2007 Annual Convention of The Leading Hotels of the World Acclaimed a Success (Monte Carlo)
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2007 Annual Convention of The Leading Hotels of the World Acclaimed a Success (Monte Carlo)
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Category: Europe -
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2007-12-03
Hoteliers from around the world celebrate an 80-year tradition of excellence
The Leading Hotels of the World recently held its
2007 Annual Convention in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Taking place from November 15 to
17, the conference attracted a record number of proprietors and general managers from
member hotels from across the globe, for an event that drew universal praise from the
attendees.
The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd., which was founded nearly 80 years ago and
today has nearly 450 members in 80 countries around the globe, is the largest and most
prestigious brand in the luxury hotel sector. Membership is by application only, and
hotels must pass an extremely rigorous anonymous inspection before they can be
considered for acceptance.
The theme for this year’s event was “What Becomes a Legend Most? Leading’s
Relevance in Today’s Hotel Market,” examining the strengths that the eight-decade old
company brings to bear on the future of the luxury hospitality industry. The program
included a broad spectrum of high-profile speakers, among them Pamela Fiori, editor-inchief
of Town & Country magazine, discussing “Our Love Affair with Legends;” television
host and producer Rudy Maxa; Nathalie Vranken of Vranken-Pommery; and luxury
trends expert Chris Sanderson of The Future Laboratory. Peter Greenberg, noted author
and travel editor at NBC, conducted several interviews for a live radio broadcast on
Saturday afternoon from the Hotel Metropole.
A particular highlight of the Convention was the arrival of His Serene Highness Prince
Albert II of Monaco at the welcome reception in the world-renowned Oceanographic
Museum. During the event Jean-Jacques Gauer, chairman of The Leading Hotels of the
World, Ltd., presented His Serene Highness with a generous donation to the Prince
Albert II of Monaco Foundation, dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable
development, on behalf of the organization.
“The Annual Convention of The Leading Hotels of the World is the most important
gathering of its kind in the luxury hospitality industry,” noted Paul M. McManus, the
company’s president and chief executive officer. “Over the past 80 years, our
organization has painstakingly established a reputation for excellence in service – to our
guests and to our hotels – and it is our mission to uphold this legacy going forward.
“The record number of attendees this year is testament to the importance of the support
Leading Hotels provides our members, and the experience of luxury they deliver to our guests. We are proud of our heritage and look forward to continuing this legendary
tradition.”
Interspersed throughout the meetings, top management of The Leading Hotels of the
World, Ltd. provided reports on the company’s accomplishments for 2007, as well as
updates on the outlook for the coming year.
Among the distinguished hoteliers in attendance were Jean-Marc Droulers, President &
Chief Executive Officer of Italy’s renowned Villa D’Este; Grace Leo, President if GLA
Hotels; Stephen Boxall, General Manager of The Ritz London; Gordon Campbell Gray,
Chairman of Campbell Gray Hotels; Raymond Bickson, Managing Director, Taj Hotels
Resorts and Palaces; Antonio Sersale, Managing Director of Le Sirenuse in Positano;
and Andrea Kracht, proprietor of the legendary Baur au Lac in Zurich, Switzerland.
The 2007 Convention concluded with a black-tie gala at the Sporting d’Eté, complete
with lavish entertainment and fireworks, where Mr. Gauer declared the year of
celebration of the company’s 80th anniversary officially underway.
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