Meetings executive and industry thought leader Michael Dominguez has been named president and chief executive officer of Orlando-based Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI). Dominguez, who has served as senior vice president and chief sales officer for MGM Resorts since 2015, replaces Josh Lesnick, who left ALHI earlier this year to pursue other opportunities.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to lead the top global sales organization in the luxury market,” Dominguez said. “ALHI’s collection of member hotels, which includes MGM Resorts and Loews Hotels as well as some of the world’s most iconic hotels and resorts, is unmatched in its diversity and quality. I look forward to the opportunity not only to ensure that ALHI remains a leader in the luxury market but also to help shape the meeting and event industry as a whole.”
He is a voracious advocate for the meeting industry with extensive knowledge and insight on topics and trends.
“Michael is highly respected and actively involved in leadership roles in our meeting and event industry. He is the ideal person for this position, with the right experience and industry network to lead our organization to new heights as we continue to focus on serving our distinguished members and valued customers,” said Bill Dyer, board chair of the Board of Associated Luxury Hotels, the parent company of ALHI.
Dominguez was chair of the International Board of Directors for MPI from 2013-14, and was immediate past chair the following year. He served on the board for six years prior and received the association’s first Industry Leadership Award in 2015.
Dominguez has served as co-chair of the Meetings Mean Business Coalition and on the executive committee of the U.S. Travel Association. He is currently on the board of directors for the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).
Prior to joining MGM, Dominguez worked as vice president for global sales at Loews Hotels for seven years and previously worked for the Palm Springs visitor’s association and Hyatt Hotels.
He is a native of San Antonio, Texas, earning his business degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio and a business management degree at the University of Texas.
Lesnick, a 30-plus-year hospitality industry veteran, spent just over two years with ALHI. Under his tenure, the company launched its Wow Experiences initiative, a series of events that brought clients and member hotels together in Atlanta, Boston, Denver and Los Angeles, and grew its membership base both domestically and internationally.
“Josh Lesnick, CEO and president of ALHI, has decided to pursue new opportunities that are more in line with his background and skill set,” Dyer said in April. “With the support of our board, this mutually agreed-upon decision resulted from the strategic sale of WorldHotels, making ALHI 100 percent focused on the Luxury MICE segment. We thank Josh for his outstanding service during his tenure and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
ALHI’s worldwide portfolio includes a collection of more than 600 luxury hotels and resorts, cruise ships, destination management companies and travel partners.
