Caribbean Honors National Hotel Association Executives with Awards for Contributions to their Membership
The Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE) honored two national hotel association executive directors for their tireless efforts on behalf of their members and their destinations and the invaluable contributions and the role they play in the overall success of their local associations and the region-wide Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association.
Trudy Nixon, Executive Director of the Anguilla Hotel & Tourism Association, was awarded the 2008 Small Hotel Association Executive of the Year, and Clarisa Jimenez, President and CEO of the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association, was honored as the 2008 Large Association Executive of the Year
Trudy Nixon, Executive Director of the Anguilla Hotel & Tourism Association, came to the job three years ago and immediately immersed herself in the tasks of running the small local hotel association.
Prior to taking the position in Anguilla, Ms. Nixon was marketing communications consultant for a media house and a brand manager. She also had extensive association management experience working with the Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts Association (ABSA) which was a major U.K.-based charity.
Clarisa Jimenez, President and CEO of the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association (PRHTA), has headed the organization for the past four years. She came to the Association after working for 14 years for the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, including seven years in California and seven in Puerto Rico. She also spent more than eight years in a variety of marketing roles before accepting her position at PRHTA, which represents the interests of more than 550 corporate members.
As a strong advocate for the businesses that form part of Puerto Rico's tourism and hospitality industry, Ms. Jimenez has played a significant role in the outcome of many local government issues, pushing for legislation that moves the industry forward while helping prevent laws that would adversely impact it. She is fighting an additional room tax for San Juan hotels that has negatively affected hotels in the area.
