Nominations

🏨 Rens Breur appointed as General Manager at Pan Pacific Perth. With over three decades of international hospitality experience, Breur has worked with prestigious brands like Relais & Châteaux, Fairmont, Langham Hotels, and Sofitel across North America, Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Formerly General Manager at The Langham Melbourne, Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach, and part of the opening team for Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour in 2017. Recently, Managing Director – Hotel Operations and Development at Fine Hotels in the Netherlands, overseeing six establishments. Polyglot Breur is also a marathoner, triathlete, and motorcycling enthusiast. Pan Pacific Perth is set to reopen under his leadership, emphasizing meaningful hospitality, sustainable commitment, and operational excellence.

🏨 Auberge Resorts Collection appoints Mohamed Elbanna, a luxury hospitality expert, to lead its global operations, aiming to unify the excellence standards while enhancing customer experience. Prior to this, Elbanna was COO of Fort Partners US and previously managed Citadel's global operations. With a career at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, he became Regional Vice President for Florida, Bahamas, and the Caribbean. Based in Bethesda, Maryland, Elbanna is married, a father of three, and enjoys cycling and Formula 1.

📱 Influence Society expanded in Europe by opening a new office at 28 cours Albert 1er in Paris' 8th district, near avenue Montaigne. The marketing agency specializes in digital storytelling for visionary hotel brands. The Paris bureau is led by Eve-Marie Steenman, former marketing director at Aman Hotels, who brings a strategic vision and a deep understanding of luxury hospitality experiences. The expansion reflects the agency's growing portfolio of clients in Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

🏨 Mohamed Elbanna is named Executive Vice President of Global Operations at Auberge Resorts Collection, bringing over 20 years of operational expertise. He will oversee daily operations across the brand's portfolio, focusing on guest experience, operational performance, and brand cohesion. Elbanna's previous roles include the COO of Fort Partners US's hospitality division, leadership positions at Citadel, and regional VP at Four Seasons in Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean.

🏨 Shobhit Khattri, based in New Delhi, is tasked with identifying new development opportunities for Minor Hotels in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, managing the process from site selection to hotel openings. He reports to Omar Romero, Chief Development & Luxury Officer and works closely with the Business Development team in Asia. Khattri has over 17 years of experience in the hotel industry, with contributions to the growth of TAJ and IHG in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Minor Hotels plans an ambitious expansion in India, with Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur opening in November 2024, featuring 150 keys, and aims for 50 new openings in the next decade, focusing on the premium and luxury segments. The Avani+ Sunray Beach Visakhapatnam Resort marks Avani's first foray into India.

📈 Kristin Oliver appointed as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, effective May 12, 2025, succeeding Malaika Myers who retires after 7 years. Oliver brings 15 years of HR leadership experience from HanesBrands, Walgreens, Chico's, and Walmart, aiming to drive Hyatt's future growth. CEO Mark Hoplamazian highlights her goal-oriented approach to guide the company's talent strategy amidst transformation.

🏢 Malaika Myers, after 7 years as CHRO, will retire from Hyatt Hotels Corporation at the end of May 2025. Kristin Oliver, with 15 years in HR from retail and consumer goods sectors, including leadership roles at Walmart, Chico's, Walgreens, and HanesBrands, will take over as CHRO on May 12, 2025, and move to the company's headquarters in Chicago. Under Myers, Hyatt launched the RiseHY program, targeting the employment of 10,000 disadvantaged youth.

🏡 Pierre-Hadrien Helbecque appointed Hotel Manager of The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel in New York's Upper East Side. Helbecque, with a career spanning Europe and Asia, has worked at Raffles Siem Reap, Hilton Tokyo, and The Peninsula Bangkok, climbing ranks with a focus on Food & Beverage before moving to overall hospitality operations management. His F&B leadership at Fairmont Monte Carlo and Hôtel de Crillon, lasting nearly 4 years, noted for financial performance, attention to detail, and human leadership. The Carlyle is an iconic Manhattan institution frequented by high society, celebrities, and political figures.

🏨 Leonardo Hotels, expanding rapidly in Europe and the UK, appointed Isaac Mizrachi as Global Head of Loyalty in March, based in Berlin. Mizrachi's task is to evolve the current AdvantageCLUB program, which offers points on direct bookings, free nights, dining discounts, and late checkouts. The goal is to create an innovative platform with gamification, hyper-personalization, and a seamless omnichannel experience. CEO David Fattal highlights loyalty platform development as a strategic priority.