Chris Adkins is the Director of Sales & Marketing for the JW Marriott and the Tampa Marriott Water Street hotels. With his team of 25, his is responsible for the direct sales efforts against group, leisure, local catering business as well the marketing of the combined 1,246 guest rooms, 150,000 square of meeting space, ten food & beverage outlets and full service SPA.

Chris has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry (all in Sales & Marketing with the exception of one year as a General Manager). He has spent the last 23 years with Marriott International working at four different brands including Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance and Ritz-Carlton. He started his Marriott career in 2001 as the opening Director of Sales at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota which eventually led him to downtown Tampa in 2015 when he joined the Tampa Marriott Water Street and eventually assuming responsibility for the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street as well.

During that period, he was part of the leadership teams that helped the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota acquire Five-Diamond status (the first in Tampa Bay), and the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street to receive the status of number one JW Marriott hotel in North America for Guest Satisfaction.

Chris has an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Spanish from Stetson University as well as an MBA from USF. Other fun facts - he taught English as a Second Language for several years while residing in Spain, before returning to Florida where he got into the hospitality industry. He resides in Manatee County with his wife, Shelly and has four adult children that reside throughout the Bay area. Originally from Tennessee, he is a huge college sports fan, enjoys all outdoor sports and spending time with family and friends.