MEDIA RELEASE
The new vice chair of an association that supports Coventry and Warwickshire’s hotel and accommodation sector will bring nearly 35 years of hospitality experience to the role.
Samantha Dunion, the general manager of the Hotel Indigos in Coventry and Stratford-upon-Avon, started her career as a waitress at the age of 15 and has gone on to hold a range of senior positions across the industry all around the UK.
She has been appointed as the vice chair of Coventry and Warwickshire Hotel & Accommodation General Manager (GM) Association, which provides opportunities to share best practice, discuss challenges and encourage collaborative region-wide working to boost business.
The association, chaired by Faris Thowfeek, the GM of the Ibis Hotel Coventry Centre, was formed by Coventry & Warwickshire Convention Bureau which launched last year as part of destination management organisation (DMO) Destination Coventry.
Samantha said: “I am really pleased to take on this role because I think it’s important for us, as an industry, to work together across the region.
“Being the GM of both Stratford-upon-Avon and Coventry Indigo gives me a really interesting perspective because they are very different hotel markets.
“Stratford and south Warwickshire has its history, leisure visitors and theatre culture, while Coventry has a strong corporate and events market. Both destinations have different needs and different dynamics, and part of my role is identifying where we can share ideas, support one another and learn from those differences.”
She added: “For me, being part of the association is about giving something back. I have been lucky to have people support me throughout my career, and I believe we have a responsibility to do the same for others.
“I want to support general managers, their teams and the wider destination, and to encourage collaboration. Hotels may not always benefit directly from every piece of business, but when the region succeeds, there is a positive knock-on effect for everyone.”
The association is one of a range of initiatives launched by Coventry & Warwickshire Convention Bureau to support the growth of the visitor economy. It is a not-for-profit organisation that supports venues with bringing in new leads and event organisers with planning business events.
Faris said: “It’s great to have someone with Samantha’s knowledge and experience on board as vice-chair. The association is really starting to gain traction across the region and we look forward to bringing everyone together again at our next event.”
Paul McMahon, managing director at Destination Coventry, added: “We approached Samantha to take on this position because we want to have the very best people in the industry in our region all working together towards the same goal.
“She’s seen so many facets of the sector during her career and has experienced what many other parts of the country do well that we can learn from.
“These are challenging but exciting times for the hospitality sector in Coventry and Warwickshire and our association is here to help overcome barriers and make the most of the opportunities for everyone to grow.”
To find out more about Coventry & Warwickshire Convention Bureau visit www.meetcoventryandwarwickshire.co.uk
Pictured: Back – Paul Michael (chair of Destination Coventry) and Paul McMahon.
Front – Samantha Dunion and Faris Thowfeek