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    Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts Announces Partnership with Williams Racing

    Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts today announced its new partnership with Williams Racing, ahead of the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship that kicks off this weekend in Bahrain.As part of Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts’ journey of accelerated growth, the brand has most recently opened Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa, aptly timed with the start of the Williams Racing partnership. Resting on the unexplored, pristine beaches of Bahrain’s West Coast, this newest address offers a picturesque setting for guests, just 10 minutes from the Bahrain International Circuit.
    Resonating with Jumeirah’s strategic growth trajectory, Williams Racing continues to push boundaries in the quest for performance excellence. With 26 properties in 10 countries, Jumeirah is dedicated to driving innovation, and delivering the most exhilarating experiences for its guests, partners, and Jumeirah One members.
    The relationship with Williams Racing will offer Jumeirah’s guests memorable moments and curated events at Grand Prix locations around the world. Culminating at the season finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, neighbouring Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort & Spa is perfectly placed to offer guests an unforgettable race weekend.

    Alexander Lee, Chief Commercial Officer, Jumeirah Group: “We’re thrilled to unveil our partnership with Williams Racing, one of the most iconic brands in the world of Formula One. With its rich history and reputation for excellence, Williams Racing’s values are perfectly aligned with Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts. We’re proud to launch this partnership in Bahrain, where the new Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa is ideally located just 10 minutes from the circuit. Together with Williams Racing, we look forward to introducing our signature Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts experience to Formula One fans around the world. The sport of Formula One, which thrives on performance and continuously pushing limits, aligns with Jumeirah, and our ambitious vision of growth and expansion.”ADVERTISEMENTCommenting on the partnership, James Bower, Commercial Director at Williams Racing added: “We’re delighted to partner with Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts. Jumeirah has an ambitious vision of growth and a dedication to excellence that resonates with our values and the journey we are on. Jumeirah’s strategic growth trajectory has led them to Williams Racing and we look forward to developing and elevating these very special experiences with their incredible hospitality expertise throughout this season and beyond.”
    For more information, visit Jumeirah.com/williamsf1.

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    Hilton and Minus18 Partner to Expand Nationwide Access for LGBTQIA+ Youth in Australia

