Hong Kong, January 23, 2020 /Xinwengao.com/ - Too often middle leaders in educational organizations are stuck in an imaginary zone that feels like Middle Earth. In Michael Iannini’s new bestselling book “Hidden In Plain Sight: Realizing The Full Potential Of Middle Leaders”, he breaks open the doors for middle leaders to succeed by achieving a shared purpose that will improve student learning by raising the standard of teaching across the school.

“Working interdependently doesn’t happen because we label a team a learning community or administratively mandate professional learning with fixed schedules and objectives,” says Michael. “Getting teams to work interdependently requires empowered middle leaders. This book will help senior leaders empower middle leaders to take ownership of school change initiatives, by: understanding how to select middle leaders, differentiating expectations for middle leaders, and identifying the skills and knowledge middle leaders need to lead change. Middle leaders will learn how to advocate for themselves and their team, by understanding how their role changes as the team develops, establishing a clear purpose and goals, and harnessing conflict to innovate.”

“Hidden In Plain Sight” is a valuable learning tool for every educator. With a foreword written by ACAMIS’s Executive Director Tom Ulmet, this is a book that can improve middle leadership in any school. Go to www.pdacademia.com to read excerpts from the book and access video tutorials facilitated by Michael. Get a copy of the book on Amazon.com by searching for Michael Iannini or using this ASIN Code: B082YHKTKN

Michael Iannini is a Council of International Schools affiliated consultant with the following areas of expertise: Appraisal and professional development, Leadership training, School governance and Strategic planning. Michael also serves as the contracted PD Coordinator for the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS). His journey in education began 24 years ago as a research assistant at Arizona State University’s Child Development Laboratory, where he honed his talent for developmental education. Since moving to China in 1999, Michael has advised the Boards and Senior Leadership of a number of Not-for-Profit Organizations, International Schools, and Chinese Bilingual schools on how to develop curriculum, train teachers, create parent engagement strategies, and devise staff capacity building strategies. His exhaustive efforts have helped nurture a long and mutually beneficial relationship with ACAMIS’ network of schools (www.acamis.org), where he has served as ACAMIS’s contracted PD Coordinator for over 8 years.

As a consultant, Michael’s main focus is helping schools engage with their community and improve student learning by improving collaboration and organizational management. His diverse work experience (which spans the United States, China and all of East and South East Asia) has given him the ability to satisfy the needs of diverse stakeholders, improve cross-cultural leadership skills and establish effective communication strategies.

More information is available at https://pdacademia.com/my-book/

The press release Why Are Some Of Our Best Leaders Hiding In Plain Sight And How Can We Help Them Improve Collaboration In Their Schools? comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Hong Kong, February 7, 2017 /Xinwengao.com/ - The 15th Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) today unveiled its lineup of 25 outstanding film projects to be presented from 13 to 15 March 2017. The projects were selected out of over 350 submissions from 14 different countries and regions, including Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan.

This year’s selections include projects by young directors developing their first feature films, with an unprecedented increase in the number of women filmmakers. Most of the films are family-driven projects that touch on contemporary social issues, while others explore topics such as non-traditional families, marriages in upheaval, and the complexities of parent-child relationships. Shortlisted projects this year also include two genres not usually seen at HAF: science fiction and gothic thriller.

As one of the most recognized film-financing platforms in Asia, HAF continues its role in connecting filmmakers and their upcoming film projects with internationally prominent film financiers, producers, bankers, distributors, buyers, and funders for potential co-production ventures.

Five Hong Kong Projects to Be Presented

This year, the shortlisted projects include five from Hong Kong: veteran filmmaker Derek CHIU Sung-kee’s No.1 Chung Ying Street, a drama that examines the 1967 riots in Hong Kong; Sunny CHAN’s Man on the Dragon, a comedy-drama about five middle-age men who compete in a dragon boat championship to regain the braveness and passion of lives; Impossible Split, from TOM Chung-sing, which tells the inspiring story of bowling athlete WU Siu-hong, who achieved world championship status despite being haunted by a fatal disease. The film is produced by award-winning director Adam WONG, whose films The Way We Dance and She Remembers, He Forgets both received critical acclaim, and whose project Trains in the Night was presented at last year’s HAF.

The Goddess, from Sobel CHAN Ka-lok, pays homage to classic 1930s Chinese films and focuses on the issues of Hong Kong’s public-education system, the lives of Mainland immigrants and conflicts between mother and daughter. CHAN’s League of HK Movie Heroes was selected as one of the five finalists of the HAF/FOX Chinese Film Development Award at the 11th HAF in 2013. Completing the lineup of Hong Kong projects is Forget You, Still Love You?, about a couple whose troubled marriage finds focus again after a husband is diagnosed with a devastating illness, from co-directors Kenneth LAI Siu-Kwan and Paul SZE Pak-Lam, both of whom participated in last year’s HAF with the thriller Hypnotize the Jury.

Speaking on behalf of HAF, Mr. Jacob WONG, Curator of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society and Director of the HAF commented, “We are thrilled to receive HAF submissions worldwide with extremely high quality, offering distinct perspectives on a diversity of vibrant topics. The review process is, as expected, arduous yet exhilirating, and we are very proud of the dedication and persistence of our creative film talents.”

