Bakulesh "Buggsi" Patel Named to IAHI Board of Directors
SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 - IAHI, the owners' association for IHG brand hotels, today announced that Bakulesh "Buggsi" Patel has been named an officer of the association's Board of Directors. Eva Ferguson, president of IAHI, made the announcement.
Buggsi, president of BHG Hotels, has ownership interests in 21 hotels, with two more currently under development. BHG Hotels' properties are located in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan and Northern California. Patel has been an active member of IAHI since 2001 and has served in various leadership roles, including the Holiday Inn Express Committee and a member of the Board of Directors.
In addition to his leadership in IAHI, Buggsi has held other high-level positions within the hospitality industry, including: Director and past Executive Committee member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association; Past Chairman of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association; Past Chairman of Choice Hotels Owners Council (CHOC), Past President of the Oregon Lodging Association and a member of the Tourism Industry Council of Oregon's Advisory Committee.
"IAHI is very proud to have someone of Buggsi's caliber and accomplishments as an officer of our Board," commented Ferguson. "He brings to IAHI not only a comprehensive understanding of the issues and opportunities before us, but also breadth of experience that will serve our association well."
Buggsi will begin his term in November 2009. A complete bio and high resolution image of Buggsi are available at www.iahi.org.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
