Event Hospitality & Entertainment restructures sales team, unveils plan for new Sydney hotel

Event Hospitality & Entertainment restructures sales team, unveils plan for new Sydney hotel
By Travel Weekly


Event Hospitality and Entertainment has announced a national sales structure, with the appointment of three new senior managers.

Two appointments come from within the Event group, and bring extensive industry and market experience to the respective management roles.

Melanie McGufficke has been shuffled into the role of national director of sales for Rydges, Atura and the Independent Collection brands, while Nicola Porter moves into the role of national sales director for QT Hotels and Resorts.

Outsider Alison Boyd has been appointed as general manager of strategic partnerships, and will be responsible for the development of the distribution strategy for each of Event’s hotel brands.

Boyd has more than 20 years’ experience working in hospitality and tourism across North America, the Caribbean, the UK, Ireland, Australia and Singapore, and more recently held senior leadership roles in digital marketing, sales and distribution for Starwood and Marriott.

In a separate announcement, Event said it had entered into a management agreement with Greenfields Development Company for a new Atura hotel in the south-west Sydney suburb of Oran Park.

Anchored within the $500 million Oran Park Podium and integrated within the lifestyle, retail and entertainment precincts, the urban resort is due for completion in late 2023, and will be a key offering for the south-west Sydney corridor and a gateway property for Western Sydney Airport.

Positioned as an urban lifestyle hotel, Atura Oran Park will open with 184 design-led rooms, generous conference and meeting facilities, an outdoor pool and terrace, and a locally-inspired restaurant and bar, all overlooking the newly designed town centre and surrounding parks.

Peter Hill, director of development at Event, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Greenfields Property Group to deliver this outstanding new Atura hotel.

“With anticipated growth in the region with the development of Western Sydney Airport, there will be strong demand for this project and we look forward to Atura becoming an integral part of the local community.”

Greenfields director Mark Perich said: “Event has enormous enthusiasm for south-west Sydney’s vibrant growth trajectory.

“Following the highly successful opening of Atura Adelaide Airport, Event have proven they are the perfect partners to deliver this highly-anticipated resort for the south-west Sydney corridor.

“Oran Park is seeing tremendous growth in business, sporting and leisure investment, and we look forward to working with the team at Event on Atura Oran Park to support this new, exciting accommodation development.”

Further details about Atura Oran Park will be announced soon.

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