Date: Thursday, February 12
Time: 12:15
Location: Roswell Area Park
Bill Johnson Community Activity Building
10495 Woodstock Road
Roswell, GA 30075

Roswell Rotary welcomes Horst Schulze on February 12 for a program drawn from his signature philosophy: becoming the very best in a world that too often settles for compromise. His no‑nonsense approach to excellence, shaped over a lifetime of leadership in luxury hospitality, offers practical, people‑centered principles that apply to every profession and career stage. Mr. Schulze’s message challenges individuals and organizations alike to pursue uncompromising standards and to unlock the disruptive power of their true potential.

A legend in the hotel world, Mr. Schulze’s teachings and vision have reshaped service and hospitality across industries. His career began more than 65 years ago as a server’s assistant in a German resort town, a humble start that laid the foundation for a remarkable rise. After roles with Hilton Hotels and Hyatt Hotels Corporation, he became one of the founding members of The Ritz‑Carlton Hotel Company in 1983, where he created the operating and service standards that became world famous.

As President and COO of The Ritz‑Carlton, Mr. Schulze oversaw $2 billion in global operations and led the company to become the first service‑based organization to receive the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, twice. His leadership earned him recognition as “corporate hotelier of the world” by HOTELS magazine, the Ishikawa Medal for contributions to the quality movement, and an honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree from Johnson & Wales University. More recently, he received honors including “Leader in Luxury” and the “Legacy of Innovation and Inspiration Award” from Historic Hotels of America.

Following his tenure at The Ritz‑Carlton, Mr. Schulze founded The Capella Hotel Group, managing some of the world’s most elite properties and further shaping the standards of luxury hospitality. His influence continues today through board service, advisory roles, and his work as Expert in Residence at Arch + Tower. In 2022, Auburn University named its school of hospitality The Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management in recognition of his enduring impact.

Mr. Schulze is the author of Excellence Wins, a bestselling book that distills the principles behind his decades of success and reinforces the core message he will share with our club: excellence is achievable, practical, and transformative, if we refuse to compromise. We look forward to learning from a true pioneer whose insights continue to elevate organizations around the world.