NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (February 13, 2008) -- Steve Ferran, general manager of the distinguished Omni Royal Orleans Hotel in the heart of The French Quarter, has announced the appointment of Danielle Plauché-Shaw as Director of Sales.

She joins the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel from the Chateau Sonesta Hotel New Orleans where she served as Director of Sales. Plauché-Shaw has been active in the New Orleans hospitality industry for many years including serving as Senior Convention Sales Manager for the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention Center and as Sales Manager for the Fairmont Hotel New Orleans and as Marketing Manager for the Sheraton Hotel New Orleans. A native of New Orleans, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and is active in hospitality industry organizations including MPI and serves on the Gulf State Chapter of VP of Membership---Retention and Recruitment.

Ben Picone, Jr. has also joined the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel as Omni Express Sales Manager. Picone previously served as Front Office Supervisor for the Loews Hotel and has also worked for Dixie Office Products and Annadele’s Plantation Bed & Breakfast and Restaurant.

About the Omni Royal Orleans

The Omni Royal Orleans, part of the Omni Hotels collection, is a 346 room historic hotel located in the heart of the French Quarter offering luxury accommodations including 15 well-appointed suites. Every room boasts views of courtyards lush with tropical greenery, or Jackson Square, the Mississippi River or French Quarter rooftops. Amenities include two-line telephone with voice mail, goose down-filled pillows, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, individual climate control, mini bars with gourmet snacks and beverages and free wireless internet. Complimentary newspapers arrive via gracious room service attendants, available 24 hours. Gift, beauty and barber shops are all within the hotel, as is a full-service business center. In addition, experienced concierges are eager to attend to every detail. The hotel’s fabled restaurant, The Rib Room…Rotisserie Extraordinaire, has been a favorite of locals and visitors since it opened in 1960. For more information please visit our website at www.omniroyalorleans.com