Women Directors Shining at the 15th HAF

Nearly half of the 25 selections consist of projects from female directors, including Femme Fatale, a dark comedy about two women whose parallel lives touch and collide, the first feature from Japanese documentary filmmaker MIYAKE Kyoko; and Made in Bangladesh, the first-ever HAF project from Bangladesh, about garment workers’ rights, from Rubaiyat HOSSAIN.

Other projects include Pawns With No Return, a touching story about fate bringing together an old man and a young boy, from CHEN Yi-Jung of Taiwan; I AM A BANANA!, an East-meets-West cross-cultural romantic comedy, from Honey B SINGH; and Rainbow Mountain, the second feature from Degena Yun of China, a drama about two Mongolian women from different generations whose lives cross paths throughout time and history. Degena’s critically acclaimed first feature, A Simple Goodbye, was presented at the 13th HAF and awarded The Spirit of Asia Award in Tokyo International Film Festival 2015.

Two more documentaries from women directors include The Grassland of Narangerel, which examines environmental challenges in Inner Mongolia, from YING Weiwei of China; and the Israeli-German co-production Leftover Women, from co-directors Shosh SHLAM and Hilla MEDALIA.

Exploring Family Dynamics and Science Fiction Genres

Family dynamics come into focus for several projects this year, including Ten Thousand Happiness from Chinese director Johnny MA, in which the sudden divorce of grandfather from an elite family in China sets off a chain of reaction, forcing each member to evaluate their own relationships with love and happiness; Indian filmmaker Shashwati TALUKDAR’s The New Wife, a Himalayan gothic thriller tale about a young bride’s discovery of the secrets harboured by her respectable new family.

The Asadas, the third feature from NAKANO Ryota of Japan, a drama with humor based on an original story inspired by the photographer Masashi Asada; and Chantou, Australian director Grant SCICLUNA’s gay-family drama about a couple who discover that their adopted Cambodian daughter is a victim of human trafficking.

Other projects include Restore Point from Robert HLOZ, a science-fiction murder mystery set in the future. It is the first sole Czech-Republic project feature to be presented at HAF. Also, an as-yet-untitled project commissioned by the Nara International Film Festival in Japan from director Ida PANAHANDEH and Japanese producer KAWASE Naomi, will be a free modern adaptation of a work by Shakespeare.

The HAF/FOX Project Award Presented to Drifting Lives

Sharing the same vision to encourage quality Chinese-language projects, HAF is pleased to continue its collaboration with FOX International Productions (FIP) and FOX Networks Group (FNG) Asia to present the “HAF/FOX Project Award” to suspense murder-mystery. Drifting Lives, from first-time director Danlly LI of China. The project will receive a cash award of US$10,000 (approx. HK$78,000) and a Development Contract with FOX. The award has established since 2012 to develop Chinese feature films with regional appeal, through providing support and nurture for promising scripts.

Ms. Cora YIM, SVP, Head of Chinese Entertainment and Territory Head of Hong Kong, FOX Networks Group Asia said, “With the support of HAF, we have the privilege to work with up-and-coming creative talent and being introduced to a new generation of emerging talent. We are absolutely thrilled to identify the potential cinematic storytellers who offer unique perspectives of Chinese-language cinema.” As one of the judges, Ms. Xian LI, Director of Production, Creative Development and Global Production of FOX International Productions also said that Asian cinema, especially Chinese-language cinema is one of the most significant markets for FOX. “We look forward to working with more talented filmmakers in this region to create exciting high-quality films.”

Extending Awards and New Partnerships

The 15th HAF will present a total of ten awards, amounting to HK$1,372,000 (approx. US$176,700) in cash and value in-kind. HAF is also proud to announce our new sponsor, mm2 Asia Limited to present an award to encourage and support Chinese-language film projects with a cash prize of HK$100,000 (approx. US$12,900).

“mm2 excavates stories in various Chinese speaking territories, turns them into movies with both artistic and commercial sense,” Mr. Melvin ANG, Chairman of mm2 Asia Limited said. “Through collaborating with HAF, the leading film platform in Asia, we are able to meet and support new pioneers in the Asian film industry.”

HAF is also delighted to extend collaboration with iQIYI for the third year with an award to encourage and support young film talents from Chinese-speaking territories. One cash award of HK$100,000 (approx. US$12,900) will be presented to an outstanding Chinese-language feature film project with commercial qualities. Other award sponsors include Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, China Film Foundation — Wutianming Fund For Young Talents, G2D Co. Ltd., Paris Coproduction Village, White Light Studio and Wouter Barendrecht Film Foundation.

Work in Progress Laboratory

In addition, HAF creates the “Work in Progress Laboratory” as a significant new initiative to help directors and producers securing post-production funds through meetings with distribution agents and film festival programmers. Representatives from shortlisted projects will be invited to present their work at HAF. The WIP Lab will assist interested industry professionals to set up individual meetings with them to obtain further collaboration details. The shortlisted projects will be announced later in February.

