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2025 NACD Annual Meeting

Join us in Grand Cayman for the NACD Annual Meeting celebrating 100 Years!

Monday, May 19, 2025 to Thursday, May 22, 2025

NACD's 2025 Annual Convention will take place at the The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, May 19–22, 2025.

For details on the schedule and optional tours, please click the tabs above. To reserve your room, use the link below.

Reserve your room here


THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!


We would love to have you as a sponsor!  Please view the sponsorship menu  here

Reach out to info@nacd.net to secure your sponsorship.


Agenda

May 19
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM Board of Directors Meeting
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM IAC Meeting
6:00 PM - 6:30 PM First Time Attendees Reception
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Welcome Reception and Dinner
May 20
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Breakfast
7:00 AM - 7:30 AM Henry Hoffman Memorial Scholarship Board Breakfast
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM General Session
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Speed Networking
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM - 5:30 PM Deep Sea Fishing Optional Excursion
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Pickle Ball Tournament
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Reception and Dinner on the Beach
May 21
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM General Session
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Speed Networking
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Member Meeting
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Benchmarking Meeting
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Group Off-Site Dinner
May 22
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM Golf Tournament to benefit HHMSF
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM Sting Ray City Excursion
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Packaging Awards Reception
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Packaging Awards
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Gala Dinner
9:30 PM Afterglow

2025 Annual Meeting Speaker Bios


Connie Podesta
Life Would Be Easy If It Weren't For Other People

Imagine what you could accomplish if you could decode the mystery of human behavior and truly understand what makes people do what they do and say what they say (including yourself!). Research shows that the #1 key to SUCCESS in any industry or organization is the ability to get along with other people, personally and professionally. Now that's something to really think about, right? That means with a deeper understanding of human behavior you could lead better. Communicate better. Sell better. Parent better. Live better. Negotiate better. The list goes on and on.

With laugh-out-loud humor, killer take-away strategies, powerful pops of psychology and her amazing insights into others (including a few who "drive you crazy"). Connie Podesta, an Expert in the Psychology of Human Behavior, will take you right inside the minds and personalities of the people you connect with every day both at work and home — bosses, colleagues, partners, customers, significant others, friends, and family -- so YOU can ACT, rather than REACT to whatever situations or people throw your way. In other words, you'll be able to read between the lines – making navigating conversations and negotiating your needs a thousand times easier. Want the secret communication insights and rare psychological know-how to build, maintain and grow your relationships and business to a whole new level? Then this is totally the session for you!

Aron Ralston

Aron Ralston's extraordinary story of survival after an 800-pound boulder trapped him in a remote Utah canyon captured global headlines in 2003. In his New York Times best seller, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, the Oscar-nominated film, 127 Hours, and on stage, Ralston takes audiences vicariously through those six days without water, means of communication, or hope of escape, to the ecstatic moments when he freed himself by severing his own arm.

The Courts at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

Pickle Ball Tournament

Tuesday, May 20
2:00pm-5:00pm

Join us for the Pickle Ball Tournament, a competitive event offering a fun and social atmosphere for players to test their abilities against others.


Deep Sea Fishing

Tuesday, May 20
1:00pm-5:00pm

In Grand Cayman, fishing is a year-round activity for all types of fish. A boat will be privately chartered for groups of 6 or less anglers who will enjoy Cayman’s warm and well populated waters. The allure of going Deep Sea Fishing is you never know what might come up at the end of your line. Some of the more common native fish to the Cayman waters are Tuna, Wahoo,and Mahi-Mahi, who will all put up the exhilarating sport fishing fight that all anglers are looking for. Transportation to and from the boat is provided.


Stingray City Sandbar Tour

Thursday, May 22
9:00am-1:00pm

Stingray City Sandbar is a shallow sandbar, just 3-4 feet deep, in the middle of the North Sound. Legend has it, that fishermen used to gut their catch on the sandbar before heading in-land. With dish heads aplenty, the sandbar soon became the ideal feeding ground for the native Stingrays .These Southern Rays are very friendly and playful,. Guests will enjoy being able to touch, hold and kiss these stingrays and will create lasting memories by participating in this unique experience. Transportation to and from the boat is provided.


