Samantha Dunion has been appointed Vice Chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Hotel & Accommodation General Manager Association, bringing almost 35 years of hospitality experience to the role.
Dunion is General Manager of Hotel Indigo properties in Coventry and Stratford-upon-Avon and began her hospitality career as a waitress aged 15.
She has since held a range of senior positions across the industry throughout the UK.
The association provides hotel and accommodation operators with opportunities to share best practice, discuss common challenges and collaborate on initiatives intended to support hospitality businesses across Coventry and Warwickshire.
It is chaired by Faris Thowfeek, General Manager of ibis Coventry Centre, and was established by Coventry & Warwickshire Convention Bureau as part of destination management organisation Destination Coventry.
Dunion said: “I am really pleased to take on this role because I think it’s important for us, as an industry, to work together across the region.
“Being the GM of both Stratford-upon-Avon and Coventry Indigo gives me a really interesting perspective because they are very different hotel markets.
“Stratford and south Warwickshire has its history, leisure visitors and theatre culture, while Coventry has a strong corporate and events market. Both destinations have different needs and different dynamics, and part of my role is identifying where we can share ideas, support one another and learn from those differences.”
The association forms part of a wider programme from Coventry & Warwickshire Convention Bureau to support growth within the region’s visitor economy.
The not-for-profit organisation works with venues to generate new business leads and assists event organisers with planning business events in the area.
Dunion added: “For me, being part of the association is about giving something back. I have been lucky to have people support me throughout my career, and I believe we have a responsibility to do the same for others.
“I want to support general managers, their teams and the wider destination, and to encourage collaboration. Hotels may not always benefit directly from every piece of business, but when the region succeeds, there is a positive knock-on effect for everyone.”
Faris Thowfeek said: “It’s great to have someone with Samantha’s knowledge and experience on board as vice-chair. The association is really starting to gain traction across the region and we look forward to bringing everyone together again at our next event.”
Paul McMahon, Managing Director at Destination Coventry, added: “We approached Samantha to take on this position because we want to have the very best people in the industry in our region all working together towards the same goal.
“She’s seen so many facets of the sector during her career and has experienced what many other parts of the country do well that we can learn from.
“These are challenging but exciting times for the hospitality sector in Coventry and Warwickshire and our association is here to help overcome barriers and make the most of the opportunities for everyone to grow.”
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