Starwood Names New Regional Communication Director

Stephanie Dowling has been named Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ Hawai’i Regional Director of Communications.

In her role, Dowling will lead the public relations team and in-house advertising agency for Starwood’s 11 properties throughout Hawai’i. Starwood’s integrated approach to marketing and communications will be further enhanced through this move.

“Stephanie is a proven leader with nearly 10 years at Starwood. Since joining our Hawai’i Regional team, Stephanie has elevated our public relations program to a more strategic approach. With her extensive background in both public relations and advertising, this is a natural decision and will be a smooth transition,” said Harris Chan, Starwood Hotels & Resorts vice president of operations for Hawai’i and French Polynesia.

In evolving its approach to business, Starwood Hotels & Resorts for the past two years has been transitioning its advertising from an external advertising agency to an in-house agency. Through the restructuring, public relations and advertising will be grouped into one communications area. This will aid in the efforts of the hospitality leader to integrate its approach to marketing.

Dowling comes into the role with 20 years of experience in communications, public relations, and marketing. She began her career in London, England as a public relations representative for the Asian British Bank.

Notable events in Dowling’s career include two National Emmy Award nominations for her work as a senior researcher and field producer with “NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw” and her management and direction of public relations and marketing for Tommy Hilfiger-USA, GoDaddy, The Fresh Air Fund, and The Art Institute of Pheonix.

In August 2006, Dowling began her work at Starwood Hotels as director of public relations and marketing for The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Arizona. She was named regional director of public relations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Hawai’i in September 2013.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts operates 11 properties on four islands, including the Sheraton Kona located on the Big Island.