Yellowstone Club World Executive Honored

Date: April 4, 2006

Less than a month after the club's announcement that he had been appointed to the role of President and CEO of Yellowstone Club World, Dieter Huckestein has been honored by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences and received their distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award.

Last month, Dieter, a 35 year hospitality veteran, was appointed to his position at Yellowstone Club World where he will be responsible for operations, marketing, and development of the ultra-luxury destination club. Concurrently, Dieter will also be tasked with the operations at Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Montana. Upon his hiring, Tim and Edra Blixseth stated, "Dieter Huckestein's international hospitality expereince coupled with his impeccable credentials, relentless enthusiasm and his exceptional management skills, make him the perfect leader for our new organization."

Those impeccable credentials are long. Prior to joining Yellowstone Club World, Huckestein served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Conrad Hotels, a part of Hilton Hotels Corporation, and as President of the Hilton Global Alliance. In December of last year, it was announced that Huckestein would retire from these roles "to pursue a number of entrepreneurial opportunities."

It appears that Yellowstone Club World was at the top of the list.

Also included on Huckestein's resume is a ten year tenure as Executive Vice President and President of Hilton's owned and managed hotel operations, where he was responsible for approximately 400 full service hotels. These hotels delivered in excess of $5 billion in revenue during his tenure. He also served as Hilton Hotels Corporation's Board of Directors, President of the International Hotel & Restaurant Association, and Chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

For this immense body of work, Huckestein was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences last month. The organization's President, Joseph Cinque, stated "Dieter has been the face of global hospitality and his numerous contributions to the hospitality industry are parallel to none - therefore, on behalf of the Academy and its board, it gives me great pleasure to honor Dieter with this award. Now, with the Yellowstone Club World, Dieter is at the helm of an organization offering the ultimate in luxury - no doubt, redefining luxury, in the process."

"It is indeed an honor to receive this award, especially following such prominent hospitality industry icons as Bernd Chorengel, Horst Shulze, and Isadore Sharp – all of whom I personally hold in high regard," said Huckestein. "I believe the best is yet to come in my career as I’m truly excited to introduce the Yellowstone Club World in a couple of months as we unveil the world’s 'Perfect Ten' destinations around the globe, coupled with its accompanying caliber of luxury amenities and services like the yachts and private jets available for our members."

Not yet launched, Yellowstone Club World is planning on offering the same level of luxury to their worldwide members that Yellowstone Club owners have enjoyed over the years. Yellowstone Club World's properties are planned to include a 800 year old Chateau in Paris, a luxurious beach resort, and a championship golf course and club in the famed St. Andrews region of Scotland.

Luxury doesn't come cheap. While information is limited about the club, according to documents, "Yellowstone Club World will be available by invitation only with membership fees starting at $3 million."