L to R: Jim Burba, President BHN; Rodrigo Rizzi de Oliveira, Rising Star Award Recipient; Andrea Belfanti, Executive Director ISHC; Steve Galbreath, President ISHC — Photo by ISHC

The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) and Burba Hotel Network (BHN) presented Rodrigo Rizzi de Oliveira with the 2013 Rising Star Award at the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS). Rizzi currently manages the entire Rooms Division of the 416 room and 30,000 square feet events space at the Ritz Carlton San Juan Hotel, as the Rooms Executive (Resident Manager). With his multi-lingual skills in Portuguese, Spanish and English, he manages a staff of six managers and over two hundred employees. Rizzi is recognized, by peers and senior management, as a leader with integrity and great character and was nominated for 2010's Manager of the year by Puerto Rico Tourism Association

The Rising Star Award was created in 2011 by the ISHC, in collaboration with BHN, to recognize emerging leadership talent in the Caribbean from the hospitality industry. The award is presented annually at CHRIS. Award criteria require that a nominee be under 35 years of age, be currently working and living in the Caribbean and have a minimum of two of the most recent five years hospitality experience living and working in the Caribbean.

About BHN

BHN is the worldwide leader in developing and organizing conferences for the hotel and tourism investment community. With more than two decades of experience, more than 100 events completed to-date, and nearly 80,000 international delegates, BHN conferences have become "must attend" events for industry leaders who come together to network, conduct business and to learn about the latest trends. The BHN website at www.Burba.com is the gateway for information about the conferences BHN 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.

Andrea Belfanti
ISHC