The International Hospitality Hall of Fame® was created by the International Hospitality Institute's Educational Foundation (IHIEF) to celebrate the achievements of pioneers, pacesetters, visionaries, and thought leaders in the global hospitality industry.
The International Hospitality Institute (IHI) is the leading advocacy, training, recognition, and standards organization for the global hospitality industry. IHI is committed to promoting excellence in the hospitality industry worldwide by celebrating practitioners and torchbearers.
IHI and IHIEF are working to promote training and standardization for the industry while advocating for favorable wage conditions and work climate for hospitality practitioners.
According to a report published by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the hospitality industry contributed 8.8 trillion USD to the global economy in 2018, representing 10.4 percent of the world’s total GDP. As the industry continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, factors such as artificial intelligence adoption, digitalization, sustainability, and changing traveler preferences, continue to impact the industry.
Our mission is to celebrate the heroes of hospitality (living or deceased) and make sure that they are never forgotten. By celebrating those who paved the way, we hope to inspire future generations to seek careers in the beautiful industry of hospitality.
Meet the judges of the 2023 International Hospitality Hall of Fame®. The judges are some of the hospitality industry's most respected leaders and éminence grises with a distinguished track record of service. Click on each judge's name to see their profile.
We thank these men and women who have worked so selflessly to elevate and support the global hospitality industry. Our industry is better off because of them.
Anthony Bourdain was born on June 25, 1956 in New York City. He was a Chef, Writer, and TV host. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Bourdain worked in several restaurants including the Brasserie Les Halles in Manhattan, the Supper Club, and Sullivan’s among others. He is the author of the book, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly. He was the host of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown on CNN.
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Arne Morris Sorenson served as the CEO of Marriott International from 2012 until his death in 2021. He graduated from Luther College in Iowa and the University of Minnesota Law School before joining Marriott International as an associate general counsel in 1996. He later assumed roles with increasing responsibility including Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer. In 2021, he assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer. He oversaw the acquisition of the Renaissance Hotels portfolio and Starwood Hotel & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
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Barry Stuart Sternlicht is the Chairman and co-founder of Starwood Capital Group, an investment fund that manages over $60 billion in assets. He is also Chairman of Starwood Property Trust. While at Starwood Hotels, Barry oversaw the creation of W Hotels and the Westin Heavenly Bed.
John Willard "Bill" Marriott Jr. was born on March 25, 1932, to Alice Marriott and J Willard Marriott. He is the executive chairman of Marriott International, a company he joined in 1956. He grew the company founded by his father into the world’s largest hotel chain.
Caroline Rose Hunt, born on January 8, 1923, was an American businesswoman and hotelier who founded the Rosewood Hotels and Resorts company in 1979. She served as Honorary Chairman until her death in 2018.
César Ritz, born on February 23, 1850, was a Swiss hotelier and founder of the Ritz Hotel and Carlton Hotel brands, which would later become the Ritz Carlton Hotels. Known as the King of Hoteliers and the Hotelier to Kings, some of the hotels he developed include the Carlton Hotel, London, the Ritz Hotel London, the Ritz Hotel Madrid, and the Hôtel Ritz in the Place Vendôme, Paris.
Conrad Hilton Sr., born on December 25, 1887, was the founder of the Hilton Hotels chain. He acquired his first hotel, the Mobley Hotel in Cisco, Texas in 1919. He would later acquire several other hotels including the Abilene Hilton, the Dallas Hilton, the El Paso Hilton, and the Waco Hilton. In 1939, he built what is now known as the Hotel Andaluz in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Hilton Hotels would go on to become the world’s largest hotel company.
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Danny Meyer is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Union Square Hospitality Group, which comprises some of New York's most acclaimed restaurants: Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, The Modern, Maialino, and more.Danny and USHG also founded Shake Shack, the modern-day “roadside” burger restaurant for which he serves as Chairman of the Board.He is the author of the book, Setting the Table, The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Service. Today, he continues to advocate for the hospitality industry and is a globally respected voice on all issues regarding hospitality and hospitality workers.
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David Kong is the former President and CEO of Best Western International. He joined Best Western Hotels & Resorts in 2001 and became CEO in 2004. During his tenure as CEO, Kong formed BWH Hotel Group and extended the company’s reach globally.
Horst Schulze is a co-founder and former COO of the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company. He started his career as a server’s assistant in a German resort town. He worked for Hilton Hotels and Hyatt Hotels Corporation before becoming one of the founding members of The Ritz Carlton HotelCompany in 1983. At Ritz Carlton, Schulze created the operating and service standards that have become world famous. After leaving The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company, Schulze founded The Capella Hotel Group.
Ian Schrager was born on July 19, 1946. He is a hotelier and businessman who has founded several hotel brands. He was a co-owner of the renowned Studio 54 nightclub in New York. He was also a co-founder of the Palladium nightclub. He opened the Morgan Hotel, his first property, in 1984. He later opened the Royalton Hotel and the Paramount Hotel, both in New York City. He launched the EDITION hotel brand in partnership with Marriott International. Most recently, he launched the Public Hotel brand.
Isadore Sharp, born on October 8, 1931, is a hotel developer and the founder and chairman of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
After graduating from college, Sharp worked for his father’s real estate company. He opened the Four Seasons Hotel in 1960 in Toronto. The Four Seasons Hotel company now has over 100 hotels worldwide.
John Willard Marriott, Sr. was the founder of the Marriott Hotels company. Born on September 17, 1900, he started his company from a root beer stand in Washington, DC. He opened his first motel in 1957. He grew the company to become one of the largest corporations in the USA with interests in hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, and other sectors.
Julia Child was born on August 15, 1912. She was a chef, television presenter, and author. A promoter of French cuisine, she wrote several cookbooks and appeared on several TV programs.
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Marilyn Carlson Nelson, born on August 19, 1939, is the former chairman and CEO of Carlson. The Carlson group includes Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Radisson Blu, Radisson Red Hotels, and Country Inns & Suites.
Marilyn has served on several boards including Exxon Mobil, Qwest Communications, and First Bank System. In 2014, she received the Oslo Business for Peace Award.
Mohan Singh Oberoi, born on August 15, 1881, was an Indian hotelier and businessman. He was the founder of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts. Formed in 1934, his Oberoi Group operated hotels, luxury cruises, and restaurants and provided travel and tour services. He was also the founder of East India Hotels which he formed in 1948. His Oberoi Center for Learning and Development provides hospitality education to students in India.
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Sir Richard Branson is the founder of the Virgin Group which controls over 400 companies including Virgin Hotels. Virgin Hotels was formed in 2010. Branson also launched Virgin Limited Edition which operates exclusive private islands and resorts.
Sheila Johnson is a businesswoman and hotel developer. She is the CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts which she launched in 2005. Salamander Hotels owns several hotels including the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, the Half Moon in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and the Salamander Resort and Spa, among others.
William Waldorf Astor, born on March 31, 1848, was a businessman, hotel developer, politician, and philanthropist. He built the Waldorf Hotel in 1890. In 1908, he built the Waldorf Hotel in London's West End.
Now more than ever, stakeholders in the global hospitality industry need to unite, support each other, and stand behind initiatives that promote and advocate for the industry.
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