Chris von Imhof Honored as Resort Executive of the Year

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. October 14, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, April 4, 2006. Alaska Hospitality and tourism industry executive Chris von Imhof was honored with the 2005 Resort Executive of the Year award during the 2006 Resort Management Conference at the Pinehurst Resort in the Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina. von Imhof, vice president and managing director for the renowned Alyeska Resort, Girdwood, Alaska, is the 32nd individual to be honored with this coveted hospitality industry award.

The Resort Executive of the Year is awarded to the resort executive who has demonstrated superior management ability, a commitment to staff training and motivation, active participation and leadership in lodging industry association activities, support of legislation beneficial to the lodging industry, and leadership within his or her community.

"Letters of support for the nomination of Mr. von Imhof for this award resounded from far and wide, including the Girdwood Fire Chief, and a host of non-profits in Girdwood as well as hospitality and tourism Industry leaders across Alaska, Alaska's Governor Frank Murkowski and US Senators Ted Stevens and Lisa Murkowski, recognizing countless contributions made and visions inspired throughout the industry, the local communities, the state and the international tourism arena," shared Karen Rogina, President and CEO of the Alaska Hospitality Alliance, "We were told that his was the only nomination package received in the 32 years that the award has been presented, which included a letter of support signed by every one of the housekeepers at his resort. Chris's many contributions to our industry and community are truly deserving of this magnitudinal response."

von Imhof oversees Alaska's premier year-round destination resort, the Alyeska Resort, in Girdwood, Alaska. Located 40 miles south of Anchorage, along the scenic Turnagain Arm, the Alyeska Resort includes the 307-room Alyeska Prince Hotel, the Anchorage Golf Course, and Alaska's largest ski area.

A career tourism industry professional, von Imhof has spent the past 42 years fostering the growth of the travel and tourism industry primarily in Alaska, where he emigrated in 1963 from his native Germany.

Born in Berlin, von Imhof began his hospitality career at the Hotel Intercontinental in Munich. After relocating to the United States in 1959, von Imhof moved to Alaska where he served Scandinavian Airlines as Alaska sales manager. He played an instrumental role in the development of the Alyeska Resort, and went on to serve with distinction in tourism leadership roles in both Alaska and Hawaii where he directed resort operations for Prince Hotels for a decade during the mid-1980s. From 1965-1967, von Imof served as Director of Tourism for the State of Alaska. He also served in the United States Marine Corps.

von Imhof currently serves on the U.S. Travel and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board, and is a Board member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association Resort Committee. He also serves on the Board of the Alaska Hotel & Lodging Association, the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, the Alaska Travel Industry Association, and the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau.

von Imhof's selection was made by a committee of peers from within the resort industry including Pat Corso, Managing Partner, National Resort Management Group; Richard Holtzman, President, Kukuiula Development Co.; Mr. Michael Watkins, President, Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club; Pedro Mandoki, President, Plantation Resort Development and the 2004 recipient; and Dr. Peter Rainsford, director of the Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism Management Program at the University of Denver. The presentation of the award is one of the highlights of the annual Resort Management Conference, which is sponsored by the University Of Denver.