Nominations

🏨 Kimpton Hotels announces a partnership with JMA Ventures and Machete Group to develop its first luxury brand establishment in Orlando. The new Kimpton hotel, adjacent to the Kia Center arena within the Westcourt mixed-use sports and entertainment development, will feature 261 rooms over 11 floors, and offer more than 1500 square meters of indoor meeting space. Targeted to enhance downtown Orlando, the Kimpton Orlando will be the seventh Kimpton in Florida.

🍴 Sébastien Billard, with a BTS in culinary arts from Vienne's Lycée Bellerive (2002), began as a sous-chef in a semi-gourmet hotel in 2005. In 2009, he joined the Michelin-starred Auberge du Vieux Marais and Domaine de Clairefontaine. He turned to teaching at Vienne's hotel school in 2011 and joined Api Restauration in 2012, where he spent 12 years. In April 2024, Billard became National Restaurant Manager at Azureva, focusing on quality, hygiene, local, and fresh produce in customizable regional menus.

🏨 John Blanco, former General Manager of Capella Bangkok, with a career in luxury hospitality and fluent in 6 languages, is now General Manager of the Capella cluster in Japan. He oversees Capella Kyoto and collaborates with Ellen Franke on the Patina Osaka project, set to open in 2025. Franke, a German national with 18 years at Ritz-Carlton, was General Manager of Ritz-Carlton Langkawi since 2018. Blanco has led the multi-award-winning Capella Bangkok since its 2020 opening.

🍕 Vincenzo Tuccillo, at 33, became the chef at AC Hotel Nice's Farago on the Roof in August, having previously worked with Alain Ducasse at Meurice (2014-2015), as chef de partie at Mandarin Oriental (2015-2017), and sous-chef at George V from March 2018 to May 2023. Tuccillo specializes in Mediterranean flavors, offering dishes like low-temperature veal Quasi and sea bream Ceviche, plus shared dishes and desserts like chestnut cream Tiramisu and deconstructed lemon tart.

🏩 Frédéric Savoye, holding a Master in Finance, Marketing, and Business Administration from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (1997), was designated as Vice President of Brand Performance and Sales at Rotana Hotel Management Corporation since 2022. Now he steps into a new role as Hospitality Director – Sales & Marketing for Modon. Savoye's career in the UAE began in 2014 with Fairmont as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Middle East, Africa, India & the Indian Ocean, followed by a term as President of Hospitality Business at Al Hamra Real Estate Development, and then as Head of Hospitality Asset Management for Miral.

📌 Christopher Tatum, with 40 years of experience in the hospitality sector, is now the President – Full Service at Aimbridge Hospitality. His role includes overseeing Full Service, Evolution Lifestyle, Luxury, and Resort properties across the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. Tatum has a track record of generating over $500 million in sales and achieving record profits while working at Marriott International for 37 years. He also held a leadership role with the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

🏨 James Goodwin was appointed as the second director of Accommodation Australia (AA) after the retirement of former General Manager Michael Johnson in June. AA was established in July 2023 following the merger of Tourism Accommodation Australia and the Accommodation Association of Australia. Based in Canberra, Goodwin will advocate for the industry ahead of federal elections and address skill shortages and tourism recovery challenges.

🍕 New chef Vincenzo Tuccillo, 33, originally from Italy, joined AC Hotel Nice's summer restaurant Farago on the Roof in August, bringing Mediterranean flavors to the menu. With experience from working with Alain Ducasse at Meurice (2014-2015) as 1st commis, Chef de partie at Mandarin Oriental (2015-2017) under Thierry Marx, and Sous-chef at George V (March 2018 - May 2023), Tuccillo now enhances the culinary offerings with dishes like low-temperature Quasi de veau and Ceviche de dorade, plus desserts such as Tiramisu and Tarte au citron for guests and events at the hotel.

🏨 Jason Nuell, following Sean Hunt's retirement, has moved from Marriott's Singapore HQ to oversee the financial performance of 64 ANZP region properties (44 operational hotels and 20 in development) in Sydney. Nuell began with Marriott in 2003, has held leadership positions across Southeast Asia, China, India, the US and Europe, and was awarded Marriott International's Global General Manager of the Year in 2011. Neeraj Govil, APEC COO, commended Jason's appointment.

🎰 Paul G. V. Baker, an experienced casino executive, will succeed Timothy Kelly as President of Atlantis Resorts Dubai. Timothy Kelly has moved to lead City of Dreams in Macao. Baker's extensive background includes positions as Vice President for Caesars Entertainment Corporation, Vice President in Macao for Wynn Macao, and most recently, President of the Grand Lisboa Palace in Macao. Baker's appointment signals Dubai's ambition to become a Middle Eastern gambling hub.