Golf Tournament to benefit the HHMSF

Thursday, May 22
8:00am Shotgun Start

Play at our Grand Cayman golf course with breathtaking views of the North Sound, abundant sunshine, and Caribbean breezes. Golfers will delight in the exquisite grounds of The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club where you can master the perfect swing.

Jay Alber
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Jay Alber President/Owner Illing Packaging
Jatin Arora
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Jatin Arora Vice President Sales and Marketing PGP Glass USA Inc.
Brett Atlas
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Brett Atlas Senior Vice President MJS Packaging
Alexander Bandak
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Alexander Bandak Senior Vice President of Operations Paramount Global Inc.
Sara Blankenship
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Sara Blankenship President Kaufman Container Company
Rick Brandt
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Rick Brandt Vice President of Sales Berlin Packaging
Gary M. Burns
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Gary M. Burns President & CEO Empire-EMCO, Inc.
Brian Butler
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Brian Butler Vice President - Corporate Supply Chain Berlin Packaging
Emily Chamblee
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Emily Chamblee Regional Business Director Berry Global
Matt Colman
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Matt Colman Berlin Packaging
Guy Considine
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Guy Considine Veritiv
Adam Crandell
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Adam Crandell Director - Sales Silgan Plastics Corporation
Tom Czuprynski
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Tom Czuprynski Erie Molded Packaging
Tammy Diaz
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Tammy Diaz VP of Culture & Human Resources Paramount Global Inc.
Michael Elliston
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Michael Elliston COO The Bottle Crew
Doug Firth
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Doug Firth Director, Category Management Veritiv
Janaye Freeman
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Janaye Freeman H3 Plastics
Josh Freeman
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Josh Freeman General Manager H3 Plastics
Marc Gaelen
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Marc Gaelen President/CEO O. Berk Company
Candice Gample
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Candice Gample Vice President of Operations Paramount Global Inc.
Jay Gample
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Jay Gample President Paramount Global Inc.
Eddie Gartland
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Eddie Gartland Hub Plastics
Kathleen Gogola
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Kathleen Gogola Pretium Packaging
Robert Groves
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Robert Groves Distribution Manager E. Hofmann Plastics
JD Hadfield
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JD Hadfield Vice President H3 Plastics
McKenna Hadfield
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McKenna Hadfield H3 Plastics
William Hayes
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William Hayes Chief Executive Officer & President, Berlin-Global Berlin Packaging
Keith Hemmig
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Keith Hemmig Director of Integrated Business and Brand Strategy Illing Packaging
Tom Hoar
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Tom Hoar Vice President of Sales Cincinnati Container Company
Paul Hoffman
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Paul Hoffman Keystone Cap Company
Joel E. Jacob
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Joel E. Jacob President & CEO The Bottle Crew
Elizabeth Johnson
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Elizabeth Johnson Corp Secretary Cincinnati Container Company
Paul Johnson
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Paul Johnson President Cincinnati Container Company
Lauren Johnson-Lake
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Lauren Johnson-Lake President Cincinnati Container Company
Jeff Kellar
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Jeff Kellar CEO VPET Plastics
Jason Kitowski
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Jason Kitowski Vice President of Sales Radius Packaging
Ted Koelsch
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Ted Koelsch Vice President of Sales and Marketing Kaufman Container Company
Ken Kramer
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Ken Kramer Vice President Distribution Comar
Jessie Kressen
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Jessie Kressen O.Berk Company
Alan Laderoute
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Alan Laderoute VP Sales Pano Cap Canada Ltd.
Sarah Macdonald
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Sarah Macdonald CEO Novvia Group Novvia Group
Cameron Manuel
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Cameron Manuel President Reliable Caps, LLC
Morgan Manuel
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Morgan Manuel Reliable Caps, LLC
Chancey Martin
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Chancey Martin President TARAL Plastics / HERO Packaging
Tom Martineau
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Tom Martineau Vice President & General Manager Pipeline Packaging
Rich McCain
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Rich McCain President Arkansas Glass
Corey McCarthy
