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Mary Beth Knight is vice president, e-commerce services for Choice Hotels International CHH based in Phoenix, Arizona. In her new role, she is responsible for the company's global e-commerce strategies, applications, implementations and distributions. Prior to joining Choice Knight served as vice president, e-commerce for Best Western International where she developed the company's Web site and expanded the its electronic distribution channels to build a global image and enhance profitability for Best Western members. A 20 year industry veteran, Knight has held various marketing and sales positions with Doubletree Hotels, Ramada International and Servico Management Corporation. She is a graduate of Columbia College, with a degree in travel industry management.
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Choice Hotels International is the second-largest hotel franchisor in the world with 4,678 hotels open, representing 375,859 rooms, in the United States and 42 other countries and territories. As of March 31, 2003, 297 hotels are under development in the United States, representing 24,719 rooms, and an additional 88 hotels, representing 10,299 rooms, are under development in 18 other countries and territories. Its Comfort, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and MainStay Suites brands serve guests worldwide.
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This year's AH&LA Multiunit Lodging Operators & Owners Forum focused on how the various Internet distribution channels are affecting the hotel business and gave attendees methods to effectively manage these channels. Conference speakers included John F. Davis, CEO Pegasus Solutions, Inc., Chris Soder, EVP of Lodging and Vacation Industries, Priceline.com and David Litman, CEO, Hotels.com.
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Kevin Heilbronner is the US Editor for wiredhotelier.com and hospitalitynet.org, providing streaming multimedia-content for these websites. Based outside of Washington DC, Heilbronner has worked with Hsyndicate to conduct interviews at several hospitality trade shows in the US and Europe over the last couple of years. His column and content are featured in the Hospitality Net weekly newsletter. A familiar voice in Washington, DC, Heilbronner is the stadium announcer for the NBA's Washington Wizards, WNBA's Washington Mystics and WUSA's Washington Freedom. He resides in Centreville, VA and can be reached via email: [email protected].