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Ericka Aviles is a dynamic and passionate leader and connector in the Las Vegas community. Her ongoing curiosity and zest to learn, grow and support her community both personally and professionally led her to form her own small business, Ericka Aviles Consulting LLC.
Her company’s main focus is connecting and engaging local private/public organizations and agencies with the Southern Nevada community; with an emphasis on the Hispanic community. Via sales, partnership, marketing, public relations and public outreach initiatives, Ericka works one on one with her clients on developing strategic plans, supporting and expanding current initiatives and offering a fresh set of eyes and new ideas.
In 2016, Ericka also founded the #LatinasinPower group which has organically grown to 200 Latinas from the Las Vegas valley. LIP is a network and women’s empowerment group of strong, beautiful and confident Latinas who lift and support one another while doing awesome work in and for the Las Vegas community.
Ericka spent spent seven years at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) before starting her consulting business. On the international, convention and public affairs teams, she helped develop, promote and grow the Las Vegas brand and drive visitation by establishing Las Vegas as the ideal place for both leisure and business travelers. Prior to the LVCVA, she held several positions within MGM Resorts International.
Born in El Salvador, Ericka was the first in her family to graduate from high school and college. Ericka is a graduate of the UNLV William F. Harrah College as well as a graduate of the Las Vegas Metro Chamber’s Leadership Las Vegas Class of 2015 program.
She has also previously served on the board for the Latin Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Group as well as the UNLV Hotel College Alumni Board. Some of her other recognitions include being awarded the Rising Star Award by the Las Vegas Hospitality Association (LVHA) in 2014, along with a 2015 nomination by the Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) as a Woman of Distinction. She was also recognized by El Tiempo Newspaper as a Hispano Destacado (Distinguished Hispanic) in the Las Vegas community.
In her free time Ericka enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, as well as working out, listening to podcasts/audio books and tweeting.
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Colleen Birch is the Senior Vice President of Revenue Optimization for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, where she oversees strategic planning for the resort’s pricing and optimization efforts. She joined the resort in 2009, playing an instrumental role in its 2010 opening. Under her leadership and guidance, The Cosmopolitan has continued to outpace the market and its competitive set in all major metrics, including occupancy, average daily rate and revenue per available room. An active force among multiple departments, Birch partners with teams throughout the resort to promote the concept of flexible pricing as well as price testing. Additionally, Birch leads the Customer Relationship Management team, creating strategic offers for the resort’s Identity Membership & Rewards members.
Due to her diligent work ethic, loyalty to her teams and commitment to industry excellence, Birch has been recognized as one of Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International’s ” Revenue Management Professionals of the Year” in 2015 as well as one of HSMAI’s “Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing and Revenue Optimization” in 2016. In 2018, Birch was named a, “Woman to Watch” by Vegas Inc. Most recently in 2019, UNLV’s Harrah College of Hospitality awarded Birch with “Alumna of the Year.”
Outside of her daily professional regimen, Birch is actively involved in the community. She supports a number of nonprofit organizations and holds the role of immediate past Chairwoman for Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, a program that provides a series of business, economic and life skills programs to enhance the education of young people.
Birch holds a degree in hotel administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She gives back to the alma mater that means so much to her by participating in the UNLV Mentor Program, returning to campus regularly to speak to junior and senior level classes about her experience. She also serves as a mentor within the resort, offering insight into the industry she’s built her life around. Above all, she is a proud mother to two blossoming children, Gavin and Lily.
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