WHO WE ARE
DENISE ELY, PRINCIPAL
My career has been dedicated to the Hospitality and Travel industry. It started with over 10 years in hotel management/sales and continues to this day with Southwest Host Services.
After marrying my husband, and having our first of two daughters, I joined the Southwest Host Services Team in 2007. I was familiar with the company after partnering with them as a preferred hotel for their teams. I have truly enjoyed my role as a team travel specialist and cultivating long lasting relationships with my coaches and hotel partners.
In 2020 I was asked to lead Southwest Host Services and wow what a year it was! Moving forward, as always since 1996, the Southwest Host team will continue to provide our clients with extraordinary personalized service and creative travel solutions to help save you time and money. We are excited to assist you with your Team Travel and Recruiting as you get back on the road.
My husband, two daughters and two cats have settled in Portland, Oregon and Southwest Host Services has been a key partner in our journey.
LISA DIXON, TEAM TRAVEL SPECIALIST
I have been part of Southwest Host Services team for nearly 20 years now, starting with the company in 2002 after a career in hotel sales & management. Linda Hitchins and I joined forces as business partners for eight years, then I operated as sole proprietor for another 10 years. Happily, I’m continuing to work with the company for my clients with Denise Ely serving as our new Principal. It’s a privilege to still be part of Southwest Host Services and work with so many outstanding associates and for such awesome coach clients. I’m proud of the work we do.
A lot has changed since 2002! My husband and I have moved back to Texas to be closer our family. Jason and I will continue to play as much golf as possible and enjoy our kids and their families. Life marches on!
CONNIE DAVIS, TRAVEL TEAM SPECIALIST
I have lived in the great state of Louisiana my entire life. I joined Southwest Host Services in 2004 after many years in the hospitality business. I love what I do and the relationships developed with my teams and the hotel representatives.
I live in Ruston with my husband Mike. We have two children, Zach, a ULM graduate, and Kelsey who attends University of Louisiana Monroe. We enjoy fishing, gathering with friends, watching college football and cruising. We are active in our community and our church. I am a graduate of Louisiana Tech University way back in the stone age.
ROBIN PALOMA, TEAM TRAVEL SPECIALIST
Before joining Southwest Host Services, my past work lives were mostly spent in the hospitality industry from Catering at a beautiful winery to Sales and Marketing at a convention hotel. While I enjoyed those I have truly found my career working as a Team Travel Specialist at Southwest Host the most gratifying.
My husband and I live in Tracy CA with our pets. Our two children are wonderful adults living their own lives, so we are enjoying the empty nest stage of our life. Grandchildren are a delight and fill our hearts with joy. In our spare time we explore the wonderful wine regions near us and cooking delicious food to serve with those wines. Cheers!
SHANNA HALL, TEAM TRAVEL SPECIALIST
I have a varied business administration background that always required my strong interpersonal skills. My favorite past work included event and meeting planning, which I now use everyday as a Team Travel Specialist with Southwest Host Services.
I live in Tomball TX with my husband and two boys. I enjoy church, hanging out with friends and watching my boys play sports.
DON BINKLEY, TEAM TRAVEL SPECIALIST & RECRUITING COORDINATOR
Since a child I was immersed in sports, going on to play high school football, basketball, and baseball, along with three years of collegiate baseball.
I was privileged to go on to coach those sports for ten years at the high school level. I have an extensive background of 30 plus years in sales and management with the last 8 years in sports sales in a hotel environment. I truly enjoy exceeding my clients expectations in planning their sports team travel.