David Kong Elected AH&LA Secretary / Treasurer
NOVEMBER 13, 2007. The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has elected David Kong as secretary/treasurer to its 2008 board of directors. Kong is currently president and CEO of Best Western International and will serve as the association's chairman in 2010, during AH&LA's 100th Anniversary year.
As a long-time, active member of AH&LA, Kong held a vital role in the association's governance restructuring task force, which resulted in the restructuring of the AH&LA bylaws to transition the association from a federation to a dual-membership organization in 2005. Today, Kong maintains his strong voice within AH&LA through involvement on the CEO Council and Government Affairs Council.
With more than 35 years experience as a hospitality industry leader and innovator, Kong has served as president and CEO of Best Western International since 2004, spurring years of double-digit reservations system revenue growth and highest member satisfaction levels. Several notable industry firsts under Kong's leadership include Best Western as the first brand to offer free high-speed Internet access at all of its North American properties; first to launch virtual tours for each of its North American hotels on the brand's website; first to offer electronic gift cards redeemable in various currencies and for free nights; and first to initiate strategic and exclusive partnerships with NASCAR(R) and Harley-Davidson(R).
Before Best Western, Kong's career includes managerial experience with top hotel brands, including Hyatt Hotels; Omni International; Regent International; and Hilton Hotels. Kong came to Best Western from KPMG Consulting's hospitality and real estate practice. Kong is a graduate of the Executive Development Program at Northwestern University and has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in Travel Industry Management from the University of Hawaii.
"David's broad range of industry experience and proactive business approach will effectively take AH&LA to a higher level of member service in the future," said AH&LA President/CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA. "With more than 35 years of hospitality experience, he will be a tremendous asset as we continue to surpass core objectives of AH&LA, as well as the goals of the entire lodging community."
Other 2008 AH&LA officers include Chairman Thomas J. Corcoran, Jr., chairman of FelCor Lodging Trust; Vice Chairman Joe Martin, owner and operator of Stillwater Hospitality, LLC; and Immediate Past Chairman Robert L. Steele, II, general manager of the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. These hoteliers are led by AH&LA President and CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA. For more information, please visit www.ahla.com, or call 202-289-3100.
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