LOS ANGELES, CA – March 1, 2012 – sbe Hotel Group has assembled an impressive team of hospitality industry experts to the executive team of SLS Hotel South Beach , including General Manager Albert Mertz, Director of Sales & Marketing Gregg Karasik and Director of Food and Beverage C. Luke Mathot.

“We are thrilled to have these three gentlemen leading the charge in South Beach.  Gregg Karasik and Albert Mertz have unrivaled knowledge of the Miami Beach market and Luke Mathot has worked alongside some of the world’s most celebrated chefs,” said Arash Azarbarzin, President of sbe Hotel Group. “Collectively, the three possess an unmatched wealth of global sophistication and industry expertise perfectly suited to manage SLS Hotel South Beach.”

Mertz, who will oversee operation of the hotel, brings more than 15 years of management experience in the luxury hospitality sector to SLS. In his new role, he is committed to establishing SLS Hotel South Beach as the undisputed market leader by implementing unsurpassed levels of service.

Karasik will be responsible for creating and implementing overall sales, revenue and marketing strategies for the hotel, and Mathot will oversee all culinary operations, working closely with sbe’s restaurant, nightlife, and hotel divisions on a daily basis to ensure a seamless guest experience on property.

To learn more about sbe and SLS Hotel South Beach, please visit sbe.com or download the sbe App here

ABOUT SBE:
Founded in 2002, Los Angeles-based sbe brings exquisite balance to the worlds of hospitality, real estate development and entertainment. As a privately-held company founded and helmed by Chairman and CEO Sam Nazarian, sbe acquires, develops and manages exceptional projects through its divisions – Hotels, Restaurants, Nightlife and Real Estate. With a mission to redefine the standards of excellence in hospitality, sbe has harnessed the creativity and innovation of the best minds in the business, including design visionary Philippe Starck, with whom the company has an exclusive agreement for the creation of hotels, restaurants and lounges in North America. As the cornerstone of its synergistic approach, sbe has also completely rethought and reimagined the luxury hotel experience. sbe debuted its luxury hotel brand, SLS Hotels, with the Fall 2008 opening of SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, which has won international acclaim and numerous awards. In May 2012, sbe will unveil the SLS Hotel South Beach in Miami. In 2010, sbe launched its second hotel brand, The Redbury, located in the heart of Hollywood. Also in the sbe Hotel collection is the Four Points by Sheraton LAX. sbe’s Restaurant and Nightlife Groups constantly stay ahead of the curve, creating and expanding trend-setting concepts, which currently include 8 Katsuya locations (Hollywood, Brentwood, Downtown at L.A. LIVE, Glendale, Laguna Beach, Houston, San Diego and Miami), The Bazaar by José Andrés in Beverly Hills and Miami, Cleo, Gladstones, Papaya King, Mercato di Vetro, 5 Hyde Lounge locations (Sunset, STAPLES Center, Mammoth Mountain, Miami and Bellagio Hotel & Casino), The Abbey Food & Bar, Greystone Manor, The Colony, MyHouse, MyStudio, Eden, Crimson, East and The Sayers Club. Recently, sbe established a strategic marketing partnership with MGM Resorts International, which unites MGM’s M Life and sbe’s PREFERRED PARTNER programs.  In December 2010, Colony Capital, led by Founder, Chairman and CEO Thomas J. Barrack Jr., partnered with sbe through a minority investment focused on the national and international expansion of sbe’s award-winning hospitality platform. In July 2011, sbe invested in Umami Burger, named “Burger of the Year” by GQ magazine, to fuel the burger brand’s national expansion. More information about sbe can be obtained at www.sbe.com, or by downloading the sbe App here.