From L to R: Clifford Risman, ISHC; Stephen Galbreath, Chairman ISHC; Robert MacLellan, ISHC; Sanovnik Destang, RSW Award Winner; Antoine Destang; Timothy Peck, ISHC; Julianna Ward-Destang; Christopher Cylke, ISHC; Gregory Bohan, ISHC; Jim Burba, President BHN, ISHC — Photo by ISHC

The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) and Burba Hotel Network (BHN) presented Sanovnik Destang with the 2014 Rising Star Award Caribbean at the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS). As the Executive Director of Bay Gardens Resorts, Destang has proven to be a dedicated and invaluable asset. By using targeted marketing strategies, product enhancement and job sustaining cost-cutting techniques, Destang was able to substantially impact the company's performance. Destang is recognized by the local business community as a finalist for the 2014 Corporate Leadership Award and he is a Director for the St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.

"Sanovnik Destang is a most deserving winner and we are very pleased to have been

able to acknowledge him with the Rising Star Award. He embodies the very best of hospitality, the spirit of the Caribbean and has been a truly effective young business leader. The future of the Caribbean tourism industry is indeed in good hands with emerging leaders like Mr. Destang", said Jim Burba, President, BHN.

"As tourism is such a significant part of the Caribbean's economy, it was wonderful to

review the many nominations of such talented young professionals. We are delighted to have Sanovnik as this year's award winner. The passion he has for his work and the broader tourism industry in St. Lucia truly makes him a Rising Star", said Andrea Belfanti, Executive Director for ISHC.

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. Award criteria require that a nominee be 35 years and under, 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 CHRIS/HOLA Conference

CHRIS is the Caribbean's most important hotel and tourism investment conference. The

conference immediately precedes a second important event, the Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA) conference. The back-to-back nature of the two events provides a venue for the hotel investment community that is interested not only in the Caribbean, but also in Latin America, to conduct their business while in Miami.

About BHN
BHN is the worldwide leader in developing and

organizing conferences for the hotel and tourism investment community. With almost three decades of experience, nearly 120 events completed to-date, and over 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 Alternative Ownership Conference Asia Pacific (AOCAP) in Singapore; 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.

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.

Karla Smith
Director Membership Services
404.542.0159
ISHC