The Leading Hotels of the World Hosts 2010 Annual Convention at ...

The Leading Hotels of the World Hosts 2010 Annual Convention
at Historic Imperial Hotel in Tokyo
Major Milestones Marked and New Chairman Announced
NEW YORK, NY (December 3, 2010) – The Leading Hotels of the World hosted one of its most important
global gatherings, the Annual Convention, at Tokyo‟s iconic 120-year-old Imperial Hotel from November
18 to 21. In attendance were proprietors, managing directors, general managers, and sales and
marketing executives from the world‟s finest hotels, resorts and spas.
Milestones Marked
The Leading Hotels of the World president and chief executive officer, Ted Teng, assessed the year thus
far for its hotel members, “We continue to focus on our core business – improving quality and increasing
revenue to our hotel members. As a result of our efforts we generated 15% more in room revenue
compared to last year, in spite of reducing our hotel inventory by 4%.” Mr. Teng marked a major milestone
when he unveiled the company‟s first new logo since the organization‟s inception. He also introduced the
latest edition of the membership directory of The Leading Hotels of the World which will be available to
consumers at the beginning of 2011. This directory is completely redesigned to highlight the unique
nature and character of every one of its members – each distinct from the other, but all bound by the
commitment to provide outstanding and memorable travel experiences. At the conclusion of the meeting
Mr. Teng stated, “I was thrilled with the feedback I‟ve received from our delegates who told me they felt
our Convention left them feeling „revitalized‟ and „inspired‟ about the direction of Leading Hotels.”
New Chairman Announced
A pivotal moment of the Convention came as the chairmanship of the
organization passed from Jean-Jacques Gauer, who had been at the
helm since 1990, to Andrea Kracht, vice chairman and proprietor of the
legendary Baur au Lac in Zurich, Switzerland. “It has certainly been an
honor, a privilege, and the most illuminating experience to work with so
many talented hoteliers, our members – but also a very humbling
experience to serve you as chairman. And for all that, I will be forever
grateful,” said Mr. Gauer who is also the general manager of Lausanne
Palace & Spa. During his tenure as chairman of Leading Hotels, he
secured the company‟s position as the premier representation solution
for independent luxury hotels, and opened offices in emerging markets
in Eastern Europe and Asia, creating a unique luxury presence in the
global hospitality industry.
The new chairman, Mr. Kracht, continues a Leading Hotels tradition; he is the scion of a family of
renowned independent hoteliers, whose properties have become icons and defining examples of the
finest in the art of hotel-keeping. Perhaps Mr. Kracht put it best when he said, “The real value and driver
of this company is the quality of its members and the dedicated employees who support our hotels. We
have had an ambitious business plan to drive more revenue to our members. This plan which relies, not
on an overall increase in our number of hotels, but in the quality of our portfolio – even if this means
losing some properties that do not make the mark.”
Also, for the first time ever, Leading Hotels hosted a press conference for key figures of the Japanese
media. With a focus on independent luxury hospitality, this event introduced representatives from Leading
Hotels whose stewardship has passed through the hands of no fewer than three generations of the same
family. As Mr. Kracht said, “This is more than a company; it is a shared heritage.” Among the attendees
were Tonino Cacace of Capri Palace Hotel & Spa; Guido Fiorentino of Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria;
Carmela Camera Gambardella of Hotel Santa Caterina; Michael Geisel of Hotel Konigshof; Elisabeth

Gürtler of Hotel Sacher Wien; Innegrit Volkhardt of Bayerischer Hof; Andrea Kracht of Baur au Lac;
Antonio Sersale from Le Sirenuse; Ernst and Andrea Scherz of the Gstaad Palace; Gianfanco Morgano
from Grand Hotel Quisisana.
Other memorable Convention speakers included noted author and journalist, Nury Vittachi, who shared
insights from his latest best-selling book, The Kama Sutra of Business; Hiromasa Yonekura, chairman, of
Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.; Massimo Quarra, executive vice president travel services & cardmember
benefits, chairman of American Express Services Europe; Morris Miselowski, principal and founder of
Success through Focus; Elizabeth Randall, global managing director of Smith Travel Research; and Ken
Grant, chief executive of FDKG.
Event participants were collectively hosted at four Leading Hotels: Imperial Hotel, Tokyo; Hotel Okura
Tokyo; The Prince Park Tower Tokyo; and Hotel Seiyo Ginza. Each did a remarkable job catering to the
diverse, global tastes of this especially discerning group of guests.
About The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd.
The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. is the prestigious luxury hospitality organization representing over
430 of the world‟s finest hotels, resorts and spas. Its mission is to curate and champion an exclusive
collection of independent properties, including grand palaces and intimate city hideaways, luxury tent
enclaves and expansive self-contained resorts. Established in 1928 by several influential and forwardthinking
European hoteliers, it started with 38 initial members. Honoring this tradition, the company
recognizes the strength and appeal of each hotel lies in its distinctiveness, innovation and relationship to
its destination. Its loyal customers demand levels of quality they have come to expect of the brand, while
seeking authentic and enriching travel experiences. To be considered for inclusion, a hotel must adhere
to strict quality standards and master the art of extraordinary hospitality. Leading Hotels are bound
together in excellence, yet unique in character.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Oberstein
Director of Communications
Tel: (1-212) 515-5782
E-Mail: joberstein@lhw.com
Web/Photography: www.lhw.com/press