M&R Welcomes David Chu as Vice President of Sales and Marketing
David Chu, M&R’s new vice president of sales and marketing, is a sales, marketing and operations veteran with over three decades of global hospitality industry experience and a proven track record in branding, digital e-commerce and social media strategies for independent and branded hotels.
David is no stranger to opening and repositioning hotels and training cross-functional teams. His career spans three continents and numerous leadership roles across some of the world’s most iconic hotel brands including Hilton, IHG, Marriott and Starwood.
Most recently, he was senior vice president of sales and marketing for the LAM Group and corporate vice president of sales and marketing for Real Hospitality Group in New York. In those positions, he oversaw the top-line strategy for nearly 60 hotels, liaising with 10 brand vice presidents and various ownership groups.
David’s story is a testament to resilience, hard work and ambition. Born in Hong Kong, he and his family immigrated to the United States when he was just one year old, settling in New York’s Lower East Side. His eventual entry into the hospitality industry involved a series of unexpected turns that ultimately led him to a remarkable career.
“I stumbled across the industry and went to hotel and restaurant management school,” he said, initially believing that his path would revolve around food and beverage services. He and some friends launched a catering business but soon realized it wasn't the right fit. This prompted him to seek new opportunities and apply for a position at JTB, a Japanese travel company. This role focused on tour packages from the U.S. to Japan, Hong Kong and China that later proved to be a pivotal moment in his career.
Traveling overseas introduced David to the vibrant world of hotels, exposing him to the inner workings of hotels across Asia and beyond. The excitement of hotel life captivated his imagination, and he quickly decided he wanted to work within a dynamic hotel environment, rather than behind a desk.
His official step into hospitality was in 1984 with French hospitality company, Accor S.A., where he started as a junior reservationist. Within a year, his talents propelled him into a sales role, eventually becoming national sales manager for Accor’s Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure and Ibis brands in France, Belgium, Holland, French Polynesia and West Africa. He served in that role for nearly a decade and as a liaison to the French government tourist office. His role led to extensive travels across the French West Indies and Europe — a glamorous, jet-setting lifestyle that further fueled his passion for the industry.
In 1991 David joined Stouffer Hotels, where he gained invaluable insight into hotel operations on an international scale. He subsequently held marketing and operational roles with Hilton, IHG, Marriott and Starwood. Notably, he oversaw a multimillion-dollar renovation of Starwood’s Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel in Weehawken, New Jersey, which he served as general manager. He also spent five years with Japanese hotel chain ANA Hotels & Resorts, a division of All Nippon Airways, as a New York City-based regional director of sales for seven hotels across the globe.
His later roles as cluster director of sales for the InterContinental New York Barclay, InterContinental Central Park South New York and Crowne Plaza at the United Nations in New York further honed his strategic skills and client relationships.
David’s championed the launch of YOTEL New York Times Square, the company’s first full-service hotel in the city, where he helped craft the hotel’s unique service concept and culture. In 2003 he joined Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants as an executive committee member and opened 70 Park Avenue Hotel – Kimpton’s first hotel in New York.
As he dives into his new role at M&R, David said he is determined to “elevate the company’s visibility in the marketplace.” Recognizing that employees “play a crucial role in shaping the future of the company,” he said he is eager to hear everyone’s ideas and encourage collaboration across all levels of the organization to ensure “every voice is heard” and employees feel empowered to contribute to M&R’s evolution and success.
“I am very excited to have the opportunity to help build our future vision,” he said. “I welcome everyone's ideas and candid conversation, working together to make us far stronger as a unit than as individuals.”
