Wynfrey Hotel Names New General Manager
Tynette Lynch to Oversee 329-Room Meetings & Conventions Property
BIRMINGHAM, AA, December 6, 2007. Tynette Lynch, a 20-year hospitality veteran who currently serves as president of the Alabama Travel Council, has been named general manager of the award-winning Wynfrey Hotel at Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, Ala.
In her new role, Lynch will oversee all operational aspects of the 329-room meetings and conventions property. The AAA Four Diamond hotel, which is connected to one of the region's largest indoor shopping malls, draws meeting and social groups, business travelers, and vacationers from around the world.
Lynch joined the Wynfrey in 2005 as the director of sales and marketing. In June 2007, she was appointed by Alabama Gov. Bob Riley to serve on the Advisory Board of the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel. She recently was appointed for a second year to serve on the Advisory Committee to the Alabama House Tourism and Travel.
"The Wynfrey Hotel is considered the premier hotel in Birmingham, as well as throughout the entire hotel industry," Lynch said. "I am thrilled with the opportunity to represent this hotel and its award-winning employees, which I consider to be one of the best groups of professionals in the state."
Before joining the Wynfrey, the Birmingham native founded Hospitality Business Solutions Inc., a consulting company in Homewood, Ala., that provided training, problem solving and marketing support for hotel brands such as Comfort Inn, Fairfield Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites, and Sheraton Four Points. Before that, she was general manager for the Mountain Brook (Ala.) Inn and the Holiday Inn Homewood. She began her hospitality career in 1987 as a sales manager for the Holiday Inn Homewood. The following year, she won the property's Sales Director of the Year Award after being promoted to director of sales and marketing.
Lynch gained statewide notoriety by serving as chair of the Alabama Hospitality Association in 1998 and 2000. She was named chair of the Birmingham Convention and Visitor's Bureau in 1999, 2003 and 2004. She also has served as a member of the Alabama State House of Representatives Tourism and Travel Advisory Board, a member of the Board of Directors of the Alabama Travel Council, a member of the Board of Directors of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, and chair and a member of the Greater Birmingham Lodging Association. She was elected Alabama State Hotelier of the Year in 2001. In 1996, she earned a Certified Hospitality Administrator (CHA) designation through the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association.
The Wynfrey Hotel, which is conveniently framed by the 2 million-square-foot Riverchase Galleria shopping mall, is a popular destination for conventioneers, business travelers, leisure travelers, shopping enthusiasts, social groups, honeymooners and golfers. Highlights include three ballrooms and 18 meeting rooms totaling more than 32,000 square feet; Shula's Steak House fine-dining restaurant; the more casual Chicory Grille; Ivory's, a piano-accented lounge; the Chancellor's Club, a private concierge level; and a spacious lobby complemented with Italian marble floors and fine art.
The hotel has undergone many improvements over the past few years. A $3 million renovation in 2007 included the installation of Italian marble and French chandelier lighting in all of the property's guest bathrooms. Guests also can enjoy a new upscale amenities package that includes Tarrocco brand shampoos, conditioners, lotions, bath bars and facial bars. New plush carpet has been installed in corridors on all guest room floors.
In 2003, the Wynfrey joined forces with legendary football coach Don Shula to open Shula's Steak House, a 140-seat eatery featuring a virtual museum of 1972 Miami Dolphins memorabilia, sepia-toned photos, rich wood, and hand-painted football menus. The restaurant serves only Certified Angus Beef.
A refurbishment in 2001 included a new state-of-the-art 24-hour business center, new Internet-ready entertainment stations in all guest rooms, and new wall coverings and furniture in the lobby and gallery.
Earlier this year, the hotel made history by receiving its 21st consecutive Four Diamond Award from the American Automobile Association, a first for a lodging property in the state of Alabama.
Over the years, the Wynfrey also has received the highly prized Pinnacle Award from the readers of Successful Meetings magazine, the Mobil Four-Star Award, and the Stars of the South Award from Meetings South magazine for outstanding meeting facilities and excellent service.
For more information, contact the Wynfrey by phone (205/987-1600 or 800-WYNFREY), by e-mail ([email protected]) or by mail (1000 Riverchase Galleria, Birmingham, AL 35244).
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