Nominations

🏨 Marissa Mayer, former Yahoo! CEO (2012-2017) and Google executive (13 years), is set to join Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc's board, replacing long-serving director Judith McHale, who will retire at this year's annual shareholder meeting in May. Mayer's tech and leadership background is expected to guide Hilton in leveraging new technologies for growth opportunities.

🎸 Hard Rock International's Senior VP of Hotel Operations, John Rees, announced the opening of Hard Rock Hotel London in Ontario, aiming to offer guests the brand's signature music-infused environment. The hotel features 164 rooms and suites with family-style rooms and the Rock Star suite boasting a luxury lounge, bar, music-inspired decor, and a private kitchenette. Tim Dora of Dora Hotel Company anticipates the hotel will significantly impact Canadian travelers.

🏠 Christian Baumgarten, 54, a German national born in Geneva, boasts a career in luxury hospitality. Starting in Germany, he moved to France's prestigious Côte d’Azur establishments like Hôtel Martinez and Croisette Beach Hôtel. In 2008, Baumgarten joined Le Mas de Pierre as Deputy Director, later becoming the General Manager. By 2017, he led two 5-star hotels, Hôtel Miramar and Yaktsa, and the Michelin-starred L’Or Bleu restaurant in Théoule-sur-Mer. As of early this year, he's directing the Hôtel & Spa du Castellet and Grand Prix Hôtel & Restaurant, blending his passion for automobiles with luxury hospitality.

🏨 The Breton hotel group B&B HOTELS is expanding in Europe and internationally. Céline Vercollier is appointed as the new CEO, with Damien Martin as CFO and Jan Grossmann as COO for Central and Northern Europe. The group separates the roles of President and CEO, with Fabrice Collet remaining President. These changes support growth as B&B HOTELS celebrates its 35th anniversary. Vercollier, previously CFO since 2017, played a key role in the group's development.

🏨 B&B HOTELS, a European budget hotel leader, splits the roles of President and CEO, with Céline Vercollier, CFO since 2017, becoming CEO. Aimed at supporting growth and internationalization for their 35th anniversary in 2025, Vercollier focuses on reinforcing the brand's leadership, while former CEO Fabrice Collet shifts to strategic diversification projects. Damien Martin joins as CFO, contributing 25 years of financial experience. Founded in 1990, B&B HOTELS has 883 locations across 17 countries, with half in France, doubling its network since 2019.

🏨 B&B HOTELS, European leader in budget hotels, splits roles of President and CEO, previously held by Fabrice Collet. Céline Vercollier is appointed CEO, a promotion from her position as CFO since 2017. In 2025, B&B HOTELS marks its 35th anniversary. Collet, now solely President, focuses on strategic diversification projects and was CEO since 2016 and President-CEO since 2019, after being CFO since 2012. Damien Martin joins as CFO, coming from Group Babilou.

📢 Civitatis appoints Andres Spitzer, former Amazon executive, as Chief Product Officer (CPO) to boost its growth, leveraging a $50 million investment from Vitruvian Partners. With a sales growth target of 40% by 2025, Spitzer's role will focus on product development, operational scalability, and enhancing B2B and B2C segments. The company specializes in distributing activities, tours, and transfers in French.

🏡 Kempinski Hotels, founded in 1897, appoints Karin Raguin as Chief Human Resources Officer to develop and reposition the 127-year-old brand. Under the leadership of CEO Barbara Muckermann, Karin joins to drive talent strategies and foster a sustainable growth culture for the hotel group with over 19,000 employees worldwide. Karin's role will focus on enhancing team effectiveness and building on human capital as Kempinski's greatest asset.

🏦 Airelles announces Etienne Petitpez as the new General Manager of Airelles Venezia, Palladio, a distinguished hotel in Venice's heart. Etienne, with a successful tenure at Airelles Val d’Isère, is tasked with infusing Airelles' unique spirit and elegance into the property as its opening nears. Petitpez, with over 15 years in the luxury hospitality industry, leads a dedicated team striving for excellence, aiming to blend impeccable service with Venice's charm.

💰 JoAnn Kintzel appointed as General Manager of M3, a leading cloud-based financial software platform in the hospitality sector, succeeding Allen Read, who becomes Executive Director. Read, with over 30 years in hospitality, propelled M3 from VP of Operations to CEO and will continue guiding strategic growth. Kintzel's SaaS background and Blackstone's majority participation set M3 for unprecedented growth.