The American Hotel & Lodging

Educational Institute (EI) signed a Global Academic Partner (GAP) agreement with HEC Marbella, making the school the first EI partner in Spain. The school, which defines itself as a "boutique of excellence," offers EI's 12-course programs in hospitality management and food and beverage management, as well as the 16-course "dual diploma." The school also offers the Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA) and the Certified Hospitality Revenue Manager (CHRM) designation to students in the BBA and MBA programs. As an outreach to professionals in Spain's hospitality industry, the school will also offer many of EI's professional certifications, such as the Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA®), Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE®), Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS®), and Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP®).

The school was founded by Stéphane Demaeght de Montalay, who became a Certified Hospitality Educator

(CHE®) while working at a leading hospitality school in 2011. He found a trusted advisor in EI master instructor George Ubbelohde, who taught his CHE workshop. When Demaeght de Montalay decided to open his own school, he knew that both Ubbelohde and EI would be part of the project.

Demaeght de Montalay described HEC Marbella as "translating to education the

hospitality concept of the boutique hotel. Our education approach is based on flexibility, personalized service, and interaction." The school is located in a business center, with students and teachers gathered around meeting tables rather than in classrooms.

"As managing director and head lecturer of HEC Marbella, I am very proud to be the first

Global Academic Partner of EI in Spain," said Demaeght de Montalay. "Like Lafayette did two centuries ago, we want to mix the best of Europe and the United States. We are offering to Spain hospitality education with old European savoir faire and savoir vivre and with American efficiency."

For more information on EI's global partners, visit www.ahlei.org/partners.

About the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI)

Established in 1953 as the nonprofit education and training arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), AHLEI's mission is to be the preferred provider of quality resources to educate, develop, and certify hospitality educators, students and professionals worldwide. AHLEI became part of the National Restaurant Association" Training & Certification division in 2017, connecting and leveraging the resources of two organizations that are deeply committed to a vision of career success and upward mobility for current and future hospitality, restaurant, and food service employees.

Elizabeth Johnson
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