Nominations

🏨 Elie Khoury, with over 30 years in the hospitality industry, brings expertise in asset management, engineering, and brand partnerships. A notable figure, he built his career leading operations for major hotel brands. He served in various general management roles at Interstate Hotels & Resorts, now part of Aimbridge's portfolio, supervising complex establishments across the U.S. As Executive Vice President of Operations at Aimbridge, Khoury managed North American and international activities, honing skills in customer relations, brand partnerships, and executive leadership. Further asset management expertise was gained at Preston Hollow Community Capital and Murphy Asset Management. Khoury chairs the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association's board, the largest state hotel association in the U.S., and serves on the board of California State University, East Bay. His appointment marks a new phase in Crescent Hotels & Resorts' commitment to innovation and operational excellence.

🏥 ShaoWei Ong appointed as Chief People & Culture Officer at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group effective March 17, 2025. Reporting to Group Chief Executive Laurent Kleitman, she joins the executive committee with 22+ years of HR experience across hospitality, banking, fintech, music, and engineering. ShaoWei specializes in HR transformation, organizational restructuring, and digital transition. Amanda Hyndman shifts focus to sole COO role. Previously, ShaoWei served as HR Director at Jardines and worked at Livi Bank and Sony as VP of HR.

🏨 Hilton appoints Alessandro Redaelli as Vice President of Operations for North Africa and the Levant, based in Cairo. Responsible for overseeing 35 hotels across seven brands and the upcoming launch of nearly 50 new establishments. Redaelli brings over 30 years of industry experience, including a recent role as General Manager at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers. His leadership aims to enhance Hilton's operations and support its growth in key markets.

💳 Christopher Hecht, with over 10 years of experience in international team management across Europe, Vietnam, and China, joins CDS Group (S4BT), a French leader and key European player in business travel reservation and payment solutions. His expertise in B2B payments, fintech, and business travel is set to unify the group's various payment solutions, extend their business travel segments, and leverage AI automation and intelligent payment workflows. Hecht aims to transform expense management in business travel through AI-optimized approval flows, fraud detection, and cost control.

🏡 Ludovic Cayacy, with over 15 years of experience at Four Seasons, appointed as Director of Operations at Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, located in Tribeca. Previously, he was the Director of Sales at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, and the Commercial Director at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, where he implemented innovative strategies for market positioning, revenue management, and booking growth. General Manager Thomas Carreras praises Cayacy's luxury hotel expertise, sales, and marketing skills, essential for the hotel's operational success and maintaining excellence.

📢 ShaoWei Ong appointed as Chief People & Culture Officer at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group effective March 17, 2025. Reporting directly to CEO Laurent Kleitman, Ong joins the Executive Committee and Leadership Team. With over 22 years in HR leadership across hospitality, finance, fintech, music, and engineering, Ong brings expertise in HR transformation, leadership development, organizational redesign, and digitization. Her previous roles include Group Human Resources Director at Jardine Schindler and Livi Bank, and leadership positions at Sony Music Group Asia & Middle East, Starwood Academy Asia Pacific, Secoo Group, Wyndham Hotel Group Asia, and United Overseas Bank (Malaysia). Amanda Hyndman, former Chief People & Culture Officer, focuses on COO duties.

🏨 In France, hotel executive salaries vary by establishment type: 3-star hotel managers earn 50-80k€, 4-star managers 70-120k€, and 5-star/Palace managers 110-200k€. Operation Directors range from 45-70k€ in 3-star to 80-150k€ in 5-star/Palaces. Commercial Directors earn 50-75k€ in 3-star, up to 80-180k€ in 5-star/Palaces; Financial Directors get 55-85k€ to 90-180k€ respectively. Compensation includes base salary, reflecting experience and responsibility, and often performance-linked bonuses.

🏡 Stéphanie Carpentier promoted to General Manager of the 5-star Le Château de Théoule on the Mediterranean after nearly two years as the hotel's Sales and Marketing Director. Carpentier, with extensive luxury hospitality experience, has held high-level roles at SDPNE Hotels (now Nouvelle Vague Hospitality) and as Sales Manager for Holiday Inn Nice Centre and Holiday Inn Nice – Port Saint Laurent. Her vision aims to uphold the hotel's legacy while embracing modernity and new guest experiences.

🍺 Gwendoline Théodet named Chief Development Officer at Saguez & Dash to expand the company's presence in the hospitality and restaurant sector in the US and Europe. Théodet, with significant experience in strategic growth and innovation in hotel design, previously held leadership roles in international design agencies. She is also the founding president of NEWH's Paris chapter, aiming to enhance connections within the hotel design industry. Her appointment underscores the firm's commitment to grow creatively and strategically in the global hospitality market.

📌 Naël El Assaad joined Cycas Hospitality shortly before the announcement that Cycas would manage the 180-key Oxford United Football Club Stadium hotel, in partnership with Radisson Hotel Group. El Assaad, with significant experience in hospitality and real estate, including projects with Knight Frank, Groupe Châteauform, LWS Hospitality, and launching the Voco by IHG in Angers. He contributed to expanding CAP’ETUDES student residences over four years and created the LIVE&CO aparthotel brand. At Cycas, his role involves driving development and identifying new managerial opportunities, leveraging his network and strategic partnerships, supported by his MBA in international hotel management from ESSEC Business School (IMHI).