NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans' first dual-branded SpringHill and TownePlace Suites with a rooftop bar opening in February 2018 at 1600 Canal Street has announced a new addition to its leadership team. New Orleans native Jiarra Jackson has been selected amongst a group of more than 100 applicants as the hotel's Director of Sales, bringing with her more than a decade of experience in hospitality and real estate.
After receiving her dual Bachelor's of Science in Business Management and Business Administration from the University of New Orleans, Jackson went on to obtain her Master's of Science in Hospitality, Tourism and Business Management and a certification in Executive Leadership from Roosevelt University in Chicago.
While in Chicago, Jackson became Central Northwest Regional Sales Manager, representing 166 combinations of full service and select service Marriott brand hotels within the Midwest. She was awarded the Chairman's Circle of Commendation Award, which recognizes people and groups who have made a significant impact to the benefit of consumers, and SFAWeb SME of the Year.
Over the course of her career, Jackson has worked in hospitality markets around the country including Denver, CO, St. Louis, MO, Oakland, CA, and Rockford, NJ, to name a few. She brings a diverse skill set and knowledge of national sales trends to the growing team at SpringHill and TownePlace Suites on Canal.
Following Hurricane Katrina, Jackson saw the devastation of New Orleans and decided to move back and do her part to help the city rebuild. A product of St. Mary's Dominican High School and Boys Hope Girls Hope (BHGH) of Greater New Orleans, Jackson has always felt very tied to the New Orleans community. She served as a national BHGH board member where she advocated for local youth to rise above their circumstances and create successful futures for themselves. Now the mother of young twins, she remains active in the area, through BHGH and other nonprofits.
"I am incredibly excited and humbled to be part of such an amazing team that cares about giving back to the community in the same way I always have," said Jackson. "Aside from its community service initiatives, this one-of-a-kind hotel represents a significant step in the redevelopment of Canal Street, and as a born-and-raised New Orleanian, I'm so proud to be a part of that. I can't wait for the public to come and see our new space and feel that same sense of pride while experiencing all our great city has to offer."
To view renderings of hotel rooms, lobby, bar and rooftop areas, click here.
