These interviews are part of a series that highlights new hires within the industry. Have you recently started a new role or do you know someone who has? Submit your ideas to brittany.trevick@tigeroak.com.
Brian Lang was recently appointed area director of sales and marketing at Grand Hyatt Denver and Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center.
1. What are you looking forward to most in your new role as area director of sales and marketing at Grand Hyatt Denver and Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center?
Denver is enjoying increasing, well-deserved popularity for business, meetings and conventions, destination travel, and for personal lifestyle. I’m the envy of many of my colleagues to have been given this opportunity to be here in the Mile High City and to become a part of the vibrant community. With the Rocky Mountains right next door and so much to see and do in the city, promoting Denver and Hyatt’s amazing hotels to planners and corporations alike will be the most exciting part of this new assignment.
2. How do you think past experiences have prepared you for this role?
I am very fortunate to have been given a diverse experience with Hyatt. I have worked in a variety of properties from convention hotels to downtown business-centric hotels, and also spent a considerable amount of time in resorts. And with most of them, in addition to sales, I also was the Director of Events which provides me with a unique perspective on the logistics of meeting and events. This fits perfectly with what I will be doing at the Hyatts in downtown Denver. Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center is designed for group activity with its new, large ballrooms and a location just steps from the Colorado Convention Center and Grand Hyatt Denver’s client base is meeting driven as well. Just two blocks apart, each one block on either side of 16th Street Mall, the hotels support one another. Both hotels speak to business and leisure travel as well, with their ideal location. Grand Hyatt Denver’s unique 38th floor Pinnacle Club with its views of the entire Front Range, is ideal for benefits, weddings, kosher and social events. Based on my previous experience, I understand what is needed to market to each of these audiences in order to maximize the potential for both of our unique properties.
3. How did you get into the industry?
Like many in our field, I happened upon this this industry by luck. During college I was working in a restaurant and advanced to servicing their off-premise catering events. From there I was introduced to the meetings and events industry when I became the Events Coordinator for the Battleship New Jersey museum in Camden, New Jersey. That position gave me experience in both tourism and events before my move to Chicago and the Hyatt Regency O’Hare where I started in the hotels as a Convention Services Manager.
4. What are you hoping to achieve in your new role?
Among a long list of goals, the close partnership with VisitDenver is a priority. They do an outstanding job promoting Denver, not just to the tourist segment, but especially to meetings and conventions clientele. I am excited to work closely with VisitDenver to continue to position the city, and Hyatt Hotels in Downtown Denver, as the premier convention destination in the country.
5. What do you enjoy most about the industry?
Hands down, the people I get to work with on a daily basis. The best thing about my job is forming relationships with clients, meetings planners, local organizations and, of course, the staff whose professionalism makes it all happen for the hotels.
