During his inaugural speech at The Plaza Hotel, incoming 2005 American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Chairman Pedro Mandoki, CHA, declared his commitment to making AH&LA the premier U.S. lodging industry brand…
During his inaugural speech at The Plaza Hotel, incoming 2005 American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Chairman Pedro Mandoki, CHA, declared his commitment to making AH&LA the premier U.S. lodging industry brand and the leading voice of the industry. As the latest volunteer to ascend to the organization’s top position, Mandoki also will focus on addressing the lodging industry’s multicultural and diversity issues.
Born in Hungary and raised in Mexico, Mandoki has a unique insight, having personally experienced discrimination and the lack of understanding of issues surrounding diversity in the United States. “I was born in Hungary the day after Pearl Harbor to Jewish parents, grew up without a father who, because of his ethnic heritage, was killed in a concentration camp; raised in Mexico without being a native; and have lived most of the last 40 years of my life in the South with a Hungarian and Spanish accent,” said Mandoki to a full capacity audience.
Earlier this year, AH&LA launched the Multicultural and Diversity Advisory Council, to spearhead diversity and inclusion programs across the entire hotel community. The council, led by Wyndham International Chairman and CEO Fred J. Kleisner, is focusing on increasing the lodging industry’s attraction, retention, and development of women and minorities. “In the past, AH&LA has embarked upon diversity programs, but they were discontinued due to changes of leadership, lack of funding, or lack of priority. This time, we have identified the industry’s multicultural and diversity issues as one of our core objectives,” said Mandoki.
Additionally, AH&LA will look to increase hoteliers’ awareness about the benefits of embracing diversity within its overall management practices; incorporate the concerns of minorities within the lodging industry during educational sessions; survey AH&LA’s membership to gather best diversity practices; and create diversity training programs for AH&LA partner state associations.
In addition to addressing multicultural and diversity issues, Mandoki believes that with the association’s move to a dual membership format and a new governance structure, 2005 will mark the beginning of a new era for AH&LA. “Our continuing mission is to serve the lodging industry by providing representation at the national level, in government affairs, education, research, communications and value-added services. We are, and will continue to be, regardless of structure, the voice of the entire U.S. lodging industry, its primary advocate, and indispensable resource,” said Mandoki.
Mandoki vowed to help AH&LA President and CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA, increase the association’s brand value within the industry and develop consumer opportunities for the brand. He also will work toward developing a stronger working relationship with AH&LA partner state associations to increase membership and provide meaningful member services to guarantee the association remains strong and financially healthy.
Mandoki deemed a key focus of AH&LA will be to continue to act as the primary advocate of the lodging industry to governmental entities to ensure AH&LA members, as well as the entire lodging industry’s lobbying efforts, are successful.
In addition to his responsibilities as incoming AH&LA chairman, Mandoki is president and CEO of Plantation Resort Management (PRM), Inc. In his position at PRM, he is responsible for the company’s overall operations. Mandoki started PRM in 1985, and was the sole owner until September 1998, when it merged with ResortQuest International (RQI), Inc.
Additionally, Mandoki is owner and president of N.P. Hotel Group, Inc., a hotel/resort management and consulting company that operates primarily in Florida.
A recognized leader in the travel and tourism industry, Mandoki is a 40-year veteran of the lodging industry. Prior to starting his own business, he held positions at various hotel properties and management companies.
Other 2005 AH&LA officers include Vice Chairman Joseph R. Kane, Jr., CHA, president and CEO, Days Inns Worldwide, Inc.; Secretary/Treasurer Robert L. Steele, III, general manager, Hyatt Regency Baltimore; and Immediate Past Chairman Dieter Huckestein, executive vice president and president-hotel operations, owned and managed, Hilton Hotels Corporation. These hoteliers are led by AH&LA President and CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
