Host Committee

Mark Spadoni
Managing Director
Co-Chair, Host Committee, 2024 Historic Hotels Annual Conference

Managing Director Mark Spadoni is a highly regarded luxury resort executive known for leading his teams to earn top accolades from AAA, Conde Nast Traveler, Golfweek and other highly regarded organizations. Over the past three years, he established the Virginia Wine Experience and signature events such as Vintage Weekend and the Epicurean Classic. Prior to joining The Homestead, Spadoni served as the general manager for the AAA Four-Diamond Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa and Club at Savannah Harbor for more than 20 years. A dedicated community leader, Spadoni is widely recognized for creating the Savannah Harbor Foundation, a 501(c)3 known for its family-friendly events and support of children’s charities. He is also the co-founder and advisory board member of the Savannah VOICE Festival, bringing opera, musical theatre, master classes and workshops and serving artists and patrons locally and globally. In March 2020, Spadoni received the Savannah Tourism Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming only the third recipient in the organization’s 22-year history. Additionally, he has served on the board of directors for the Savannah Convention Center, Savannah Tourism Council, Visit Savannah (CVB) and Savannah Chamber of Commerce.

Another highlight of Spadoni’s career was in 2018, when he was presented with the Marriott International Mustang Award for the North America Eastern Region. In 2016, Spadoni received the Starwood Hotels and Resorts General Manager/Chief Sales Officer Award, which was presented annually to one general manager in North America for extraordinary contributions by partnering with constituent groups and innovating to driving top-line revenues. The Tourism Leadership Council honored him with the Herb & Franklin Traub Visionary Award in 2016 for his numerous efforts to enhance and improve the Savannah community through creative and strategic initiatives. Spadoni also received the John P. Rousakis Community Champion Award which is awarded to an individual who initiates projects to enhance the city and strongly supports and actively promotes tourism in the area.

Earlier in his career, Spadoni served as the general manager for Westin properties in Hilton Head, S.C.; Stamford, Conn.; New York, N.Y.; New Orleans, La.; and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Spadoni also held leadership roles at the Westin (now Omni) William Penn in Pittsburgh, Penn., and the Westin Kauai, Kauai Lagoons, Lihue, Hawaii. He began his hospitality career at the Westin Seattle, following his graduation from Washington State University’s School of Hospitality Business Management.

John Hess
Director, Sales & Marketing
Co-Chair, Host Committee, 2024 Historic Hotels Annual Conference

John Hess is the resort’s director of sales and marketing, leading the catering and convention service, marketing and communications, group sales, revenue management and resort membership departments. At The Homestead, John has been active in the local community and has served as president and treasurer of the Bath County Chamber of Commerce. He is also involved with Virginia Tourism and the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association. Hess has more than 25 years of operations, sales, marketing and multi-property leadership experience. Before coming to The Homestead, he was the director of sales and marketing at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort where he stabilized team turnover, improved associate engagement scores and increased group sales revenues. Hess has also worked at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Wintergreen Resort and Omni Richmond Hotel after receiving a master’s in business administration from the University of Richmond.

Lynn Swan
Director of Marketing Communications
Host Committee, 2024 Historic Hotels Annual Conference

Lynn Swann, director of marketing and communications, has more than 25 years of experience in marketing and public relations for two of America’s most iconic resorts. Earlier this year, she was recognized as the 2023 Marketing Leader of the Year for Omni Hotels and Resorts. Lynn is the creator and executive producer of the resort’s podcast, Beyond the Tower, which won a silver anvil award for digital marketing, multimedia series from HSMAI. Prior to joining The Homestead, she served as manager and later director of public relations for The Greenbrier where her efforts on the reopening of the bunker earned a platinum anvil award for public relations from HSMAI.

2024 Host Committee