ATLANTA, GA, September 13, 2023 — The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) announced today it marked its 35th Anniversary. The Society was established in 1988 by 19 founding members to promote the awareness and advancement of the hospitality consulting profession and to foster a high ethical standard for the industry. Thirty-five years later, ISHC has become the leading source of hospitality expertise, boasting over 200 members spanning more than 26 countries in over 50 functional areas across the hospitality spectrum. ISHC members are leaders in their respective areas of expertise.
“Although a lot has changed in thirty-five years, one thing that has remained constant is our strong foundation of quality members,” said Andrea Belfanti, CEO of ISHC. “Without each of them and their contributions, the Society wouldn’t be where it is today. They are truly the leading sources of hospitality expertise.”
ISHC has created several awards throughout its history, including the Pioneer Award given at ALIS, the Young Leader Award given at IHIF, the Lori Raliegh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting given at the ISHC annual conference, and the Rising Star Awards – Caribbean and Asia Pacific presented at CHRIS and HICAP, respectively. The awards recognize those who have made significant contributions to the hospitality industry and the industry’s young leaders and rising stars. In addition, the ISHC Celebrating Diversity Scholarship Program awards two deserving students the opportunity to attend the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference.
“We started the ISHC to increase credibility for hospitality consulting professionals – and to have a great time with fascinating colleagues. ISHC has delivered more on both goals than we could have imagined,” said Peggy Berg, one of the Society’s founding members.
ISHC strives to continue its vision “to contribute to the advancement of the industry and its members, cultivating a collegial environment for professional development and knowledge exchange while fostering credibility and integrity.” Each year since its inception, ISHC has held an annual conference for its members to share industry knowledge and outside perspectives, as well as foster networking among members.
ISHC will celebrate this 35th Anniversary milestone at the 2023 annual conference at the Park Hyatt Washington, D.C., October 5-7. The theme of this year’s conference is Charting the Future of Hospitality, where the focus will not only be celebrating thirty-five years of the Society but also on current events, technological advancements, and personal development in an ever-changing professional landscape.
Chuck Pinkowski, also a founding member and officially member #1, reflected, “Looking back on three and a half decades, one would think that is a long time. Yet, it seems like just a short time ago, we were preparing our first 5-Year Strategic Plan for the Society and having long discussions about membership. The growth and diversification we have created has been amazing for our world-class Society. I could not be more proud of our achievements over these “brief” thirty-five years. Congratulations, ISHC – a job well done!”
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 ishc.com.