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2012 HOTELIERS
OF THE
WORLD
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FOR THE 32ND YEAR ,
HOTELS will present Hotelier of the World awards in Corporate and Independent categories . Please go online to vote at hotelsmag . com / how2012 .
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These awards recognize individuals and their careers — not the companies they have represented . Criteria include how they have defined standards of service , excellence and |
performance ; demonstrated creativity in management and style ; and what they have done to improve and promote the global hotel industry .
Winners will be profiled in HOTELS and
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recognized at an event in New York City .
To cast your ballot , go to hotelsmag . com / how2012 . Each HOTELS subscriber is allowed just one vote . Nonsubscribers cannot vote .
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CORPORATE NOMINEES |
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CHRISTOPHER COWDRAY
CEO , DORCHESTER COLLECTION , LONDON
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LAURENCE GELLER
PRESIDENT AND CEO , STRATEGIC HOTELS & RESORTS , CHICAGO
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THOMAS HEWITT
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD , INTERSTATE HOTELS & RESORTS , ARLINGTON , VIRGINIA
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A . PATRICK IMBARDELLI
PRESIDENT AND CEO , PAN PACIFIC HOTELS GROUP , SINGAPORE
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Cowdray brings nearly 30 years of global hotel experience to his position , including three years as general manager of The Dorchester in London , six years as managing director of Claridge ’ s in London and a stint as GM of the Al Bustan Palace in Oman .
Since 2007 , Cowdray has been working to transform Dorchester Collection into the ultimate hotel management company . He has outlined ambitious growth plans for 15 hotels within the next five to 10 years , predominantly in North America and Europe .
A native of Zimbabwe , Cowdray is a regular speaker at major customer service conferences , a fellow of the Hotel Catering Institute Management Association , a Master Innholder and past chairman of the British Hospitality Association .
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After starting his career in the kitchen at The Connaught , Geller was a senior executive at Grand Metropolitan Hotels by age 25 . Geller also held leadership positions at Holiday Inns and Hyatt , and today owns hotels and resorts throughout North America and Europe .
Geller has survived insolvency several times and displayed resilience in becoming one of the most innovative owner-asset managers .
As chairman of the Churchill Centre in London , Geller is a passionate advocate for the life , times and lessons learned from Sir Winston Churchill . He is also continually involved in multiple civic , philanthropic and humanitarian activities . Most recently , Geller was appointed Commander of The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire by Her Majesty , Queen Elizabeth II .
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Hewitt was Interstate ’ s chief executive officer from 2005 to 2011 and a director since the company was formed in July 2002 after the merger of Interstate Hotels Corp . ( IHC ) and MeriStar Hotels & Resorts . Hewitt was chairman and CEO of IHC since March 1999 , leading the spinoff of that company from Wyndham International and helping facilitate the MeriStar merger .
Previously , Hewitt was president and chief operating officer of The Continental Companies , which owned and managed more than 80 hotels .
Hewitt spent more than 20 years with Sheraton Corp ., serving as president of its North American division from 1983 to 1985 .
Hewitt is actively involved in a variety of civic organizations and has served as chairman of the American Hotel Foundation .
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Imbardelli began his career with Hilton International before moving on to Southern Pacific Hotels Corp . ( SPHC ). In 2000 , when SPHC was sold to Bass Hotels & Resorts ( today IHG ), he led the group as chief executive for Asia Pacific from 2003 and drove growth in key markets , especially China .
Appointed to his current role in 2008 , Imbardelli has worked to integrate and refresh the Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts and Parkroyal Hotels & Resorts brands .
Since 2009 , the group has extended its hotel portfolio with the rebranding and opening of 14 hotels under the two flags , with five due to open this year . Imbardelli reintroduced the Parkroyal brand to Australia after a decade-long absence and this year will see the brand debut in China .
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www . hotelsmag . com April 2012 HOTELS 7 |