Hilton Shanghai Announces Appointment of Gerd Knaust as General Manager

SHANGHAI, Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Gerd Knaust was appointed General Manager of the Hilton Shanghai( http://www.shanghai.hilton.com ) in November 2011, a landmark legendary Hilton property that enjoys a reputation as one of the first international hotels to open in China.

A hotel veteran with over 30 years of international hotel experience, Mr. Gerd Knaust has extensive hotel management experience in Asia and Europe, including China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Germany.

Prior to joining in Hilton Shanghai, Knaust joined Hilton International as the Cluster General Manager of Conrad and Doubletree by Hilton Sanya Haitang Bay in 2010. Over the past few years, he has been instrumental in the successful development of Conrad and Doubletree by Hilton Sanya, the first Conrad hotel and the sixth Doubletree by Hilton hotel in Mainland China, overseeing the luxury resort project development throughout its pre-opening phase, from the architectural and interior design concept.

With the passion for culinary art, Knaust started his hotel career as a chef in Germany where he obtained his Master Diploma in Business and Kitchen Management. In 1988, he worked in Asia for the first time as Executive Sous Chef of a 5-star resort in Penang, Malaysia. Then, he took up various management positions in other Asian cities, namely Singapore, Indonesia, Beijing, Hong Kong and China.

His first General Manager position was in Indonesia at Mandarin Oriental, Surabaya, a 5-star heritage resort, where he led the team on property for over three years. In 2006, Knaust moved to Mandarin Oriental, Sanya as pre opening General Manager.

He is also heavily involved in recruitment, as well as sales and marketing strategies. Drawing on his past skills as a chef, he also worked closely with the Food and Beverage team to develop the hotel’s restaurant concepts and menus.

Knaust previously worked for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Shangri-La International and Hyatt International, and his first job in China dated back in 1991 when he was the Executive Sous Chef of China World Hotel Beijing.

A keen sportsman, Knaust is also an enthusiastic student of international cultures and has a passion for golf, Chinese Arts Culture and Travelling.

Hilton Shanghai

Set in the heart of Shanghai's business and entertainment centre, the Hilton Shanghai is within walking distance of major corporations and the main shopping districts. Business is a pleasure here with 18 meeting rooms, including the new uniquely designed Grand Ballroom. The hotel boasts an Executive Lounge and 24-hour business center. All rooms offer wireless internet access. The 3,000 square meter spa is an oasis for exercising and relaxing, with a gym, pool, tennis and squash courts and 8 treatment rooms. The Hilton Shanghai is also now in its seventh consecutive year as the city's exclusive hotel sponsor to the ATP Shanghai Rolex Masters Tennis Tournament.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 92 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,600 hotels and 600,000 rooms in 82 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors(R). For more information about the company, visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.

SOURCE　Hilton Shanghai