KONG CONTINUES TO LEAD BW

Best Western International has announced that its president and CEO, David Kong will continue to lead the brand through 2018. That announcement comes just after Kong received the Stephen W. Brener Lodging Hospitality Silver Plate Award during the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference. The award recognized Kong for his contributions to the resurgence of the Best Western brand and to the hospitality industry. In accepting the award, Kong said: “I am gratified to accept this award on behalf of the entire Best Western family and our more than 4,000 hotels around the world. It reflects our efforts to enhance the brand, achieve record financial performance and attract new developers and corporate clients. I look forward to many more years representing this historic brand as we continue to bring innovation to our operations for the benefit of our hotel owners and guests.” Kong was named president and CEO in 2004, and his new contract, which was unanimously support by the Best Western Board of Directors, extends his leadership through 2018. Under that leadership, Best Western has launched a number of cutting-edge initiatives, which have resonated with travellers and re-energized the brand. The launch of descriptors — BEST WESTERN, BEST WESTERN PLUS and BEST WESTERN PREMIER — has instilled clarity and confidence for travellers and shifted market share to Best Western hotels. In 2012 the brand introduced its I Care Clean program, establishing itself as the leader in hotel cleanliness, and in 2013 it introduced its award-winning Best Western I Care – Reflections program which allows hotel managers to receive and respond to customer feedback across multiple social media platforms more easily and efficiently. Kong also led the creation of “Best Western for a Better World” to pursue a variety of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including a partnership with World Vision to become the world’s largest sponsor of impoverished children around the world. He is deepening the brand’s relationship with the American Red Cross to provide disaster relief and has renewed Best Western’s commitment to its scholarship programs for aspiring hoteliers. Go to http://www.bestwestern.com for more.