Alan Villaverde Named 2011 Hotelier of the Year by Preferred Hotel Group
Orlando, FL - February 17, 2011 - The Peabody Orlando is pleased to announce that Alan Villaverde, managing director of The Peabody Orlando and president of Peabody Hotel Division was recently named 2011 Hotelier of the Year by Preferred Hotel Group. The coveted award was presented at the 2011 Preferred Hotel Group Annual Conference, held at the Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun, located in Al lado de Catalonia, Mexico.
“I'm truly honored and humbled to be receiving this year's Hotelier of the Year award from Preferred Hotel Group,” stated Alan Villaverde. “Our long-term membership with Preferred Hotels has helped establish Peabody Hotels as one of the top small independent hotel companies in the world. I'm privileged to have had the opportunity to work closely with Preferred Hotels over the past 18 years, and I look forward to our continued partnership in the years to come.”
Villaverde, who has worked in the hospitality industry for over 40 years, joined The Peabody Orlando in 1993 as vice president of Peabody Hotel Group and general manager of the hotel. After 18 years with the hotel, Villaverde was appointed to managing director in 2010. During his tenure, The Peabody Orlando has been honored with numerous awards, including the coveted Forbes Travel Guide Four Star, AAA Four Diamond and Conde Nast Traveler's Top 100 Business Hotels. Most recently under his leadership, the hotel completed its $450 million expansion and received its Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star rating for the 22nd consecutive year, making it the largest non-gaming hotel in the United States with this distinction.
In addition to his duties as managing director of The Peabody Orlando, Villaverde serves on the board of directors for Visit Orlando and is the chairman for the International Drive Improvement District.
The Preferred Hotel Group's Hotelier of the Year recipient is selected from over 650 member hotels worldwide and exemplifies leadership and achievement in the hospitality industry. Winners are chosen based on their commitment to the highest quality and service in aspects of hospitality, the mentoring and investment of their employees and associates continued career development, outstanding corporate citizenship and sustained leadership and contribution to improving the hospitality industry through participation, education and support.
About The Peabody Orlando:
The Peabody Orlando, opened in November 1986, is a staple in the Orlando-area convention and tourism industry and famous for its Peabody Ducks. The hotel has received the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Four Star rating for 22 consecutive years. Located directly across from and adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center and in the heart of the International Drive entertainment district, The Peabody Orlando currently offers 1,641 ultra-luxurious guestrooms, 300,000 total square feet of state-of-the-art, flexible function space, a 22,000-square-foot, full-service spa, salon and fitness center and ten delectable dining and entertainment options. Peabody Hotels, comprising The Peabody Orlando, The Peabody Memphis and The Peabody Little Rock (all Forbes Travel Guide Four Star rated hotels) is a division within the portfolio Peabody Hotel Group of Memphis, Tennessee. To learn more, please visit www.PeabodyOrlando.com, connect on Facebook or follow on Twitter.
About Preferred Hotel Group™:
Celebrating over 40 years of excellence, Preferred Hotel Group™ is a leading provider of business solutions for independently owned and operated hotels and resorts around the world. Services include sales, marketing, technology, distribution, and quality assurance. Comprised of more than 800 best-in-class hotels in over 70 countries, Preferred Hotel Group encompasses five distinct brands:
Preferred Hotels® & Resorts (www.PreferredHotels.com),
Preferred Boutique™ (www.PreferredBoutique.com),
Summit Hotels & Resorts™ (www.SummitHotels.com),
Sterling Hotels™ (www.SterlingHotels.com), and
Historic Hotels of America® (www.HistoricHotels.org).
Preferred Hotel Group also offers I Prefer™ (www.IPrefer.com), an exclusive global guest benefits program, and
Preferred Golf™, a membership program with entree to the world's most spectacular luxury golf resorts (www.PreferredGolf.com).
For more information, visit www.PreferredHotelGroup.com.
In Fall 2007, the company entered the luxury real estate market with the launch of Preferred Residences™ - a membership and exchange program for luxury shared-ownership resorts that provide an exceptional level of service and amenities. Preferred Residences are held to exacting standards derived from the same Preferred Global Standards of Excellence™ on which the company has built its 41-year heritage in the hospitality industry.
For more information, please visit www.PreferredResidences.com.
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 
