By Molly Tabor Collin Wientjes and Ryan Gehlsen

By: Molly Tabor, Collin Wientjes, and Ryan Gehlsen International Hotel and Restaurant Association

Mission Statement & Goals � The IH&RA is the only international association that has been developed to exclusively promote and defend the interests of the hotel and restaurant industry across the globe. It is a non-profit organization that monitors and lobbies all international agencies on behalf of the hospitality industry.

Membership- Who can join � International, National and Regional hotel and Restaurant Associations � International and National Hotel and Restaurant Chains � Owners, Developers and Investors � Individual hotels and Restaurants � Institutions of the Industry (hotel schools, educational centres, universities) � Students/ Independent Hoteliers and Restaurateurs

Membership Costs � Students- 100 euro � Institutions- 1, 000 euro � Individual hotel or restaurant- 600 euro � Affiliate- 1, 000 euro � Full members- 5, 000 euro � Supporting members- 2, 500 euro

Executives � President- Casimir Platzer: Board Member Switzerland Tourism &Gastro. Suisse in Switzerland � Vice-President- Jordi Busquets: Asesor in Argentina � Treasurer- Hala El Khatib: Secretary General EHA - Egypt Hotels Association in Egypt � Secretary- Armin Zerunyan: General Manager at the Hilton in Turkey � Immediate past president & honorary president- Dr. Ghassan Aidi: President & CEO of Royal Regency International Hotels in Washington D. C.

Benefits of joining � Industry Watchdog. Protecting your business interests � High profile events. Building your business network � Timely newsletters. Keeping you informed � Strong representation. Unite and reinforce the industry worldwide � It is beneficial for students because they could network are events and keep well informed of what is happening in the industry through their newsletter.

Conferences � Agilysys Inspire 2014 - April 13 -15 at Red Rock Casino & Resort, Las Vegas- Nevada � IT&CM China- April 15 -17 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China � Hotel Technology Forum 2014 - April 16 -18 at Aria Resort and Casino at City Center in Las Vegas, Nevada � China Hotel Investment Conference (CHIC) 2014 - April 22 -24 at the Grand Hyatt Shanghai in Shanghai, China

Publications � The Challenge of HIV/AIDS in the WORKPLACE: A Guide for the HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY � LEADING HOSPITALITY INTO THE AGE OF EXELLENCE � luxury hotels and the <INFORMATION> SUPERHIGHWAY 2001 � DISASTER RISK REDUCTION: A Toolkit for Tourism Destinations � Hotel Classification in Syria � They have much more and they can be found on the IH&RA website

Location of Headquarters � International Hotel & Restaurant Association: 42 Avenue General Guisan (Lausanne) 1009 Pully- Switzerland � Telephone: +41 21 711 42 83 � Email: admin@ih-ra. com � Website: http: //ih-ra. com/

Interesting Facts Served as expert advisors to countries on hotel classifications systems � Battled trademark violations � Fought increased copyright licensing fees � Protected members interest on “International Hotels Standardization” � Contribute to Hospitality Statistics and Research �

Sources � http: //ih-ra. com/