Chairman’s Message
Hello, NHLA Members;
It is with pleasure and honor that I have the opportunity to serve as the NHLA Chairman of the Board. Working with top leaders in the industry throughout Nevada and the highly committed team at NHLA is an opportunity for which I am grateful and excited about.
Our association is vibrant, dynamic and relevant to our continuing evolvement and support of the hospitality industry in Nevada. We have all faced many challenges the past few years that we never dreamed of in our entire lives. We are stronger, wiser and more committed than ever to ensuring we stay committed, productive and successful for our members, communities and industry.
As we move forward, under the leadership of NHLA President Diane Gandy and Vice President Irving Pamblanco, we have many of our former popular events on the 2024 calendar such as bowling tournaments and golf tournaments. We have many new events and activities scheduled, as well. It is our goal as an association to lead the industry with resources, leadership development, education, certifications, networking, relevancy and purpose through NHLA involvement.
Some of our great programs include our Emerging Leaders and Women in Lodging along with our committees which include Safety and Security, Clean and Green, Technology and Small Property resources. All members are encouraged to get involved in as many activities as they like and attend events to broaden networks and hone skills. If your company is a member of NHLA, you are, too!
On behalf of the board of directors, NHLA team and all of our members, I am looking forward to a successful year for all.
Sincerely,
Christine Breed
NHLA Chairman of the Board
NHLA Board of Directors:
Officers
Chairman of The Board
Christine Breed
Vice President of Resort Operations
Soleil Management
2020 Hotelier of the Year
NNV Vice Chairman
Cheraz Ecker
General Manager
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
2016 Hotelier of the Year
SNV Vice Chairman
Andy Meese
Senior VP of Hospitality Strategy
MGM Resorts International
2022 Hotelier of the Year
Secretary/Treasurer
Kevin Glass
Vice President of Hospitality
Palms Casino Resort
2023 Hotelier of the Year
Executive Board
Francisco J. Morales
Director of Operations
National Hospitality Management
Audrey Damonte
Attorney
Holley Driggs Ltd.
Shannon McCallum
V.P. of Hotel Operations
Resorts World Las Vegas
2015 Hotelier of the Year
Nicole Marshall
Regional Manager
Siegel Group Nevada
2018 General Manager of the Year
Directors
Konrad Gstrein
RVP & General Manager
Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas
Brandon Beach
Exec. Director of Hotel Operations
Silverton Hotel & Casino
Alex Canales
Area Vice President – Resort Operations
Hilton Grand Vacations Club
2017 Hotelier of the Year
Erna Barton, CHA
General Manager
Cancun Resort by Hilton Vacation Club
2022 General Manager of the Year
Mark Fenton
General Manager
The Platinum Hotel and Spa
2019 General Manager of the Year
Jaime Miranda
Sr. V.P. of Hotel Operations
Venetian Resort Las Vegas
Sebastian Stutz
General Manager
Waldorf Astoria
Brian Lagomarsino
Exec. Director of Hotel Strategy
MGM Resorts International
Matt Tyburski, CAM, CMCA, AMS
General Manager
Wyndham Desert Blue
Arik Knowles
Bally’s Corporation
Jonathan Boulware
V.P. of NV Operations
Jacobs Entertainment, Inc.
2019 Industry Executive of the Year
Rachel Rojas
V.P. of Enterprise Security
Boyd Gaming Corporation
Adam Miller
V.P. of Hotel Operations
Caesars Entertainment
2024 Stars of the
Industry Hotelier of the Year
Evan Meyer
Director of Hotel Operations
Boyd Gaming Downtown Region
California – Fremont – Main Street Station
2022 Mentor of the Year
NHLA Executive Staff
To ensure full resources, visibility, representation and member benefits, Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association is led by two key executives under the direction of the Chairman of the Board and the Board of Directors.
Diane Gandy serves as President and has over 35 years of hospitality and travel industry experience including hotel management and development, OTA major market management, international sales, organizational event planning and communication. A native Nevadan, she has worked in executive hospitality industry positions in both NNV (Sparks and Lake Tahoe) and SNV.
Diane has been leading NHLA since 2012 and is responsible for association management and growth which includes member retention and engagement through strategic partnerships and relevant and meaningful member programs and resources.
Member resources, industry leadership development, Emerging Leaders programs, education, social networking, special events, member programs and community engagement are key areas of focus for Diane. She ensures NHLA offers over 85 successful events and activities each year for our members.
She has received the following awards:
- 2017 International Athena Award for Outstanding Women’s Leadership
- 2017 International Society of Hotel Association Executives Award of Excellence for Member Programs – Emerging Leaders
- 2018 Inductee in the Women’s Leadership Hall of Fame
- 2018 International Society of Hotel Associations Award of Excellence for Member Programs – Women in Lodging
- 2019 Recipient of the Leadership Award in Collaboration from the Timothy S. Y. Lam Foundation
- 2020 Stars of the Industry Outstanding Leadership Award
- 2021 International Society of Hotel Associations Award of Excellence-Education and Workforce Development
- 2023 ISHA Award of Excellence – Events and Fundraising
Diane has been featured in Las Vegas Woman and Vegas, Inc. magazines and is a founding member of Dress for Success NNV, serving on the board from 2016-2019. She also served on the Shade Tree LV Board of Trustees. Diane is the founder and President of the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Foundation providing scholarships for higher education and continuing education for the hospitality industry.
Irving Pamblanco, Vice President of Finance & Operations, CGSP
Irving Pamblanco serves as Vice President of Finance and Operations and has been with NHLA since 1988 when he joined the firm as the business Accountant. He has served several corporate clients including the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association, Nevada Restaurant Association, Nevada Tourism Alliance, the International Food Service Executive Association (IFSEA), and Heffner & Associates, Inc.
Irving’s responsibilities include overseeing all accounting and finance functions, general operations, database and I.T. management, website updates and maintenance, membership email broadcasts, event participation, and new membership processing.
Irving has achieved designation from the American Hotel and Lodging Association Education Institute for Certified Guest Service Professional through passing the Guest Service Gold course and exam.
Contact Us
Tel: 702-430-4569
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.NVHotels.com