    Hilton and charity organisation, Minus18, have announced a nationwide partnership that aims to give​ more LGBTQIA+ young people in Australia​ the right to free, inclusive and empowering school formals – launched last week by queer icon and advocate, actor, model and DJ, Ruby Rose ​during Sydney’s WorldPride.
    Hilton’s ​support will see an expanded footprint for Minus18’s Queer Formals program, enabling it to roll out in new cities and regional areas nationally from 2024, with the hope of providing LGBTQIA+ ​youth nationwide the opportunity to experience their school formal as their authentic selves.
    Ruby Rose has come on board as an ambassador to champion the partnership to raise awareness of the discrimination and exclusion LGBTQIA+ teens experience at school formals – from how they dress to who they bring as a date.
    “As a queer person who came out at a very young age, I cannot overstate the importance of this cause. I am so overjoyed to be part of the partnership with Hilton and Minus18 to drive awareness around the need to provide more inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ teens. I remember, as a teen, finding an ad for the Minus18 events in a free newspaper. I don’t think I missed an event after that. At the time it was one of the only communities I truly felt free to be myself,” said Ruby Rose.
    “The steps Hilton and Minus18 are taking will be life-changing for thousands of kids and young adults. We must never underestimate the impact inclusion and acceptance has on both young people in their formative years.”ADVERTISEMENTRuby Rose
    “The steps Hilton and Minus18 are taking will be life-changing for thousands of kids and young adults. We must never underestimate the impact inclusion and acceptance has on both young people in their formative years. Attending a school formal as your true self is a rite of passage that every teen deserves. Queer high schoolers too often don’t have the right support network when navigating who they are. It’s time to change this,” she said.
    As part of its support, Hilton also staged its Rainbow Formal gala event, which was held this Wednesday, 1 March​ 2023​ at ​Hilton ​Sydney ​on ​George Street, headlined by singer Delta Goodrem. The event aims to support Minus18 to raise vital funds and awareness for its future events, educational programs and broader mission to create inclusive environments for young LGBTQIA+ Australians.
    “​Hilton’s inclusive culture keeps diversity at the centre of everything we do, and we are committed to creating a positive impact on the communities we operate in and providing a welcoming stay for all who come through our doors. ​As a global hospitality company, we ​are delighted to have this opportunity​ to support ​Minus18 in their efforts to change the lives of even more LGBTQIA+ teens in Australia​,” said Paul Hutton, area vice president and head of Australasia, Hilton. “Everyone deserves to attend their school formal with pride. We look forward to seeing what we can achieve together with Minus18, and the backing of Ruby Rose.”
    ​​Since 2010, ​Minus18 ​has been ​supporting more than 5,000 young Australians every year through life-affirming events, with thousands more accessing digital resources, and peer education created by the LGBTQIA+ community.
    “With ​Hilton and ​Ruby Rose behind us, our programs will have considerably more scale and reach, helping thousands more young people gain access to inclusive spaces – like our Queer Formals,” said Micah Scott, chief executive officer, Minus18. “With ​two​ in ​three​ LGBTQIA+ youth​s​ in Australia still today experiencing abuse for who they are, creating inclusive spaces has never been more important.”
    As part of the company’s commitment to advance ​diversity and ​inclusion efforts, Hilton will roll out gender and sexuality training with Minus18 for all team members across its network of 23 properties in Australia ​and​ New Zealand. This aims to make every Hilton ​property in the region ​a​n​ ​LGBTQIA+ ​inclusive ​space ​and complements existing global Diversity & Inclusion training required for all Hilton team members, including training on Unconscious Bias.
    The company’s ​more than ​400,000 team members globally are encouraged to bring their full, authentic selves to work. WorldPride celebrations in Sydney will be led by Hilton’s dedicated team. Events include hotel celebrations, team education sessions, as well as representation at Mardi Gras Fair Day and the Pride Village celebrations near Oxford Street.
    Hilton​, Ruby Rose​ and Minus18 are calling on the Australian public to support LGBTQIA+ teens’ right to inclusive spaces, including Queer Formals, by donating to Minus18. For more information, visit asiapac.hilton.com/standwithpride/

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    Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Launches ‘Center Stage’ Music Program with Abbey Road Studios

    Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is delighted to announce the creation of ‘Center Stage’ – an exciting new music program that supports the talents of tomorrow, pairs emerging and established artists and provides studio time and suite time to foster musical collaboration and mentor the creative process.Over the next three years, Fairmont, with the support of Abbey Road Studios, the most famous recording studio in the world, will provide 1000 hours of studio time and 1000 hours of suite time to up-and-coming artists across the globe, while documenting their artistic journeys – from writing and recording to live performances.
    The Center Stage program will launch at the Beaufort Bar at The Savoy, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, in London, on February 8th, 2023, featuring special performances by Rema and 0207 Def Jam’s rising star, Debbie. At the event, Fairmont will lift the curtain on the music writing process by sharing a documentary of its first collaboration – including the evolution of a track during a studio session, delving into the meaning behind the song, and where the artists found inspiration. The chronological docuseries will begin in The Royal Suite by Gucci at The Savoy, highlighting the way brilliance often strikes in meaningful settings. The artists are then followed to Abbey Road Studios’ Writing Rooms where they shape their creation with the help and support of their paired mentor and Abbey Road’s world class engineers and experts.
    “Fairmont is where guests experience the grandest of feelings. We are passionate about delivering authentic experiences that share the best that our destinations have to offer – and music plays a significant role in making those connections,” said Mansi Vagt, Global Vice President Fairmont Brand, Accor. “Music is highly emotive and can be a powerful way that travelers connect to their favorite memories. Through our work with Abbey Road Studios we look forward to tapping into many diverse genres of music that will resonate with our Fairmont guests and our local communities around the world.”
    Nigerian singer and rapper Rema has been making waves around the world with his gently provocative sound. Rema’s signature Afrorave style weaves African, Arabian and Indian influences for an upbeat sound that reverberates with good vibes and rave energy. Having learned to sing as a child in church, Rema got his first break in 2018 when D’Prince spotted him freestyling to “Gucci Gang” on Instagram, leading to a record deal with Jonzing World. Following his first breakout hit, “Dumebi”, Rema gained global attention when his track “Iron Man” was included on Barack & Michelle Obama’s Summer Playlist 2019. The following year, “Beamer” was selected for the FIFA 2021 soundtrack, and in 2022 he collaborated with Selena Gomez for a remix of his hit single “Calm Down”, which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 and is No.6 in the UK Official Charts.
    “Center Stage is an incredible program that Fairmont and Abbey Road Studios have put together, and I’m honored to be included as a performing artist,” said Rema. “Using their power and resources to reach out to young talented artists – not only giving them a platform to access the world with their music, but helping them along the way to shape and refine their sound, their vision, and their community. It’s very inspiring, and I love being a part of it.”ADVERTISEMENTCenter Stage is designed to not only identify new musical talent, but also offer tools and initiatives to support emerging artists during the launch and development of their careers. This includes access to Abbey Road Studios’ annual Amplify festival – designed to inspire and empower the next generation of creators featuring masterclasses, interactive sessions, workshops, Q&As and live talks with industry leaders who share their knowledge and provide insight into the music business. Fairmont and the Center Stage artists will also have access to Abbey Road’s modern tracking studios, the Gatehouse and Front Room, which were built for the next generation of music artists, working alongside Abbey Road’s world class engineers.
    “Fairmont has a long history of supporting the arts and musicians, which is why we are happy to support Center Stage and its efforts to find and develop new and exciting talent” said Jeremy Huffelmann, General Manager, Abbey Road Studios. “We believe it is so important to cast a wide net and foster emerging artists from around the world who might not otherwise have a platform – helping them to reach higher levels in their careers and providing them with opportunities to showcase their talent.”“Tapping into Abbey Road’s resources and network will enable us to create a relevant and innovative music mentorship program in many of our global destinations,” said Ralitza Iordanova, Vice President Global Brand Partnerships, Accor. “We are confident we can make a meaningful difference to the lives and careers of many up-and-coming artists that might not have otherwise been able to share their music with the world.”
    Artists will be able to apply for opportunities using Gixon. The fully automated delivery app, having recently launched in London in October 2022, aims to change the way people book and consume live music, and provides reliable opportunities and income to artists and musicians. Gixon will help curate a local roster in each location where the program is implemented, as well as providing a pool of talent for Fairmont hotel teams to enrich their entertainment offer by booking local artists to perform at their hotels.
    For generations, Fairmont suites have hosted countless music artists, icons, stars and celebrities, while providing guests with unforgettable moments of music. Some say that romance found its true heart in 1962, when Tony Bennett crooned “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” at Fairmont San Francisco for the very first time. From the Celine Dion Suite at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac; the Quincy Jones Suite at Fairmont Le Montreux Palace; to John Lennon & Yoko Ono’s Bed-In for Peace in suite 1742 at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, some of music’s most influential performers have been inspired during their stays at Fairmont.
    Artists in the Center Stage program will have access to their own ‘suite time’ at one of several extraordinary Fairmont properties around the world. Participating hotels include:
    The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, Royal Plaza Suite, USAThe Savoy, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, Royal Suite, UKFairmont Singapore, Signature Suite, SingaporeFairmont Peace Hotel, Nine Nation Suites, ChinaFairmont The Palm, Presidential Suite, UAEFairmont Pacific Rim, Prime Minister Suite, CanadaFairmont Royal York, The Crown Suite, CanadaFairmont The Queen Elizabeth, John Lennon & Yoko Ono Suite, CanadaFairmont San Francisco, Penthouse Suite, USAFairmont Ajman, Royal Penthouse Suite, UAEFairmont Le Montreux Palace, Presidential Suite, SwitzerlandFairmont Monte Carlo, Commodore Suite, MonacoFairmont St Andrews’ Executive Suite, ScotlandFairmont Ambassador Seoul, Signature Suite, South KoreaFairmont Century Plaza, Specialty Suites, USAFairmont Olympic Hotel, Penthouse Suite, USAFairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana, Signature Suite, BrazilFairmont Austin, Signature Suite, USA
    For more information on Center Stage, visit www.fairmont.com/centerstage

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    Discover the Future of Hospitality Operations and Technology at The Venetian Las Vegas – June 27-29

