Philipp C. Knuepfer was previously GM for Mandarin Oriental, Boston.
Philipp C. Knuepfer has been appointed general manager of Mandarin
Oriental, Singapore, previously held by Christian Hassing for nine
years.
The German hotelier returns to familiar ground in Singapore, having
served at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore as executive assistant manager
from 2008 to 2012.
With Singapore's good traction in restarting international business
events this year, the robust pipeline of events bodes well for a hotel
group that has made its mark in the MICE space with its holistic Mindful
Meetings approach. In particular, the return of Formula 1 this year
will provide Mandarin Oriental with the exposure needed to ramp up the
year-end buzz.
“The
pandemic has indeed impacted the growth of the MICE industry in
Singapore which in turn shaped the development of this business sector
in Mandarin Oriental, Singapore. From the implementation of the virtual
studio for hybrid events to managing the gradual resumption of larger
MICE events, I look forward to working with my team to constantly
develop, innovate and drive new strategic initiatives amidst the
evolving landscape, positioning Mandarin Oriental, Singapore as a key
player for MICE tourism in Singapore,” said Knuepfer.
Prior to joining Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, Knuepfer was general
manager for Mandarin Oriental, Boston, where he spearheaded the hotel's
most extensive renovation in history and the development of its F&B
and wellness concepts.
With more than 20 years in hospitality, Knuepfer started in the
industry as a management trainee in a Hawaii resort, before rising
through the ranks to secure many prominent positions in Honolulu, Kuala
Lumpur, Chiang Mai, Singapore, Taipei and Washington D.C. with the
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
Knuepfer graduated from the International School for Hotel &
Catering Business in his home country of Germany. He also holds a degree
from the Cornell Hotel School in Ithaca, New York, and an MCA from RMIT
University in Melbourne, Australia.