Media and Guest Accreditation for HAF

Journalists worldwide are cordially invited to join this premier film financing platform in Asia. Media accreditation will be opened for online application at http://society.hkiff.org.hk/en/press_accreditation_media.php from 23 January 2017 to 5 March 2017. Successful applicants will be given access to HAF, in addition to joining our official networking events, screenings, seminars or other special activities.

Film financiers, investors and participants can register and schedule appointments with filmmakers of the shortlisted projects at http://www.haf.org.hk/guest.php before 5 March 2017.

A complete list of the selected projects for the 15th HAF and HAF/FOX Project Award can be found in Appendix 1. For more information about HAF, please visit the official website at http://www.haf.org.hk/ and HAF Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/hafhkiffs/.

About The Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF)

The Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) is widely recognized as an established film financing platform in Asia. The HAF brings Asian filmmakers with upcoming film projects to Hong Kong for co-production ventures with top film financiers, producers, bankers, distributors and buyers. Attracting more than 1,000 filmmakers and financiers from at least 35 countries and regions, around 25 to 30 projects are selected annually to participate in the three-day event.

HAF has partnered with international organisations to provide a range of opportunities to participants. Previous partners include iQIYI (China), Fox International Productions (Greater China) (US), Cinemart (the Netherlands), Asian Project Market (South Korea), Golden Horse Film Project Promotion (Taiwan), New Cinema Network (Italy) and others. Cash and in-kind awards to the value of around US$150,000 are made with support from Create Hong Kong and Film Development Fund among others.

Past participants include China’s JIA Jiangke, JIANG Wen, LU Chuan and NING Hao; Hong Kong’s Peter CHAN, Stanley KWAN, Ann HUI, Fruit CHAN and PANG Ho-cheung; Taiwan’s TSAI Ming-Liang, WEI Te-Sheng, CHUNG Mong-Hong and Leon DAI; Japan’s KORE-EDA Hirokazu, KUROSAWA Kiyoshi, KAWASE Naomi and IWAI Shunji; South Korea’s PARK Chan-wook, KIM Jee-woon, BONG Joon-ho and IM Sang-soo; as well as Thailand’s Apichatpong WEERASETHAKUL, Ekachai UEKRONGTHAM, Nonzee NIMIBUTR and Pen-ek RATANARUANG.

About The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Limited (HKIFFS)

Uniting the World through Film

The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) is a charitable, non-profit and non-governmental organisation dedicated to the discovery and promotion of creativity in the art and culture of film.

Committed to the development of a vibrant film culture in Hong Kong and Asia, the Society organises two annual flagship events in March and April: “Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF)” and “Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).”  “HKIFF Cine Fan”, a monthly screening programme features a variety of curated contemporary, retrospective and thematic showcases was also launched in April 2013.

Through its year-round programmes, the mission of the Society is to strengthen global appreciation of Asian and Chinese film culture and to promote inspiring films from around the world, enriching the cultural life of Hong Kong. Passionately believing in the power of films to unite cultures and generations, the HKIFFS is devoted to giving thousands of film lovers around the region direct access to the world’s most inspired films all year round.

About FOX International Productions

Fox International Productions (FIP) builds upon 20th Century Fox’s industry-leading international motion picture activities and upon parent company 21st Century Fox’s unparalleled global media reach by aligning all the company’s international film productions under one banner. FIP also complements Fox’s worldwide film releases with films sourced through partnerships with international producers, filmmakers, financiers, and strategic production & distribution agreements.

About FOX Networks Group

FOX Networks Group (FNG) is 21st Century FOX’s international multi-media business. We develop, produce and distribute 300+ wholly- and majority-owned entertainment, sports, factual and movie channels in 45 languages across Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. FNG’s core channel brands include FOX, FOX Sports, FOX Life, FOX+ and National Geographic Channel. FNG’s movie channels include FOX Movies, FOX Movies Premium and SCM (formerly Star Chinese Movies). Our non-linear brands include FOX Play, FOX Play+ and Nat Geo Play. These networks and their related mobile, non-linear and high- definition extensions, reach over 1.825 billion cumulative households worldwide. In addition, FNG owns and operates two production studios and produces thousands of local programming hours for its wholly owned channels and third parties.

The press release The 15th Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum Project Announcement comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Fujian, China, July 22, 2016 /Xinwengao.com/ - Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts announces the appointment of Mr. Jonas Amstad as general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Fuzhou in the capital city of Fujian province in the southeast of China.  In this role, he will oversee hotel operations and lead the team in delivering quality and exceptional guest experiences at this property.

Mr. Amstad, a Swiss national is fluent in German, French, English and Russian.  Prior to this appointment, his 25-year experience spans several five-star international city hotels and resorts, including Sheraton Warsaw and Sheraton Oman, Park Hyatt & Hyatt Regency, Baku, Shangri-La Hotel and Resort, Fiji, Donbass Palace Hotel, Donetsk, Radisson Resort & SPA, Alushta, as well the Radisson Belorusskaya in Moscow.

