Nominations

📈 Edward Leenders, a seasoned hotelier with over 25 years of luxury experience, becomes General Manager of The Woodward in Geneva, Switzerland. This move is part of Auberge Resorts Collection's strategic European expansion. Leenders' notable achievements include reopening the Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria in Brussels and enhancing Amsterdam's De L'Europe hotel. The Woodward, the only Michelin triple-starred hotel in Geneva, aims to solidify its position as a leading European ultra-luxury hotel.

🏨 284 chambres, 31 suites, avec options allant des chambres standard aux suites luxueuses. L'hôtel NYX Erfurt, en Thuringe, offre un restaurant, un bar et un espace spa au 17e étage avec vue sur la cathédrale d'Erfurt et la citadelle de Petersberg. Premier hôtel lifestyle de la marque en Thuringe, il cible à la fois touristes et voyageurs d'affaires avec ses 5 salles de conférence à 60 mètres de hauteur.

📈 Jens Gmiat rejoins Ruby Group to lead operations amid its expansion with IHG Hotels & Resorts. He brings over 30 years of international hospitality experience, previously managing 40+ hotels at HotelCo51. Gmiat was COO at Criterion Hospitality, overseeing Zedwell Hotels and IHG franchises. With Ruby's strong growth, Gmiat's expertise will drive international expansion and enhance operational excellence. During Daniella Boeken's maternity leave, commercial teams will report directly to him.

🏨 Stig Castoe has been appointed as the new General Manager of the H4 Hotel Wyndham Paris Pleyel Resort, a year after its July 2024 opening in the Grand Paris area. With over 30 years of international hospitality experience, Castoe aims to elevate the hotel's status. The hotel features 697 rooms, 14 suites, a skybar, the highest pool in France, and a 10,000 m² conference center. On June 26, 2025, it celebrated its first anniversary with 250 guests.

📈 HolidayPirates Group appointed Mila Genova as Marketing Director, achieving 60% female representation in leadership roles. Genova, who started as a Business Development Manager in January 2015, has a decade-long career with the company. Her expertise spans strategic marketing, growth hacking, and CRM. HolidayPirates is a leading social media-focused online travel marketplace, highlighting the company's commitment to gender diversity and innovative marketing strategies.

💼 Arthur Lemoine becomes the new CEO of Galeries Lafayette, effective immediately. He reports to Nicolas Houzé, who is the Chairman of the Management Board of Galeries Lafayette. Lemoine will focus on expanding the company's development, enhancing the leadership of department stores, and boosting the brand's presence both domestically and internationally, in flagship locations and online.

📈 Pete Sams, avec plus de 30 ans d'expérience, rejoint Highgate pour optimiser les performances et gérer les talents à l'échelle mondiale. Ancien directeur des opérations chez Peregrine Hospitality, il a travaillé chez Davidson Hospitality, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, et Omni Hotels. Mahmood Khimji, coprésident de Highgate, salue son leadership pour affiner la stratégie et stimuler la croissance. Sams est motivé par la mission de Highgate d'excellence opérationnelle et de création de valeur.

🍴 Lionel Levy, à 53 ans, reprendra les fourneaux en septembre 2025 pour superviser la direction culinaire du futur complexe de luxe Zannier Hotels sur l’île de Bendor, près de Bandol (Var). Après avoir dirigé deux restaurants étoilés, il s'engage dans ce qu'il appelle son « dernier gros challenge ». Le complexe de 90 chambres devrait ouvrir en mai 2026, offrant une gamme complète de services gastronomiques.

📈 Carole Palmieri, a seasoned professional with over 15 years in luxury hospitality, is appointed as the Commercial Director at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, located atop the Comcast Center. She joined the hotel in 2021 as Director of Sales and has achieved significant success, including winning the Pinnacle Award and joining the President’s Club 2023. Her expertise spans group sales, commercial development, marketing strategy, and leading high-performance international teams.

📈 Pete Sams, with over 30 years of hospitality operations experience, is appointed President of Highgate, a leading hotel management firm, on July 7, 2025. Highgate operates in key U.S. cities like New York, Boston, and Miami and is expanding internationally. Mahmood Khimji, Co-Chairman, highlights Sams' leadership in enhancing strategy and value creation. Highgate offers advanced technology and operational excellence, positioning itself as a strategic partner for investors and hotel brands.