International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) and the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) Establishes Young Leader Award & Seeks Nominations

BERLIN, Germany: The International Hotel Investment
Forum (IHIF), in conjunction with the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC), today announces the inaugural IHIF Young Leader Award, which will be presented to one deserving individual at the IHIF conference March 9-11, 2009 in Berlin. The Young Leader Award was created to celebrate the excellence of young emerging leaders in the hospitality industry and to reward one outstanding individual with the first-ever title of IHIF Young Leader, 1,000 euros and an invitation to attend IHIF 2009 as a valued guest. The IHIF Young Leader must be under 35 years of age, currently work in a hospitality-related field, have completed a significant project for his or her hotel or organization and be recognized by leaders of his or her own hotel or organization as an emerging leader. Nominations are being accepted until February 1 at the IHIF website,
www.berlinconference.com.

“We are delighted to launch the IHIF Young Leader Award with the ISHC with the aim of raising awareness to an amazing group of hospitality professionals that are beginning to make their mark on their hotel or organization and the industry itself,” remarks Jonathon Worsley, Chairman of Bench Events, co-organizer of IHIF. “It is more important than ever before to focus on the leadership of the future and the strengths they bring to the market in a time of economic uncertainty.”

Judges determining the recipient of the prestigious award include CEO’s from the hotel industry: Andrew Cosslett, Chief Executive Officer, InterContinental Hotels Group; Frank Fiskers, President & Chief Executive Officer, Scandic Hotels; Ed Fuller, President & Managing Director, Marriott International Lodging; Gerald Lawless, Executive Chairman, Jumeirah Group; Chris Nassetta, President & Chief Executive Officer, Hilton Hotels; Anders Nissen, Chief Executive Officer, Pandox AB; Jean-Gabriel Pérès, President & Chief Executive Officer, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts; Ruud Reuland, General Director, Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne; Kurt Ritter, President & Chief Executive Officer, The Rezidor Hotel Group; Roeland Vos, President Europe, Africa & Middle East, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide; and Christian G. Windfuhr, Chief Executive Officer, Grand City Holland BV.

Programme information is available online at www.berlinconference.com, and registration for 2009 is now open.

IHIF is Europe’s largest gathering of hotel industry leaders, drawing a record crowd of nearly 1,800 in March 2008.