Mr. Amstad is well versed in hotel management.  His hospitality journey starts at Beckenried from 1988.  For the past 25 years, he had worked for numbers of fields and various positions in Eastern Europe, Middle East, Mainland China, South Pacific and?Indian Ocean, before he arrived in Fuzhou.  Prior to Shangri-La Hotel, Fuzhou, he was the Resident Manager of Shangri-La’s Resort & SPA in Maldives.

“I am passionate about joining the Shangri-La Hotel, Fuzhou, which is such a historical and leisure place. Driven by a philosophy rooted in Asian hospitality, the Shangri-La Fuzhou team has been doing an excellent job by maintaining its market-leader position since it opened in 2005.  I hope to lead this team to meet new challenges and to consistently provide the highest service quality to our valued guests,” said Mr. Amstad.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages more than 85 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 36,000.  Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.  Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.  The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, India, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates.

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Beijing, China, July 7, 2016 /Xinwengao.com/ - China World Hotel, Beijing collaborates with Italian luxury handmade jewellery brand Damiani to create an elegant Butterfly Collection Afternoon Tea that will be served at the hotel’s Lobby Lounge  until 31 July 2016.

Inspired by the beautiful jewellery design, China World Hotel, Beijing’s Executive Pastry Chef Jonathan Wu will present a combination of culinary craftsmanship and precious jewels in the Butterfly Collection Afternoon Tea.  The vivid luxury handbag, high-heel shoes, exquisite diamond ring and carven butterfly are all made of fine chocolate and sugar for the ladies’ epicurean delights.  The delicate desserts will spoil guests with the most fabulous high-tea experience.

Damiani Afternoon Tea was the ultimate indulgence for Ms Nicoletta Romanoff, the Italian movie star when she stayed with us at China World Hotel.  Guests can now also enjoy the same beautiful Afternoon Tea in our Lobby Lounge and get a chance to win a surprise lucky draw gift on the last Sunday of the month!  Live orchestra performance is available from 3pm to 5pm every Sunday while you sip on your tea.

Damiani is the only Italian jewellery company to design and produce jewels since its inception.  Maintaining tradition is important at Damiani; handwork is still the same as it was decades ago, and each piece is handmade with centuries-old skills and an accurate attention to detail.  Every Damiani jewel is the most important expression of “Made in Italy” in high-end jewellery.  Damiani is the only known jewellery company to have received as much as 18 “Diamonds International Awards”.  Calderoni also won four of these awards, in 1960, 1977, 1978 and 1996.  It also received many other prizes, including two Tahitian Pearl Trophies, one Haute Couture Design Award, one Vogue Joyas award and quite a number of entrepreneurial and communication prizes.

The lightness and delicate flutter of a butterfly’s wings are the inspiration for the Butterfly collection.  The butterflies are in white or yellow gold and enriched by white or black diamonds with coloured stones like emeralds, rubies and amethysts.  Each butterfly can be used as a pendant, brooch or set onto a ring.

Damiani’s iconic design par excellence for beautiful rings and large crosses.  Belle Époque is inspired by the graphic design of cine film and, like the cinema, brings dreams and great feelings to life.

As the only Italian jewellery company to design and produce jewels since its inception, the Damiani company was founded in 1924 in the heart of the goldsmith district of Valenza Po (North West Italy) by Enrico Grassi Damiani.  Thanks to his skills as a goldsmith, Enrico quickly became the preferred supplier to important families and notables who asked him to create special and exquisite unique pieces.  He soon began to supply the Italian royal family, the earls of Cavour, Gabriele d’Annunzio and Luigi Pirandello.  Damiano Grassi Damiani, Enrico’s son, born in 1934, launched a serious industrial processes and thought of commercial expansions in the sixties.  He promoted design research and technical innovation, the two roots of the company’s future.  Damian jewels attracted more and more fame, thanks to a very revolutionary idea at the time: to guarantee the price to clients and to create catalogues of all the collections.  

Guests may contact the Damiani boutique at China World Trade Center at (010) 6505 9890 or find it at WB 123A, B1, China World Trade Center, No.1 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Beijing.

China World Hotel, Beijing anchors the China World Trade Center complex, and is attached to China World mall, in the heart of the city’s diplomatic and business district.  Hailed one of the first three hotels in mainland China to be awarded a Platinum Five Star rating by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), China World Hotel, Beijing has been named one of the world’s best hotels by both Condé Nast Traveller and Travel + Leisure magazines.  China World Hotel, Beijing has also been voted “Best Hotel in Beijing” by Euromoney, Frommer’s Guide and Finance Asia; “Best Business Hotel in Beijing” by Business Traveller China and Asia Pacific, TTG Asia, The Asset and Asian Legal Business; received the “Top Ten Business Hotels in China – Golden Pillow Award” by 21st Century Business Herald; and named one of “The Top 50 Hotels in China” by Forbes and Travel + Leisure China.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently own 95 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 39,000.  Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.  Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.  The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar and Sri Lanka.  For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.

