Alex Shelton

About Alex Shelton

I’m a hospitality and tourism professional whose career bridges strategic sales leadership, destination marketing, and large-scale event development. My focus is simple: to create value-driven partnerships and unforgettable guest experiences through collaboration, innovation, and data-informed strategy.With the experience of leading initiatives across global hotel brands, convention venues, and international tourism boards, I shape growth strategies for destinations and their hotels. My background of leadership roles with the Israel Ministry of Tourism, Albuquerque CVB, and the Tourism Ministries of Colombia and Ecuador, where I led efforts that grew North American group business by 25% and placed Israel as the #2 international destination for US Travelers for 2 years. I serve on the Scottsdale Tourism Commission, advising City Council on room tax investments to attract events.At the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, I led a high-performing sales team for guest rooms and 3.2 million square feet of meeting space. I contracted more Trade Show 200 conventions into Las Vegas than any other sales leader, signed the two largest trade show contracts in the U.S. in consecutive years, and broke annual property records four years in a row. Selling at 85% facility and 98% room occupancy annually for one of the nation\'s largest convention and meeting facilities.Most recently, I’ve led Marriott and Hilton resorts to surpass annual room night, room, and catering revenue goals. I achieved the same performance benchmarks across 14 Marriott, Hilton, and IHG properties as a Regional Director of Sales and Marketing. I’ve managed teams of 8 to 25 professionals, overseeing Revenue Management and Convention Services to maximize performance.I’ve been selected to lead national committees and serve as a speaker at PCMA, MPI, and IAEE events, sharing best practices in event organizing, leadership, and destination strategy. Sharing my experience working with the NBA, NFL, NHL and College Sports organizing 14 Football Bowl games. Providing insight on marketing, operations, budgeting and sponsor facilitation that hotels and destinations utilize.What motivates me most is transforming vision into momentum—unifying teams, partners, and communities to build destinations that inspire MICE and leisure travelers alike.Core Strengths:Strategic Sales Planning & Market Positioning Destination Marketing & Brand Development Revenue Management Alignment Cross-Cultural Negotiation & Client Relations Change Leadership & Team Empowerment Data-Driven Decision-Making

Experience

1. Director of Sales and Marketing

   Marriott International

   May 2025 — Present · Scottsdale, AZ, US

Education

• Washington State University

  Communications

• University of Nevada-Las Vegas

  Bachelors Degree - BS Hotel Administration, Hotel/Motel Administration/Management