For the fifth consecutive year, the Cairo Marriott Hotel and Omar Khayyam Casino was selected by over 20,000 readers of the Condé Nast Traveler guide as being among the “World’s Top 700 Places to Stay” in 2006. Pictured: Ulrich Huth (general manager of Cairo Marriott Hotel) with his management team.

Famous Muslim preacher Amr Khaled recently paid a visit to Le Meridien Heliopolis. Upon his arrival, he was warmly welcomed and escorted to his Suite on Le Royal Club Executive floor by Joerge Limper (general manager) and Nihal Zamzam (marketing, communication and PR manager). Pictured (L-R): Joerg Limper, Amr Khaled and Nihal Zamzam.

Conrad Cairo recently hosted the Egyptian National Human Development Conference organized by the United Nations for Development Programs (UNDP) in cooperation with the Ministry of Planning and Local Development. Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif and Gamal Mubarak (deputy secretary-general of the National Democratic Party) were among the prominent guests.

Deals recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with Chivas Regal at the historic Manesterly Palace garden. After the cocktails, the party resumed inside the palace itself with a performance by renowned singer Samo Zein. Pictured (L-R): Waguih Boutros, Laila Mourey, Raffi Kehiaian and Karim Tahawy.

The Semiramis InterContinental Hotelrecently hosted a press conference organized by the European Union in honor of Markos Kyprianou, European commissioner for public health, who was in Cairo last month to help Egypt combat bird flu.EU Ambassador Carlos Evermann attended the conference at which he gave the opening speech.

Conrad Cairo had the honor of hosting South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and his wife during their recent visit to Egypt. Pictured: Ayman Abdel-Aziz (executive assistant manager) welcoming the South Korean president upon his arrival.

The Egyptian-Lebanese Businessmen’s Friendship Association (ELBA), headed by engineer Fathallah Fawzi, organized a press conference prior to its annual charity ball held at the Cleopatra Ballroom of the Semiramis InterContinental. Lebanese pop star Nawal El-Zoghbi and veteran Egyptian singer Hani Shaker were there for the event.

Under the patronage of Ahmed Nawwar (head of the Ministry of Culture’s Fine Arts Sector), Mohsen Shaalan recently opened a jointoil and pastel exhibition, featuring the works of artists Eman Mamdouh and Marcelle Arnould, at the Creativity Center in the Ahmed Shawki Museum in Giza. Pictured (L-R): Eman Mamdouh, Marcelle Arnould and Mohsen Shaalan (head of the central management of museums and exhibitions).

Head Chef Angleo Zantedeschi has been creating quite a stir over at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza’s Italian restaurant, Bella. Zantedeschi, armed with his culinary secrets and special menu, has been credited with bringing a taste of Italy to Cairo. Pictured: Heba Bilal, Nadia Abul-Naga, Inas El-Wassif, Ehsan Kamel, Angelo Zantedeschi, Nihal Goba, Nancy Haky, Suzy Naga and Wahida El-Sada.

Barclays Bank Egypt recently held a press conference at the Semiramis InterContinental Hotel to celebrate the arrival of the English Premier League Trophy in Egypt. Stewart Lockie (retail banking director), Alaa El-Din FaroukZaki (national sales manager, Cairo and Alexandria branches), Omnia El-Nasri (PR and communication manager) and football player Khaled El-Ghandour attended the gathering.

Chef Giovanni invites you to dine in the Cucina restaurant, and experience the authentic Italian specialties he has created at the JW Marriott. So pamper yourself with his signature gourmet nine-course dinner featuring three delicious starters, five mouth-watering main courses and a delicious dessert. Eduardo will entertain you with his guitar and Violeta Barac with her renditions of Italian classics.

The press delegation accompanying South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun chose the Ramses Hilton for their stay during their visit to Egypt. The hotel management, in collaboration with the embassy of South Korea in Cairo, set up the Ramses Ballroom as a satellite broadcast center to help cover the visit.

American singer and actress Vanessa Williams visited Cairo in late February to raise awarness of the Speical Olympics. Williams, currently at work on a new album, travels the world to promote the Olympics, which give handicapped individuals a chance to shine. PICTURED: Vanessa Williams with Abercrombie & Kent Egypt chief Amr Badr, The Pharaohs general manager G.S. Chaudhri and friends.

Kelmetna magazine recently organized a seminar with famous writer and journalist Ibrahim Eissa at the magazine’s head office. The editorial staff invited readers of the magazine to attend the event, at which Eissa tackled many current topics and voiced his candid opinion concerning political issues that have been of interest lately.

AUC President David Arnold, US Ambassador to Egypt Francis J. Ricciardone and Fulbright Commission Executive Director Bruce Lohof recently attended a musical concert in which the group AUCeyat performed. Pictured (L-R): Lohof and wife Anne Marie, Sherry Arnold, Ricciardone and wife Marie, and Arnold. FRIENDS TO FRIENDS

Global traveler and UN Goodwill Ambassador Mary Eisenhower chose Sheraton Montazah for her stay on her recent visit to Alexandria. Eisenhower visited Egypt as a representative of the People-to-People International Friendship Fund. Pictured: Eisenhower being welcomed by General Manger Atef Wilson.

Early last month, Emaar Properties announced the appointment of Robert Riley as the new CEO of Emaar Hotels and Resorts. Riley will be faced with the task of driving the development of Armani branded hotels and resorts scheduled to launch soon all over the world. Riley held the position of CEO for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group before helming Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts for the past two years.

The Nile Hilton Japan Golf Cup, sponsored by Etihad Airways, was held mid-March at the Dream Land golf course at the Hilton Pyramids Golf Resort. Pictured: Jean-Pierre Mainardi (Nile Hilton general manager), Mitsuko Koh (Nile Hilton Japanese guest relations manager) and Etihad Airways team members with the winners of the tournament.

Late February saw the Seventh Pan-Arab Congress on Rheumatology held in association with the 28th Annual Meeting of the Egyptian Society for Joint Diseases and Arthritis. The meeting, attended by 600 medical practitioners from eight Arab countries, included symposia, case presentations and debates on recent advances in the field of rheumatology. Pictured: Amgad Gamil (medical manager, Enbrel and CNS Middle East and North Africa) at the congress.

CityStars InterContinental Cairo Hotel hosted Philippe Charriol, who recently came to Egypt on a business trip. The famous designer selected the Intercontinental CityStars’ Abdeen Ballroom to hold a press conference to launch the Charriol brand in Egypt.

The Domina Coral Bay Hotel, Resort and Casino in Sharm El-Sheikh has been voted the Top Resort in the World by the Italian edition of Condé Nast Traveller. The magazine, one of the most prestigious Italian travel magazines, organizes an annual ranking of the leading hotels and resorts in the world for its Readers’ Choice Award.

Under the auspices of Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni, the Sixth European Artist Symposium was recently held at El-Gouna under the title Sand and Sea. The 10-day event showcased 21 European artists who prepared their artwork for a joint exhibition attended by Karola Teschler (president of European Artists).

The Egyptian Chef Association (ECA) recently held the Hurghada Salon Culinaire 2006 Competition in conjunction with the Host Hurghada Exhibition for Hotel Supplies at Al-Mas Palace Golden Five City. Governor of the Red Sea Abu-Bakr El-Rashidy inaugurated the exhibition.