The inaugural International Branded Hotels of Shanghai (IBHS) Soccer Tournament was completed over the weekend of the 23 rd and 24 th October 2004.

This tournament, which featured teams from 26 of the 32 IBHS members, was spread over 2 weeks of matches with qualifying games was played on a pool basis and the winners of each pool then featuring in knock-out games.

All matches were very competitively played 每 but in a good team spirit with the four semifinalists representing a complete cross section of the Shanghai hotels 每 two from Pudong and two from Puxi, two five-star hotels and two four-star hotels, two small hotels and two larger hotels.

In the play-off for 3 rd and 4 th place, the City Hotel dominated the game but eventually just squeezed out the Courtyard by Marriott team 3-2.

In the final, between the Renaissance Pudong and the Hilton Shanghai, the match was evenly balanced with many chances on either side 每 before the Renaissance team eventually ran out winners 2-0.

IBHS Chairman and Board Member 每 Hans Hauri and David Travers presented the trophies and individual medals to the top four teams and congratulated all on the friendly but spirited way that the games were played.

he International Branded Hotels of Shanghai (IBHS) held their inaugural charity golf tournament on Friday October 22 nd 2004 at the Shanghai Links Golf Club.

Approximately 70 people participated in a fundraising tournament to set up the IBHS Charity Foundation.

All future IBHS fundraising activities will be added to the Foundation, whose funds will be used to support local organizations, and groups of people in need, in association with the Shanghai Charity Foundation.

General Manager, John Northen remarks on the past year "Only one year after our opening, the JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square has received several accolades from around the world including the "Best New City Hotel in Asia" award from TTG Asia and I attribute that to our caring and dedicated staff, guests and suppliers all of whom have helped make these accomplishments possible. I look forward to the future and capturing more achievements in the upcoming years."

In addition to the "Best New City Hotel" award presented by TTG Asia the JW Marriott has received three other prestigious accolades within its first year. Robb Report, "the leading international authority on luxury lifestyle," included the flagship JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai in the famed "Best of the Best", annual review of luxury product and services. In addition to being recognized for its prestige, JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai was also named one of the "20 most Romantic Hideaways" in the Urban Oases category in DestinAsian Magazine, an Asian travel digest. The Tomorrow Square landmark commercial complex received some well-deserved attention by being placed sixth in Emporis' 2003 Skyscraper Award." The survey evaluated hundreds of skyscrapers on the basis of design and functionality and was the only representative from Mainland China in the top ten.

In recognition of his contribution to China's economic and social development, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. Vice President and Area General Manager Mark DeCocinis was awarded the state-level "Friendship Award" by the People's Republic of China Vice Premier Wu Yi on September 29, 2004.Mr. DeCocinis is one of three recipients from Shanghai among 84 nationwide winners.

Under the authorization of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the State Administration of Foreign Experts' Affairs established the "Friendship Award." The award honors foreign businessmen for their dedication to the training of Chinese citizens as well as their contribution to China's social, economic, scientific, technological, educational and cultural development.Award winners will meet with Premier Wen Jiabao and attend the 55th National Day state banquet presided by President Hu Jintao and the steering committee members in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Since opening The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai as general manager in January 1998, Mr. DeCocinis has been bestowed with Shanghai's prestigious "Magnolia Award (Silver)" in July 2001 and the "Magnolia Award (Gold)" in 2003.Under his leadership, Mr. DeCocinis has led the hotel to win multiple awards including "Number 1 Best Employer in Asia and China" for two consecutive times by Hewitt Associates, Asian Wall Street Journal and Far Eastern Economic Review (2003 and 2001), Bloomberg TV and Business Asia magazine "Overall Best Business Hotel in Asia" three times and "Best Business Hotel in China" for the fifth time.

Mr. DeCocinis is also vice chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and sits on the board of governors of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.Additionally, he is the vice president of both the Shanghai Tourism and Hotel Association and the China Tourist Hotel Association in Beijing.

One of Mr. DeCocinis' professional goals during his tenure in Shanghai is to enhance the career progression for the employees.He is personally involved in the selection of employees and the training and development programmes for them.The hotel achieved 100 percent satisfaction during the 2003 Employee Satisfaction Survey conducted by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, and ranked number one in the company.

He has also shown great commitment to the community in Shanghai.An annual charity gala is organised each year, during which more than RMB900,000 is raised for Shanghai Children's Welfare Institution annually.

A native of Salerno, Italy, Mr. DeCocinis was brought up in the U.S.A.He brings more than 20 years' hotel experience to his position.He was formerly general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Aspen, following posts as hotel manager and general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco.He has held food and beverage director positions at Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts in AmeliaIsland and Naples (Florida) and Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.During his 15 years with the company, Mr. DeCocinis has been a member of The Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts pre-opening teams in Bali, Singapore, Seoul, California and Hawai'i.

Prior to Mr. DeCocinis' career with The Ritz-Carlton, he held food and beverage management positions at several resorts in the Northeast U.S.A. with Omni Hotels International, New York, U.S.A.Mr. DeCocinis holds a Business Administrative Degree from PennsylvaniaStateUniversity.

A veteran of international marathons in Boston, San Francisco, New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Chicago and Shanghai, Mr. DeCocinis has run five "Toray" Cup international marathons in Shanghai and the Great Wall Marathon twice in Beijing.

The 578-room Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai is a landmark located in a retail, dining and entertainment complex on the famous Nanjing Road.Situated right in the heart of the commercial, shopping and entertainment district of the city, services and facilities include six restaurants and lounges serving Chinese, Italian, Japanese and Western favourites.An extensive health club with swimming pools, gym, indoor tennis court, squash and racquetball courts is featured, alongside a 24-hour business centre.

11 member hotels of the IBHS recently took part in a table top setting competition in preparation for a Shanghai wide competition that will take place in June 2004. There were two sections to the competition, a Chinese table setting for 8 guests and a western table setting for 6 guests. 30 minutes were given to one hotel staff member for each table to be set up and this included arranging the flowers as well.

The photos taken at the event show the wide range of decoration used, from live fish to exquisite flower decorations. The Shanghai Municipal Tourism Commission will be organising the main competition and the IBHS team will be represented by 7 hotels.