to the Miami Beach Convention Center in partnership with Terra Group. Her leadership will be instrumental in ensuring these properties deliver operational excellence in their respective markets.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mary Rogers back to the Turnberry team,” said Jackie Soffer, Chairman and CEO of Turnberry. “Mary brings the expertise, skill set and drive we need to maintain the standard of excellence we’ve established across our growing hospitality portfolio. Her leadership will be essential as we continue shaping the future of Turnberry’s hospitality division and setting new industry benchmarks.”
“Turnberry is a leader in the hospitality space. As developers, they create exceptional destinations, but they don’t stop there. As hospitality operators, they dedicate themselves every day to create places and experiences that deliver the best to a growing and discerning global clientele. I am honored to join the team that brings unique destinations like the JW Marriott Nashville and The Seagate in Delray, Florida to life,” said Rogers. “I look forward to collaborating with the entire team and to continuing to distinguish these properties with uncompromising service and experiences for visitors.”
Prior to this appointment, Rogers was the Managing Director and Area General Manager of Montage Laguna Beach, Montage Healdsburg, Pendry West Hollywood, and Pendry San Diego. Before Montage, Rogers was the Vice President and General Manager of Fontainebleau Miami Beach and the first female to serve in that capacity since the resort’s opening in 1954. Rogers originally joined the Fontainebleau as Vice President of Rooms in 2009 and was promoted to General Manager, overseeing all operational components of the property as of 2018. During the course of her career, Rogers was part of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, working at hotels and resorts across the U.S. and beyond, including The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, VA; The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes; The Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall, Jamaica; and The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas. Rogers holds a Bachelor of Arts in Hotel and Catering Management and graduated magna cum laude from Atlantic Technical University in Galway, Ireland.
Over the span of her 20 plus years career, Rogers has proven herself a role model for women in the industry as a founding member of the Florida Chapter of Women in Lodging and chair of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s “Women’s Path to Power” committee. In 2020, Rogers was named to the “Florida 500” as one of the state’s most influential business leaders in Hospitality and Tourism by Florida Trend magazine and the South Florida Business Journal designated Rogers a “2019 Hospitality Power Leader.” In addition, Rogers was awarded “Corporate Executive Woman of the Year” by The U.S. Minority Chamber of Commerce. She serves on the Hotel Advisory Board for Preferred Hotels and Resorts and is a member of the Resort Committee for American Hotels and Lodging Association.