Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Kowloon East - The A Team For The Job

July 19, 2012 - PRLog -- Hong Kong, 20 Jul 2012 …… Ready, Set, LAUNCH! Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Kowloon East and Holiday Inn Express Hong Kong Kowloon East are pleased to announce the appointment of key executives to spearhead the opening of two hotels in the 4th quarter of 2012. The team members bring distinguished expertise in their respective fields and are getting ready for the big launch.

Leading the team is Mr. Dominique Berhouet, an award-winning General Manager, who joined the InterContinental Hotels Group in 1999. Dominique has over 30 years of hotel management experience in luxury properties across US, Europe, Hong Kong and Mainland China, handling many hotels' pre-opening with a proven track record of developing and motivating high performance teams that achieve explosive growth and excellence in service. After opening various five-star properties for a decade, he is ready to wave his magic wand and make the long-awaited debut of Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Kowloon East and Holiday Inn Express Hong Kong Kowloon East.

"Pathing our way to success is a top-notch team, our joint efforts will take our standard and quality of service to the next level. As the first two international hotels in Kowloon East and with all the upcoming infrastructure developments in the area, we are very proud and excited to unveil the new face of hospitality in this vibrant new development," said Dominique.


Key executives appointed include:

Benjamin Lee, Resident Manager
Over 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and well-versed in opening projects, Benjamin has worked in six countries including Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, China and Hong Kong for a handful of prominent hotel brands, namely Century, Regal, New World, Le Meridien and several hotels within the Harbour Plaza Hotels and Resorts group. He was most recently Executive Assistant Manager of Harbour Grand Kowloon. In his new capacity, Benjamin will oversee the hotel day-to-day operations and focus on driving service and performance excellence.

Thomas Ng, Director of Sales & Marketing
Heading up the sales and marketing team is Mr. Thomas Ng, a dynamic 22-year veteran who gained sales and marketing experience in his previous posts in various international hotels. Prior to this appointment, Thomas was Director of Sales & Marketing for Eaton Smart, Hong Kong and has held senior sales positions with Le Meridien Cyberport, Langham Hotels International, The Luxe Manor, Regal Hong Kong Hotel and Holiday Inn Golden Mile Hong Kong. He will focus on all domestic and international business opportunities, his ability to lead and adapt with ease to the diverse environment make Thomas a great asset to the team.

Ada Ho, Crowne Meeting Director
Ada joins as the Crowne Meetings Director and brings with her over 15 years of experience in several hotel groups including JW Marriott, Harbour Grand Kowloon and Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong. In her new capacity, Ada will play a significant role in securing meeting, wedding and catering business and enhancing the market positioning of one of the largest grand ballrooms in Hong Kong. Also she will serve as the main point of contact for the meeting organizers to ensure that all guests get distinctive meetings service which is hallmark of Crowne Plaza’s worldwide. “ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE and we will do the rest to make your wedding day the most special day of your life” said Ada.

Carmen Fong, Director of Food & Beverage
Carmen has more than 20 years of experience in the food and beverage field and most recently oversaw the banquet facilities at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with a massive floor area for over 400 banquet tables, he has served world leaders including China's President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. He is a seasoned talent with a history of creative and successful restaurant and hospitality concepts. Carmen is set to boost the reputation as an unparalleled dining destination and the leading venue for conferences, banquets and weddings in the area.

Tim Alpe, Director of Rooms
Tim gained hands on experience in tackling the challenges of pre-opening projects. He began his hospitality career with Millennium and Copthorne Hotels and Resorts in New Zealand and relocated to China in 2005. Tim moved to Hong Kong in 2006 as Beverage Manager in Hotel LKF by Rhombus, taking on various roles in both food & beverage and rooms before being promoted to Hotel Manager for Rhombus International Hotels Group, most recently based in London. In his new role, Tim will be responsible for all rooms operations.

Ricky Lau, Director of Finance & Business Support
Ricky is responsible for the overall financial management including the IT and procurement departments, with over two decades of experience in hotel, accounting and financial management. Ricky has held senior positions in various Marriott hotels in China. With his professional qualifications, diverse experience and management skills, he takes a leading role in upholding the highest level of integrity on the hotels’ financial affairs.

Heinsen Chan, Director of Human Resources
Heinsen joined InterContinental Hotels Group in 2009, taking up the position of Director of Human Resources at Holiday Inn Golden Mile Hong Kong. He was transferred to his current post in Aug 2011 and oversees the recruitment and training of over 350 staff to ensure a smooth running hotel with excellent services to discerning guests.

Ray Chan, Director of Engineering
Ray has 20 years of experience in both project management and day to day Engineering and Facilities Management. Prior to this appointment, he was Head of Planned and Reactive Maintenance of EC Harris for HSBC Headquarters in Hong Kong, pre and post opening Director of Engineering of Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Causeway Bay and Chief Engineer of InterContinental Hong Kong. In his new capacity, Ray and his team will ensure all building facilities are in proper condition and deliver the highest standard quality rooms, outlets and hotel facilities.

Josephine Tang, Director of Communications
In her new role, Josephine will be responsible for developing and implementing all public and media relations activities, also marketing and advertising strategies to increase publicity and create awareness for both hotels. Prior to this appointment, she was the Marketing Communications Manager of Novotel Citygate Hong Kong.

About the Hotels:
Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Kowloon East sets to open on 28 September 2012, boasts 359 rooms and suites with excellent views, dining choices range from the all-day dining buffet restaurant to Cantonese dining and an Italian restaurant on the 47th floor. Features a total of 2,400 square meters of event space including 11 meeting rooms, able to accommodate 1,250 guests for a sit down banquet and 2,000 guests for receptions, the unique Grand Ballroom is one of the largest in Hong Kong with a 6.75-meter high ceiling. Other facilities include a lobby lounge, outdoor garden, fitness centre, spa with seven private garden bungalows and a 25-meter outdoor swimming pool.

Holiday Inn Express Hong Kong Kowloon East scheduled the opening on 26 October 2012, houses 300 rooms, offering complimentary breakfast and high speed internet access for all guests.

Both hotels are conveniently located atop Tseung Kwan O MTR station and PopCorn shopping mall, providing an easy starting point to travel freely around the city. Just minutes drive from many of Hong Kong’s famed shopping and leisure venues, 20 minutes from Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and a short 45-minute drive from Hong Kong International Airport.