Michael Bedner Awarded ISHC 2014 Pioneer Award

The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) will honor Mr. Michael Bedner with the ISHC 2014 Pioneer Award at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), in Los Angeles, January 27 - 29. The Pioneer Award was established in 1996, by ISHC, to recognize one individual each year for making an outstanding contribution, achievement and/or improvement in the hospitality industry. Bedner, Chairman & CEO of Hirsch Bedner (HBA), established his hospitality design firm in 1964 with partner Howard Hirsch. Since then, Bedner has helped lead the industry as a thought-leading trailblazer, and his influence can been seen in hundreds of hotels around
the globe.

ISHC Pioneer Award winners are selected based on three criteria: active involvement in the industry, their contribution to the industry and personal/organizational attributes and qualities. The individual must be actively involved in consulting, planning, developing, marketing, managing and/or improving one or more dimensions of the hospitality industry, which benefits developers, investors, operators and guests. In addition to their contribution, it is essential they adhere to professional standards, which are recognized and respected by his/her peers.

"Bedner, above and beyond, fits all of the Pioneer Award criteria and we are pleased to have such a distinguished recipient," said Andrea Belfanti, ISHC Executive Director. As someone who has always valued and enjoyed learning, Bedner has supported many educational programs with his time, resources and advice. He has lectured at institutions in Asia and North America, provided space and staffing for hospitality design classes and founded a Design Competition and Awards Program at UCLA to honor his partner. Bedner and Hirsch originally created their business on three main principles: to have fun, to learn and grow from every experience, and to produce the best design possible for each project – still a foundation for Bedner today.

About ISHC
The International Society of Hospitality Consultants is a professional organization of 200 members with work experience in over 60 countries. Membership in ISHC is by invitation only and members are viewed as leaders in their respective areas of expertise. And with over 40 different areas of specialty expertise represented within the organization, ISHC represents a one of a kind collection of experience and expertise worldwide in the hospitality industry. In 2013, ISHC commemorated a special milestone, as it marked the 25th anniversary since its founding in 1988. Additional information about the organization, along with a directory of ISHC members, is available on the ISHC website at www.ishc.com. 

About ALIS
Co-hosted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and Burba Hotel Network (BHN), 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. Proceeds from ALIS benefit the educational, research, and training missions of the American Hotel & Lodging Education Foundation (AH&LEF), AH&LA's nonprofit affiliate. For information on the Foundation, visit www.ahlef.org.

About AH&LA
Serving the hospitality industry for more than a century, AH&LA is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value- added services to provide bottom line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. Partner state associations provide local representation and additional cost-saving benefits
to members.

About AH&LEF
AH&LEF is the charitable fund-raising and endowed fund-management subsidiary of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Founded in 1953, AH&LEF is the premier organization for scholarships, professional certification, and instructional material as well as funding for hospitality industry research.

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. BHN events include: the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in Los Angeles; the ALIS Summer Update; the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) in Miami; the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) in Hong Kong; HICAP UPDATE in Singapore; the Hotel Investment Forum India (HIFI) in Gurgaon Delhi N.C.R.; the Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA) conference in Miami; and the Hotel Investment Conference Europe (Hot.E) in London.
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.