JW Marriott Austin Announces Hiring of Two Key Positions
February 13, 2012 - White Lodging is pleased to announce the JW Marriott Austin is already attracting top talent to ensure its success.
With more than 24 years of hospitality experience, Jay Spurr will lead the hotel's sales and marketing team as the director of sales and marketing for the JW Marriott Austin. Spurr left his position as the director of sales and marketing of the Chicago Marriott Magnificent Mile to join the hotel's team.
“I'm honored to be a member of the White Lodging team and extremely excited to be the sales leader for this world class convention hotel,” Spurr said.
Spurr, who started the position in November, said he's thrilled to build strong partnerships with the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Austin Convention Center and the entire Austin hotel community to take the city to the next level in conventions.
Previously the senior account executive with the JW Marriott Indianapolis, Mark Underwood was previously named the senior account executive of the JW Marriott Austin. Underwood has an extensive, successful background in hotel sales and account management, “This will be my third hotel opening,” Underwood said. “I want to continue the successful opening of another Marriott Convention Hotel, as well as build even more great relationships.”
The luxury convention hotel has more than 1,000 rooms and is scheduled to open in early 2015. Plans for the hotel include oversize guestrooms and suites, in excess of 110,000 square feet of flexible meeting, banquet and exhibition space, multiple food and beverage venues, underground parking and a 4,500 square foot fitness center. The hotel is located two blocks from the Austin Convention Center, and will be White Lodging's 22nd hotel in the city. The hotel remains on schedule to break ground in June for an early 2015 opening.
White Lodging Services Corporation - was established in 1985 and is headquartered in Merrillville, Ind. White Lodging is a fully integrated hotel ownership, development and operations company - a recognized leader that has defined and cultivated the ability to achieve consistent, sustainable growth among mid-to large-scale hotels across the country. Its current portfolio consists of more than 158 hotels in 20 states and encompasses representation of the following leading brands: Preferred Hotels, Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Global, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, InterContinental Hotel Group and Carlson Hotels Worldwide.
For more information about White Lodging, please visit www.whitelodging.com.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
