Roberto Payer
After his studies at Hotelschool in Italy, Roberto started working at Hilton Amsterdam and ran the country's most famous Discoteque, the Fitsoteque, at 21. Moved to Hilton Schiphol as an Assistant Front Office Manager, became the youngest Director of Sales and Marketing of Hilton Worldwide at 27, and at 31, he was appointed Executive Ass Manager and moved to Rome Cavalieri Hilton as an Executive Assistant Manager in charge of Sales in 1982. Roberto returned to Amsterdam in 1984 as an Executive Assistant Manager at the Hilton Amsterdam. In 1989, he became General Manager of the Hilton Rotterdam, and in November 1991, he returned to the Hilton Amsterdam as General Manager. In 1993, he introduced the Hilton marina, the first harbour bij an hotel in Amsterdam and in 1993, he opened Roberto's Restaurant at the Amsterdam Hilton, a pure Italian classic restaurant. In 1997 , he was responsible for the complete renovation and repositioning of the Amsterdam Hilton. He was recognized by the city of Amsterdam for his work with the Frans Benning Cock in 2009 .
In 2012, he introduced the Waldorf Astoria to the city of Amsterdam, developed it with his own company, opened it successfully in 2014, and became the Cluster General Manager for both the Hilton Amsterdam and the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam.
Network
Roberto Payer performs several functions in professional, cultural and social sectors.
Business-wise and privately, Roberto embraces and supports arts and culture through numerous hospitality events connected with the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Concertgebouw and Muziektheater (opera house). He was the treasurer of the Rotterdam International Film Festival and of the National Film Festival in Utrecht. He was on the Advisory Board of the Nieuwe Kerk and of Felix Meritus. He was a.o. Member of the Advisory Board of the Stenden International School of Hospitality Management, member of the Advisory Board of TIO (College for Tourism and Hospitality), Chairman of the board of ChocoA Foundation, President of the Italian-Dutch Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of Ospitalitá Italiana (Italian restaurants); was member of the Supervisory Board of Yarden, President of the Supervisory Board of PAN Amsterdam ( the national Art fair) and Chairman of the Tulp Festival.
Within Hilton, he was a member of the board of Hilton International Nederland BV and Director of the Hotel Maatschappij Rotterdam BV.
He has been awarded by the King of the Netherlands the Title of "Officier" and by the President of Italy "Grande Ufficiale"
Roberto Payer is valued for his opinions on professional issues as well as economic and lifestyle affairs and often performs as a keynote speaker, special lecturer and guest in media programs.