Sakshi Upadhyay Promoted as Director of Sales at Hyatt Regency Pune And Residences

Pune: Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences has announced the promotion of Sakshi Upadhyay as Director of Sales, recognizing her exceptional contribution to the hospitality industry and her consistent success in driving business growth, corporate partnerships, and MICE revenue across leading hospitality brands.

With over 14 years of experience in the hospitality sector, Sakshi brings deep expertise in corporate sales, events, travel partnerships, and revenue optimization. Over the years, she has worked with globally renowned hotel brands including Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, The Leela Kempinski, and ITC Sheraton, building a strong reputation for strategic leadership and client relationship management.

Prior to her promotion, Sakshi was serving as Associate Director of Sales at Hyatt Regency Pune Hotel & Residences, where she led corporate sales strategies focused on MICE, long stays, and corporate business development. Her role involved working closely with corporate travel managers and procurement teams to develop customized solutions aligned with client expectations and business objectives.

Throughout her career, Sakshi has been recognized for several notable achievements. She was awarded the Hyatt Sales Leader of the Year for 2021–2022 across all Hyatt hotels in India and was also recognized as the Highest Revenue Generator during the COVID-19 period. Additionally, she has been instrumental in driving successful RFP acquisitions and managing high-value conferences and events. She is also the Sales Champ of the Year 2025.

An MBA graduate from Symbiosis University, Sakshi combines operational expertise with strong business acumen and leadership skills. In her new role as Director of Sales, she will continue to lead strategic sales initiatives, strengthen key partnerships, and further enhance the hotel’s market positioning in the region.

Her promotion reflects Hyatt Regency Pune’s commitment to recognizing talent and nurturing leadership within the organization.

Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati Appoints Prasanna Thiruvenkadam as Director of Sales

Tirupati, May: Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati is pleased to announce the appointment of Prasanna Thiruvenkadam as Director of Sales. With over a decade of progressive experience in hospitality sales, Prasanna brings a strong commercial acumen, a relationship-led approach, and a proven ability to drive revenue growth across diverse and competitive markets.

In his new role, Prasanna will lead the hotel's sales and business development strategy, with a clear focus on strengthening commercial performance and positioning the newly opened property as the preferred choice for guests and business partners in the region. In addition to driving sales, he will also play a key role in strengthening the hotel’s marketing direction and elevating the property’s positioning within Tirupati’s evolving hospitality and spiritual tourism landscape. He was also an integral part of the hotel's pre-opening team, contributing to the planning and execution of its sales foundation ahead of launch. He will oversee business development across key segments, including spiritual travel, leisure, corporate, MICE, weddings, social events, and travel trade.

Prior to joining Marriott International, Prasanna held cluster sales and sales leadership roles with Accor, where he developed an in-depth understanding of the South Indian market, particularly the Coimbatore and Chennai corridors. His familiarity with regional customer behavior and business dynamics across these markets adds considerable value to his new role in Tirupati. He has also held positions with Hilton as assistant sales manager and with Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts as sales executive, building a well-rounded foundation across leading global hospitality brands.

Commenting on his appointment, Prasanna Thiruvenkadam, Director of Sales, Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati, said, "Tirupati is a truly unique and dynamic market, with strong demand spanning spiritual travel, family stays, corporate movement, and social events. I am delighted to join Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati at such an important stage of the hotel's journey. My focus will be on building meaningful partnerships, deepening our presence across key segments, and ensuring that the hotel becomes the preferred destination for guests and business partners across the region."

Speaking on the appointment, Samata Danday Chand, Hotel Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati, said, "We are very pleased to welcome Prasanna to our leadership team. His extensive knowledge of the South Indian market, combined with his relationship-driven approach to sales and his ability to identify and convert new business opportunities, will be a significant asset as we establish Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati in this vibrant market. We are confident that his leadership will contribute meaningfully to the hotel's commercial success and long-term growth."

With Prasanna Thiruvenkadam at the helm of the sales function, Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati is well-positioned to strengthen its market presence and deepen engagement with guests, business partners, and the broader travel community across the region.

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru Appoints Shivy Bhat as Director of Sales

April 2024, Bengaluru: JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru is thrilled to announce the appointment of Shivy Bhat as the Director of Sales. With an illustrious career spanning over a decade in the hospitality industry, Shivy brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role. In his current capacity, Shivy will be responsible for overseeing and leading a dynamic team to achieve revenue goals for JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru.

Before joining JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru, Shivy worked at JW Marriott Aerocity, New Delhi where he spearheaded the proactive sales team, driving exceptional results. He has also been a part of various operations teams during the course of his career. Shivy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality and Hotel Administration from the esteemed Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Chandigarh.

Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Shivy stated, "I am thrilled to join JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru as the Director of Sales. I am excited to work with the talented team here to elevate the hotel's sales strategies and drive growth. I look forward to contributing to the continued success of JW Marriott Bengaluru."

Outside of work, Shivy is an avid traveller with a special affinity for mountains.