Pictured left to right: Kristie Dickinson, Vice President, ISHC, Managing Director/EVP, CHMWarnick, Alejandro Zozaya, 2023 Pioneer Award recipient, former Chairman Apple Leisure Group, Todd Leach, Chairman, ISHC, Partner, Dedica Group — Photo by ISHC

Los Angeles – The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) in partnership with the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) presented Alejandro Zozaya, former Chairman of Apple Leisure Group, with the Pioneer Award which recognizes an individual annually who has made an outstanding contribution, achievement and/or improvement in the hospitality industry.

Todd Leach, ISHC chairman and partner of Dedica Group; and Kristie Dickinson, ISHC vice president and managing director/EVP of CHMWarnick presented Zozaya with the recognition during the conference plenary session. Leach remarked, What sets Alex apart from others in our industry is his ability to see, anticipate, and adapt to changing forces in our marketplace. And as we’ve seen, he has a keen eye for spotting trends and a knack for identifying new opportunities for growth.

Upon accepting the award, Zozaya noted, Thank you all for being a part of this wonderful industry; the industry of tourism is the industry of opportunities. We’re not only able to generate millions of jobs all over the world, we create experiences, we create wonderful memories, but those jobs that we create, especially in those communities that otherwise wouldn’t have any chance to improve their quality of life, are for the vast majority young people and for women. Women who are the leaders in this sector. So very proud to be one of the drivers of this segment.

I do believe strongly that this is a real industry of opportunities for anybody, and I am an example of that. Zozoya said.

Zozaya also gave an update on his current philanthropic work with Amigos de Jesus, Honduras and Saving Our Sharks Foundation and commented I encourage all of you, whatever you’re doing, whenever you have the opportunity, to give back, it’s really, really a great feeling to be able to drive a successful story and give back.

Established in 1996, ISHC Pioneer Award winners are selected on a basis of three criteria: active involvement in the hospitality industry; contribution to the industry; and personal/organizational attributes and qualities adhering to professional standards recognized and respected by industry peers.

What an honor to celebrate Alex Zozaya as this year’s ISHC Pioneer Award Winner - for his groundbreaking work in the hospitality industry. His leadership and visionary spirit have greatly impacted our industry, and we have no doubt that he will continue to be a driving force in shaping the future of hospitality for years to come, remarked Todd Leach, Chairman of ISHC.

Alex has been a pioneer in the all-inclusive space for more than two decades and has left an indelible mark on one of the fastest growing, most sought-after segments in the global lodging industry, said Jeff Higley, President of The BHN Group. His ambition, passion and extraordinary vision has earned Alex a well-deserved spot on the long list of industry icons that have received the Pioneer Award. It’s an honor for The BHN Group and the Americas Lodging Investment Summit to play a role in honoring this illustrious group of people who have helped shape the industry’s long-term success.

Past recipients of the Pioneer Award include:

  • Peggy Berg (2022)
  • Marilyn Carlson Nelson (2020)
  • Jack DeBoer (2019)
  • Wing T. Chao (2018)
  • Ian Schrager (2017)
  • Lyndall DeMarco (2016)
  • Stephen Kaufer (2015)
  • Michael Bedner (2014)
  • Steve Rushmore (2013)
  • Chip Conley (2012)
  • Kathleen Taylor (2011)
  • Leland C. Pillsbury (2010)
  • J.W. Marriott (2009)
  • Jean Gabriel Peres (2008)
  • Stanley Selengut (2008)
  • Jean-Claude Baumgarten (2007)
  • James E. Burba (2007)
  • Stelios Haji-Ioannou (2006)
  • H.P. Rama (2006)
  • Costakis Loizou (2005)
  • Barry Sternlicht (2005)
  • Christel DeHaan (2004)
  • Regis Bulot (2004)
  • Bill Kimpton (2002)
  • Jonathan M. Tisch (2001)
  • Michael A. Leven (2000)
  • Jack Vaughn (1999)
  • George Johnson (1998)
  • Randell A. Smith (1997)

About the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS)

Produced by Northstar Travel Group in association with the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and The BHN Group, the two-and-a-half-day ALIS event features an extensive array of seminars and panels hosted by leading experts and investors discussing important trends and identifying new opportunities. The conference attracts the lodging industry’s leading hotel executives, investors, lenders, developers, and professional advisory community. ALIS 2023 took place January 23-25, 2023, at the JW Marriott/Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles LA LIVE. Visit the ALIS website, ALISconference.com, for additional information.

About Northstar Travel Group (www.northstartravelgroup.com)

Northstar Travel Group is the leading B-to-B information and marketing solutions company serving all segments of the travel industry including leisure/retail, corporate/business travel, corporate and sports meetings, incentives, hospitality, and travel technology. Northstar is the owner of leading brands serving these travel segments. The company produces more than 100 face-to-face events in 13 countries in retail travel, hospitality, corporate travel, travel technology, sports travel, and the meetings & incentive industry. In addition, Northstar owns Phocuswright, the leading research, and event producer serving the travel technology industry. Northstar Travel Group owns The BHN Group, the leading producer of hotel investment conferences. Northstar is also the majority shareholder in Inntopia, the leading SaaS e-commerce software business serving the mountain destination, golf, activities, and hospitality markets. Based in Rutherford, NJ, the company has offices in the U.S., UK, Singapore, and China. Northstar Travel Group is owned by funds managed by EagleTree Capital.

About The BHN Group

The BHN Group is the worldwide leader in developing and organizing conferences for the hotel and tourism investment community. With over three decades of experience, more than 160 events completed to-date, and in excess of 110,000 international delegates, these conferences have become “must attend” events for industry leaders who come together to network, conduct business, and to learn about the latest trends. The current slate of events include: the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in Los Angeles; ALIS Law in Los Angeles; ALIS Summer Update; Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) in Miami; Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) in Singapore; Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA) conference in Miami; and HICAP Australia New Zealand (HICAP ANZ) in Sydney. The BHN Group’s website at www.Burba.com is the gateway for information about the annual conferences it produces, as well as a direct link to important players in the hospitality investment world.

About ISHC

The International Society of Hospitality Consultants is truly The Leading Source for Global Hospitality Expertise, represented by over two hundred of the industry's most respected professionals from across six continents. Collectively, ISHC members provide expert services in over fifty functional areas and have specialized skills in virtually every segment of the hospitality industry. ISHC is dedicated to promoting the highest quality of professional consulting standards and practices for the hospitality industry. Candidates undergo a rigorous screening process, ensuring that all ISHC members have a reputation of integrity and are qualified by their experience, training, and knowledge to develop and express sound judgment on industry issues. Additional information about the organization, along with a directory of ISHC members, is available on the ISHC website at ishc.com.

Jennifer Castellarin
Director of Membership & Marketing
+1 413 563 6449
ISHC

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