Berlin, To toast to six decades as the only global business organization representing the hospitality industry worldwide, IH&RA hosted gala evening events in Berlin, Germany on March 08, 2006 – the final night of the International Hotel Investment Forum, Europe’s premier investment conference which runs March 06-08, and the first evening of ITB Berlin, March 08-12. IH&RA kicked off the evening of 08 March with an elegant reception at the spectacular brand new Maritim Hotel Berlin sponsored by Maritim Hotels and the German Hotels Association (IHA), followed by an exclusive invitation-only dinner sponsored by BBC World.

Present this evening was the IH&RA Board of Directors led by newly elected IH&RA President and industry leader Dieter Huckestein, former Chairman & CEO of Conrad Hotels & the Hilton Global Alliance who also announced his new role as President & CEO of Yellowstone Club World – Distinct and exclusive resorts in the most beautiful and exotic locations in the world.

Dieter Huckestein also was honoured this evening with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences whose past recipients include Mr. Bernd Chorengel (President & CEO, Hyatt International), Mr. Horst Shulze (President, Ritz Carlton Hotel Company) and Mr. Isadore Sharp (President & CEO, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts).

Also in attendance were members of the IH&RA Chains Council, including representatives of international and national hospitality chains, the IH&RA Council of National Hospitality Association Chief Executives (NACE) and senior executives leading IH&RA Global Councils. Welcomed to the reception were registered delegates and speakers of the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF), offering a prime opportunity to build international business contacts.

IH&RA Chains Council and NACE Councils to meet in Berlin 08-09 March

Berlin was also be the meeting place for the IH&RA Chains Council, NACE Council and the Board of Directors that together formulate the 2006 objectives for IH&RA’s advocacy work along with IH&RA specialised Global Councils. IH&RA currently has six high-profile Global Councils that were developed by senior specialists from major hotel and restaurant chains to confront and resolve challenges facing the industry looking at issues such as: e-commerce and e-marketing; human resources and training; crisis and risk management and prevention; food service; corporate social responsibility; and copyright and neighbouring rights.

IH&RA Acknowledges the Tremendous Value of Long-Time Supporters

In Berlin, IH&RA paid tribute to members and partners that have enabled the association to reach this milestone Diamond Anniversary. Its members are national hotel and restaurant associations around the world, international and national hotel and restaurant chains, independent operators and worldwide partners including hospitality suppliers, consultants, educators and the media. Membership has also recently opened to individual hotel and restaurants giving the grassroots of the industry a voice on the international stage, plus access to industry best practices and benchmarking tools shared amongst members and partners. “In Associations, members get benefits and value from associating,” says IH&RA CEO David McMillan.

Recognition was given to IH&RA partners including HFTP, the Hospitality Financial Technology Professionals, PriceWaterHouse Coopers and new educational institute partner, Cornell School of Hotel Administration. IH&RA was also pleased to announce a new worldwide partnership with The Bench which provides daily updates and accurate market results for occupancy, average room rate, and revenue per available room on a daily basis…with special offers available to IH&RA members.

IH&RA Website Breaks Through Top 100,000 Websites in the World!

IH&RA has just unveiled a new website at: which features information on industry issues, provides links to its members’ job sites, reservation centers and members’ products, gathers information on member meetings and links to national association websites highlighting major issues that the associations are working on around the world. Also available on-line is a full recap and audio-recordings of the IH&RA Congress held in Beijing in October 2005. Listen in on the Conference panel discussions and Keynote Presentations from Peter Yesawich, President & CEO, Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell and Simon Cooper, President & COO, Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts, download speaker presentations and see a full photo recap of the event in Beijing. Go to:

Founded in 1946, the International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA – ) is the only global business organization representing the hospitality industry worldwide. Its members are national hotel and restaurant associations, international and national hotel and restaurant chains, independent operators and worldwide partners including hospitality suppliers, consultants, educators and the media. Officially recognized by the United Nations, IH&RA is an active international observer that identifies threats, sends early warning signals and mounts opposition to all initiatives that could lead to costly legislation and unnecessary regulation for this industry.

Summer Jauneaud
Director of Communications
+ 33(0)144889224
IH&RA

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