Combining their decades of hotel management experience, hoteliers Michael Berk and Brian Ciemnicki lead the new hospitality team at the Hyatt Centric Downtown Minneapolis –– the city’s recently opened, destination-centric lifestyle hotel.
Formerly the Assistant General Manager of the property, Berk was promoted to General Manager following the building’s large-scale renovation and transition from the Grand Hotel Minneapolis. As the hotel’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Ciemnicki joins the team following extensive experience with midwest markets and, most recently, his role as Director of Sales and Marketing at the Westin Minneapolis.
Berk shares, “As someone who has led the team through the building’s transitional phase, I am thrilled to be appointed to General Manager to lead such a hardworking team to even greater successes. My team and I continually strive to bring a new and refreshing hotel experience to Downtown Minneapolis, not only creating a space that acts as a home base for guests to explore the city, but a place where travelers can enjoy a wide range of unique amenities and services. Our property offers several standout features, including our 7,000-square-foot, two-story fitness center and our MAC Ballroom boasting scenic city views and ample natural light.”
“The MAC Ballroom is the largest event space at the hotel and is the perfect location for shareable moments. Whether a group is hosting a corporate meeting or gathering for a social event, our team works with the city’s most respected event, design and production companies to provide uniquely memorable events for all.”
“In my experience, creating an open line of communication between management, team members, and guests is essential in assuring that everyone is being taken care of. Guest satisfaction is built on a foundation of teamwork and leadership,” Berk adds, “As the new General Manager, I intend to create a space where all individuals feel valued and heard.”
About Michael Berk, General Manager
Beginning his career with a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Berk quickly launched his career at the Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts working in a variety of locations. For the next 16 years, he continuously moved up the ladder, from Food and Beverage Manager to Director of Catering at one of Denver’s most prominent downtown hotels. He went on to become the Director of Catering and Events at JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek before relocating to Minneapolis, where he joined the AC Hotel Downtown Minneapolis team under Sage Hospitality. In his first Minneapolis hotel as Director of Operations, Berk’s focus was to ensure the hotel delivered at a high level for the upcoming 2018 Super Bowl.
He remained successful after a move to the greater Minneapolis area as Hotel Manager at the Sheraton Hotel Bloomington where he secured capital funds to ensure an improved guest experience. You will see Berk’s incredibly positive impact not only on the AC’s TripAdvisor ranking but the Sheraton’s as well.
He joined the Hyatt Centric Downtown Minneapolis team as Assistant General Manager during the building’s large-scale renovation and transition from the Grand Hotel Minneapolis. His unwavering leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic led to his promotion to General Manager in September 2020, just nine months later.
About Brian Ciemnicki, Director of Sales and Marketing
Brian landed at the Hyatt Centric Downtown Minneapolis after 25+ years of successful sales and marketing experience in several midwest markets including Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland. His sales experience began in the greater Detroit area at the Wyndham Garden Novi before transitioning to his first director role at the Wyndham Cleveland Hotel and then onto the Wyndham Chicago O’Hare. He continued to call Chicago home for the next 12 years through various group sales and concierge roles at The Westin O’Hare. Ciemnicki relocated to Minneapolis in 2018 to accept a position as Director of Sales and Marketing at the Westin Minneapolis. He went on to join the Hyatt Centric Downtown Minneapolis team in September 2020 as Director of Sales and Marketing.
