The National Conference Center, the nation’s premiere learning and conference center located in Leesburg, VA has named Kevin Croke as Vice President Sales & Marketing. Geoff Lawson, VP & General Manager of The National made the announcement.

“The National is committed to providing the best in class learning environment dedicated to serving and supporting those organizations investing in learning and development,” said Lawson. “Kevin has a proven track record of results in sales leadership and operational excellence. We are confident that his experience and invaluable knowledge will be a great asset to our team.”

A Johnson & Wales alumni, and hospitality leader with more than two decades of experience, Croke was most recently General Manager of the Mayfair at Coconut Grove, FL. Before that he spent more than sixteen years as Director of Sales & Marketing for the infamous Roosevelt Hotel in New York City where he oversaw all aspects of the sales organization and led the marketing initiatives for the hotel. His success in positioning and branding independent hotels is of great value in advancing The National Conference Center as the nation’s leading learning and meeting center.

Kevin will oversee all aspects of sales and marketing for The National, including all agency, partner and community relations. As a member of the Executive Committee, Kevin will serve on The National’s Business Recovery & Preparedness team in supporting clients and associates through the COVID-19 crisis.

Building towards the recovery of the learning and development industry post COVID-19, The National Conference Center also has appointed Chuck Ocheltree to a newly created role as Strategic Alliance Officer.

“As Chief Marketing Officer of The National, Chuck has been highly engaged with our L&D clients and in this new role will lead the recovery plan for supporting and growing the L&D market through his ability to introduce new strategic initiatives addressing the changes and marketplace challenges, said ” said Geoff Lawson, VP. & General Manager. We are thrilled to have Chuck step into this new role.

“Given the current environment and the tremendous changes taking place within our meetings and learning industry, I am excited to highlight the resources and talent of The National and connect with clients valuing in- person learning and development. The coronavirus effectively forced organizations to pivot with swiftness and urgency to digital learning that will be a priority in the short term. Moving forward, face-to-face learning interaction will be more highly valued than ever before,” said Ocheltree.