Elite Meetings Forum

Orlando, FL - February 2010 - The countdown is on for the completion and grand opening in 2010 of the monumental $450-million expansion of The Peabody Orlando, the multi award-winning, iconic International Drive meetings and conventions hotel. In preparation for this mammoth expansion, Alan Villaverde, managing director, The Peabody Orlando, and president, Peabody Hotels, recently announced an expanded sales strategy which includes six newly-appointed sales managers. The latest to join Peabody's sales team is Laurie Helley, a highly-regarded professional sales leader who specializes in the West Coast market, and managing executive level meetings.

To fill this position, Peabody sought a candidate who would bring specific sales experience and finely-tuned market expertise to the newly-created position of assistant director of sales. Helley (pictured) will be responsible for the growth of the hotel's share of the lucrative West Coast market, and bookings for the new Executive Meetings Program.

"When our expansion is complete, we will have 1,641 luxurious guest rooms, 250,000 square feet of state-of-the-art, flexible function space, a 22,000 square foot spa and athletic club, a meandering, luxurious pool, and several new restaurants," said Villaverde. "In this highly competitive market, it is essential and imperative that our existing professional sales team be expanded to meet the demand for generating increased business.

"After an in-depth review of candidates, Laurie Helley was appointed to this position because of her outstanding career achievements in our industry," said Villaverde. "Her management and leadership skills are well-known and respected; she possesses superb analytical skills and fully comprehends the importance and challenges of hotel operations.
Helley's reputation for establishing and maintaining long-term business relationships with West Coast clients will be of enormous benefit to Peabody's outreach to that important market."

Helley will motivate and direct the Peabody's Fastrack meetings team for groups under 275 on peak nights. She will also direct the sales strategies for the hotel's unique Executive Meetings Program which will be targeted to short-term, high-value customers who demand - and are guaranteed - top-notch Peabody Service Excellence®.

Helley began her hotel career as a sales manager in 1986 with the Hyatt Cherry Hill, New Jersey. This was followed by a three-year position as a senior sales manager with the Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, B.W.I. In 1992 she came to Orlando and worked with the Hyatt Orlando, Kissimmee, where she was associate director of sales. From there, she joined Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa as associate director of sales, then to Wyndham International, Dallas, TX., as regional director of business development. Prior to joining The Peabody Orlando, Helley was a senior sales manager at the Orlando Omni Resort at Championsgate.

A native of Holland, PA., Helley holds a Bachelor of Science, Food Service & Lodging Management degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is a member of Meeting Planners International, Professional Conference Managers Association, National Coalition for Black Meeting Planners and Religious Conference Managers Association.

Helley has two great children, Cassandra 14, and Cole 12. She enjoys family life, a multitude of activities including travel, water sports, outdoor activities, and spending time with family and friends.

The Peabody Orlando (www.PeabodyOrlando.com) is a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star, and AAA Four Diamond property of Peabody Hotels within the portfolio of Peabody Hotel Group of Memphis, Tennessee, and is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.