ROCKLEIGH, N.J. (June 28, 2011) ─ Dolce Hotels and Resorts, operator of 27 upscale hotels, resorts and conference hotels in North America and Europe, has appointed Jan-Willem den Ridder as vice president of development for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Based in the United Kingdom, he is responsible for identifying prospects and marketing Dolce's management services to meetings-based hotels and resorts throughout the region. He reports to Steven A. Rudnitsky, Dolce president and chief executive officer.

"Jan-Willem den Ridder will be focused on accelerating Dolce's expansion in the EMEA region, building on our strong existing base of operations in Belgium, France, Spain and Germany," Rudnitsky said.

Den Ridder was regional vice president of international lodging development in Europe for Marriott International for 15 years, based in London, and director of development for the former Bass plc Holiday Inn hotels, based in Brussels.

Earlier in his career, he served in operations roles for InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam, Hilton Holland, the former Hilton International London and hotels in Switzerland and the United States.

Den Ridder earned a master of real estate degree at the Amsterdam School of Real Estate in 1995 and a bachelor of science degree in hotel administration at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., in 1980.

Dolce’s portfolio includes hotels, resorts and conference hotels in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado, California, Ontario, Texas, Nevada, Belgium, France, Spain and Germany.  The company's newest hotel is expected to open during the fall of 2012 in downtown Indianapolis.

As a leader in the meetings industry, Dolce hosts some 30,000 events and 4 million group clients globally every year.  The company’s founder pioneered the conference center concept and Complete Meeting Package, both now embraced as standards by the International Association of Conference Centers.

Dolce's vision is to create inspiring environments that bring people together.  Its mission is to delight its guests, challenge its associates, reward its owners and serve as a role model in its communities.

Founded in 1981 and based in Rockleigh, N.J., Dolce is majority-owned by Broadreach Capital Partners.  The company employs more than 4,000 worldwide. Additional information is available at www.dolce.com.