CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corp. President and CEO Mark Hoplamazian was recognized with the Cornell Hospitality Icon of the Industry Award at the 16th Annual Cornell Hospitality Icon and Innovator Awards Celebration, honoring Mark’s visionary leadership and contributions to both Hyatt and the hospitality industry at large. Throughout his eighteen-year CEO tenure at Hyatt, Mark’s dedication has created a lasting impact on the hospitality industry and people around the world. During the award ceremony in New York, Mark shared that Hyatt is proudly renewing its RiseHY commitment beyond 2025 with an expanded goal of Hyatt and Hyatt hotels hiring 5,000 more Opportunity...

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS—Hotels for Trees, a nonprofit organization advancing sustainability in the hospitality industry, announces the appointment of Daniel Johnson as Partnerships Officer – Technology. Johnson, a seasoned hotel technology executive and cybersecurity expert, will play a key role in accelerating the organization’s mission of planting trees in exchange for reduced hotel room cleanings through smart technology integrations. Hotels for Trees works with hotels to offer their guests the option to skip daily room cleaning in favor of planting a tree, with each selection resulting in a direct tree donation. This initiative not only reduces the environmental footprint of daily operations but...

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK—Starwood Hotels, the hotel brand management company that operates 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels, and Treehouse Hotels, announces the appointment of two key leaders to support the highly anticipated 1 Hotel Copenhagen, set to open next month. Isabella Gunnarsson will serve as Commercial Director, and Asbjørn Rytter joins as Director of Sales, marking a significant step in the brand’s expansion into Europe. Gunnarsson has been promoted to Commercial Director for 1 Hotel Copenhagen, where she will lead all commercial operations, including sales, revenue management, and business development. Gunnarsson spent over a decade with Skt. Petri Hotel, playing a key role...

DALLAS—The Hilton Anatole recently announced the appointment of Josh Franklin as Director of Wellness and Recreation. A seasoned leader in luxury hospitality, Franklin’s background includes designing high-impact wellness programs and innovative recreation experiences. In his new role, Franklin will oversee all wellness, recreation and fitness operations, including the renowned JadeWaters Resort Pool Complex and Verandah Athletic Club & Spa. He will also lead the development of innovative wellness initiatives, guest experiences and revenue-generating programs tailored to business and leisure travelers alike. Franklin joins the Hilton Anatole following leadership roles at Reynolds Outfitters at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, and Hotel del...

MIAMI BEACH, FLA.—The Betsy Hotel, known widely as a leading literary hotel, welcomes Dr. Annette Fromm as its first ever community librarian. The 130-room, family owned and operated luxury boutique resort boasts over 10,000 books throughout its dedicated traditional library, guestrooms and public spaces. With over 40 years of literary and scholarly experience, Dr. Fromm will curate and expand the hotel’s collection, further enhancing its reputation as a haven for book-loving travelers and locals. Dr. Fromm brings a wealth of literary and historical expertise to her new role at The Betsy Hotel. She earned her doctorate from the University of Indiana with a...

Name: Danielle Khoo Title: Director of Sustainability | Global Design Strategies Company: Marriott International, Inc. Years in Current Position: Two years and three months. Primary Responsibilities: “Lead the sustainability strategy within the design and development processes with a focus on the built environment.” Company’s most significant accomplishment in design sustainability: “We released updates to new-build standards. It was quite the undertaking to update the standards.” Company’s most significant challenge moving forward in sustainability: “Minimizing our environmental impact while continuing to grow. Hotel companies are measured by growth. Getting over that hurdle.” SEATTLE—As Director of Sustainability | Global Design Strategies for Marriott International, Danielle Khoo ensures that...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The Kessler Collection, a leading name in luxury Southern hospitality, has appointed accomplished HR leader, Brian McCormick, as Vice President of People & Culture. In this role, he will leverage his extensive experience in corporate recruitment to enhance workplace culture and performance management across the portfolio. With over 20 years of experience in talent management and employee relations for luxury hotel brands, McCormick has a proven track record of elevating workplace culture and improving employee lifecycles. Prior to joining The Kessler Collection, he was Vice President of Human Resources at The Broadmoor, leading HR initiatives for more than 2,200...

LONDON—Winnow, a market-leader in AI-powered food waste management, announced an exclusive partnership with zero-waste chef and pioneer Vojtech Végh. As Winnow’s new Zero Waste Culinary Advisor, Vojtech brings his expertise in helping chefs to reimagine food waste. The focus of the partnership will be on reducing trimmings waste—an often-overlooked opportunity in commercial kitchens. “I’m thrilled to join Winnow as their new Zero Waste Culinary Advisor,” said Vojtech. “I’ve spent my career reimagining what’s possible with wasted ingredients. Winnow’s data shines a critical light on what ends up in the bin, and I see enormous potential in what we can achieve...

MILWAUKEE, WIS.—Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, an award-winning arts hotel owned and managed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts, recently announced Megan Woodard Johnson, a mixed-media abstract artist from West Bend, Wis., as its newest Artist in Residence. The year-long residency program for Midwest-based artists provides working space in the hotel’s studio, allowing artists to continue creating while also interacting with hotel guests. Johnson is Saint Kate’s third Artist in Residence. “Saint Kate is known for creating unique connections with everyone who visits,” said Linda Marcus, one of Saint Kate’s visionaries and a nationally recognized multidisciplinary artist, designer, and storyteller. “By selecting Megan as...

BALI, INDONESIA—COMO Uma Canggu announced the appointment of I Kadek Sugiantara as the new Executive Chef. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Chef Sugiantara brings a wealth of experience and a profound understanding of innovative gastronomy. Chef Sugiantara will oversee the culinary operations at COMO Uma Canggu. His vision aligns with COMO Uma Canggu’s commitment to delivering elevated dining experiences inspired by sustainable practices and fresh, locally sourced ingredients. This appointment marks a return to the COMO family for Chef Sugiantara, who is no stranger to the brand. He previously honed his craft at COMO Parrot Cay in Turks and...