Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Celebrates Key Group Sales Promotions and New Appointment to Support National Growth

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 29, 2026--

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is proud to announce several recent promotions and additions within its Group Sales department as the brand continues building momentum in strategic markets and accelerating national growth heading into 2026.

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As Kalahari continues expanding its National Sales Organization, these leadership updates reflect the brand’s ongoing investment in talent and infrastructure to support its group, meetings, and convention business nationwide, including continued anticipation around the company’s fifth resort in Spotsylvania, Virginia.

Lilly Mitchell has been promoted to National Sales Director, taking on an expanded role supporting Kalahari’s strategic growth throughout the greater D.C. region. Lilly will continue to focus on Spotsylvania while promoting the Kalahari brand nationally with key association partners.

In addition, Kalahari is pleased to welcome Jeannie Green as Director of Sales for Virginia. Jeannie brings extensive leadership and sales background to the organization, most recently serving with JW Marriott Las Vegas, and previously holding roles with the Kessler Collection.

Rounding out the team’s recent updates, Ximena Vera joins Kalahari’s National Sales Organization as Special Projects Manager, based in Wisconsin Dells. In this role, Ximena will serve as a key partner behind the scenes, helping execute strategic initiatives and support sales teams across the brand. Known for her expertise in data and performance insights, she will help drive efficiencies that strengthen collaboration and greater impact across the organization.

“These leadership updates reflect the strength of our team and our continued commitment to investing in the people, systems, and strategy needed to support our growing group business,” said Gino Marasco, Vice President of Sales for Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. “As we continue expanding our national sales presence, we’re excited to celebrate Lilly’s promotion, welcome Jeannie to Virginia, and bring Ximena’s expertise into a role that will help our teams work smarter and move faster.”

Kalahari’s group sales growth continues to play a key role in advancing the brand’s all-under-one-roof meetings experience - offering planners flexible convention space, seamless onsite amenities, and an unmatched guest experience for groups of all sizes.

For more information on Kalahari Resorts & Conventions group business, visit https://www.kalaharimeetings.com.

ABOUT KALAHARI RESORTS & CONVENTIONS

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, founded by Todd and Shari Nelson, is home to America’s Largest Indoor Waterparks, and offers an unmatched mix of all-under-one-roof experiences for families, vacationers, and meeting attendees. With locations in Wisconsin Dells, WI; Sandusky, OH; Pocono Mountains, PA; Round Rock, TX; and a new resort opening in 2026 in Spotsylvania, VA, each property draws inspiration from the rich culture and vibrant landscapes of Africa. Recognized by USA Today’s 10Best for Best Indoor Water Park and Best VR Water Slide, Kalahari continues to set the standard for family entertainment and hospitality. Across its growing collection of resorts, guests can expect well-appointed accommodations, signature dining, unique retail, expansive indoor and outdoor waterparks, immersive adventure parks, and state-of-the-art convention centers. Coming in 2026, Kalahari is introducing its Adventure Collection, a suite of premium lodging options. Select locations also feature full-service spas and wellness destinations, creating the ultimate all-in-one getaway. For the latest news and media resources, visit kalaharimedia.com.

Ximena Vera, Special Projects Manager, pictured here. Photo courtesy of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions.

Jeannie Green, Director of Sales for Virginia, pictured here. Photo courtesy of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions.

Lilly Mitchell, National Sales Director, pictured here. Photo courtesy of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said Thursday that immigration officials have ceased their "enhanced operations” in the state, the site of an enforcement surge and more than 200 arrests since last week.

Collins, a Republican, made the announcement after saying she had several direct communications with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

“There are currently no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations here,” Collins said in a statement. “I have been urging Secretary Noem and others in the Administration to get ICE to reconsider its approach to immigration enforcement in the state."

The announcement came after President Donald Trump seemed to signal a willingness to ease tensions in Minneapolis after a second deadly shooting by federal immigration agents.

Collins said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and border patrol officials “will continue their normal operations that have been ongoing here for many years.”

Her announcement came more than a week after immigration officers began an operation dubbed “Catch of the Day” by ICE. Federal officials said about 50 arrests were made the first day and that roughly 1,400 people were operational targets in the mostly rural state of 1.4 million residents, 4% of whom are foreign-born.

By late last week, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin touted that some of the arrests were of people “convicted of horrific crimes including aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child." Yet court records painted a slightly different story, revealing that while some were violent felons, others were detainees with unresolved immigration proceedings or who were arrested but never convicted of a crime.

Collins, a veteran senator, is up for reelection this year. Unlike a handful of Republican senators facing potentially tough campaigns, Collins has not called for Noem to step down or be fired. She's also avoided criticizing ICE tactics, other than to say that people who are in the country legally should not be the target of ICE investigations.

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, who announced her Senate candidacy in October and could possibly face Collins in the general election, has challenged immigration officials to provide judicial warrants, real-time arrest numbers and basic information about who is being detained in Maine. She also called on Collins to act after the House’s GOP majority defeated efforts by Democrats to curtail ICE funding.

Mills' office did not immediately respond to an Associated Press email seeking comment from the governor on Collins' announcement.

Meanwhile, first-time Democratic candidate Graham Platner — who is running against Mills in the primary — has criticized both Mills' and Collins' handling of ICE and has demanded the agency be dismantled. On Thursday, Platner organized a protest outside of Collins' office in Portland, Maine, where dozens of supporters held signs and sang along with him.

Platner said he would host a separate protest later outside Collins' office in Bangor, Maine.

Kruesi reported from Providence, Rhode Island.

Anti-ICE sentiment is expressed on a traffic sign, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Biddeford, Maine.(AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

FILE - Protesters rally against the presence of U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement in Maine, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

FILE - Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, departs the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, on July 24, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)