Choice Hotels International has appointed Kriss Siess Simpson as Global Sales Manager – Sports Accounts, strengthening its Global Sales, Sports & Entertainment team. Based in Denver, Colorado, Simpson will lead efforts to expand the company’s presence in the sports travel segment by working closely with sports organisations, event planners and travel partners.
The appointment reflects Choice Hotels’ continued focus on the growing demand for sports-related travel and accommodation. With more than 15 years of experience spanning hospitality, sales and business development, Simpson joins the company with a strong background in hotel sales leadership and sports event partnerships.
To Drive Growth in the Sports Travel Segment
In her new role, Simpson will collaborate with sports teams, tournament organisers and travel planners to develop accommodation partnerships across Choice Hotels’ portfolio. She will focus on strengthening relationships within the sports industry while supporting group travel requirements for tournaments, championships and other sporting events.
Working as part of the company’s Global Sales, Sports & Entertainment division, she will help identify new business opportunities, enhance customer engagement and deliver tailored lodging solutions for sports-related travel across the Choice Hotels network.
Her appointment comes as sports tourism continues to grow globally, creating increased demand for flexible accommodation solutions for athletes, teams, officials and spectators.
Brings More Than 15 Years of Hospitality and Sales Experience
Simpson joins Choice Hotels from Hilton Fort Collins, where she most recently served as Director of Sales and Marketing. In the role, she led commercial strategy, sales initiatives and revenue growth while overseeing market development and customer engagement for the property.
Before joining Hilton Fort Collins, she was Lodging Director at Triple Crown Sports, managing accommodation partnerships for large-scale sporting events. The position provided extensive experience in coordinating lodging programmes, working with sports organisations and supporting travel logistics for major tournaments.
Earlier, Simpson held the position of Area Director of Sales and Marketing for Residence Inn by Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott, where she was responsible for driving sales performance, strengthening client relationships and supporting business development across multiple hotels.
Her professional journey also includes leadership roles at vNacelle Consulting and Biz Multiplier, where she focused on strategic planning, organisational development and business growth initiatives. She also served as Director of Market Development at Universal Communications, contributing to market expansion and client development strategies.
Earlier in her career, Simpson held a sales leadership role with Marriott International, concentrating on market strategy, sales growth and customer engagement. She began her professional career with positions at BellSouth and NBC News, building a diverse foundation in communications and business development.
Strengthening Choice Hotels’ Commercial Leadership
Simpson’s combination of hospitality sales expertise and sports event experience positions her well to support Choice Hotels’ continued expansion within the sports travel market. Her background in managing hotel sales, building strategic partnerships and coordinating accommodation programmes for sporting events aligns with the company’s objectives in this specialised segment.
As sports tourism continues to generate business for hotels across domestic and international markets, her appointment is expected to support Choice Hotels’ efforts to strengthen relationships with event organisers and provide accommodation solutions tailored to the needs of teams, athletes and sports travellers.
Supporting Continued Growth in Sports Hospitality
The appointment of Kriss Siess Simpson highlights Choice Hotels International’s continued investment in experienced commercial leadership as it expands its sports travel business. By combining hospitality sales expertise with hands-on experience in sports event accommodation, the company aims to strengthen its position in one of the industry’s growing market segments while delivering greater value to organisers, teams and travel partners.
