Nominations

📢 Adam McKnight joins Gekko Group, a subsidiary of Accor, as Director of International Growth, directly reporting to CEO Fabrice Perdoncini. Bringing over 15 years of B2B travel industry experience, McKnight aims to accelerate Gekko's international expansion into new markets, specifically Asia-Pacific, the United States, and South America, leveraging his background with TBO/Bookabed, Hotelbeds, and A2B Transfers/Resorthoppa. His role involves market penetration strategies and adapting Gekko's offerings to local markets in collaboration with regional partners.

🚧 Marriott International warns of significant restructuring, potentially laying off hundreds, primarily affecting central office roles. Around 16% of 5,000 headquarters employees in Bethesda, Maryland, may face job cuts, totaling 833 positions. The plan aims to save $80-$90 million annually, with one-time costs estimated at $100 million, mainly for severance packages. Employees will receive severance and job placement support. The company has also listed internal job postings for current employees. The restructuring is expected to be largely implemented by Q1 2025, following the announcement during Marriott's Q3 financial results to support future growth and optimize operations.

🏨 Groupe Barrière targets a doubling of its hotel count, announcing the Maison Barrière Vendôme's opening in January at 17 rue du Mont Thabor. Olivier Fernandez, with over 20 years in luxury hotel management, including as General Manager at Grand Mazarin (July 2022 - November 2024) and Hotel Manager at Kimpton St Honoré Paris (since January 2021), will lead the prestigious establishment. Maison Barrière Vendôme joins a dense cluster of luxury hotels in Paris, such as Hotel Costes, Westin, Ritz Paris, and more.

🏩 Tom Lerouge, aged 35, is the new General Manager of Ducasse Paris, joining Founder Alain Ducasse and President Véronique Lartigue to bring diverse skills and generational perspectives. An engineer graduated from ESTACA with experience in aeronautics and automotive, Lerouge has conducted research at CentraleSupélec and ENS Cachan. He's held project development and management roles at Zodiac Aerospace and Edeis, and founded companies including Tribute and LTFO, focusing on residential real estate and investment in hospitality.

🍴 JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs announced its new Executive Board for the 2025-2029 term, including newly appointed Vice-Presidents Katrin Steindl and Nicolai P. Wiedmer, led by President Daniel Canzian. The decision was finalized in Tuscany, Italy. Canzian, a renowned Italian chef known for his innovative take on traditional Italian cuisine and sustainable culinary practices, has been a significant figure in gastronomy for over a decade, owns the acclaimed restaurant Daniel Canzian in Milan.

🍴 Atlantis Paradise Island has appointed Anthony Hannan as Senior Vice President Food & Beverage, Lenny Cumberbatch as Vice President Food & Beverage, and Samir Roonwal as Executive Chef of Culinary Operations. The resort, renowned for its culinary scene, features Michelin-starred restaurants like Fish by José Andrés, Nobu by Nobu Matsuhisa, and Paranza by Michael White, plus eateries by James Beard Award-winning chefs Alon Shaya and JJ Johnson. Anthony Hannan brings over 30 years of experience, having held leadership roles at Harrods in London and Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore.

🏨 Charles Paloux appointed Chief Investment Officer at DoveHill in Fort Lauderdale. Holds a 2002 hotel management degree from École hôtelière de Glion, Switzerland, and a 2007 Master's in real estate finance from Cornell University. Joined DoveHill in June 2021, bringing over 20 years of hospitality industry experience. Previously Senior Vice President of Asset Management at Jones Lang LaSalle overseeing North America's largest asset management client, and spent over 10 years at Hersha Hospitality Trust. DoveHill, active in hotel investments during the pandemic, will focus on Opportunity Fund 2, targeting asymmetric preferred equity investments in distinctive lifestyle and independent hotel assets.

🏦 Thibaut Drege rejoined the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris in September 2024 after nearly two years as General Manager at the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace in Budapest. Drege, with 20 years of luxury hospitality experience, first became part of George V in 2018 and managed a team of 600, started his journey with Four Seasons following his education at École Hôtelière de Lausanne (2000-2004). He left his position as Hotel Manager of the Parisian palace in January 2023.

📅 Sébastien Gea, a manager with Marriott International since 2003, was appointed as the head of Le Méridien N'fis Marrakech after more than four years at Riviera Marriott Hotel La Porte de Monaco. He started his career as Front Office Manager at Marriott Charles de Gaulle Airport in 2003 for two years and worked at Renaissance Paris La Défense, restructuring the reception team and improving financial results and audits. In 2009, he became Director of Rooms Operation at Courtyard by Marriott Neuilly, where he implemented OPERA and GIVEX programs.

🏂 La Compagnie des Alpes (CDA) announced key executive appointments: Rémi Fournial as director of strategy and development, and Aymeric Noizet as head of information systems and digital. Fournial, previously with Caisse des dépôts, will focus on growth opportunities and project coordination, while Noizet, with past roles at Société Générale and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, will oversee information systems, joining after leading a fleet management of 100,000 vehicles. CDA reported a 10.1% revenue increase to €1.24 billion for 2023/2024, with an EBITDA close to €350 million.