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Horst Schulze
Transform your organization's service and hospitality standards with Horst Schulze, speaker, founding president and COO of Ritz-Carlton, and renowned expert in leadership and customer service.


Horst Schulze, a renowned figure in the international hotel industry, is best known as the founder of Ritz-Carlton and Capella Hotels. Born in the Eifel-Moselle region, Schulze's career began with apprenticeships in prestigious international grand hotels like the Savoy in London and the Plaza Athénée in Paris. His dedication and work ethic led him to managerial roles in luxury hotel groups like Hyatt, where he eventually became Vice President. Schulze's commitment to excellence and top-tier service culminated in the establishment of the ultra-luxury hotel group "Capella," catering to the top two percent of business and leisure travelers globally. His influence on the hotel industry was profound, particularly during his tenure as President and COO of Ritz-Carlton, where he shaped the brand's service, appearance, and corporate philosophy. Schulze's emphasis on professional service excellence earned him accolades and recognition, including the hotel industry's "Industry Oscar" for his outstanding contributions. Despite facing health challenges, Schulze's legacy as a visionary hotelier remains a testament to his unwavering pursuit of excellence and dedication to the hospitality industry.
Topics, sessions and talks
It is one thing to provide service – it is another to be able recognize it. An internal measurement system is an invaluable tool to assess the performance results of your service delivery system. Mr. Schulze shows how to determine appropriate standards and create reliable systems to measure the impact of your service.
Lessons from Horst Schulze, Founder of Ritz-Carlton and Capella Hotels. The audience will delve into the journey of Horst Schulze, from his early days in Europe's grand hotels to redefining luxury hospitality. He emphasizes service excellence and visionary leadership in the hotel industry.
Horst Schulze brings unparalleled insights from transforming the luxury hospitality sector, embodying excellence, innovation, and leadership. Booking him as a speaker offers your team or business the unique opportunity to learn from a visionary who redefined customer service standards globally. His profound experience and captivating storytelling will inspire and equip your organization to pursue excellence in every endeavor.
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frequently asked questions
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Horst Schulze draws on decades of operational experience across luxury hotel groups — including Ritz-Carlton and Capella — to walk audiences through the mechanics of building internal measurement systems that assess service delivery against defined standards.
Horst Schulze's sessions cover service measurement systems, luxury hospitality leadership, and standards of service excellence. He founded Ritz-Carlton and Capella Hotels and served as President and COO of Ritz-Carlton, a tenure during which he shaped the brand's service philosophy and earned the hotel industry's Industry Oscar.
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