Convene Hospitality Group Appoints New CPTO
Convene Hospitality Group (CHG) has recently announced the appointment of Melanie Colton as Chief Product & Technology Officer (CPTO). This strategic move reinforces CHG's commitment to enhancing technology and operational excellence within its global hospitality brands. Colton steps into this pivotal role to lead the organization’s technology strategy, aligning operational systems with data-driven insights that aim to improve guest experiences.
Transforming Hospitality through Technology
In her new role as CPTO, Melanie Colton is set to oversee various critical functions, including technology, engineering, data analytics, and infrastructure management. One of her primary focuses will be to modernize the company's enterprise platform while exploring potential revenue streams through innovative technology applications. Specifically, she plans to integrate intelligent AI automation into CHG's hospitality operations, optimizing processes at every level.
Colton articulated her vision, stating, "At CHG, hospitality is woven into the fabric of our brand. We aim to eliminate friction and create remarkable experiences for our clients. Technology plays an essential role in this, serving as a fundamental element of the guest journey. Our goal is to deliver user-friendly tools that not only enhance revenue but also ensure the efficiency and sustainability of our digital infrastructure."
A Rich Background in Technology Leadership
Melanie Colton brings more than 25 years of profound experience in product and technology leadership to her new position. Before joining CHG, she served as the Chief Technology Officer at Axios Media, where she was instrumental in establishing the product, engineering, and data functions that powered the company’s editorial and commercial platforms. At Axios, she was recognized as an early adopter of AI technology in media workflows, demonstrating her forward-thinking approach to operational excellence. Her efforts also played a pivotal role in the company's significant $525 million acquisition by Cox Enterprises.
Ryan Simonetti, President and CEO of CHG, expressed excitement over her appointment: "Adding Melanie to our team enables us to innovate with unparalleled precision and encourages our staff to utilize data in creative ways. We eagerly anticipate her ideas on reimagining our digital interactions and enhancing the future of our meetings and events."
Throughout her extensive career, Colton has consistently translated technology investments into substantial commercial growth. She has established unified platform strategies for highly regarded names in the media sector and successfully balanced revenue generation with long-term operational management.
Colton holds a Master of Science from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland. She will be based at CHG’s headquarters in New York City, where she will spearhead the company’s technology and product initiatives.
About Convene Hospitality Group
Convene Hospitality Group is recognized as a premier leader in hospitality-driven destinations, operating a notable portfolio that features its well-known brands, including Convene and etc.venues. Known for being the largest provider of dedicated meeting and event spaces in both the U.S. and the UK, CHG brings over 45 years of experience in transforming conventional commercial real estate into high-value lifestyle assets across 38 locations worldwide. Supported by notable investors like Ares and Brookfield, the award-winning group is committed to crafting dynamic spaces and human-centric experiences that foster connections.
For more information about Convene Hospitality Group, visit
convenehospitality.com.