Hard Rock Hosts Worldwide Leadership Conference

    Hard Rock International recently hosted its annual Worldwide Leadership Conference, bringing together team members from 122 company and franchise-owned cafes, hotels and casinos, as well as key corporate partners in the retail, culinary, beverage and project development industries. Each year, Hard Rock utilizes the Leadership Conference as an arena in which to unite all areas of the brand and elevate the Hard Rock experience throughout the world.
 
    Hard Rock also announced the winners of the Leadership Conference Awards in recognition of outstanding accomplishments and dedication of employees, franchisees and partners, including the much-anticipated awards for "General Manager of the Year" and "Worldwide Cafe of the Year" for 2005, both of which were proudly presented to Anibal Fernandez and his staff at Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona.  In addition to taking home four awards in one evening, instead of a trophy, Anibal received a Harley Davidson motorcycle for his outstanding leadership.
 
    "Every one of our employees, franchisees and partners bring an outstanding level of dedication and commitment to our brand," said Hamish Dodds, president and CEO, Hard Rock International.  "We are proud to be able to honor all those that strive to enhance the Hard Rock experience on a daily basis."   
 
    During the awards ceremony, Hard Rock acknowledged several key partners, naming Future Brands as "Beverage Partner of the Year", Shawmut Design & Construction as "Project Development Partner of the Year", and Giant Merchandise as "Retail Partner of the Year".  Hard Rock executives also presented the award for "Culinary Partner of the Year" to Sysco, in recognition of a solid seven-year partnership.
 
Hard Rock International would like to recognize the winners of the 2006 Leadership Conference Awards:

Partners:
 
Beverage Partner of the Year: Future Brands
 
Culinary Partner of the Year: Sysco
 
Project Development Partner of the Year: Shawmut Design & Construction
 
Retail Partner of the Year: Giant Merchandise
 
 
Hard Rock International:

Hotel of the Year 2005: Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya
 
Corporate Partner of the Year: Kim Riley, worldwide operations coordinator
 
Most Improved Food & Beverage Sales 2005: Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
 
Most Improved Retail Sales 2005: Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona
 
Best Profit Performance 2005: Hard Rock Cafe Berlin
 
Brand Marketing Cafe of the Year 2005: Hard Rock Cafe New York
 
Cafe of the Year 2005: Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona
 
General Manager of the Year 2005: Anibal Fernandez, Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona

 
 
Franchise:
 
Highest Total Sales 2005: Hard Rock Cafe Gothenburg
 
Most Improved Sales 2005: Hard Rock Cafe Buenos Aires
 
Cafe of the Year 2005: Hard Rock Cafe Dubai
         
Franchisee of the Year 2005: WDI
 
General Manager of the Year 2005: Kenneth Chiu, Hard Rock Cafe Kowloon
 
 
About Hard Rock International
    With 122 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes and 13 Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in more than 42 countries, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally-recognized brands.  Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe.  Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website.  Hard Rock International, Inc. is owned by The Rank Group Plc (RNK.L).  For more information on Hard Rock, visit www.hardrock.com