Melissa Stricker

Bio:

Melissa Stricker is a seasoned hospitality professional with over 26 years of experience spanning nearly every facet of hotel operations, sales and marketing. Currently serving as General Manager of an award-winning Fairfield property, she brings a deep understanding of revenue management, marketing strategy, and team development to her leadership role. Her approach is hands-on and people-centered, grounded in the belief that doing what matters most—consistently and with purpose—is what sets great hotels apart.

Melissa holds a Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and a Master’s degree from West Virginia University. She is actively engaged in industry leadership, serving as Marriott International Business Council - West Virginia chair and as a member of the Marriott General Manager Advisory Council. She was also recognized as one of Marriott’s Diamond GMs of the Year for its MSB portfolio and awarded the Charleston WV CVB's "Team Charleston" recognition for her work to promote the area. In 2024, she was nominated for the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s General Manager of the Year award.

Her professional interests include mentoring emerging talent, driving innovation in hotel operations, and exploring the practical applications of AI across the hospitality landscape. Melissa focuses on the day-to-day realities of integrating AI and stream-lining processes into hotel workflows—from front desk operations and housekeeping optimization to revenue strategy and guest engagement—offering insights grounded in real-world experience and operational nuance.