Hosts Global, a destination management company (DMC) with owned operations across North America and a global alliance spanning more than 450 destinations, has announced the appointment of Marti Winer as Chief Executive Officer, effective from 1 September 2026. She succeeds Kurt Paben, who will become Vice Chair of the Board before retiring at the end of 2026.
This planned transition reflects a strategy of continuity for the Las Vegas-based company, as the destination management companies sector continues to consolidate internationally. Hosts Global has emphasised its commitment to strengthening the client experience, creative partnerships and team development.
Hosts Global at a glance
Full-service destination management company (DMC), headquartered in Las Vegas, USA
Owned operations across North America, within a global alliance of award-winning members in more than 450 destinations
Positioning: local expertise, international consistency and a single point of contact for meetings, events and incentive programmes of any scale
Brand signature: “Legendary, Delivered”
Leadership: Marti Winer, Chief Executive Officer from 1 September 2026; Kurt Paben, Vice Chair of the Board
A career built across events and destination hospitality
Marti Winer most recently served as Senior Vice President and Regional Manager of Hosts West, which she joined in 2025. She quickly established herself as a trusted leader within the organisation.
Before joining Hosts Global, she led the reopening of Casa Bonita in Colorado and served as Vice President of Event Productions at MGM Resorts International, where she oversaw more than 2,200 events a year and helped shape some of Las Vegas’s most iconic productions. Earlier leadership roles, including at Wyndham Worldwide, further strengthened her expertise in operations, finance and customer service.
Marti Winer brings more than twenty years of leadership experience in destination management, hospitality, experiential marketing and live events.
A board that hails a strategic vision
Frank Andrews, Chairman of Hosts Global, said he has complete confidence that Marti Winer is the right leader for the company’s next chapter. He noted that she brings a rare combination of strategic vision, operational discipline, creativity and deep industry experience, while leading with humility and curiosity.
Marti Winer, for her part, said that Hosts Global is uniquely positioned for the future thanks to the talent, trusted partnerships and collaborative culture that have defined the organisation for decades. She added that the industry’s greatest opportunity lies in continuing to learn, embrace new ideas and create further value for clients and alliance partners.
Kurt Paben, a smooth exit after the post-pandemic recovery
Kurt Paben said the goal of the succession process was not simply to find someone capable of maintaining the company’s momentum, but to accelerate it. He praised Marti Winer’s experience, judgement and vision as the qualities needed to take Hosts Global into its next phase.
Frank Andrews also noted that Kurt Paben took the helm of the company at one of the most critical moments in the industry’s history, as travel and live events emerged from the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. Under his leadership, Hosts Global not only recovered its previous level of activity but emerged stronger, according to statements reported in the company’s announcement.
A global alliance serving MICE professionals
Hosts Global counts award-winning members in more than 450 destinations worldwide, offering clients local expertise, international consistency and a single point of contact for organising meetings, events and incentive programmes of any scale. This positioning reflects a broader wave of governance renewal seen across several major players in North American hospitality and events.
The transition between Kurt Paben and Marti Winer will unfold over several months, with the two leaders working together ahead of the new CEO’s official start date on 1 September 2026, and continuing until Kurt Paben’s retirement at the end of the year.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Hosts Global names Marti Winer as new CEO, effective September 1, 2026
Marti Winer succeeds Kurt Paben, who becomes Vice Chair before retiring at the end of 2026
Winer joined Hosts Global in 2025 as SVP and Regional Manager of Hosts West
Previous roles include leading the reopening of Casa Bonita and VP of Event Productions at MGM Resorts International, overseeing 2,200+ annual events
Hosts Global operates owned locations across North America within a global alliance of 450+ destinations
Transition designed to support continued growth following the post-pandemic recovery led by Paben
