Follow this link to see copies of original articles about Sonesta Collection and its executives.

Purpose
Sonesta's Meeting Planner Advisory Board was established in 1983 to build stronger communications with meeting planners and gain a better understanding of their needs and concerns. It was the first of its kind in the industry, and both Sonesta and its Meeting Planner Advisory Board members have received much acclaim for their achievements.

Meetings
The Meeting Planner Advisory Board meets annually at different Sonesta hotels and resorts. The meetings are held over a weekend, during which time board members share their views on industry topics and analyze Sonesta's approach to group business. Marketing strategies and current issues of the Sonesta property hosting the Board are also featured on the agenda. Sonesta's top executives join with the planners to discuss agenda issues.

BOARD MEMBERS
KIMBERLE ADKINS, Ketchum, Inc., NY
CORBIN BALL, Corbin Ball Associates, WA
MARTIN D. BALOGH, American Bar Association, IL
WILLIE BENJAMIN, II, American Chemical Society, DC
THOMAS CAHILL, Brigham & Women's Hospital, MA
STEPHEN CLARK, Stephen Clark & Associates, WI
KIM FIELDS, Barkley Kalpak Associates, NY 
NATALIE FLEET, American Association of Airport Executives, VA
PETER HANLEY, PlanNet, VA
MARY KEOUGH-ANDERSON, Liberty Mutual Insurance, MA
ANNE-MARIE LADEROUTE, Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants
LEILA MacFEELEY, Leila M. MacFeeley & Associates, NH
MARGARET MOYNIHAN, Deloitte & Touche, CT
CONNIE MULLIS, Meeting & Event Consultant, AL
SALLY O'CONNOR, Sally O'Connor & Associates, MA
NORMAN SHOSTAK, Consultant, MA
C. JAMES TROMBINO, Metal Powder Industries Federation, NJ


Accomplishments
Over the years, the board has been instrumental in assisting Sonesta with the development of its marketing strategy, design of meeting space in several hotels, group sales training, and advertising campaigns, to name a few. They also advise company executives of recent trends in the meetings industry and have even reviewed blueprints and critiqued layouts of ads and brochures.

Purpose
Sonesta Hotels & Resorts' Travel Agency Advisory Board, established in 1977, is comprised of travel executives and managers representing a broad cross-section of the industry who advise Sonesta executives on travel industry trends, marketing strategies and new property development. The Board was the first of its kind in the industry, and both Sonesta and its Travel Agency Advisory Board members have received much acclaim for their achievements.

Meetings
The Travel Agency Advisory Board meets annually at different Sonesta hotels and resorts. The meetings are held over a weekend, during which time board members share their views on industry topics and analyze Sonesta's approach to travel agency business. Marketing strategies and current issues of the Sonesta property hosting the Board are also featured on the agenda. Sonesta's top executives join with the agents to discuss agenda issues.

2008 Board Members
PAUL DUBE, Dube Carlson Wagonlit Travel, ME
ROSE GILFORD, CTC, Chestnut Hill Travel, MA
RON HERSH, World of Travel, OH
DAVID H. JUEDES, Fox World Travel, WI
GARY LICHTER, Liberty Travel, NY
WALTER LITTLEJOHN, Great Vacations, Inc., NJ
NANCY McLEMORE, TraveLeaders, FL
DIANE REPOSA, American Express Travel, MA
MAURA WATSON, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, MA
NICOLETTE YIANILOS, Esprit-Rainbow Travel, MD
DEBBIE TUCKER, Travel Designs by Debbie, Inc, FL

Accomplishments:
Review and critique of collateral materials designed for the travel agent and the consumer, inspection of new hotels and suggestions for hotel services to the consumer, review of features of upcoming properties; advice on marketing to travel agents.

For over 60 years, Sonesta has owned, managed, designed, built and marketed hotels throughout the world. Choose this link to view the Sonesta Company Timeline.  Sonesta International Hotels Corporation is an outgrowth of Sonnabend Operated Hotels, founded in the 1940's by the legendary A.M. Sonnabend, and Childs Restaurant Company, founded in the 1880's. In 1956, they merged to become Hotel Corporation of America, one of the first major hotel companies. Choose this link to learn more about Sonesta's history and the Sonnabend family.

Whether a romantic getaway, family vacation, social gathering or business meeting, you are sure to find a Sonesta location perfectly suited to your needs. Select a property below to learn more.

Sonesta’s Art Collection is one of the first corporate hotel programs dedicated to original art by nationally and internationally known artists. The collection was initiated in the early 1960’s and was nurtured by Sonesta’s former Chairman Roger P. Sonnabend and his wife, Joan, an art collector and owner of Obelisk Gallery in Boston. Over the years, the collection has substantially appreciated in value. Had reproductions been used instead, there would be no remaining value. The special atmosphere that has become a Sonesta trademark is the result of close cooperation between architects, designers, Sonesta’s executives and employees and Joan Sonnabend.

The works of art are placed in front of the hotels, in all public spaces, guest rooms and often, exterior spaces as well. Each piece is carefully considered to create an aesthetically pleasing and meaningful statement. In an effort to fully integrate the architecture and design of each hotel, many works have been specially commissioned for a particular space.

Sonesta's collection of works consists of more than 7,000 contemporary paintings, sculptures, original prints and tapestries by world-renowned artists, such as Robert Rauschenberg, Claus Oldenburg and Robert Mapplethorpe, as well as many young and mid-career artists.