    The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex announced today that registration is now open for The Hospitality Show (THE SHOW), a bold new hospitality operations and technology event to be held June 27-29 at The Venetian Las Vegas.Early bird rates are available until March 10th via the website, and as an incentive to “bring the team,” every group booking of five passes comes with an additional sixth complimentary pass. AHLA members receive an additional $50 off Expo Passes and $100 off All Access Passes.
    Accor, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Choice Hotels, Extended Stay America, G6 Hospitality, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Red Roof, Sonesta International Hotels, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Ecolab, and Guest Worldwide have already pledged to support the event, with DIRECTV sponsoring the opening reception at Tao Beach June 27. Additionally, THE SHOW has received endorsements and pledges to attend from a number of top hospitality leaders.
    “DIRECTV HOSPITALITY is excited to partner with American Hotel & Lodging Association and Questex on this opportunity to transform the hotel trade show experience,” said DIRECTV HOSPITALITY Associate Vice President Kim Twiggs. “Guest expectations – as well as owner/operator expectations – continue to evolve as we recover from the pandemic, and The Hospitality Show offers a great opportunity for the best and brightest companies in the industry to come together in a new, exciting format to define the future of hospitality.”
    No other event convenes the entire hospitality ecosystem with the shared goal of operating hotels more efficiently and profitably like THE SHOW. It will bring together senior executives of hotel brands, owners and management companies, including CEOs, CCOs, CIOs, CTOs, CPOs, marketing heads, and their teams for the perfect mix of discovery, networking, education and curated buying experiences.
    “The Hospitality Show is a new event at the right time for the industry,” said Questex Hospitality Travel & Wellness Group President Alexi Khajavi. “Given the challenging macro environment we find ourselves in, investments need to yield immediate returns. We are pleased to bring together cross-disciplinary teams to gain actionable insights with the right tools, solutions, and partners to drive immediate profitability across all facets of their business.”ADVERTISEMENTThe three-day event will offer education through thought-provoking insights from expert speakers from a mainstage as well as solutions-driven stages set throughout the exhibition hall. In addition to concurrent think-tank style sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to discover leading products and services from over 300 vendors.
    From an immersive lobby walk-through all the way to a sample guest room with technology demos, attendees will experience first-hand the latest solutions that will streamline the guest experience, address labor issues, enhance their sustainability efforts, and ultimately drive profitability back to the hotel owner.
    With over 12 hours of exclusive networking opportunities, including two evening receptions open to all attendees, The Hospitality Show is the ideal setting to connect with new partners and align with core functional teams.
    “COVID-19 sparked a technological revolution throughout the hotel industry, and The Hospitality Show is the only event that will bring together both the tech pros driving innovation and the operational leaders weaving it into every aspect of hotel operations,” said Apple Hospitality REIT CEO Justin Knight. “THE SHOW is this year’s can’t-miss hospitality event, and the Apple Hospitality REIT team is looking forward to being there.”
    “With its unique focus on bringing together the most influential and respected leaders in both hospitality operations and technology, THE SHOW is shaping up to be the most important hotel event of 2023,” said AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers. “We invite you and your team to join us in Las Vegas this June as we take the hospitality event experience to the next level and reach new heights in networking, collaboration and learning.”
    Registration information is here. Important program updates will be shared in the coming weeks. For event updates, sign up here and follow the event on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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    Beyonce Performs at Atlantis Royal Hotel Grand Opening in Dubai

    Beyoncé performs on stage headlining the Grand Reveal of Atlantis The Royal on Jan. 21 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    Fireworks were bursting and so was the onstage glamour when Beyoncé opened her highly-anticipated performance at Atlantis The Royal hotel’s “Grand Reveal Weekend” on Saturday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.The singer made a vibrant entrance in a bright yellow gown with scale-like details by Atelier Zuhra. The custom dress featured a bustier-style bodice with sheer panels and a skirt that was cut with two side slits at the center. Behind her back, she had on a full-body piece covered in feathers that gave the look a dramatic finish.

