Nominations

🏡 InterContinental Bellevue at the Avenue features 190 rooms and 18 suites, including a 190m2 presidential suite, with views of Lake Washington and downtown Seattle. Haje Roger Thurau, the General Manager, emphasizes extraordinary amenities and contemporary comfort. Thurau's career includes roles as Director of Sales at NH Hotels (2003-2009), Cluster General Manager at Maritim Hotels Mauritius (2009-2015), Chief Commercial Officer at Sun Resorts (2015-2016), and General Manager at Shanti Maurice Resort & Spa (2016-2022) before joining InterContinental Bellevue in early 2023.

🏢 Michael Coscetta has been appointed President of Mews, bringing expertise from his previous roles at Paxos, a regulated blockchain infrastructure firm, and Compass Real Estate, where he contributed to a $2 billion annual revenue and the company's IPO in 2021. Coscetta also worked at Square, expanding the sales team across five countries and managing corporate client integration. Mews CEO Matthijs Welle highlighted Coscetta's experience in scaling companies as vital for Mews's growth in cloud technology adoption in hospitality.

🏨 Rob Tanenbaum, with 30 years of experience, has been appointed Senior Vice President of Strategic Operations for Trinity Investments, a U.S. real estate investor managing approximately €5 billion in hotel sector assets. Based in Miami, Tanenberg will oversee the East Coast operations, supported by associate Brittney Lewin. Trinity's East Coast portfolio includes The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, EAST Miami, and Grande Lakes Orlando Resort. Samantha Sugarman continues to manage Trinity's West Coast and Mexico assets. Trinity is undertaking transformations worth over $300 million, with renovations like Omni San Diego and W Hollywood to be completed by 2024.

🏨 Bob Gilbert, from Cornell University with a BS degree, and a respected leader in the global hospitality industry, announced his retirement facilitated by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International, the HSMAI Foundation, and HSMAI Global. Gilbert, who has been a mentor and friend to many in the industry, is retiring due to a serious health issue, capping off an impactful 30-year tenure with HSMAI where he led the association to new heights worldwide. Andrew Rubinacci, CHSP and President of HSMAI Americas, acknowledged Gilbert's contribution, which will influence the organization for years to come.

🍴 Elior Group's subsidiary, Elior, is the leading company in France's collective restaurant industry. For over 25 years, Elior has been ahead in meeting the expectations and needs of various groups, including children, students, workers, patients, and residents.

🏢 Christian Fomm, with a 30-year career across Europe, including the UK (Connaught, The Thistle Tower Hotel, Grosvenor House), Austria (Hotel Imperial and Hotel Bristol by Starwood), Spain (St. Regis Majorque), and a nearly 9-year stint with Hilton in Germany, takes his first position outside of Europe. Congratulations Christian Fomm!

💸 Tim Cordon's role as COO expanded to SEAP region. Rob Collier, responsible for future openings in MEA, will now also support SEAP. Caroline Thissen, Senior Area Director of Sales & Revenue Optimization, extends her responsibilities to SEAP. Stephanie Aboujaoude, Senior Area Director of Marketing & Communications for MEA and the Mediterranean, will also support SEAP. Saadiyah Hendricks, Area Director of PR & Social Media, and Diana Al Jaseem, Area Brand & Content Marketing Manager, to provide additional support from Dubai. Cameron Speedie promoted to Senior Director of Finance and Control SEAP, previously Regional Financial Controller for the Middle East, East Africa, and Nigeria.

🏨 Camille Laratte has joined Okko Hotels as the Marketing and Communications Director and will serve on the executive committee. With a background in developing F&B concepts at Accor Group and strategic conception to operational execution expertise, she aims to enhance customer experience. Laratte's marketing strategy for Okko Hotels will focus on innovation and sustainable practices, reflecting its status as France's first mission-driven hotel brand. She will lead strategic rebranding projects and brand expansion, ensuring marketing consistency and efficiency.

📈 Cédric Bartolini has been appointed to lead the commercial direction of Choice Hotels EMEA, focusing on sales, marketing, revenue management, and distribution. A veteran with a career starting at Vienna International Hotelmanagement AG, he later joined Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, then Maritim Hotelgesellschaft mbH in 2017, and Zenitude Hôtel-Résidences. In his new role, Bartolini will implement a targeted commercial strategy to enhance growth and profitability in the EMEA region. CEO David Beers expresses confidence in Bartolini's proven track record and impact on strategic goals and franchisee value proposition.

🏨 Pierre Lartigue discussed the Hotel Gaité Montparnasse transaction with Hospitality ON, following the sale of the 33-room, 4-star Hotel Opera Opal on rue Tronchet. The 3-star hotel, located in Paris' 14th arrondissement between Montparnasse station and rue de la Gaité, was acquired by Groupe Marmott, led by Louis Grandcolas and Matthieu Bégué, in collaboration with Extendam.