WHAT ’ S HOT PEOPLE
NOW :
In addition to continually engaging luxury consumers in dialogue about their experiential needs , new signings this year have included the Conrad Manila and Waldorf Astoria Doha . China continues to be a hotbed of activity for Hilton with projects under construction in Suzhou ( a Conrad ), and Chengdu ( Waldorf ). Ennes also points to opportunities in Colombia , Brazil and Indonesia , and he says Hilton should be announcing a couple of gateway flagship North American hotels in the coming months .
NEXT :
Ennes will be spending time in Shanghai and Orlando to host Hilton GMs , directors of business development and key corporate team members at its LuxCon luxury global partners conference . He is also hosting an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Cavalieri in Rome .
MICHAEL
ENNES
SENIOR DIRECTOR , BRAND DEVELOPMENT , LUXURY AND LIFESTYLE BRANDS , HILTON WORLDWIDE , MCLEAN , VIRGINIA
Ennes is shepherding the global portfolio growth of Waldorf Astoria and Conrad , which is expected to eclipse 75 hotels in the next few years . In the past 18 months , the brands added several new properties , including projects like Conrad Seoul , Conrad New York , Conrad Beijing , Waldorf Astoria Chicago and Waldorf Astoria Berlin .
LEE MCCABE
HEAD OF TRAVEL , FACEBOOK , MENLO PARK , CALIFORNIA
Get used to this face . McCabe has been hired to offer hoteliers more clarity on Facebook ’ s plans for the travel vertical . Its newly debuted Graph Search and Nearby products have the potential to place Facebook right in the middle of the battle for consumer eyeballs and booking intentions .
NOW :
McCabe is consolidating Facebook ’ s presence in the travel industry and is working with companies such as MGM Resorts , Marriott , Hilton and Starwood to establish a clear set of measurable strategies around Facebook Exchange , Custom Audiences and Mobile App Install Ads . He says MGM Resorts has seen a 15x ROI with Facebook Exchange and 5x ROI with Custom Audience . “ The power of matching a brand ’ s customer insights and knowledge with the knowledge of our users is a very compelling opportunity for travel ,” McCabe says .
NEXT :
Long term , McCabe says Facebook needs to establish itself as an important and valued partner for any travel business . He is particularly excited about the opportunities that Facebook ’ s mobile and graph search development will bring . “ We are now very much a mobile-first company , and for travel that is key ,” he says .
24 HOTELS June 2013 www . hotelsmag . com