FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Toni Knorr, General Manager of The St. Regis San Francisco to Receive

2012 MMH Outstanding Alumna of the Year Award from

Cornell University School of Hotel Administration

Knorr to Accept Award at the 11th annual Cornell MMH Reception on

November 11 at the Westin New York at Times Square

SAN FRANCISCO (November 8, 2012) – The St. Regis San Francisco, one of the world’s premier addresses for luxury and bespoke service, is pleased to announce that General Manager Antoinette "Toni" Knorr has been selected to receive the 2012 MMH Outstanding Alumna of the Year Award, presented by the master of management in hospitality (MMH) program at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. Ms. Knorr will receive the award at the 11th annual Cornell MMH Reception on Sunday, November 11, which will take place from 5 -7 p.m. at the Westin New York at Times Square.

"Toni Knorr is the ideal choice for the Cornell MMH Outstanding Alumna Award, and we look forward to honoring her at the MMH reception," said Michael D. Johnson, dean and E. M. Statler Professor of Hotel Administration. "Ms. Knorr was chosen from a highly competitive field of industry leaders who have demonstrated exemplary engagement with the school. In addition to being a dedicated Cornell alumna, Toni has enjoyed a tremendous career, managing some of the most iconic hotels in the country with service excellence and innovation."

“I am extremely honored to be recognized with this award,” said Ms. Knorr. “I think back on my time at Cornell very fondly and truly value my experiences, first-hand exposure, and industry relationships made possible by participating in the MMH program. The MMH degree lays the fundamental groundwork for graduates, including myself, to become proactive thinkers and leaders in the industry. Paired with hard work, creativity, and an entrepreneurial spirit, the Cornell program inspired me.”

The award committee’s selection of Ms. Knorr was based upon a range of criteria including academic performance and involvement as a student, career progression, and continued engagement with the University. Ms. Knorr is a member of the Cornell Hotel Society, the Tower Club Committee, and the President's Council of Cornell Women.

Ms. Knorr is a seasoned hotelier who joined The St. Regis San Francisco in 2007, bringing her extensive knowledge and experience to San Francisco’s most exquisite address. Beforehand, Ms. Knorr served as general manager of the W San Francisco. Prior to joining Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide in 2005, Ms. Knorr served as an asset manager for Millennium Partners, where she oversaw five luxury properties, including the opening of the Ritz-Carlton in Boston and Georgetown, and the Four Seasons San Francisco. Ms. Knorr began her hospitality career with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, where she progressed within the organization for more than two decades, gaining experience as corporate director of catering and food & beverage, and general manager at Hyatt’s leading properties nationwide, including the Grand Hyatt New York and Park Hyatt San Francisco.

Passionate about the city of San Francisco, Ms. Knorr currently serves as chair of the Tourism Improvement District (TID) and is past chair of the San Francisco Travel Association, where she now sits on the board of directors. Ms. Knorr is also actively involved in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s Modern Art Council, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Board of Directors, the Hotel Council of San Francisco, and the University of San Francisco McClaren School of Business, where Ms. Knorr serves as a guest lecturer and a mentor to those entering the competitive hospitality business sector. She is a member of the International Women's Forum-West and has been recognized for the past six years as one of the Bay Area's 100 Most Influential Women by the San Francisco Business Times. The Hotel Council of San Francisco awarded Ms. Knorr with the Peter Goldman Award of Excellence in 2009 and the Lifetime Achievement–Hotel Executive Award in 2012.

In addition to her master’s degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University, Ms. Knorr also earned an Intermediate Certificate from LaVarenne, Ecole de Cuisine in Paris. Previous recipients of the Cornell MMH Outstanding Alumna/us of the Year Award include Kirk Kinsell, president for the Americas at InterContinental Hotels Group; Brian Ferguson, vice president of supply strategy and analysis for Expedia, Inc.; Tim Dick, managing director of G2 Hospitality Associates GP, LLC; and Shonette Harrison Carew, consultant and former vice president of marketing at Valley Forge Casino Resort.

About The St. Regis San Francisco

The St. Regis San Francisco opened in November 2005, introducing a new dimension of luxury and timeless elegance to the city of San Francisco. The 40-story landmark building, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, includes 100 private residences rising 19 floors above the 260-room St. Regis Hotel. From legendary butler service, “anticipatory” guest care and impeccable staff training to the signature Remède Spa, luxurious amenities and interior design by Yabu Pushelberg of Toronto, The St. Regis San Francisco delivers an unmatched guest experience. The St. Regis San Francisco is located at 125 Third Street. Telephone: 415.284.4000. Web site: www.stregissanfrancisco.com.

About the Cornell School of Hotel Administration
The Cornell University School of Hotel Administration is shaping the global knowledge base for hospitality management through leadership in education, research and industry advancement. The school provides management instruction in the full range of hospitality disciplines, educating the next generation of leaders in the world's largest industry. Founded in 1922 as the nation's first collegiate course of study in hospitality management, the Cornell School of Hotel Administration is recognized as the world leader in its field. For more information, visit www.hotelschool.cornell.edu.

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Media contacts: Courtney Finley, Nicole Engelhardt, Lena Dakessian, or Natalie Cairo at Glodow Nead Communications, 415.394.6500 or .