Nominations

📈 Christophe Laure has over 33 years with IHG Hotels & Resorts, leading operational, commercial, and strategic roles across France and Europe. He now heads the Luxury & Lifestyle division in France, focusing on enhancing performance and expanding market presence. The portfolio includes brands like InterContinental, Regent, and Kimpton. IHG operates nearly 70 hotels in France, with a new Vignette Collection hotel opening in Théoule-sur-Mer in Q1 2026, aiming for growth in the luxury sector.

📊 Christian Gradnitzer, nouveau Directeur Groupe Food & Beverage, apporte 30 ans d'expérience internationale, avec des rôles chez Jumeirah Group et Hilton International. Raphael Bick devient Chief Information Officer, fort de 20 ans en technologie et IA, pour moderniser l'expérience client. Kandé Camara est nommée Chief of Staff et Directrice Sustainability, avec un focus ESG. Emlyn Brown, ancien d'Accor, devient Directeur Spa, Leisure et Wellness, avec 25 ans dans le bien-être.

💳 James Keating, avec plus de 20 ans d'expérience marketing, rejoint myPOS comme Chief Marketing Officer pour augmenter la visibilité de la marque. myPOS cible les PME européennes via des solutions de paiement. Keating a précédemment travaillé chez Pleo, Dropbox, Microsoft, et Oracle, où il a renforcé les marques et développé des stratégies internationales. Food Hotel Tech 2026 se tiendra à Paris les 14-15 avril avec 200+ exposants et 8,500 participants professionnels.

📈 Julien Munoz, with over 25 years of experience, joins The Peninsula Hotels as Chief Commercial Officer, reporting to CEO Benjamin Vuchot. He will oversee commercial and marketing teams and join the Management Board of HSH. Munoz holds an MBA from ESSEC Business School and Cornell University. Previously, he served as Chief Commercial Officer at Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, handling luxury hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, and casinos, while leading digital transformation projects.

💼 The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, owners of The Peninsula Hotels, appoint Julien Munoz as Chief Commercial Officer effective November 12, 2025. Munoz, with over 25 years of luxury hospitality experience, will oversee commercial and marketing teams and join the Management Board. He previously worked at Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer. Additionally, the Food Hotel Tech 2026 event will occur in Paris on April 14-15, featuring over 200 exhibitors and 8,500 professionals.

🍴 Stefano Stafie, 29, joins Hôtel de Sers as Chef des Cuisines near Champs-Élysées. Originally from Assisi, Italy, Stefano honed his skills in Paris at the Morice Venice Bar, Per Se in New York, and L’Orangerie at George V, Paris. Known for his mastery of French techniques and Italian roots, he revitalizes Mediterranean cuisine with creativity and detail. His culinary philosophy focuses on memory and taste, with each dish centered on a key product.

🚀 Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, former French Minister of Transport (2019-2022), has been appointed President of Travel Planet's Strategic Council. Travel Planet, a leader in business travel solutions, aims for international growth. Djebbari, with degrees from École nationale de l’aviation civile and École Polytechnique, brings expertise in innovation and operational efficiency. Founded in 2014, Travel Planet has rapidly become a technological leader, leveraging technology for business travel growth.

📈 Dr. Evrim de Groot joins Glion University as Assistant Professor in luxury management, contributing to the Luxury Brand Strategy specialization. Dr. Alessio Delpero, an Associate Professor, brings expertise in strategic management and innovation, focusing on digital technologies. Vaibhav Rustagi, with 18 years in luxury hospitality, becomes the Director at Glion's London campus. In July 2025, Glion gains recognition as a Haute École Spécialisée, enhancing academic mobility and research opportunities.

📚 Glion Institut de Hautes Études, Suisse, recently appointed Dr. Evrim de Groot and Dr. Alessio Delpero to boost academic excellence post-accreditation as a Haute École Spécialisée. Dr. de Groot, an expert in luxury management, strengthens their Luxury Brand Strategy. Vaibhav Rustagi became the new Director of Glion London campus, underscoring Glion's commitment to internationalization and industry-aligned education.

📈 Olivier Mouchet, with nearly 30 years in hospitality and travel sectors, is now leading S4BT's Hotel Procurement & Chain Supply Division, succeeding Nicolas Besse. This division is central to enhancing corporate client programs with sustainable hotel solutions. Mouchet's experience includes roles at Louvre Hotels, HRS, Châteaux & Hôtels Collection, and consulting for Accor. His aim is to optimize corporate hotel purchasing performance.