Visit Phoenix hires Director of Sales

Ronnie Collins has joined Visit Phoenix’s convention sales team as Director of Sales. He takes over for former Director of Sales, Lorne Edwards, who was recently promoted to Vice President of Sales and Services.

“The meeting and attendee experience in the Phoenix market has never been better,” said Collins. “No other destination can match our variety or value. It’s a great time to be in Phoenix and I am honored to be a part of the team.”

Collins joins Visit Phoenix with an extensive career in the hospitality industry. He most recently served as Director of Sales and Marketing for the newly opened Hilton Cleveland Downtown, a 600-room new build property attached to the Cleveland Convention Center. There he was responsible for coordinating sales and marketing efforts between the hotel, convention center and Destination Cleveland.

Prior to that role, Collins held the role of Director of Sales and Marketing for various Hilton and Starwood properties in the southwestern United States, including the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, the Westin La Cantera Hill Country Resort, the Westin Dallas Park Central, and The Wigwam.

Collins began his hotel career with Hilton in food and beverage operations where he spent nearly a decade with multiple Hilton and Hyatt hotels within Arizona and Colorado. He transitioned from food and beverage to sales at the Hyatt Charlotte at SouthPark before returning to the Valley as a sales manager for the historic Wigwam resort. At The Wigwam, Collins was promoted to Senior Sales Manager, followed by  Director of Group Sales, before ultimately being elevated to Director of Sales and Marketing.

Returning to Arizona is a homecoming for Collins, who grew up in Tucson and attended the University of Arizona. Collins enjoys spending time with family, and engaging in outdoor activities. He and his wife have two children.

ABOUT VISIT PHOENIX: Visit Phoenix is a not-for-profit organization that markets Greater Phoenix as a travel and meetings destination with offices in Washington DC area, Chicago and Texas, and serves as the primary booking agent for the Phoenix Convention Center.  Greater Phoenix encompasses 2,000 square miles and more than 20 incorporated cities, including Glendale, Scottsdale, Tempe and Mesa. The area offers more than 62,000 rooms in approximately 450 hotels and resorts. For information on Phoenix meetings and conventions, go to www.visitphoenix.com or call 877.CALLPHX.