Turnberry Isle Miami, the legendary South Florida resort, announces two significant additions to the property’s leisure sales team. Maria Corona joins Turnberry Isle Miami as Leisure Sales Director with Kelly Whitehead supporting her as Leisure Sales Manager for luxury accounts. The appointments were confirmed by Turnberry Isle Miami Director of Sales & Marketing, James Gelfand and are effective immediately. Under Gelfand’s direction, Corona and Whitehead are responsible for developing and managing all strategies and partnerships involving the resort’s leisure sales division.
“It is a priority for us to anticipate the needs and wants of our guests, but also our travel partners,” said. Gelfand. “I am confident that Maria and Kelly will strengthen our partner relationships with their extensive knowledge in both national and international markets and help increase leisure business for our resort.”
Corona joins Turnberry Isle Miami with a successful track record. Prior to assuming her current position, Corona served as Director of Sales for Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort, Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., where she was instrumental in the property’s growth in the international market. As Director of Sales & Marketing for the Marenas Beach Resort, Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., Corona orchestrated leisure and group market strategies.
Corona earned her master’s degree for Arts in Tourism and Hotel Administration and her undergraduate bachelor of arts degree in Hotel Management and Culinary Arts from Escuela Superior de Turismo Sol (UNED) Madrid, Spain. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Prior to assuming the role of Leisure Sales Manager for Turnberry Isle Miami, Whitehead was the Sales Manager at Hawks Cay Resort, Duck Key, Fla. Whitehead has also served as Travel Industry Manager for the Ocean Reef Club, overseeing international and domestic partnerships and developing exclusive packages and specials for Virtuoso, Signature, Ensemble, Fine Hotels & Resorts, among others.
As a former Travel Industry Area Sales Executive for Hilton Worldwide, Whitehead achieved the highest market share increase for two consecutive years for the company’s Global Field Sales program. Whitehead received her Master’s Degree in Hotel & Resort Sales and Marketing from Cornell University and earned her undergraduate degree from the Art Institute of Philadelphia.
About Turnberry Isle Miami
Tucked away on 300 tropical acres between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Turnberry Isle Miami is a Mediterranean-style retreat with a culture of authenticity, spirited service and enriching experiences. The resort is renowned for its two championship golf courses redesigned by Raymond Floyd, Celebrity Chef Michael Mina’s award-winning Bourbon Steak restaurant, three-story Spa & Fitness Center, the elite Cañas Tennis, three relaxing pools, 40,000 square feet of meetings space, beach club on the Atlantic and engaging kids camps all within reach of 408 spacious guest rooms and suites. An Autograph Collection property, Turnberry Isle Miami has a reputation for excellence having most recently ranked amongst Travel Leisure’s ‘World’s Best.. For more information or for reservations, call 1-866-612-7739 or visit www.turnberryislemiami.com. To receive regular updates and news, follow @TIsleMiami on Twitter and Like the Facebook page.
