Krisam Group

Chris White

Chairman and CEO, Krisam Group

The founder of Krisam Group and its sister company, Global Events Partners (GEP), Chris White has been described as a travel industry visionary, and is widely recognized as one of the industry's most successful and innovative entrepreneurs.

Chris founded Krisam, the leading national sales organization for hotels, in 1975, and has grown the company to encompass more than 200 member hotels, served by more than 30 full-time staff in nine offices across the United States and Europe.

In 1999 he founded GEP, a partnership of the world's leading destination and event management companies (DMCs), with more than 60 DMC partners in 46 countries and on six continents. GEP has grown quickly to become the "gold standard" for destination management, providing a single standard of excellence for meeting planners worldwide.

Among his other achievements, Chris has been named one of "20 Who Made a Difference" in the meetings industry by Meetings and Conventions Magazine. He has been inducted into the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International's Hall of Fame. And he was recognized by Business Travel News as one of the industry's "25 Most Influential Executives."

In 1993, Chris launched The Masters Program, providing an annual forum for CEOs and Senior Executives in the travel industry " the Masters has grown into one of the most prestigious events and sought-after "invitations" in the industry.

Prior to founding Krisam Group, Chris served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at The Fairmont Hotel Company for eight years. He is a past International Vice President and Board Member of the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association and an active member of industry organizations such as ASAE, NAEM, PCMA.

For the past 15 years, Chris has done extensive non-profit work to improve the education of inner city children. He is actively involved on the Boards of Directors of Washington, D.C.-based organizations such as the I Have A Dream Foundation; the Friendship-Edison Public Charter Schools; Teach for America, and the Junior Achievement Foundation headquartered in New York.

James Schultenover

President, Washington, DC

As President, Jim is responsible for all aspects of Krisam's day-to-day finances, sales, marketing and operations. He also directs and manages Krisam's eleven sales offices and oversees all sales and marketing efforts for the entire Krisam Group organization.

Jim brings to Krisam more than 27 years of hotel sales and marketing management experience, and extensive customer relationships. Prior to joining Krisam, he served as Chief Marketing Officer for Ian Schrager Hotels. Prior to that, he spent six years as Vice President, Sales & Marketing for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

Previous positions include Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing for Omni Hotels, and various positions at Marriott International, including Vice President of Group Sales for Convention & Resort Hotels. He worked at the Marriott organization for more than twelve years, including positions at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan, and at the Chicago Marriott Downtown. He began his career in the hotel business with Harley Hotels.

Schultenover received a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Wisconsin, Stout.

Dick Calgaro

Vice President, Washington, DC

Since 1977, Dick has served as Senior Sales Executive in charge of Krisam Group's Washington, DC, office. Prior to joining Krisam, he was Director of Sales of the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, opening its first East Coast Office. He also served as National Sales Manager of Hyatt Hotels. Dick began his hotel career as a management trainee with The Shoreham Hotel, eventually becoming Sales Manager. A native of Washington, DC, Dick attended Cornell University Hotel School and earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland.

Marcia Gerard

Executive Vice President, New York

Marcia has managed Krisam Group's New York office since 1977. Prior to joining the company, she served as Senior Account Executive with The American Express Company, handling the planning and placement of corporate and association group business. From 1964 to 1975, Marcia was Director of Sales for Sumner A. Baye, a hotel-consulting firm. Marcia attended the University of Buffalo, majoring in Business Administration.

Pat McCain, CMP

Vice President, Dallas

As head of Krisam Group's Dallas office, Pat markets Krisam properties within a region encompassing six states. She also oversees the newly opened Portland and Southern California offices. Previously, Pat served as Director of Sales for the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau. From 1978 to 1984, she was Director of Sales for Omni International Hotels in Boston, New York and Virginia. Active in her profession on a state and national level, Pat is a member of the National Association of Exposition Managers and the Professional Convention Management Association. A native of Dallas, Pat graduated from Old Dominion University.

Mary Vogt

Vice President, Chicago

Mary brings to Krisam Group eighteen years of hotel sales and marketing experience and extensive customer relationships. She also oversees the newly opened Midwest office.  Mary most recently served for eight years in executive-level positions with Six Continents Hotels, including Regional Director of Marketing, Midwest & Canada. For six years prior to that, Mary was successfully employed in director-level positions with the Hotel Inter-Continental Chicago, and in fact, was named Inter-Continental's 1996 Sales Person of the Year.

Beth Hamiroune

Vice President, Boston

With nearly 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Beth oversees Krisam Group's Boston office. She also currently holds the title of President of MPI New England chapter, the eighth largest in the world. Beth was awarded MPINE Supplier of the Year in 1999 and MPINE Chapter Leader of the Year in 2001. In 1996 she received Sonesta Hotels Sales Person of the Year.