During his inaugural speech (see below link) at The Pierre Hotel, incoming 2006 American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Chairman Joseph R. Kane, Jr., CHA, told an audience of industry leaders that he is challenging the industry to strengthen its top-line revenues and bottom-line profits through an emphasis on true hospitality service. “I want to lead the charge in challenging all of us to resurrect the spirit of hospitality, so that we can improve our revenues, and most importantly, lead all service sector businesses in consumer satisfaction,” said Kane. “Service in our industry is becoming a lost art. The spirit of hospitality has been replaced with bottom-line cutting and our industry is suffering for it.”

In an effort to support his commitment to improving the industry’s service, Kane announced the Educational Institute (EI) of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation is re-launching its Spirit of Hospitality training program, which offers the latest training strategies to deliver exceptional customer service. The goal of the program is to empower hotel employees to strive for excellence and to create a memorable guest experience—a key to guest retention. EI will offer this training program to members for $40, which is 50 percent off the regular member price throughout 2006.

“The spirit of hospitality is something we as an industry can own and be proud of, and I am counting on all of us tonight to seize the moment,” said Kane. “That commitment by each of us is the single strongest way there is to demonstrate the power of leadership in our industry.”

On another front, he emphasized the importance of planning to prepare hoteliers for the realities and possibilities that confront the industry on a daily basis. Kane called it imperative for businesses to properly manage strategic plans to ensure a companies’ true potential is maximized. He believes that without a dynamic, visionary strategic plan, one cannot manage business objectives, initiatives, and growth. “AH&LA’s leadership recognized the changing environment in our industry,” said Kane. “And after thorough research, candid discussions, and assessments at every level, AH&LA created a new organization, including an accountable and measurable multi-year strategic business plan.”

As the Membership Committee Chairman for the past two years, Kane will continue the association’s strong working relationship with the partner state associations to increase membership. “I’m proud of the accomplishments we achieved by creating new membership collateral, a partner state association website devoted to membership growth with accountability, and meeting our 2005 membership objectives,” said Kane.

In addition to his responsibilities as incoming AH&LA chairman, Kane is group president of Cendant Hotel Group and president/CEO of Days Inns Worldwide, Inc. In his role as group president, Kane is responsible for overseeing the Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Travelodge, and Knights Inn brands, as well as the Cendant Hotel Group’s Training and Franchisee Organizational Effectiveness department. Kane was named to his current role in April 2005 and has held the title of Days Inns Worldwide president/CEO since January 1996. During his tenure, the chain has rapidly grown into one of the world’s largest economy lodging brands, with more than 1,900 hotels on five continents.

Other 2006 AH&LA officers include Vice Chairman Robert L. Steele, III, general manager of the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay; Secretary/Treasurer Thomas J. Corcoran, Jr., president and CEO of FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated; and Immediate Past Chairman Pedro Mandoki, CHA, owner and president of Mandoki Hospitality Group. These hoteliers are led by AH&LA President and CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA.

To view his complete address to lodging industry leaders, visit .

AH&LA is a 95-year-old dual membership association of state and city partner lodging associations throughout the United States with some 10,000 members nationwide, representing more than 1.3 million guest rooms. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it provides members with advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other services to ensure a positive business climate for the U.S. lodging industry. Individual state associations provide representation at the state level and offer many additional cost-saving benefits.

Enica R. Thompson
Manager of Media Relations
202-289-3153
AH&LA

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