For the first time in its history, the European Hotel Managers Association has met in Slovakia. To demonstrate their interest in the new Eastern Europe the hoteliers chose the art nouveau Thermia Palace Danubius Health Spa Resort in Piestany for their first meeting under the presidency of Peter Bierwirth, (national delegate Germany).

The newly elected Management Council met for the first time and some far reaching decisions as to the future set up and priorities were taken. In view of the forthcoming Annual General Meeting in St. Petersburg next April 2011, members were invited to ‘look East’ to countries where economic development demands new hotels and services.

Juha Mähönen, national delegate Nordic Chapter, made a strong statement as to the future of these countries and the hospitality industry and has ‘recruited’ new general manager members from highly prestigious hotels.

The EHMA also plans to update its cooperation with hotel universities such as Lausanne, Glion, Cornell and Stenden and strengthen its ties with Hotrec, the trade association of hotels, restaurants and cafés in the EU based in Brussels, in order to monitor EU policies that have a major impact on the hospitality industry.

Pictured from left to right, first row: Michel Fernet (first vice-president and national delegate France & Monaco), Peter Bierwirth (president and ND Germany), Mrs. Bierwirth, Ernst Mayer (ND Austria & Eastern Deleg.), Mrs. Mayer; second row: Chris Tzianos (ND Greece & Cyprus) Johanna Fragano (treasurer); Juha Mähönen, (ND Nordic Chapter), Klaus Pilz (GM Thermia Palace), Willem van der Zee (ND Belux)