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Corey McCarthy Management General Bottle Supply Company
Frances McCarthy
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Frances McCarthy Vice President General Bottle Supply Company
Sean McCarthy
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Sean McCarthy President & CEO General Bottle Supply Company
Matt McDonnell
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Matt McDonnell CEO MJS Packaging
Therese Melick
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Therese Melick Vice President Vendor Relations Kaufman Container Company
Veronica Millon
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Veronica Millon Director of Sales Resilux America LLC
Amy Molloy
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Amy Molloy Sales Director, Beauty Aptar
Gilbert Monarrez
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Gilbert Monarrez Vice President, Key Accounts Paramount Global Inc.
Pablo Morales
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Pablo Morales Sales Account Manager Plastirey Containers
Chris Nelson
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Chris Nelson President Pipeline Packaging
Dawn Nowicki
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Dawn Nowicki VP of Marketing & ESG MRP Solutions
Mark O'Bryan
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Mark O'Bryan Chief Operations Officer TricorBraun
John Olivanti
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John Olivanti VP of Sales Silgan Plastics Corporation
Colleen Ooten
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Colleen Ooten Director Supply Chain TricorBraun
Alan Parks
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Alan Parks Resilux America LLC
Gordon Pethke
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Gordon Pethke Global CEO Pano Cap Canada Ltd.
Robert Poillucci
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Robert Poillucci Director of Sales O. Berk Company
Kari Pulizos
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Kari Pulizos Customer Service WB Bottle Supply Company Inc.
Matt Ramsdell
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Matt Ramsdell TricorBraun
Rosalynd Resendiz
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Rosalynd Resendiz Director of Supply Chain TricorBraun
Gary Saltz
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Gary Saltz SVP Manufacturing Canada TricorBraun
Tom Sander
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Tom Sander VP of Operations Cincinnati Container Company
Gautam Savkar
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Gautam Savkar PGP Glass USA Inc.
Roger Seid
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Roger Seid Chief Executive Officer Kaufman Container Company
Pinakin Shah
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Pinakin Shah Haldyn Glass Ltd
Kelly Shillito
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Kelly Shillito Regional Vice President - Central Region Novvia Group
Nelson Silva
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Nelson Silva VP Sales Massilly North America
Brian Smedley
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Brian Smedley Industrial Container and Supply Co.
Kaitlyn Smith
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Kaitlyn Smith Packaging Specialist WB Bottle Supply Company Inc.
Kristie Smith
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Kristie Smith President, Chief Executive Officer WB Bottle Supply Company Inc.
Nick Sperka
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Nick Sperka National Director of Sales Cary Company The
Keith J. Strope
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Keith J. Strope Executive Chairman TricorBraun
Brian Szwed
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Brian Szwed Sales Manager AptarGroup
SANJAY TIWARI
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SANJAY TIWARI Chief Executive Officer PGP Glass USA Inc.
Tom Tredway
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Tom Tredway President Erie Molded Packaging
Katherine Trost
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Katherine Trost Director of Sales Phoenix
Earl Trout
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Earl Trout Vice President, Sales, North America Aptar Group
T.J. Tyrrell
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T.J. Tyrrell VP Marketing & Operations Cary Company The
Karl Unger
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Karl Unger Sales Director, Distribution & Pharmacy Berry Global
Rod Vilencia
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Rod Vilencia General Bottle Supply Company
Jennifer Wickhem
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Jennifer Wickhem Purchasing General Bottle Supply Company
Jake Wilson
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Jake Wilson Vice President Distributor Sales & Customer Techni MRP Solutions
Josh Wilson
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Josh Wilson CFO Illing Packaging
James Wing
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James Wing Chairman of the Board WB Bottle Supply Company Inc.
Tim Winings
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Tim Winings VP of Sales Pipeline Packaging
61 Other Registered Attendees

Immerse yourself in luxury at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, inspired by the Cayman Islands' natural wonders and cultural richness at this sun-filled Caribbean haven. The thoughtful design of this iconic Grand Cayman luxury resort truly enlivens the senses with its elegant suites, reimagined culinary experiences, and the unmatched beauty of Seven Mile Beach.

