Aqua Hospitality Fills Newly Created Mainland Sales Position

steve velezAqua Hospitality, one of Hawaii's leading hotel management companies, has hired Steve Velez in the newly created position of sales manager for the U.S. mainland.

Based out of Aqua's San Francisco offices, Velez will be responsible for developing and facilitating business from the domestic, retail and corporate markets on the mainland and in Canada.

"This newly created mainland sales position is the natural progression for Aqua following our recent company restructuring into three distinct hotel divisions: Monogram, Aqua and Lite Hotels," said Robin Harlow, senior director of sales, in a written release. "Steve will be integral in helping Aqua identify and evaluate new opportunities for each of these new divisions on the mainland."
 
Velez most recently served as business development manager for Sandals Hotels and Resorts. In this position, he represented Sandals, Beaches, Royal Plantation and Grand Pineapple Hotels and Resorts throughout the Caribbean and was awarded top suppliers sales representative 2010 by Travel Agent magazine.

Velez began his travel industry career in a reservations center position with Apple Vacations. He was quickly promoted to an inside sales and special bookings position and was responsible for travel agent itineraries as well as incentive promotions, tradeshows and special events. While assisting the organization Apple Vacations Tradeshows West, Velez was offered a position with Riu Hotels and Resorts Mexico. For the next three years, he represented Riu as the business development manager for the Pacific Mountain region and Texas.

Visit www.aquahospitality.com.