Nominations

🏠 Ludovic Rahal, born and raised in Senegal, moved to France for a sports studies program, earned a Bachelor's in Business Administration and a Master's in Management, then gained a marketing certificate in the U.S. After five years in the U.S. and opening two restaurants in Los Angeles, he returned to Senegal as the Strategic Development and Restaurant Director at Terrou-Bi. Currently, he serves as the Director of Operations, coordinating resort activities including accommodation, dining, and quality, leveraging his international experience and hospitality insights from working in prestigious establishments like Momo’s Mayfair in London.

🏨 Christian Clerc, with over 30 years of luxury hospitality experience, is appointed President and CEO of Auberge Resorts Collection, succeeding Craig Reid who retires after a 10-year tenure. Clerc, ex-President of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts (2016-2022), oversaw 127 hotels, 51 residential properties, 50+ under development, and 50,000 employees in 47 countries. He begins his new role on September 1, 2024, at the company's headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland.

📌 Cendyn, a global technology and integrated services company for the hospitality industry, announces Jeffrey A. Cross as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Cross brings nearly 40 years of senior-level experience in finance and operations, aiming to boost Cendyn's financial stance. His background includes 15 years in private equity-backed firms, with roles at Uptempo, Arena Solutions, TravelClick, and Abila. Cross, a University of Texas at Austin BBA in accounting graduate, will oversee financial planning, risk management, and financial reporting at Cendyn.

🏠 Le Groupe Annie Famose acquires Hôtel de Chiberta in Anglet, located between a golf course and the Atlantic Ocean, featuring 58 rooms, 1 restaurant, 7 seminar rooms, 2 reception lounges, a spa, and two swimming pools. The hotel will undergo renovation during the winter of 2024/2025, including lobby, meeting rooms, spa, restaurant, and terrace, with room renovations in winter 2025/2026. Groupe Annie Famose boasts a portfolio of nearly 40 establishments and is a key player in French hospitality and tourism.

📌 Younight Hospitality expands to Vendée with Vertime—Les Sables-d’Olonne, featuring 105 rooms and suites, a rooftop bar, restaurant, and seminar spaces. Spanning 4,200 m², the 4-star hotel was designed by BLOCK architects. Post-construction, operational management is led by Matthieu GUÉNÉDAL-MORICE and Béatrice Martineau, alongside department heads such as Stéphanie Guilbot (Dining Manager), Benjamin MARCHAND (Head Chef), Adrien R. (Reception Manager), Nadege Prost (Housekeeper), and Cyril Gautier (Maintenance Manager).

🏨 Pan Pacific Hotels Group expands its Malaysian portfolio with the Gurney Bay Hotel, becoming the seventh property in Malaysia and the second in Penang. The Gurney Bay Hotel, a 368-room PARKROYAL Hotel, is part of the state's vision Penang 2030. Penang's economy grew 13.1% in 2022, outpacing the national growth of 8.7%. The state recorded a 64% increase in passenger movements in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching 6.9 million at Penang International Airport, 84% of the 2019 passenger volume. Penang targets over 5 million passengers in 2023 and aims for 7.4 million by 2030. Penang has attracted the highest foreign investments in the country at 71.9 billion MYR.

🏨 Keith Barr, ex-CEO of IHG Hotels & Resorts with over 30 years of industry experience, has been appointed to MGM Resorts International's board as its 12th member. Barr led IHG from 2017 to 2023, spearheading revenue-boosting innovations, operational efficiencies, and a customer-centric culture shift. Paul Salem, MGM's board chairman, praises Barr's leadership and innovative skills. MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle welcomes Barr's expertise for delivering world-class customer experiences.

🍴 Since May 20, Arnauld Faye has been the head chef at Bristol Paris, overseeing the two Michelin-starred restaurants: Épicure (3 stars) and 114 Faubourg (1 star), as well as Café Antonia, Banquets, and Room Service. Faye is 45 years old and plans to introduce a new menu at Épicure in September, promising a "contemporary gastronomic experience with a menu infused with colors and lightness where vegetables reign supreme." Unique ingredients like hyssop and black cardamom will feature in his dishes.

🏦 Thibaud Binois was elected President of the Association des Investisseurs Franchisés de Louvre Hôtels Group (AIFLH) in May 2023. He is committed to continuing the work begun a year ago to improve the growth of member hotels by developing a beneficial relationship with Louvre Hôtels Group and challenging the franchisor. The AIFLH aims to modernize the hotel industry, enhance its attractiveness, and defend stakeholders' interests.

📌 Thibaud Binois, elected as president of the Association des Investisseurs Franchisés de Louvre Hôtels Group (AIFLH), is set to encourage collaboration and support growth for its over 300 member hotels under brands like CAMPANILE, KYRIAD, KYRIADDIRECT, and PREMIERE CLASSE. With experience as president of Bimage group and an AIFLH board member since 2021, Binois, alongside board members such as Anne-France de la Servette and Naomi Yoshioka, aims to modernize the hospitality industry and advocate for franchisees' interests.