The press release China World Hotel Beijing Partners With Italian Luxury Handmade Jewellery Brand To Offer Damiani Butterfly-Themed Afternoon Tea comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Beijing, China, May 10, 2016 /Xinwengao.com/ - Mr. Christopher Chia has been appointed vice president at Shangri-La International Hotel Management Limited and general manager of China World Hotel, Beijing. He will be responsible for the whole operations and services of three hotels, including China World Hotel, Beijing; China World Summit Wing, Beijing; and Traders Hotel, Beijing.

Mr. Chia has more than 30 years of management experience. Prior to joining China World Hotel, Beijing, he was the vice president and general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing. He started his hospitality career with the group as front office executive at Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. He has since held management positions within the group in Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong and Beijing.

China World Hotel, Beijing soars over the China World Trade Center complex, including the China World Exhibition Center and shopping mall, in the heart of the city’s diplomatic and business district. Hailed one of the first three hotels in mainland China to be awarded a Platinum Five Star rating by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), China World Hotel, Beijing has been named one of the world’s best hotels by both Condé Nast Traveller and Travel + Leisure magazines. China World Hotel, Beijing has also been voted “Best Hotel in Beijing” by Euromoney, Frommer’s Guide and Finance Asia; “Best Business Hotel in Beijing” by Business Traveller China and Asia Pacific, TTG Asia, The Asset and Asian Legal Business; received the “Top Ten Business Hotels in China – Golden Pillow Award” by 21st Century Business Herald; and named one of “The Top 50 Hotels in China” by Forbes and Travel + Leisure China.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns 95 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 39,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services. Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar and Sri Lanka. For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.

The press release Shangri-la Hotel and Resorts Appoints Christopher Chia as VP at Shangri-La International Hotel Management Limited and GM of China World Hotel, Beijing comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Shanghai, China, April 7, 2016 /Xinwengao.com/ - Hilton Worldwide today announced the appointment of Rudy Oretti as general manager of the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund. Rudy Oretti reports to Daniel Welk, vice president luxury – Asia Pacific, Greater China & Mongolia, and he is responsible for managing the overall operations of the hotel.

Bruce McKenzie, senior vice president – operations, Greater China & Mongolia says, “Rudy Oretti’s extensive experience in luxury hotel operations will be invaluable as we continue to build the legacy of the Waldorf Astoria brand in China.”

Commenting on his appointment, Oretti says, “I am delighted to join and lead a great team full of talent at this iconic and legendary hotel in Shanghai. I look forward to ensuring that Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund remains Shanghai’s landmark address and continues to create exceptional experiences that become extraordinary memories for our guests.”

About Rudy Oretti
Oretti joins Hilton Worldwide from Louis XIII Management Limited in Macau, where he held the position of senior vice president – operations. Oretti brings more than 27 years of hotel experience in multiple leadership roles throughout APAC, including general manager positions at Banyan Tree Macau, Banyan Tree Bali and The Leela Palace, Bangalore. Oretti has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing from Cardiff University. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality (FIH) and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) of United Kingdom.

The press release Hilton Worldwide Appoints Rudy Oretti as General Manager of Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Shanghai, China, February 1, 2016 /Xinwengao.com/ - AccorHotels (CAC 40 – AC.FR) and Huazhu Hotels Group (also known as China Lodging Group – Nasdaq: HTHT) are pleased to have sealed their extensive, long-term alliance, initially announced to the market on 14th December 2014. Under the arrangement, AccorHotels takes a 10.8% stake in Huazhu and a seat at the Chinese group’s board of directors. Huazhu will take a non-controlling stake of 29.3% and two board seats in AccorHotels’ Luxury and Upscale operating platform for Greater China.

This unprecedented partnership creates a hospitality giant in China whose strength lies in a newly formed joint distribution system and the combination of two ambitious loyalty programs which together boast over 75 million members worldwide. This strategic alliance will also enable the Group to accelerate the development of Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, ibis and ibis Styles brands in China, Taiwan and Mongolia, with 350 to 400 hotels due to open over the next five years.

ABOUT ACCORHOTELS
AccorHotels is a Group united by a shared passion for hospitality and driven by a shared promise to make everyone Feel Welcome. Over 180,000 women and men in nearly 3,800 AccorHotels properties look after thousands of guests every day in 92 countries.

AccorHotels is the world’s leading hotel operator and offers its customers, partners and employees:
-its dual expertise as a hotel operator and franchisor (HotelServices) and a hotel owner and investor (HotelInvest);
-a large portfolio of internationally renowned brands covering the full spectrum, with luxury (Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure, The Sebel), midscale (Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio) and economy (ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget, adagio access and hotelF1) properties;
-the strength of its marketplace and its Le Club AccorHotels loyalty program;
-almost half a century of commitment to corporate citizenship and solidarity with the PLANET 21 program.
Accor SA shares are listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and traded in the USA on the OTC market (Code: ACRFY).

About HUAZHU Hotels Group Ltd.
HUAZHU Hotels Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:HTHT) is a leading and fast-growing multi-brand hotel group in China with more than 2,700 hotels across over 350 cities. Founded in 2005, HUAZHU has been ranked as the 12th largest hotel group globally in 2014 and listed in the Top 100 Most Valuable Chinese Brands in 2015. HUAZHU Rewards loyalty program allows frequent guests to earn points and enjoy special benefits and privileges and has attracted nearly 50 million individual members.

