Nominations

📌 Emerging Travel Group strengthens its business travel division with the strategic appointment of Sergiu Les as Head of Corporate Travel Department, EMEA. Les brings over 10 years of experience to the role, having recently served as the Director of Global Sales at CWT, focusing on acquiring major account clients. Based in Strasbourg, France, he will lead a team of over 50 professionals, overseeing the development strategy of the Roundtrip brand, a digital booking platform for SMEs.

💜 Bob Gilbert, the iconic President and CEO of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Americas, HSMAI Foundation, and HSMAI Global, passed away on September 19, 2024. Gilbert accelerated his retirement in July 2024 due to a serious health issue after 30 years at the helm. A respected friend and mentor, his leadership will continue to influence HSMAI. He also served as a knowledgeable professor at Cornell and George Washington University.

🏩 Dan Peek joins JLL in Tampa under Mark Gibson, alongside Kevin Davis, CEO of Americas for JLL's Hotels & Hospitality group. Peek will focus on client relationship management, investment sales, financing, tax, and asset management strategies. Previously, Peek was President and COO at Hodges Ward Elliott and a Senior Managing Director at HFF, where he established the company's dedicated hotel platform. He co-founded Regent Street, a subsidiary of The Plasencia Group, offering sales, financing, and advisory services for distinctive hotels in the Americas.

🍷 La Villa Louise, hôtel 4 étoiles situé au cœur des vignes près de Beaune, Bourgogne, offre 16 chambres luxueuses et a été récemment vendue, reflétant l'intérêt croissant des investisseurs pour le domaine viticole bourguignon. Aurélien Passaquay et Boris Duclos de Christie & Co de Lyon ont facilité la transaction, soulignant le dynamisme du marché hôtelier régional et l'attrait de la Bourgogne pour le patrimoine et l'œnotourisme.

🏛 Marie Ameller appointed as Deputy Director General of the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine starting September 30, 2024. Graduated from ESSEC and the École du Louvre, Ameller has a background in museum and managerial skills. Since 2023, she served as a cultural advisor to the Prime Minister's office, overseeing the Culture Ministry's budget and investment projects, along with heritage and architecture matters. Previously, from 2017 to 2019, she handled the budgetary synthesis for the Directorate-General of Artistic Creation and was Chief of Staff to the Director-General. In 2019, she became an advisor for speeches and culture at the Ministry of National Education and Youth, initiating projects like the collective part of the Culture Pass and "My Heritage by Bike". Joined the National Book Centre in 2021 as Delegate for Dissemination.

🍴 Johan Scott Valentine has been appointed as Vice-President Group for "Food & Beverage" at Rotana. He joined Rotana in August 2019 and was quickly promoted to Corporate Director due to his significant contributions to the company's F&B strategy, including the implementation of innovative technologies like Chef’s Eye. COO Eddy Tannous commends Valentine's innovative approach and commitment to excellence, expressing confidence in his ability to advance Rotana's culinary offerings and mentor the next generation of chefs.

🏡 Guillaume Bourniquel, aged 37, is appointed as General Manager of the upcoming Hôtel SAX Paris by the Compagnie de Phalsbourg, with the luxury hotel expected to become a sensation in Paris in 2025. Educated at Idrac (Master 1 Marketing, 2008) and Middlesex University Business School of London (B.A., 2007), Bourniquel will oversee the hotel featuring 118 rooms, a rooftop restaurant over 1,200 m² with views of the Eiffel Tower, a chic bar with an indoor garden, and a spa area with a pool, jacuzzi, and fitness center, located in the prestigious 7th arrondissement. The hotel's operator and opening date remain undisclosed, although Hilton has been mentioned.

🏡 Grand Hôtel Terminus Reine in Chaumont, acquired by Urbaneo group, will undergo renovations starting early 2025, reopening as Kyriad Prestige with 4 stars in the second half of 2026. The hotel will expand its capacity, maintain its bistronomic restaurant with a new terrace and breakfast area, and introduce a wellness area including gym, massage room, hammam, and sauna. It will also update three seminar rooms measuring 30, 85, and 120 square meters.

🏦 Hans Heijligers stepped down as head of InterContinental Genève after three successful years. Daniel Arbenz, boasting over 25 years of international experience, became General Manager on September 10. He had worked in Asia, Australia, Middle East, and at IHG, including his recent role as Area General Manager IHG Oman OMRAN Hotels & InterContinental Muscat. Najib ARAYER will join as General Manager of Crowne Plaza Geneva starting early November, moving from his position since 2018 at Crowne Plaza Brussels.

🏠 Karine Hyon-Vintrou, with a career starting in luxury hospitality at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in the US and France, honed her expertise before joining InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in the UK. She developed a passion for branding at IHG, led Onyx Hospitality's brand platform in Bangkok, and became IHG’s Global Brand Director upon returning to the UK. In 2018, Karine joined Sommet Education, repositioning the Glion and Les Roches brands, and was promoted to Chief Marketing Officer in March 2023. She now leads École Ducasse, aiming to strengthen its global leadership in gastronomy and culinary education.