Industry Leaders to Speak at NABHOOD 2008 Summit

Choice and Wyndham CEOs to Present on Experiences in Minority and Mainstream Tourism Markets

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. October 14, 2008

ATLANTA, GA, July 15, 2008. Stephen Joyce, president/CEO of Choice Hotels International, and Steven Rudnitsky, president/CEO of the Wyndham Hotel Group, are among two chief officers of international hotel companies confirmed to speak at the 12th Annual International African American Hotel Ownership/Multicultural Tourism Summit. This event, organized by the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD) and supported by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), will take place July 16-19, 2008, and offers the unique opportunity for hospitality professionals to explore minority travel trends, future development of this niche area of the hospitality market, and strategies for harnessing its purchasing power.

"Candid insight from these high-level executives who are using their influence to achieve a diverse and profitable hospitality environment will provide attendees with actionable ways to enact similar programs in their own business operations," said Andy Ingram, NABHOOD president/CEO. "Perspective on future hotel development, consumer attraction, and shared profitability among minority markets are the key pieces of information that Rudnitsky and Joyce will bring to the conference."

Rudnitsky will be the featured speaker during Thursday's 1: 30 p.m. NABHOOD Awards Luncheon, held to recognize those with outstanding presence in the minority hotel and tourism industry. Joyce will join C. A. Smith, U.S. Ambassador of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and David Thompson, Prime Minister of Barbados, in Friday's 1:15 p.m. keynote luncheon.

Other notable presenters during the comprehensive four-day program of this year's conference include NAACP chairman Julian Bond, and elected officials and U.S. ambassadors of several Caribbean nations including The Bahamas, Barbados, Nevis, and St. Kitts.

This year's Summit theme, "Getting Stronger by Working Together," is designed to educate attendees on how to market to minorities, develop hotel partnerships, explore ownership and franchise opportunities, share minority travel trends, and look at diversity issues affecting the industry. Industry professionals will lead general sessions, workshops, and seminars that will spark discussion on African American hotel ownership, financing, franchising, creating partnerships, employment and supplier opportunities, destination marketing and multicultural tourism. For more information and to register, please visit www.nabhood.com.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) is proud to support NABHOOD and its annual Summit. For more information on AH&LA and its diversity initiatives, please visit www.ahla.com.

NABHOOD was formed in 2001 with a mission to increase the number of African-Americans developing, managing, operating and owning hotels; increase vendor opportunities & executive level jobs for minorities, thereby creating wealth within the African-American community. www.nabhood.com

Serving the hospitality industry for nearly 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.