There are many good reasons to participate in industry events: connecting with a network of passionate, like-minded people; learning new skills and reafirming one's talents; dancing like its 1979, or '89 or '99, depending on your career's length.  And then, there's falling in love.  Matt Davis, Director of Sales at Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) meet his wife, Sara Davis, CMP, at MPI's World Education Conference in Toronto a few years ago.

It was natural for Matt to establish a career in the hospitality industry. Born in California, he lived in Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennesee and Utah: all because his father, Rick Davis's career with Fairmont Hotels brought him to these locations.  He attended high school in Salt Lake City and then college in California, studying psychology, with a special interest in neuroscience.  

His first job in the industry was parking cars at the Salt Lake City Marriott. In 2001, he worked in operations at the Ritz Carlton Aspen, with the idea of becoming a hotel general manager.  He indulged in his great love for skiing in Colorado, and eventually realized that a sales career appealed to him most.

Matt worked for NYC & Company for 5 years, and has been with ALHI for more than a year.  He's been a member of PCMA for more than 4 years, and serves as a key member on NYPCMA's Marketing & Communications Committee's Social Media Task Force.

Though he claims that his spare time is spent "helping my wife plan her meetings!", he skies and hikes whenever possible and would love to do both in Europe some day.  He and Sara have a greyhound named Bella, which they adopted once Bella was retired from the racetrack.

You can contact Matt at mdavis@alhi.com.