Marriott's field marketing and development changes

Tourism Toronto's loss is Marriott's gain. Johanne Belanger has joined Marriott International as vice-president, field marketing, U.S. and Canada. Marriott's development team in Canada has also restructured with the departure of Manlio Marescotti, who had a significant role to play in the brand's growth in Canada, a new position for Paul Loehr, and a search to fill a new director position.

Johanne Belanger has joined Marriott International as vice-president, field marketing, U.S. and Canada, reporting to David Marriott and Kieran Donahue. Belanger was president & CEO of Tourism Toronto for three and a half years. She also lead Toronto’s Destination Marketing Organization representing and serving over 1,100 Association members and partners.

At Marriott, Belanger will play a critical leadership role in The Americas as Marriott increases alignment across regions and disciplines to accelerate topline performance in the continent. She will oversee Field Marketing in the United States and Canada, including the Account Management and Center of Excellence organizations. In this role, she will be responsible for field‐level, demand‐generating marketing strategies for more than 1,700 managed and franchise hotels.

Under her leadership, Marriott will have the structure in place to more closely align Brand, Marketing and Digital (BMD) efforts across the U.S. East, U.S. West, and Canada, as well as drive further connectivity among BMD, Sales, and Revenue Management as the commercial engine for Marriott in The Americas. Additionally, Johanne will play a significant role in shaping and executing Marriott's Canada and franchise growth strategies.

Prior to joining Tourism Toronto, Belanger was president of Freeman Audio Visual Canada from September 2005 to June 2015, receiving many industry accolades during her tenure, including the 2014 International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Outstanding Achievement in Industry Leadership Award and an induction into Meetings + Incentive Travel’s (M+IT) 2014 Hall of Fame. She also cofounded Freeman Women’s Development (FWD), a program established to advance women as leaders at Freeman and contribute to an environment where the best talent goes to succeed.

Before joining Freeman Audio Visual, she spent 14 years in a variety of roles including finance, operations, purchasing, sales and marketing. Proficient in English and French with a chartered accountant (CA) designation, she applies her multifaceted skillset to several charitable and industry organizations, including Tourism Toronto, InfoComm International, Women of InfoComm Network. She was also a charter member of the Women of InfoComm Network (WIN), a global community of members and other professionals committed to supporting and empowering women in AV and technology.

Canadian development team restructured

The development team at Marriott Hotels of Canada is being reorganized in an effort to ensure the right level of resources are available to support Marriott partners and their interests in developing Marriott branded hotels. Under the new organization, the vice president development-Eastern Canada position is being transitioned to a new director-level position that will be responsible for growing Marriott’s Select Service and Extended Stay branded hotels in secondary and tertiary markets throughout Canada.

Paul Loehr will now lead full service development in Canada’s East Region along with oversight for the country. Ryan McRae will continue his support of the West Region, and as a result of the new changes, Manlio Marescotti, who was vice president development-Eastern Canada,had his last day with Marriott on Fri., March 8.

“Manlio is a friend to many and has provided years of support contributing greatly to the growth of Marriott’s brands in Canada. We wish him all the best in his new endeavours and thank him sincerely for his work over the past 13 years,” Loehr said in a letter to Marriott partners.

“I have enjoyed my 13 years with Marriott International, and being part of our tremendous growth in Canada,” Marescotti said in an email. “This growth could not have happened without your support and commitment, and for that I am thankful. But even more importantly, I am so very appreciative of the strong relationships created over the years which is one of the unique and fantastic attributes of our Industry.”