Hilton Worldwide Appoints Heinrich Grafe GM of Conrad Tokyo, Japan

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. November 26, 2013

Tokyo, JAPAN - November 26, 2013 - Hilton Worldwide has appointed Heinrich Grafe as General Manager of Conrad Tokyo with effect from November 18, 2013.

Heinrich joins Conrad Tokyo from the award winning Conrad Centennial Singapore where he served as General Manager since 1998. Under his leadership, Heinrich steered the hotel on a path of continued growth and development, with Conrad Centennial Singapore now recognised as a leading property in one of the most prominent Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) destination in the region.

Under Heinrich's strong direction, Conrad Centennial Singapore has won numerous prestigious accolades, including:

• Singapore Quality Award (SQA) and Service Excellence Award (SE), 2007 by SPRING Singapore; a statutory Board under the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry
• Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (HAPA) 'Hotel of the Year' since 2006; Singapore and Regional Series
• Green Hotel Awards; 2010 (ASEAN), 2012 and 2013 (Singapore)

Heinrich's accomplishments include the 'Excellence in Hospitality Personality Corporate/Business Property General Manager Award' by Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards 2004-2005.

A veteran hotelier, Heinrich brings a wealth of international hospitality experience to Conrad Tokyo, with 31 years of service at Hilton Worldwide, which includes a formidable 23 year experience in the Asia, where he has developed a strong appreciation and a deep understanding of the Asian culture, with a natural flair as a cross-cultural communicator. Heinrich first joined Hilton Worldwide in 1974 at Hilton London Kensington before moving on to hone his skills in senior executive positions at other Hilton Worldwide properties in Germany, Singapore. Heinrich was Executive Assistant Manager in Hilton Guam and Seoul, South Korea, before moving on to become General Manager at Swissotel Beijing, China from 1990 to 1998. , He then returned to Hilton Worldwide in 1998 to take the helm at Conrad Centennial Singapore.

A passionate supporter of the Singapore community in the fields of Hospitality Education and the Arts, Heinrich has served on the Board of Governors for the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Singapore since 2010, where he has been pivotal in promoting education through work-based attachment programmes for trainees and employment opportunities upon their graduation.

Heinrich also played a key role in establishing Conrad Centennial Singapore at the heart of the city-state's dynamic arts scene, with the Hotel being awarded the Patron of the Arts Award from 2000 to 2013 from National Arts Council, Singapore. This is in recognition of the Hotel's active involvement and contribution to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra for 15 years.

Commenting on Heinrich's appointment, Timothy Soper, Vice President International Operations - Japan, Korea and Micronesia, Hilton Worldwide says, "Heinrich is an exceptionally accomplished hotelier with unparalleled expertise and experience in luxury hospitality. Under his outstanding leadership and commitment to excellence, Conrad Centennial Singapore delivered a truly premier experience for all guests. We are delighted to welcome him to Tokyo."

Born in Germany, Heinrich was educated in Haltern and Muenster, and has attended various management courses as well as Cornell University courses held at Hilton International.

Heinrich, who is married with two children, is fluent in German, English and some French. Speaking of his new position, Heinrich said, "I am very honoured to be appointed as General Manager of one of Japan's most celebrated hotels and look forward to joining Conrad Tokyo's legendary professional team."

Heinrich succeeds Gregor Andreewitch who has relocated to Europe as General Manager of Waldorf Astoria Berlin, effective November 5.

About Conrad Tokyo

Conrad Tokyo is a luxurious modern icon with breathtaking bay views just minutes from the shopping and entertainment centers of Ginza and Roppongi. Awarded the highest level of comfort for hotels in Tokyo in the Michelin Guide for six consecutive years, Conrad Tokyo is the perfect choice for business and leisure travelers seeking a contemporary sanctuary in the heart of Tokyo. Conrad Tokyo was recently chosen as the "Gold List 2013" in Conde Nast Traveler and awarded the "Trip Advisor Travellers' Choice 2013", recognizing it as one of the "Top 25 Hotels in Japan", and "Top 25 Luxury Hotels in Japan". For further information, please visit www.ConradTokyo.co.jp and connect with Conrad Tokyo at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, and www.twitter.com/conradtokyo.

About Conrad Hotels and Resorts

Conrad Hotels & Resorts is the destination for the new generation of smart luxury travelers for whom life, business and pleasure seamlessly interact - people who know that the greatest luxury is the luxury of being yourself. A global brand consisting of 22 properties across 5 continents, Conrad Hotels & Resorts offer guests personalized experiences with sophisticated, locally inspired surroundings and connections to people and places around the corner orhalfway around the world. Intuitive service is delivered with the Conrad Concierge App that puts Conrad's services and amenities at the guest's fingertips, whether ordering room service or a wakeup call to customizing the room's pillow options or arranging reservations at our locally inspired cuisine and spa offerings. Conrad is a global luxury brand of Hilton Worldwide with plans to add 12 more properties to the brand's portfolio. Connect with Conrad by booking at www.conradhotels.com or learn more about the brand by visiting http://news.conradhotels.com.