Australia’s largest hotel appoints new director of conventions

AUSTRALASIA – Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Darling Harbour has announced the appointment of Marjolein Chandler as director of catering and conventions, as the hotel moves to its next phase in its growth strategy. The CBD property is currently undergoing a AUD$200m redevelopment and team recruitment is underway in the lead up to its May 2016 launch date. Chandler will be responsible for the management of all conventions, meetings and events taking place across the property. The hotel’s facilities will include 4,800sqm of new conference, meeting and event space, comprising a total of 23 rooms available for both large and intimate occasions. “I’m really exciting to be joining the team,” Chandler said. “The redevelopment is going to be an amazing addition to the conference and event space in the heart of Sydney and planning is already underway to ensure the opening in May 2016 is a huge success.” Chandler has over 23 years of experience working in conference and event sales and event management for large-scale luxury hotels. She started her career in Europe, where she spent four years at the Hilton London Metropole as the director of in-house sales before moving to Australia, where she spent nine years at the Hilton Sydney as director of event services. Hotel GM David Fraser said the role of director of catering and conventions will be instrumental to the success of the hotel. “With the additional convention and meeting facilities to manage and oversee, we needed someone who was hungry to take an already successful catering team to new heights. Marjolein’s passion and past experience makes her the perfect fit for this role,” he said. As well as the additional 4,800sqm of convention, exhibition and meeting space, the new look hotel, Australia’s largest, will include an additional third tower, adding 222 new guestrooms to its current portfolio, bringing the total number of rooms to 905.