Media One's Sally Meech awarded Marketing/PR gong

Media One Hotel Dubai’s Sally Meech has been named Marketing and PR Person of the Year, sponsored by IFFCO and presented by its CEO – foodservice, Mat Baker at last night’s Hotelier Middle East Awards 2012 presented by Du.

Promoted to director of marketing communications this year, judges said: “Known for getting every last dollar out of her budget thanks to strong relationships with the media, Sally is a well-loved PR personality, respected for genuinely caring about her hotel, colleagues, Dubai tourism and a wealth of charitable projects.”

After receiving the award at the 1920s-themed event at Ritz-Carlton DIFC, Meech said: “I wasn’t expecting it. I have to say for this evening my biggest challenge – we want to win team of the year. So this is a bonus, but we are still holding out for the last award of the evening. Fingers crossed and everything else.

"I’ve been here a while – it was an honour for my team to put me forward. The other thing was I got such great recognition from the people I worked with before and I work with now – and I really appreciate what they’ve done for me."

Also highly commended in the category was Rezidor’s Klara Zakis, who greatly impressed the judges with her management of PR activities across the company’s 31 hotels.

The Hotelier Middle East Awards 2012 took place on October 31 set against a Roaring Twenties backdrop at Ritz-Calton DIFC, in Dubai.