Worldwide Hospitality Awards 10th anniversary 10th anniversary of the Worldwide Hospitality Awards, November 25, 2009 (source: MKG Group)
Worldwide Hospitality Awards, 2009 Worlwide Hospitality Awards in the breathtaking Grand Salon Opéra, InterContinental Paris Le Grand (source: MKG Group)
Vibrant Hospitality Awards for 10th anniversary
The 10th anniversary of the Worldwide Hospitality Awards once again proved to be a grand stage for awarding excellence, as well as uniting the international hospitality industry to network and collectively explore opportunities for growth, development, innovation and sustainability.
Over 800 professionals turned up for the Worldwide Hospitality Award's 10th anniversary, held for the first time in the breathtaking Grand Salon Opéra, InterContinental Paris Le Grand.
"This year's Worldwide Hospitality Awards was a phenomenal success, especially considering the recent state of the economy and company budget restrictions. Due to the new venue, we were able to welcome a lot more guests, which was quite easy to fill. It was also great to see such positive morale from within the industry, as well as excellent initiatives to help boost performances in such challenging times," comments event founder, MKG Group President and CEO, Georges Panayotis.
Among the guests were 200 hotel brands from 25 countries, including the world's top 10 hotel groups. Grand Prix 2009 was awarded to Fédération Internationale des Logis and accepted by President, Jacqueline Roux. "For the first time, this prestigious prize is given to a consortium. We are extremely proud, as this acknowledges the hard work done by our 3,000 independent hotel-restaurants," she said.
Le Méridien received this year's best concept in a full service hotel award, with The Pod Hotel New York achieving most innovative concept in the limited service category. Other major awards included best communication campaign B&B Hotels, IHG's sustainable development, Louvre Hotels' e-commerce strategy, Citizen M for HR programme and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts for management training, Park Hyatt Paris Vendome took out novelty of the year. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi's Kai Speth won best general manager.
Meanwhile the Hospitality Awards' lifetime achievement was presented to Georg Rafael from the Rafael Group: "It is great that such an event has been organised in Paris, the tourist capital of the world. It was missing in the professional calendar and now thanks to MKG it is well established. It is very encouraging for the industry as a whole, especially in these difficult times. As for myself, to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award is very emotional. I have always been a hotelier and always will be with great passion. If I have a message to convey to my fellow hoteliers it is that they should always let this passion burn in their heart and soul".
This year's ceremony Chairman was Andrew Cosslett and Chairman of the awards advisory board was newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Pierre & Vacances Group Sven Boinet.
"It was a great privilege to host the awards at an InterContinentalfor the first time on the specialoccasion of the 10th anniversary.Passion and excellence can leave a great legacy. Great work and great accomplishment endures and carries a torch from one generation to the next. I congratulate all of the nominees and award winners from last night as they light the way for others in our industry to follow. It is their achievements, passion and commitment that are helping drive this industry forward at a time when we need it most," concluded CEO, InterContinental Hotels Group, Andrew Cosslett.
Georges Panayotis President -- Founder of the Hospitality Awards MKG Group Tel: 01 56 56 87 90 Fax: 01 56 56 87 88 g.panayotis@mkg-group.com www.mkg-group.com
Event Official Partners: Atout France, France 24, Palmes d'Or Champagne, Phillips, PriceWaterHouse Coopers, Sealy, TV5MONDE, Van Froid Climatisation, Baccarat, Equip'Hotel Paris, Hotel Compset, Hotel Fouquet's Barrière Paris, HTR Magazine, InterContinental Paris Le Grand, Le Figaro, OlaKala, Paris Office de Tourisme et des Congrès, Soft Audiovisuel, MKG Group.
Established in 1985, MKG Group has built a solid reputation for business expertise and substantial European-based know-how in the fields of tourism, lodging and food service. MKG Group meets the needs of each of its clients by providing the valuable analytical and decision-making skills necessary for success.
Together with other specialised brands, MKG Qualiting, OlaKala, Worldwide Hospitality Awards, Global Lodging Forum, as well as sector publication HTR Magazine and Hotel Restau Hedbo, MKG Group supports investors, hoteliers and key tourism players improve performance, boost productivity and achieve results. www.mkg-group.com
