CARLSON HOTELS WORLDWIDE APPOINTS THOMAS HUFFSMITH PRESIDENT OF REGENT INTERNATIONAL HOTELS

Former Bass Hotels Executive to Direct Luxury Regent Hotels

Future Growth and Expansion Worldwide


Carlson Hotels Worldwide president and COO, Eric Danziger, has announced the appointment of Thomas Huffsmith as president of Regent International Hotels. Huffsmith, who will report directly to Danziger, will lead the expansion of the luxury Regent hotel company around the world. He will be based at Carlson Hotels’ headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn.

“We are pleased to add this key leader to our Regent team,” said Danziger. “Tom Huffsmith brings a strong record of success and industry expertise to spearhead the growth and operations of Regent International Hotels worldwide,” he added.

Huffsmith has worked in the hospitality industry for 23 years, starting with ITT Sheraton Corporation in 1977. Most recently, he was senior vice president of development and investments, EMEA, for Bass Hotels & Resorts in London. In this position he served as head of all development and acquisition activities for the company’s brands throughout Europe. He also served as senior vice president of development-The Americas for Crowne Plaza Hotels.

Prior to joining Bass, Huffsmith was employed with LaSalle Partners in New York where he held the position of senior vice president of hotel investments. At LaSalle, his role involved investments, asset management, and advisory services for hospitality clients, as well as overseeing LaSalle’s $500 million hotel portfolio. Huffsmith was also vice president of hotel investments for Prudential Realty Group in Newark, N.J. In addition, he held positions with Meredith & Grew, a real estate firm in Boston; Horizon Hotels; and Pannell, Kerr, Forster, a hospitality consulting firm.

Huffsmith received his master of business administration degree from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Penn. He graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., with a Bachelor of Science degree in hotel administration.

Huffsmith will begin his work with Regent International Hotels on January 2, 2001.

Regent International Hotels has established a global leadership position in the luxury hotel and resort industry by offering premier locations, elegant facilities and personalized service to the world’s most discerning travelers.

Regent International Hotels has embarked on a selective expansion program under the stewardship of Carlson Hotels Worldwide which owns the rights to develop and manage The Regent brand. Thirteen Regent hotels and resorts are located throughout Asia Pacific, Central Asia and the United States with several under construction or development. The Regent Hotels in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Beverly Hills, California are managed by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Toronto, Canada. Recent Regent hotel openings included The Regent Mumbai (Bombay), India; The Regent Las Vegas; The Regent Almaty, Kazakhstan; and The Regent Wall Street, New York.