Presidency & Selection Committee 2023

Presidency
& Selection Committee 2023

Each year, the selection committee, made up of European personalities, hospitality and gastronomy professionals, validates a list of potential candidates eligible for the European Hotel Awards accolades. The winners are recognized professionals from the world of hospitality and tourism industry.

Michel Stalport
President of Chapter 2023

Trained at Namur Hotel School and Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, Michel Stalport is a high-level business executive specializing in the management and development of the international hotel industry. From Hilton International EMEA, via the Walt Disney company to the Radisson Hotel Group, Michel Stalport’s career is paved with success. Climbing all levels of the hierarchical chain, from Regional Director F&B, through General Manager, to Vice-President Eastern Europe & Russia and Senior Advisor Radisson Hotel Group since december 2022, is a living legend in the European hotel industry.

I feel very privileged to have the honor of being the President of the European Hotel Awards 2023. For me, this is a great opportunity to contribute to highlighting the talents of the European hotel industry.

Claudia Tapardel
Official Ambassador

Claudia Tapardel is a European public figure, a global public speaker and an enthusiastic entrepreneur, with a high expertise in european affairs, especially transport and tourism. She is the Founder and CEO of CT EU Affairs, a former Member of the European Parliament and Chair of European Tourism Intergroup. With a PhD in Management and Strategic Planning, she has an intensive political, legislative, negotiation, strategic communication and business management experience and skills.

“As official Ambassador of European Hotel Awards and former Member of European Parliament, I am so proud and motivated to bring my expertise to hotel & tourism sector in Europe”

Albert Rouwendal
Vice-President Hospitality

Albert Rouwendal, a Dutch national, is a leading international hospitality professional with years of experience and success under his belt. He was until recently Director of Operation Officer and General Manager for the Benelux of Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, based in Amsterdam. And oversaw, as General Manager, Sunrise Kempinski and Yanqi Island hotels with a team of 1,000 employees. In his career, he has held several management positions for renowned international luxury hotel groups, including IHG, Shangri-La, Hilton, Kempinski and of course Movenpick in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Albert Rouwendal is an expert in the luxury hospitality sector.

“As Vice-President Hospitality of European Hotel Awards and Member of the board, I am very honored to participate in the promotion of ours peers in search of excellence”

Stefano Brancato
Vice-President F&B

Former general manager for 25 years of the famous and legendary Café de Paris in Monte-Carlo, Principality of Monaco, Stefano Brancato, of Italian nationality, is an expert in the F&B sector. At the head of the Café de Paris for a quarter of a century, with a team of 230 employees, in high season, and an average of 1,000 customers per day, Stefano Brancato has proven his high skills in this specific area. Recently, he was honored by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco with the title of: Chevalier de l’Ordre de Saint Charles, the highest of Monegasque distinctions, ahead of the Order of Grimaldi.

“For me, the European Hotel Awards represent a great opportunity to honor the best employees who provide excellent services to customers, in the F&B departments of hotels. This employment sector really needs recognition.”

Guillaume Gomez
Permanent Honorary President

Guillaume Gomez, former chef of the Presidency of the French Republic and president of the Chefs de la République. Since 2021, he has been appointed personal representative of the President of the Republic for gastronomy, food and the culinary arts.

“I accept with pleasure the permanent honorary presidency of the presentation of the “European Hotels Awards by References”. Paris, March 21, 2017.”

Thierry Lavalley
Permanent Honorary Board Member

Professional in the hotel industry for more than 40 years, Thierry Lavalley is a highly experienced General Manager in the luxury hotel sector: Swissôtel Hotels and Resorts, Kempinski Hotels and Accor Group – Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. He was also President of the Société des Hôteliers de Genève for several years, responsible for defending the interests and rights of Geneva hoteliers. Holder of numerous international accolades and awards, Thierry Lavalley is recognized by the world hotel industry as a high-level personality.

“ The European Hotel Awards are a great initiative to highlight the hotel industry in Europe. Since their creation, I fully support the institutional spirit of these awards. “

Michele Florentino
Permanent Grand Officer of the Board & Vice-President for tourism

Michele Florentino is a public speaker, writer and specialist in hospitality, gastronomy, wine and tourism. Michele Florentino is Knight of the Order of Grimaldi, Monegasque Medal of Merit, Knight Officer of Ordine della Stella d’Italia – the Order of the Star of Italy 2012, given by Mr. Giorgio Napolitano (President of the Italian Republic 2006-2015). Michele Florentino was also member of the Board of the Association of Italian Hoteliers, Co-founder and member of the Board of the AIS (Italian Association of Sommeliers), among many activities and institutional presences. Writer in oeno-gastronomy, he is the author of a best seller: Brevi storie di vino e donne, prefaced by the famous Maria Rita Parsi and Arrigo Cipriani, owner of legendary Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy.

“ Very honored to be part of the board of the European Hotel Awards, I am really passionate about participating in the promotion of the hotel industry and gastronomy in Europe. “

Michel A.Galopin
Permanent Honorary Board Member

With more than fifty years of successful life in the worldwide hotel business, Michel A.Galopin has worked in seven countries including his native France in renowned five-star properties in Geneva, Paris, London, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Seoul, Saint-Jean Cap-Ferrat on the French Riviera, Bordeaux and finally Islamabad in Pakistan. Trained in the Intercontinental Group, then privileged to join The Ritz in Paris, later the London Ritz and prestigious groups such as Dorchester (The Plaza Athénée), Mandarin (The Oriental), Peninsula (The Peninsula), Samsung (The Shilla) and lately the Serena group, property of the Aga Khan, where he managed their flagship – The Islamabad Serena Hotel – for ten years, the French government bestowed him the Mérite Agricole and a few years after the Ordre du Mérite.

“ I am very honored to be part of the European Hotel Awards committee and to contribute to the promotion of luxury hospitality in Europe which is an icon all over the world. “