ORLANDO—Hard Rock International has named Marco Roca as EVP of Hotel Development for Hard Rock International worldwide. Roca’s appointment is a strategic move designed to further fuel the brand’s aggressive development activity and expansion prospects.
“Hard Rock International’s expansion strategy is of utmost priority, the dividends of these efforts are on display today as we have hotels currently under construction in Ibiza, Abu Dhabi, Shenzhen and Haikou,” stated Hamish Dodds, CEO, Hard Rock International. “Continuing this growth course demands a dynamic and knowledgeable individual who can help drive the momentum behind our hotel game-plan. Roca’s diverse experience aligns with this strategy and will be instrumental in growing our hotel portfolio.”
Roca will be instrumental in engineering the brand’s growth, leading the exploration of new management and acquisition opportunities, as well as establishing and developing the brand’s expanding hotel portfolio. Roca brings more than 25 years of global real estate, hotel development and operations experience to Hard Rock, including significant roles with Starwood, Wyndham and Hilton Hotels.
As SVP Development at Starwood, Roca was in charge of franchise and management contract sales for all seven Starwood brands in Eastern United States, Canada and the Caribbean. At Wyndham, Roca led the franchise and management contract sales for the Wyndham Worldwide hotel brands where he also played a key role in decisions affecting franchise sales including prototype design, fee structure, marketing and franchise administration.