    Beyoncé’s daughter Blue Ivy Carter joined her on stage for a duet to “Brown Skin Girl,” with the 11-year-old wearing a red sequined blazer and matching trousers.“Bigger Is Better” was an apt song choice for Beyoncé’s silver sunburst headpiece that was teamed with a red Nicolas Jebran gown. It incorporated a pleated skirt and pants, and a sequined bodice-style top with gold piping and embellished gold bra cups. The embellishments continued with gold-tone hardware on her opera gloves. The brand called it a “milestone” in a caption for illustrations of the look, adding that it was “the art of creating moments to live up to.”

    For the finale, set to “Drunk in Love,” she was erected from the stage on a pillar as fireworks lit up the sky and flames emerged from the water. She closed the show in a silver and pink mini dress with thigh-high boots and opera gloves.ADVERTISEMENTAmong the star-studded guest list, her husband Jay Z and twins Rumi and Sir, as well as her mother Tina Knowles Lawson and father Matthew Knowles enjoyed the show.
    Other boldface names in the audience included Chloe and Halle Bailey, Rebel Wilson, Nia Long and Kendall Jenner, whose 818 Tequila brand held a soiree on Friday at the luxury resort’s Cloud 22 rooftop lounge.
    Swedish House Mafia wrapped the night with an after-party.
    Source: WWD.com

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    Global stars on the red carpet at the launch of iconic new ultra-luxury resort: Atlantis The Royal

    Last night, Atlantis The Royal hosted a star-studded Red Carpet to celebrate the launch of the world’s newest and most iconic ultra-luxury resort, located on the Palm Island in Dubai.  Crafted by the world’s leading designers, architects and artists, the new resort is hosting some of the world’s most recognisable faces for a three-day-long extravaganza of curated events and experiences across its “Grand Reveal Weekend”.

    This evening’s Red Carpet featured global A-Listers including Beyoncé, Kendall Jenner, Liam Payne, Rebel Wilson, Ellen Pompeo Winston Dukes and Letitia Wright. Stars from around the world also gathered including Germany’s Verona Pooth, British TV presenter Mark Wright with wife Michelle Keegan, former Australian Masterchef judge and chef Gary Mehigan, as well as former champion boxer Amir Khan. Dubai faces Huda and Mona Kattan and Mahira Abdelaziz joined Bollywood stars Sibani Dandekar and Farhah Khan on the carpet that brought together celebrities from the four corners of the globe.

    Guests walked the carpet showcasing an array of eye-catching outfits including Beyoncè dazzling in custom Dolce and Gabbana dress and coat, with shoes from Rene Caovilla and bag from Marzook.ADVERTISEMENT
    Eight years in the making, Atlantis The Royal has been specifically designed to challenge the boundaries of imagination and reshape what ultra-luxury travel means. The Grand Reveal Weekend has firmly cemented Atlantis The Royal as an unmistakeable icon in Dubai and around the world. 

    To find out more about the Grand Reveal Weekend’s individually and meticulously curated guest itinerary, visit https://www.kerznercommunications.com/atlantis/ for further media alerts and information.
    To be one of the first to stay at Atlantis The Royal, guests can make a reservation at www.atlantistheroyal.com. Reservations are now open, for stays from February 2023 onwards.

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    Alpine and Accor partner for French Grand Prix

    BWT Alpine F1 Team is delighted to announce a partnership with ALL- Accor Live Limitless, for its home race, the French Grand Prix.
    Accor is one of the world’s leading hospitality companies with over 5,300 hotels in 110 countries and across more than 40 hotel brands including Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel, Mercure and ibis. ALL is Accor’s lifestyle loyalty program that provides meaningful experiences and rewards for its millions of engaged members around the world.
    This initial partnership will enable both companies to explore multiple opportunities for potential collaboration within the world of Formula One and beyond, including design services, hospitality programming and travel management.
    Both parties will also explore sustainable technologies to reduce their respective carbon footprints and environmental impact. Alpine has recently taken strides to reduce emissions by implementing high performance electric technology in its road car range. Inspired by the cutting-edge innovation seen in Alpine F1 Team’s powertrain, all Alpine cars will be fully electric by 2025. Alpine can now also benefit from Accor’s leadership and expertise in sustainable travel initiatives, as it works closely with the FIA and F1 to reduce its environmental impact when travelling the globe throughout the F1 Calendar.

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