Louisville Tourism Names New Director of Sales

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 25, 2023) – Louisville Tourism is pleased to announce Mariya Baker as the new Director of Sales within the Convention Development, effective July 12. She will take the reins as a leader in the department under the Sr. VP of Convention Development, overseeing a team of sales directors and managers in addition to growing Trade, Business and Commercial markets and maintaining TBC legacy accounts requiring 1201 peak hotel room nights and above.

Baker was most recently the Director of Meeting & Convention Sales with Explore Branson for five years where she was responsible for leading a team of sales professionals and driving economic impact to the Branson area through meetings and conventions.

Baker moved to the US from Ukraine in 2008 and began her hospitality career with Norwegian Cruise Line. She speaks multiple languages and has a Master of Arts in Linguistics and is also a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP). She serves on various Destinations International committees and is a board member of the Missouri Society of Association Executives (MSAE).

Additionally, Raelyn Cardwell has joined the Louisville Tourism Convention Development team in a Convention Sales Manager role. She works with groups requiring peak hotel room nights of 300 or less in various market segments. Cardwell started her hospitality career in operations until her promotion to Market Sales & Group Housing Coordinator for White Lodging at the Whiskey Row Hotel Collection. She continued to grow her experience with Commonwealth Hotels as the Director of Sales at the Holiday Inn Louisville Downtown and then General Manager for General Hospitality Service’s Candlewood Suites Louisville North/Clarksville. She is a graduate of Hanover College with a BA in Marketing and Political Science.

Louisville Tourism has also hired Emily Durham in the position of Convention Sales Assistant, supporting several of the department’s sales managers. Durham previously worked as an Area Administrative Assistant with AJS Hotels and was also a part-time employee at the Louisville Visitor Information Center. She has held various positions at the Omni Louisville and Embassy Suites Lexington. Durham earned her Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management and Tourism in the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky with a minor in Business Administration from the Gatton College of Business.

NOTE: If you require a headshot of any employees listed for editorial purposes, please contact Rosanne Mastin at rmastin@gotolouisville.com or 502.560.1480.