Aiming to become one of the world’s leading hotel operator, HUAZHU has formed an extensive and long-term alliance with Accor since 2014, offering the customers of both loyalty programs (together over 75 million members) the opportunity to access a network of more than 6,000 hotels globally, covering the full spectrum of the market from Upscale (Grand Mercure, Joya, Manxin) to Midscale (Novotel, Mercure, Ji, Starway) and Economy (ibis, ibis Styles, HanTing, Elan, Hi).

With joint efforts of over 50,000 employees, HUAZHU commits itself to provide both business and leisure travelers with impressive and cost-effective travel experiences. In 2014, the group launched a ground-breaking brand, namely, H World, to build an alliance of 10 thousands hotels, billion level membership system, and even a comprehensive travel ecosystem in the coming future.

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Beijing, China (October 28, 2011) /Xinwengao.com/ — Shangri-La restructured its signature Golden Circle (GC) loyalty programme a year ago to allow both staying and non-staying guests to earn and redeem Golden Circle Award Points (GC Award Points). Since the relaunch, the awards programme has attracted more than 288,000 new members, bringing the total membership to over 2 million guests who have earned more than 635 million GC Award Points in the year. Golden Circle now includes over 500,000 members from mainland China.

“I believe it is safe to say that the success of the new Golden Circle programme has exceeded our own expectations and we are particularly pleased to see so many of our Chinese guests joining,” said Wee Kee Ng, director of corporate loyalty and partner marketing. “The feedback we have been given is that our guests appreciate that we recognise and reward them every time in every Shangri-La hotel, resort, Kerry or Traders hotel no matter whether they are staying in the hotel or not.” To mark the anniversary of the enhanced Golden Circle, Shangri-La announced the launch of the new exclusive members’ magazine, Inner Circle, on 25 October 2011.

Inner Circle is an interactive multi-language magazine website www.innercircle.shangri-la.com, which provides travel inspiration and insider knowledge on the ultimate Shangri-La destinations through travel features, interviews and news. Linked to a monthly e-newsletter, the site aims to provide a new means of regular communication with members of Shangri-La’s Golden Circle. With user commenting areas across the site and live feeds into social media platforms, Inner Circle allows members to share their travel experiences and recommendations.

Divided into six sections, the site provides the latest travel tips to inspire even the most seasoned globetrotters.

News: The news section provides regular communication with Golden Circle members, on topics such as new hotel openings, awards, information on the latest refurbishments, benefits and special announcements from Shangri-La hotels and resorts across the globe.

Destinations: Every month, the destination section provides readers with insights into new travel destinations – from exploring the jungle with orang-utans in Borneo to shopping for modern art in Shanghai.

Inspiration: The inspiration section seeks to provide readers with a new take on a well known destination – focusing every issue on travel-related passions (such as gourmet experiences, adventure pursuits or health and wellness retreats) and seeking insider information from people in the know. Therefore, whether editors are quizzing the chef at Shangri La Hotel, Paris about the ultimate gourmet experience or trekking with mountaineers in Guilin for a genuine adrenalin rush, this section seeks to inspire readers to broaden horizons and explore their interests.

Top 10: The Top 10 section is an area where readers can browse for their next adventure. Leveraging the imagery from all Shangri-La, Kerry and Traders hotels across the globe, every issue this section features a rundown of 10 amazing sites, sounds or experiences, providing a place for readers to “window shop” for their next Shangri-La destination.

Your Circle: Your Circle provides the interactive heart to the Inner Circle website, where Golden Circle members can share their own travel stories.

Members are encouraged to submit their travel articles and photography to this area, and every month, two contributors (one English-language submission and one Chinese-language submission) are published on Inner Circle and win a complimentary two-night stay in an Executive Suite at one of the Shangri-La group’s hotels.

Heart Talk: The renowned travel writer Siew Hoon Yeoh is an integral part of Inner Circle with her travel column Heart Talk, where she shares her monthly musings in a one-woman mission to spread her love of travel as she treks across the globe.

Inner Circle is accessible to non-members on a “read only” basis. For commenting and feedback, readers are invited to join Golden Circle, which is free and open to anyone over the age of 18. To join, visit Golden Circle’s dedicated website, www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com, where members can also manage their profile, set their preferences, check and redeem points.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, one of the world’s premier hotel companies, currently owns and/or manages 72 hotels under the Shangri-La, Kerry and Traders brands, with a room inventory of over 30,000. Over almost four decades, the group has established its brand hallmark of “hospitality from the heart.” The group has a substantial development pipeline with projects in Canada, mainland China, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Mongolia, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkey and United Kingdom.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Judy Wang
  Director of Media Relation, China
  Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
  Tel: (86 10) 6505 3293
  Fax: (86 10) 6505 3274
  E-mail: judy.wang@shangri-la.com

The press release First Anniversary Celebration For Shangri-la’s Golden Circle Loyalty Programme comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

This year the IHG Beijing Cluster Hotels will host their 7th Charity Golf Tournament on the 3rd of September at the Oriental Pearl Golf Course. The event will commence with an 18-hole round of golf, with snacks and refreshments served on the course. The game will be followed by a gala dinner and charity raffle at the wonderful clubhouse.