Reserve Your Room

Registration Options

Credits Price
2025 Pickle Ball Tournament
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 2:00-5:00pm. Take a quick lesson with the local pro and then face off with other attendees in a friendly tournament. Light snacks included. 
$75.00
2025 Deep Sea Fishing Excursion
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 1:00-5:00pm. Transportation to and from the boat is provided. More details to be communicated through e-mail to participants.

In Grand Cayman, fishing is a year-round activity for all types of fish. A boat will be privately chartered for groups of 6 or less anglers who will enjoy Cayman’s warm and well populated waters.
$690.00
2025 Golf Tournament
Thursday, May 22, 2025 8:00am Shotgun Start. More details will be communicated through e-mail to participants.

Play at our Grand Cayman golf course with breathtaking views of the North Sound, abundant sunshine, and Caribbean breezes. Golfers will delight in the exquisite grounds of The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club where you can master the perfect swing.
$415.00
2025 Sting Ray City Sandbar Tour
Thursday, May 22, 2025 from 9:00am-1:00pm. Transportation to and from the boat is provided. More details will be communicated through e-mail to participants.

Stingray City Sandbar is a shallow sandbar, just 3-4 feet deep, in the middle of the North Sound. Guests will enjoy being able to touch, hold and kiss these stingrays and will create lasting memories by participating in this unique experience.
$335.00

We can't wait to see you in the Caymans!  There will be great entertainment throughout the event! Please read below for more details!

Monday Welcome Reception
Nathan Herrera

Nathan Herrera

Nathan Herrera is an accomplished guitarist who spent many years playing in New York City. He has been hired by multiple celebrities to play for their events, including Alicia Keys and Sarah Jessica Parker. Every year, he is invited to Spain to play flamenco guitar, and he is often booked by overseas clients.


Tuesday Beach Party
Alejandro Lemus

Alejandro Lemus is an extraordinarily talented musician, able to easily switch between a variety of instruments, creating the perfect atmosphere for our beach party.


Thursday Night Award Dinner 

MC: Moody McCarthy

Moody McCarthy

Moody McCarthy is a stand-up comedian whose sharp wit has earned him multiple appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel Live. A seasoned performer with a knack for clever, relatable humor, he started in Syracuse before making waves as a semi-finalist on Last Comic Standing in 2006. Beyond the stage, he’s lent his voice to sports broadcasting and remains a fan favorite on WTKW’s Gomez & Dave in the Morning.

Thursday Gala Dinner 
Latin Balance

6pc, high-energy group that used to just specialize in Latin/Cuban music, but also now plays a great selection of classics and top hits. Latin Balance has become one of the island’s best party bands with a terrific energy.

For More Information:

National Association of Container Distributors Logo 630.942.6585

We understand that circumstances may change, and sometimes cancellations are necessary. Please review our cancellation policy below to ensure that you are fully informed of our guidelines.

More than 30 days before the event:
Cancellations made at least 30 days before the event are eligible for a full refund, minus a $50 processing fee.

15–30 days before the event:
Cancellations made between 15 and 30 days before the event will receive a 50% refund of the registration fee.

Less than 15 days before the event:
No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than 15 days before the event.

Substitutions:
If you are unable to attend but wish to send a substitute, please notify us at as soon as possible so that we can update attendee lists and name badges. You are responsible for switching names on any hotel reservations.