Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Appoints Julia Hartz to Board of Directors

TORONTO, May 2, 2017 /CNW/ -- Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world's leading luxury hospitality company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Eventbrite, Inc. Co-Founder and CEO Julia Hartz – representing long-term shareholder Cascade Investment – to the company's Board of Directors.   

Hartz brings more than 15 years of experience in the entertainment and technology industries, including co-founding Eventbrite, the world's largest event technology platform. Since its founding in 2006, Eventbrite has generated more than $8 billion in gross ticket sales, processing two-to-three million tickets per week for events and live experiences around the globe.

"Julia Hartz's addition to the board underscores the vision we share with our partner Kingdom to grow Four Seasons while continuing to exceed customer expectations in a rapidly evolving luxury market," said Michael Larson, Chief Investment Officer of Cascade Investment. "We welcome Julia, whose depth of experience in translating innovative ideas into transformational technologies and customer experiences, will prove invaluable to our efforts to further develop the product leadership of Four Seasons."

HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin AbdulAziz Al Saud, Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company said, "As we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of our partnership with Cascade, Four Seasons continues to build on the strength of its brand, people and the unique partnership of its shareholders. Together with Cascade we look forward to work with our hotel owners to grow further the Company in the future."

Commenting on her appointment, Hartz said, "Four Seasons legendary brand epitomizes the highest standards for service in the hospitality industry worldwide. I am excited to be working with the dedicated Four Seasons board and leadership team to build upon their reputation for industry leading customer experiences, while seeking out innovative ways to leverage technology that will help spur additional growth."

Hartz co-founded Eventbrite, Inc. in 2006 and was responsible for marketing, finance, and customer service before being named chief executive officer by the board in April 2016. Previously, she served as a creative executive of FX Networks and worked in Creative Development for MTV Networks.

Under Hartz's leadership, company culture and workplace performance has remained an integral part of San Francisco-based Eventbrite, which now employs more than 500 people in 10 countries. Eventbrite was named among Fortune's 100 Best Workplaces for Women and separately for Millennials and for eight years running has been voted one of the "Best Places to Work in the San Francisco Bay Area." Hartz has also been honored as one of Fortune's 2015 40 Under 40 business leaders, Inc.'s 35 under 35 in 2014,  Fortune's Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs in 2013, and has been profiled for her leadership and impact in top publications around the world. Hartz is a graduate of Pepperdine University.

About Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Founded in 1960, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is dedicated to perfecting the travel experience through continual innovation and the highest standards of hospitality. 

Currently operating 105 hotels, resorts and residences in major city centres and resort destinations in 43 countries, and with more than 50 projects under planning or development, Four Seasons consistently ranks among the world's best hotels and most prestigious brands in reader polls, traveller reviews and industry awards. For more information and reservations, visit fourseasons.com. For the latest news, visit press.fourseasons.com and follow @FourSeasonsPR on Twitter.

For more information please contact:

Sarah Tuite 
Director, Corporate Communications and Public Relations 
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
1-416-441-4350 
[email protected]

SOURCE Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts