The Nominees
Below, you’ll find the outstanding finalists and nominees of the Future Hotel Leader Award—talented individuals recognized for their vision, innovation, and leadership in the hospitality industry.
Discover their journeys, learn more about their impact, and connect with them on social media. Stay inspired by the next generation of hospitality leaders!
Top 3 Finalists
These three standout nominees have impressed the judges with exceptional leadership, vision, and innovation in hospitality.
Learn more about their journeys, achievements, and ideas shaping the future of the industry in the bios below.
Joost Abbink
Joost is a charismatic Executive Chef who leads by example, inspiring his teams through dedication, high standards, and a positive mindset. Known for turning kitchens around and creating lasting impact across multiple restaurants, he blends humor with seriousness and knows how to get people moving in the right direction. With a calm yet determined leadership style, Joost demonstrates the qualities of a strong hotel leader, balancing operational expertise with the ability to motivate and uplift those around him.
Kimberly Appels
Kimberly combines authentic leadership with genuine care—for her team, her guests, and her community. A mother of three, she inspires through action, from coaching colleagues to running charity marathons, and keeps a keen focus on health, well-being, and community engagement. With hands-on experience in daily hotel operations and a clear ambition to grow into a General Manager role, she balances drive with calm, making her a natural leader and role model in hospitality.
Rémy Baben
Remy is a seasoned hospitality professional with a strong track record in high-end food & beverage and hotel leadership. Ambitious and highly focused, he combines discipline with resilience, having navigated significant change and rebranding in recent years. Guided by his principles of love, trust, ambition, hard work, and loyalty, Remy brings clarity of purpose and a results-driven approach, earning respect through his professionalism and dedication to elevating both team and guest experiences.
Top 10 nominees
Meet the talented professionals recognized as Future Hotel Leader Award nominees.
Browse their profiles below and connect with them on LinkedIn to see how they’re shaping the future of hospitality.











