US: Joe McInerney, chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has been voted 2012 Person of the Year Award by the BLLA.
The Boutique and Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) said: “After a lengthy review of the nominations, Joe simply stood out as an individual who deserves to be recognized for his accomplishments over the past 12 years while at the helm of the AHLA and who had the greatest impact on the Hospitality industry.”
McInerney started his career at Sheraton, where he was named president of ITT’s Sheraton franchise division in 1980. After 25 years with Sheraton, the Pritkzer family recruited him to be president/CEO for the launch of Hawthorn Suites. His next industry position came when Sir Rocco Forte named him president/CEO of Travelodge in 1991 and then president/CEO of Forte Hotels in 1992, appointing him chairman in 1995. Prior to AH&LA, he was president and CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association and for the past 12 years the CEO of the American Hotel and Lodging Association.
John Russell, conference chair of the BLLA’s Leadership Symposium, said: “Joe’s contributions to the industry are legendary and many. He reorganized AHLA to meet the needs of our ever changing industry and has been extremely supportive of other hospitality organizations. Joe has not only helped the travel industry domestically but internationally as well.”
Geoffrey Kent, founder & CEO of Abercrombie & Kent, was runner up in the Person of the Year award.
www.blla.org
