Hotel Big Dogs choose a Thin Cat for their IHIF Young Leader

A Giant Leap Forward for the Responsible Tourism Movement

The International Hotel Industry Chooses a CR Pioneer for their Prestigious Young Leader Award

On the 9^th March, Amy Carter-James was presented with the highly coveted International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) Young Leader Award in Berlin.

Judges include some of the most influential Hospitality CEO’s in the world and for them to select Amy is a very significant step forward to bring Corporate Responsibility (CR) to the heart of the hotel industry’s future.

The Responsible Tourism movement has been slowly gathering momentum over the last decade yet the slowest to embrace it have been the larger hotel chains. However, it seems the winds are changing.

Amy took to the stage and gave a stirring acceptance speech to an audience full of the most distinguished hoteliers, highlighting the significance of this award.

“To receive such a prestigious award is more than just an incredible honour. It signals that the very heart of the hotel industry recognises that Corporate Responsibility is no longer on the periphery but central to the future of the industry. 

During the Hotel Investment Forum we heard industry leaders advise hoteliers to invest in emerging markets, to go green to save money, to deliver more “local and authentic” experiences and with the explosion of social media it is more important than ever to make an emotional connection with clients. A strong CR strategy can help to deliver on all these fronts. 

Accepting this award has shown that the archaic “fat cat” approach of pursuing wealth at an expense, is now fading and experts agree, CR is no longer an optional “add-on”. Now that truly is exciting!”  

The Award organisers said, "Amy’s industry accomplishments include ownership of a multi award winning
resort, Guludo Beach Lodge in Mozambique, which has helped lift tens of thousands of people out of poverty and co-founder of a CR hospitality consultancy firm, Thin Cats Thinking, which assists hotels and resorts around the world to work more efficiently with local communities and to maximize their positive impact in a commercially viable way. She most recently has been recognized with a “Global Vision Award” along with multiple other business hospitality awards and individual awards in previous years."

“Amy is an individual who has clearly made a very positive impact in the industry and her passion for responsible tourism is evident in the work she has accomplished,” said Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of Bench Events, co-organisers of IHIF. “She is a wonderful example for other young leaders in hospitality and we’re thrilled to recognize her at this year’s IHIF.”

"She was an outstanding candidate in many ways,” said Lori Raleigh,
Executive Director ISHC. “She stood out to us not only due to her
tremendous achievements but also for her wonderful personal attributes and commitment to helping make a difference for others through her responsible tourism initiatives as well."

About the Award

BERLIN, Germany: The International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) is proud to announce Amy Carter-James, as the 2011 Young Leader award recipient. Co-sponsored by the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC), the award is given each year to a young and emerging leader who has great potential.

The 2011 IHIF Young Leader award will be presented to Carter-James on Wednesday, 9 March 2011 at a plenary session held at the InterContinental Hotel Berlin along with prize amount totalling Euro 1,000. Past winners include Roderick Micallef, Director of Finance and Acting General Manager, Corinthia Hotel, Lisbon and Leslie McGibbon, Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs, IHG.

Requirements for the IHIF Young Leader Award include the following: candidate must be under 35 years of age, have worked in a hospitality-related field, have completed a significant project for his or her hotel or organization, be recognized by leaders of his or her own hotel or organization as an emerging leader.
 

About the Organisers:

About Questex Media Group LLC
Questex Media Group LLC is a global, diversified business-to-business integrated media and information provider, headquartered in Newton, MA. Questex serves multiple industries including technology, telecommunications, beauty, spa, travel, hospitality, leisure, home entertainment, landscape design, building services and natural resources through a range of well-established, market-leading publications, events, interactive media, research, information and integrated marketing services. The company's media properties include over 100 print and digital media publications, 45 conferences, tradeshows and events, as well as a range of research, data and information products. The company's businesses are managed through operating companies including Questex Media Group; InfoTrends, Inc., Imaging Networks and; McLean Events International, Ltd, a world-leading producer of appointment-based events. The company's combined operations include more than 400 employees in offices throughout North America, South America, Asia and Europe.

Bench Events
As organisers of top conferences for the hotel and investment industry, Bench Events is a growing entity which currently hosts hotel investment conferences in Berlin, Dubai and Moscow in partnership with other leading providers.  Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of Bench Events, is one of the organisers and founders of the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) held each year in Berlin. In 2005, he was responsible for launching the successful Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) in Dubai and in October 2008, the Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference (RHIC) in Moscow alongside Questex Media. Worsley is also Chairman of Bench Event's sister company, JW Bench, a benchmarking company that has successfully launched the Conference Bench and the Productivity Bench.

ISHC
The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) is a professional society of leading hospitality industry consultants. Membership is by invitation only and members are required to abide by the ISHC Code of Professional Conduct.  ISHC is represented by some two hundred members who, collectively, have expertise in over 50 different specialty areas and work experience in 65 countries. A complete listing/directory of members and specialty areas of expertise represented within ISHC is available under “Consultant Search” on the ISHC web site at www.ishc.com.

Judges for the Young Leader Award 2011 included:

• Arco Buijs, Chief Executive Officer, Steigenberger Hotel Group
• Simon Vincent, President Europe, Hilton Worldwide
• Paul White, President & CEO, Orient-Express Hotels
• Andrew Coppel CBE, Chairman, De Vere Group
• Nick Clayton, President, Viceroy Hotels And Resorts
• Eric Danziger, President & Chief Executive Officer, Wyndham Worldwide
• Michael Hirst OBE, Consultant, CBRE Hotels
• Kurt Ritter, President & CEO, The Rezidor Hotel Group
• Marc Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Hospitality Group
• Chris Day, International Managing Director, Christie + Co
• Susan Harmsworth, Chief Executive Officer, ESPA International
• Clive Hillier, Chief Executive Officer, VisionAM
• Robert J.M. Hornman, Managing Director, Worldhotels
• Gabriele Burgio, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, NH Hoteles, S.A.
• Hubert Joly, President, CEO and Director, Carlson
• Stephen Joyce, President & CEO, Choice Hotels International US
• Gerald Lawless, Executive Chairman, Jumeirah Group
• Ian Livingstone, Executive Chairman, London & Regional Properties
• Amy McPherson, President & Managing Director, Europe, Marriott International
• Sir David Michels, Chairman, Michels & Taylor; Deputy Chairman, Marks & Spencer; Chairman Easyjet and Board Member of Strategic Hotels and Jumeirah Group
• Anders Nissen, Chief Executive Officer, Pandox AB
• Tony Potter, Chief Executive Officer, Corinthia Hotels
• Frits van Paasschen, President & CEO, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide,Inc
• Christian Windfuhr, Chief Executive Officer, Grand City Hotels & Resorts