Human Resources

🌐 Ilana Edelman has been appointed VP of Development for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Atelier Ace. Based in London, she will lead the brand's growth and investments, reporting to CEO Chris Penn. Edelman, with 15 years in hospitality, including past roles at Google and Hyatt, aims to expand in Europe. Atelier Ace's parent, Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide, targets 250 hotels globally by 2035, focusing on locations like London to achieve this growth.

🏨 Thom Geshay, CEO of Davidson Hospitality Group, will become chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association board from July 1, 2026. Jon Stanner and Jolyon Bulley take vice chair and secretary/treasurer roles. Geshay succeeds Liam Brown, who retires after nearly 40 years. Geshay and Stanner have extensive experience in hospitality leadership. Geshay, once a bellman, emphasizes workforce challenges and travel demand. New board members include Michelle Woodley and Adam Rohman.

🏝️ In 2023, my job title at Mandarin Oriental evolved to Group Director of Leisure, Spa & Wellness, reflecting a shift towards highlighting leisure experiences across urban hotels and resorts. The group's vision emphasizes converting leisure time into meaningful experiences, despite my initial reservations about the passive connotation of "leisure." Discussions with CEO James Riley led to retaining "leisure" after exploring alternatives like "resorts" and "experiences." The etymological research links "leisure" to freedom from obligations.

🏨 RBH Hospitality Management secured a contract to manage the Radisson Hotel Liverpool, marking its fourth property in the city. Situated in central Liverpool, the recently refurbished hotel features 194 rooms, a bar, restaurant, and event spaces. This first partnership with Radisson expands RBH’s portfolio, which includes IHG, Marriott, Hilton, Accor, and Wyndham. Chief executive David Hart sees this as a significant milestone, while Allan Davidson of Stonemoss Hospitality sees it as a confidence boost for Liverpool’s hospitality scene.

📖 On July 6, 2023, John, a data analyst, resigned, sparking a hiring drive. In less than a month, 800 resumes were reviewed; Maya, a standout with genuine skills and enthusiasm, was hired. The hiring focus was on integrity, learning ability, and drive, favoring an 80/20 skill-heart split. A memorable hire, Ann, displayed growth by self-learning Power BI post-interview. Candidates were assessed through presentations of their problem-solving skills, revealing their true capabilities beyond resumes.

🏠 In 2023, InnVentures in Kent, Washington, promoted Dury Kim to Senior Vice President of Commercial Strategy and appointed Brittany Cascanet as Vice President of Commercial Strategy. Kim, initially Vice President of Revenue and Distribution, will oversee commercial initiatives to maximize performance and value. Cascanet will lead commercial performance initiatives. Executive VP Tony Maness praised their expertise and strategic vision. Kim and Cascanet aim to enhance performance and drive asset value through data-driven strategies.

💻 Sean Anderson has been appointed as Chief Revenue Officer at RobosizeME, a hospitality AI automation company, aiming to boost growth globally with hotel groups. Operating across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, RobosizeME enhances hotel efficiency by automating finance, reservations, and operations. Anderson, leveraging his experience from SAP and Book4Time, is expected to drive revenue from $3M to $25M in ARR. Under his leadership, RobosizeME aims to scale its AI automation across hotel portfolios.

📊 Hyatt has appointed Geoffray Maugin as vice president of marketing and loyalty for EAME, aiming to drive brand growth. In 2025, Hyatt achieved its ninth consecutive year of growth, with 148,000 rooms—a 7% increase from 2024—and its loyalty program grew by 19%, now surpassing 66 million members. Hyatt plans a 30% luxury portfolio expansion in EAME by 2026, with 13 new hotels. Recent leadership changes include Marc Jacheet as president for EAME.

🏨 Michael Bennett, CEO of Cendyn since late 2025, leads a new team of former hospitality operators to address commercial challenges. Cendyn offers solutions and proactive account management to support hoteliers adapting to AI-driven booking channels and digital commerce changes. Victoria Curley of Roomzzz Aparthotels praises the partnership since 2019, noting significant evolution and support. Cendyn prioritizes customer success over renewals, focusing on revenue outcomes and strategic guidance.