We appreciate your support and look forward to your continuous generosity.

Participating Hotels (by brand)
Intercontinental Beijing Financial Street
Intercontinental Beijing Beichen
Crowne Plaza Beijing Wangfujing
Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town
Crowne Plaza Beijing Sun Palace
Crowne Plaza Beijing Parkview Wuzhou
Crowne Plaza Beijing Zhongguancun
Crowne Plaza International Airport Beijing
Holiday Inn Beijing Focus Square
Holiday Inn Down Town Beijing
Holiday Inn Central Plaza Beijing
Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven Beijing
Holiday Inn Beijing Deshengmen
Holiday Inn Beijing Chang An West
Holiday Inn Beijing Haidian
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Dongzhimen
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Minzuyuan
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Zhongguancun
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Wangjing
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Huacai
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Shangdi Beijing

About IHG
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns, through various subsidiaries, over 4,500 hotels and more than 650,000 guest rooms in 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites and also manages the world’s largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club Rewards with 52 million members worldwide.

IHG has 1,300 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 160,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards programme at www.priorityclub.com. For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media

About IHG’s School Project with the China Youth Development Foundation
The China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF) is a national non-profit and non-governmental organization founded in March 1989 in Beijing. The CYDF works to develop Chinese youth through education, science and technology, culture, physical education, health and environmental protection. The CYDF is best known for launching and managing its largest programme to date, “Project Hope” . Project Hope has sought to help school dropouts in poor remote regions return to school and complete at least an elementary education.

By the end of 2009, Project Hope had raised over RMB 6 billion in donations, helped 3.5 million children from poverty-stricken rural families continue their schooling, built 16,355 Hope primary schools, presented the Hope mini-library series to 14,636 village schools in remote areas and trained over 60,000 village primary school teachers. As a result of consistent effort by staff and supporters alike, Project Hope has become one of the best-known and most successful charity programs in the country.

In November 2007, IHG set up the IHG Project Hope Fund and became an official partner of the China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF). The transparently managed fund is dedicated to supporting young dropouts in poverty-stricken areas through Hope Schools, vocational education and scholarship for college/university students. As the first charity fund in China connecting hotels, guests and donors, it not only prolongs the mission of IHG to fulfill its corporate social responsibility, but also promotes the concept of social responsibility among a wider group of people. The creative approach of “donating RMB 5 upon check-in” provides hotel guests with easy opportunities to contribute to worthy causes. The programme has won great support from the nearly 150 IHG hotels in Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau.

As of December 1st, 2010, RMB 6,582,229.38 has been collected for the IHG Project Hope Fund, and RMB 5,920,000 has been used or slated to be used. The 11 IHG Hope Schools in Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Guangdong, Sichuan, Shanxi, Gansu, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei and Shandong provinces have been built or are currently under construction, with four out of 11 officially in use. Other charity activities by IHG include donations to Hope Classmate for Earthquake Relief Sichuan, investment in vocational education and the IHG Academy Scholarship.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Feng WANG
  Marketing Communication Manager of Holiday Inn Beijing Focus Square
  Tel: 86 10 6473 3333 – 6909
  Email: feng.wang@ihg.com 

The press release 2011 IHG Beijing Cluster Charity Golf Tournament comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

On July 7, 2011, the 7th IHG Annual Charity Cooking Competition was held at Crowne Plaza Beijing International Airport. Chefs from 15 hotels of InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn brands competed in seven categories: Sweet Coffee Break, Cold Appetizer, Laksa, Cocktail, Coffee Barista, Black Box and Chinese Cold Dish 6 Combinations (which is a new competition item of this year’s event.) The most exciting part is “Black Box” competition, where every participating team cooked one dish with the materials given by the organizing committee within one hour. Judges scored by criteria of presentation, creativity and team effort.

After 6 years of enormous success in our charity drive, and having opened 5 schools which in Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Gansu and Hebei province, IHG hotels in Beijing had joined hands once again to provide funding support for “Project Hope” , which is a public welfare undertaking, initiated and organized by the CYDF (China Youth Development Foundation).

During the awarding celebration gala dinner, Mr. Roland Steiner, Regional General Manager, on behalf of IHG Beijing Cluster donated the RMB400,000 check to CYDF to build the 6th Project Hope school. “IHG BN Love Choir” , which is title sponsored by IHG Beijing hotels, also came to the stage and performed charity songs to express their appreciations to all the generous sponsors.

