Los Angeles, CA, January 28, 2015: The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) presented Stephen Kaufer with the prestigious Pioneer Award at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS). Kaufer, the Co-Founder, President and CEO of TripAdvisor, the world’s largest online travel site with more than 315 million unique visitors a month, was honored for his innovative and thought provoking leadership in the hospitality industry. As the leader for TripAdvisor, 15 years ago, Kaufer ushered in a revolutionary way for consumers to research options for their travel needs by allowing travelers to share their unique views and opinions on the site. Today, TripAdvisor hosts more than 200 million reviews and opinions and receives more than 115 pieces of content a minute from travelers around the world.
“Steve will be in great company, as the Pioneer Award has been presented to some of the hospitality industry’s most notable and inspiring leaders. ISHC is honored to have Steve as the 2015 Pioneer Award Winner”, said Andrea Belfanti, Executive Director for ISHC.
The Pioneer Award was established in 1996 by ISHC to recognize one individual each year for making an outstanding contribution, achievement and or improvement in the hospitality industry. Winners are selected based on three criteria: active involvement in the industry, their contribution to the industry, and personal/organizational attributes and qualities. The individual is actively involved in consulting, planning, developing, marketing, managing and/or improving one or more dimensions of the hospitality industry which benefits developers, investors, operators and guests. In addition to their contribution, the individual or organization, on a consistent basis possesses certain attributes and adheres to professional standards which are recognized and respected by his/her peers.
Contact: Karla Smith, Director Membership Services
Email: ksmith@ishc.com
Phone: 404-542-0159
About ISHC
The International Society of Hospitality Consultants is truly The Leading Source for Global Hospitality Expertise, represented by over two hundred of the industry’s most respected professionals from across six continents. Collectively, ISHC members provide expert services in over fifty functional areas and have specialized skills in virtually every segment of the hospitality industry. ISHC is dedicated to promoting the highest quality of professional consulting standards and practices for the hospitality industry. Candidates undergo a rigorous screening process, ensuring that all ISHC members have a reputation of integrity and are qualified by their experience, training and knowledge to develop and express sound judgment on industry issues. Additional information about the organization, along with a directory of ISHC members, is available on the ISHC website at www.ishc.com.
About ALIS
Co-hosted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and Burba Hotel Network (BHN), the two-and-a-half-day ALIS event features an extensive array of seminars and panels hosted by leading experts and investors discussing important trends and identifying new opportunities. The conference attracts the lodging industry’s leading hotel executives, investors, lenders, developers and professional advisory community. Proceeds from ALIS benefit the educational, research, and training missions of the American Hotel & Lodging Education Foundation (AH&LEF), AH&LA’s nonprofit affiliate. For information on the Foundation, visit www.ahlef.org.
About AH&LA
Serving the hospitality industry for more than a century, AH&LA is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added services to provide bottom line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. Partner state associations provide local representation and additional cost-saving benefits to members.
About AH&LEF
AH&LEF is the charitable fund raising and endowed fund management subsidiary of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Founded in 1953, AH&LEF is the premier organization for scholarships, professional certification, and instructional material as well as funding for hospitality industry research. Since its inception, ALIS has allocated a generous portion of its revenues to benefit the educational, research, and training missions of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF). ALIS has provided scholarships for 1,048 students in 110 universities, generated more than $2 million for cutting edge research projects, provided funding for the START program in over 321 high schools and work force training centers, provided funding for the Lodging Management Program and the new Hospitality & Tourism Management Program in 447 high schools and generated nearly $4.6 million to support the development of hotel industry educational products.
About BHN
BHN is the worldwide leader in developing and organizing conferences for the hotel and tourism investment community. With almost three decades of experience, nearly 120 events completed to-date, and over 80,000 international delegates, BHN conferences have become “must attend” events for industry leaders who come together to network, conduct business and to learn about the latest trends.
BHN events include: the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in Los Angeles; ALIS Law in Los Angeles; ALIS Summer Update; Alternative Ownership Conference Asia Pacific (AOCAP) in Singapore; Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) in Miami; Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) in Hong Kong; HICAP UPDATE in Singapore; Hotel Investment Forum India (HIFI) in Gurgaon Delhi N.C.R.; Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA) conference in Miami; and Hotel Investment Conference Europe (Hot.E) in London.
The BHN website at www.Burba.com is the gateway for information about the conferences BHN produces, as well as a direct link to important players in the hospitality investment world.