DeBoer is recognized as the creator of the extended stay hotel concept, founding Residence Inn Co. and co-founding Summerfield Hotel Corp. DeBoer�s latest successes include Candlewood Suites and Cambridge Suites.

�Jack DeBoer is truly deserving of this prestigious award, having spent his life as a leader, an innovator and as a great humanitarian,� says James A. Burba, conference founder and chair, and vice president and worldwide director advisory services, Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo.

In 1975, DeBoer built the first Residence Inn all-suite hotel in downtown Wichita, Kan. He built or franchised 100 hotels before selling the Residence Inn Co. to Marriott Corp. in 1987. In 1988, he co-founded Summerfield Hotel Corp., a second-generation upscale all-suite hotel chain, which has developed more than 30 hotels.

DeBoer founded Candlewood in 1995 (Nasdaq: CNDL - news). Candlewood owns, operates and franchises 90 Candlewood Suites coast-to-coast, with more under construction. In 1998, DeBoer founded Cambridge Suites, the upscale brand Candlewood has recently begun franchising. Both concepts serve travelers on short- or long-term stays.

DeBoer is active in several business and civic organizations, and in 1999 was included in the National Registry of Who�s Who. He also founded the DeBoer Family Foundation, which provides medical relief and business loans in Burma.

The Hotel Industry Investment Conference is attended by more than 1,500 hotel industry representatives each year and covers more than 40 investment-focused sessions, including e-business and its financial implications.