Participating hotel name list:
Intercontinental Beijing Beichen
Intercontinental Beijing Financial Street
Crowne Plaza Beijing Wangfujing
Crowne Plaza Park View Wuzhou Beijing
Crowne Plaza Beijing International Airport
Crowne Plaza Sun Palace Beijing
Crowne Plaza Beijing Zhongguancun
Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town
Holiday Inn Beijing Focus Square
Holiday Inn Beijing Temple of Heaven
Holiday Inn Central Plaza Beijing
Holiday Inn Chang An West Beijing
Holiday Inn Beijing Downtown
Holiday Inn Beijing Deshengmen
Holiday Inn Beijing Haidian

About IHG
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global company operating seven well-known hotel brands including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites. IHG also manages Priority Club Rewards, the world’s first and largest hotel loyalty programme with 58 million members worldwide.

IHG is the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms and IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns, through various subsidiaries, a portfolio of over 4,400 hotels and more than 652,000 guest rooms in 100 countries and territories around the world.

IHG has more than 1,200 hotels in its development pipeline and expects to recruit around 160,000 people worldwide over the next few years.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at http://www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards programme at www.priorityclub.com. For our latest news visit www.ihg.com/media, Twitter or YouTube.

About IHG Project Hope Fund
In November 2007, IHG set up the IHG Project Hope Fund and became an official partner of the China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF). The transparently managed fund is dedicated to supporting young dropouts in poverty-stricken areas through Hope Schools, vocational education and scholarship for college/university students. As the first charity fund in China connecting hotels, guests and donors, it not only prolongs the mission of IHG to fulfill its corporate social responsibility, but also promotes the concept of social responsibility among a wider group of people. The creative approach of “donating RMB 5 upon check-in” provides hotel guests with easy opportunities to contribute to worthy causes. The programme has won great support from the nearly 150 IHG hotels in Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau.

As of 31st May, 2011, RMB 10,380,698.47 has been collected for IHG Project Hope Fund, with which, 13 IHG Hope Schools in 10 provinces have been built or are currently under construction. Other charity activities by the fund include donating Earthquake Relief Schools with ‘ Happy Music Classrooms’ in Sichuan, establishing IHG Service Classes in BN Vocational Schools in Beijing, Chengdu and Sanya, and launching scholarship programmes in 17 IHG Academies.

The China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF) is a national non-profit and non-governmental organization founded in March 1989 in Beijing. The CYDF works to develop Chinese youth through education, science and technology, culture, physical education, health and environmental protection. The CYDF is best known for launching and managing its largest programme to date,  “Project Hope” . Project Hope has sought to help school dropouts in poor remote regions return to school and complete at least an elementary education.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Margaret Li
  Marketing Communications Manager
  Crowne Plaza Beijing International Airport
  tel (86) 10 5810 8888
  e-mail margaret.li6@ihg.com

The press release 7th Annual ‘Cuisine For Charity 2011’ By IHG Beijing and “Project Hope” comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

The forum was hosted by the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the General Administration of Press and Publications of the People’s Republic of China. Nearly 500 attendees from the China National Tourism Administration, hotel industry associations at national and provincial levels, high-grade hotels, hotel suppliers and the media were present at the forum. The Gold Champion Award is one of the highest awards in the hospitality industry in China. It is authorised by the International Tourism Federation to honour the most outstanding hotel and individual of the year. The award recipient selection process was supervised by GHT365.com, and all the candidates went through online voting, media voting and evaluation by the assessment committee.

“We are very delighted and honoured that Traders Upper East Hotel, Beijing has been recognised. This was achieved with the dedication and the hard work of our staff and support from our honourable guests and all friends. We will continue not just to deliver our services and standards but also to exceed the expectations of our guests,” said Mr. Phillip Couvaras, the hotel’s general manager.

Traders Upper East Hotel, Beijing is strategically located in the north-eastern area of Beijing’s central business district, just 20 minutes from Beijing Capital International Airport and the new China International Exhibition Centre. Well positioned between the Third Embassy District, Wang Jing Hi Tech Park and Lido Place, the hotel features 419 guestrooms and suites with open views of the adjacent park and city skyline. The hotel’s Grand Ballroom and 15 flexible meeting rooms are all fitted with the latest conferencing systems, making the hotel an ideal choice for meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition (MICE) participants and delegations. Traders Upper East Hotel, Beijing was named one of the “Ten Best Newly Opened Hotels in China” during 2010 Hospitality Industry Summit.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages 72 hotels under the Shangri-La, Kerry and Traders brands, with a rooms inventory of over 30,000. Traders Hotels are designed to satisfy the needs of the fast growing mid-market travel segment by offering a wide range of facilities, and efficient, practical and friendly hospitality, at competitive rates. Traders Hotels are located in Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Changzhou, Dubai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Male, Manila, Penang, Shenyang, Singapore and Yangon, with scheduled openings in Chennai and Iskandar. The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in Canada, mainland China, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Sri Lanka, Turkey and United Kingdom. For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.tradershotels.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Lisa Ciao
  Director of Communications
  Traders Upper East Hotel, Beijing
  Tel: (86 10) 5907 8313
  Fax: (86 10) 5907 8038
  E-mail: lisa.ciao@shangri-la.com
  Website: www.tradershotels.com

  For digitised pictures of the group’s hotels, please go to http://www.shangrila.com/imagelibrary.

The press release Traders Upper East Hotel Beijing Receives “The Best Business Hotel In China” Award comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.