LOCAL RESORT EXECUTIVE APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF THE NORTH FLORIDA HOTEL & LODGING ASSOCIATION BOARD
General Manager of the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Receives New Title
AMELIA ISLAND, FL (January 18, 2012) –
Local general manager of the Omni Amelia Island Plantation, Paul Eckert, was appointed president of the 2012 executive board of the North Florida Hotel and Lodging Association (NFHLA). Eckert was brought on as general manager in 2010 after Omni’s acquisition of the property.
“The NFHLA plays a vital role in the area’s hospitality businesses,” Eckert said. “My years of experience at Omni properties will come into use as we advocate for issues, network and engage with the communities we live and work in.”
Eckert brings more than 20 years of tourism experience to the board. A tenured member of the Omni Hotels & Resorts group, he has served at Omni properties in Colorado, Dallas and most recently, Jacksonville. Eckert’s presidential appointment by NFHLA comes on the heels of the Omni Amelia Island Plantation’s announcement of an $85 million renovation to its beachfront resort, to be completed in the spring of 2013, including a new tower of 155 guestrooms and suites, and 20,000 square feet in additional conference center space.
NFHLA is a professional organization representing over one hundred companies and forty-thousand employees, comprised of lodging general managers and allied business representatives with the goal of addressing mutual issues and objectives affecting the Northeast Florida lodging industry. It is an issue-driven association that organizes monthly gatherings throughout the First Coast, offering a variety of networking and educational opportunities and a lobbying voice for area hospitality businesses. Last year, the board lobbied for the reorganization of Visit Florida and the opposition of tax increases on Florida hotels by granting tax preference to online travel companies such as Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity.The organization actively participates in the region through charities and scholarships and provides valuable networking and educational opportunities for industry professionals.
Additional new board members include Chris Unwin of EcoLab, Scott Burgess of Enterprise Holdings, Stacy Manthos of Fairfield Inn and Suites Airport, Barry Sondern of Omni Jacksonville Hotel, Jeffrey Oliasami of Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village, Mike Wentworth of Sysco Jacksonville, Brittany Lagassee of The Inn at Mayo Clinic and 2007- 2008 NFHLA Past President, Donald Harris, of Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk.
About the Omni Amelia Island Plantation
Beginning a new chapter in its nearly 40-year heritage, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation is undergoing an extensive re-imagination project. As Florida’s award-winning island destination, the 1,350-acre retreat is recognized for offering a luxury resort experience in perfect harmony with nature, rich in recreational activities. The certified Green Lodging Destination is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean, lush marshlands and the Intracoastal Waterway, located just north of Jacksonville, Fla. The property sits on three-and-a-half miles of wide, uncrowded beaches and includes 49,000 square feet of flexible meeting space; 54 holes of championship golf; 23 Har-Tru® tennis courts; award-winning recreation programs; a shopping village with restaurants, boutiques and gift shops as well as the nature-inspired signature spa; a state-of-the-art fitness center; nine culinary options ranging from casual to fine dining; kids camps; and numerous activities for adventurers including water sports, horseback riding, walking, hiking and Segway tours. With 249 guest rooms in the oceanfront resort, the Villas of Amelia Island Plantation Resort offer 300 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas with ocean, golf or resort views.
For more information, please call 1-800-The-Omni or visit omniameliaislandplantation.com.
About the North Florida Hotel & Lodging Association
The North Florida Hotel & Lodging Association is a professional organization comprised of lodging General Managers and business representatives with the goal of addressing mutual issues and objectives. This year NFHLA will continue to become a united and influential voice for the tourism industry in Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau and St. Johns County. Also, continuing to serve the membership and community with pertinent resources, education, scholarships and networking opportunities.
For more information, please call (904) 421-9176 or visit the website at northfloridalodging.com.