SARASOTA, FL (July 2022) – The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, the area’s premier 5-star resort and luxury landmark located on Florida’s central Gulf coast, is pleased to announce the appointment of two new hospitality professionals to its executive sales team – Jillian Dampier as Director of Group and Catering Sales and Peter Francis as Director of Transient Sales. The new talent brings an experienced background, revitalized energy, and impressive skill set to further enhance the property’s standard of excellence.
An Indiana native, Dampier’s hospitality career began in Indianapolis after graduating from Indiana University with a BA in English. With 20 years of experience, she has held various leadership positions with renowned brands such as Hyatt, Conrad Hotels and Resorts, and other properties under the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. She brings extensive group and catering leadership knowledge and expertise to her new role where she will be spearheading sales for the luxury hotel’s group events. She will also be overseeing weddings, social events, and corporate catering gatherings. Dampier and her family are boating aficionados and are eager to spend weekends sailing the Gulf upon their relocation to Sarasota.
An MBA recipient from The Crummer Graduate School of Business in Winter Park, FL, Francis’ 28-year career in the hospitality industry began at Walt Disney World, followed by an impressive 18-year tenure with various Marriot Bonvoy brands. He started with the group sales team at The Ritz-Carlton, Orlando Grande Lakes and JW Marriott Grand Lakes Orlando and continued working in the group segment for The Ritz-Carlton, Naples and The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles and JW Marriott, Los Angeles at LA LIVE. He launched his leisure sales experience just under a decade ago when he joined the team at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, and has since gained experience at other properties including The Ritz-Carlton Resorts of Caribbean and Mexico, and The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. Francis brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and established relationships to his new role in overseeing the property’s transient sales.
“We feel extremely fortunate to have Jillian and Peter joining the Ladies and Gentlemen at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota,” said the property’s General Manager, Rajesh Khubchandani. “Their combined experience is guaranteed to elevate our hotel’s offerings in virtually every respect.”
For more information or reservations, please visit http://www.ritzcarlton.com/sarasota, and to download Jillian and Peter’s headshot, please click here.
About The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
A luxury landmark on Florida’s central Gulf coast, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is conveniently located near the city center overlooking Sarasota Bay, just minutes from premier arts venues, nature sanctuaries, distinctive shopping, fishing and watersports. Named one of the Top Golf Resorts in the World by Condé Nast Traveler, this destination resort is also home to The Ritz- Carlton Spa, Sarasota, named the #3 Spa in the U.S. and Canada by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. In addition to a Gulf-front Beach Club, Tom Fazio-designed Golf Club, Spa and Wellness Center, children’s recreation programs and 276 guest rooms with Ritz-Carlton Club Level accommodations, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota offers 218 Residences and a private country club-style Membership.