Edith Gerhardt – Keynote Speaker

Edith Gerhardt began working in hospitality in 1997. She’s managed the front desk, housekeeping, front of house, and has been an integral part of four hotel openings. She is trained in all aspects of the hotel business including rooms, food & beverage, kitchen, accounting, banquets, sales & marketing, as well as management.

Gerhardt graduated from Hotel School in Bad Wörishofen with the best examination results of the year. She is extremely passionate about leadership development and customer service and continues to supplement her professional experience with seminars at institutions such as: Cornell University (Ithaca, NY), Wharton Business-School (Philadelphia, PA), Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL), and Executive Learning in Switzerland.

Gerhardt served as the Director of Rooms for The Landmark Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong from 2005 to 2007. She successfully opened the hotel and established it in the market. In 2006, the property was recognized by Conde Nast on their “Hot List,” and by Travel & Leisure as No. 2 in Asia “World Best Hotels.”

In the fall of 2007, Gerhardt became the Hotel Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin. During her tenure, the property was recognised by Euro Magazine as “Best Business Hotel in Germany.” In 2008, Conde Nast included the hotel on their Gold List as No. 3 “Top Hotels in Europes.” The hotel also received TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards No. 1 “Best Luxury Hotel in Europe.”

In May 2018 Gerhardt became the Senior Director Openings at the Marriott International in Frankfurt, Germany.