RANDOLPH, N.J. � FEBRUARY 20, 2003 � One of the hotel industry's most prominent personalities has selected a Cleveland-based public relations and media consulting group to introduce his new venture, Hospitality Solutions LLC, to the hospitality industry and the trade press.
 

Steven J. Belmonte, former President and CEO of Ramada Hotels and a former owner/operator of several hotels, retained PRPRO this month and its high-profile team of former hospitality trade press editors.  "It was important to me to work with a group of people who not only have knowledge about the hotel industry, the world of franchising and hospitality in general, but also are well regarded in their field and who possess many

Steven J. Belmonte

Under Hospitality Solutions LLC, Belmonte provides franchise consulting, litigation support, arbitration, expert witness and motivational speaker services to the industry. In addition, he currently serves as vice chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Assn.'s Educational Foundation.

Belmonte was President and CEO of one of the nation's Top 10 management companies before joining Ramada, a position he filled for nearly 11 years.

"Part of renewing oneself in the hospitality industry includes searching for and accepting new challenges," Belmonte said. "The PRPRO team understands the multitude of challenges facing hotel owners, investors, operators and workers, and this is the type of talent I needed to complement my own attributes. I had the pleasure to work with members of the PRPRO team since the early 1980s while I was president of Equity Hotel Corp. in Chicago, and also while I served for many years with Cendant Corp., and have continued to nurture that relationship to this day."

Worcester, who is founder and president of PRPRO, said Belmonte's decision to select her firm is further indication of its growing strength in the hospitality industry.

"We have brought together talented individuals who have worked well together in the past and understand all aspects of the media and the roll it plays in the hospitality industry," Worcester said. "It is particularly gratifying when someone of Steve Belmonte's stature validates our work by entrusting us with the important mission of representing him to the industry and its media."

Industry colleagues offer support

Part of Belmonte's work with Hospitality Solutions LLC includes representing members of the Asian American Hotel Owners Assn. when they have issues that need to be resolved with their franchisors.

"Steve Belmonte understands franchising from the perspective of franchisor and franchisees," said Mike Patel, a past chairman of AAHOA and the president of Diplomat Hotels, a hotel owner/operator. "He has unquestioned integrity and AAHOA's members are looking forward to availing themselves of the many services he can offer."

Mike Leven, chairman of US Franchise Systems, has selected Belmonte to work with his company as an expert witness.

"We hired him because he is an expert on franchising and is passionate about the hotel industry," Leven said. "There is nothing intellectually dishonest about Steve. He has so much to offer our company.�

Belmonte said he sees his new role in the hotel industry as an exciting venture into uncharted waters.

"There is so much I can bring to the table for owners and operators," Belmonte said. "When there are problems, I know how to find solutions."

About PRPRO

The PRPRO team previously served on the editorial staff of HOTEL & MOTEL MANAGEMENT magazine and represent more than 40 years of combined hospitality industry experience. In addition to H&MM, these veteran journalists have contributed articles to other respected industry publications such as Lodging, Lodging F&B, E-Hospitality, AAHOA Lodging Business, Lodging Real Estate, Corporate Meetings & Incentives, Hotel Interactive, Hotel Business, Hospitality Technology and National Hotel Executive. Worcester founded PRPRO in February 2001.

PRPRO writes and distributes Press Releases to the hospitality trade media, national news publications and Wire Services; designs Brochures and E-Newsletters; assists in Media Buys & Plans; coordinates Direct Marketing Campaigns; and provides Event and Tradeshow Management services exclusively for the hospitality industry. Current clients include: ARESCOM, Baymont Inns & Suites, Datavision Technologies, Green Suites International, High Country Hospitality, Hospitality Solutions LLC, Onity, Richfield, Sceptre and Waterford Hotel Group.

�We all have known for a long time that relationships are key in this industry�not only for �getting the story,� but for helping to implement a successful public-relations campaign,� Worcester said. �We once walked in the shoes of the media, so we know what editors consider newsworthy. We want to share that knowledge and experience as the hotel industry�s go-to public-relations professionals.�

Relationships are key

Because of their editorial background and longevity in the industry, the PRPRO team has built coveted relationships with high-profile decision-makers at the chains, management companies and industry associations, and they network daily with the hospitality trade press and the vendor community. 

�It�s not often we get the luxury of working with public relations and marketing people who understand both our needs and the needs of the lodging industry,� said Ed Watkins, Editor of Lodging Hospitality. �The PRPRO team knows the business and how to work with hotel press reporters and editors. They�re thorough professional and effective.�

"PRPRO executives have deep industry experience and understand how the lodging trade press works,� said Phil Hayward, Publisher and Editor of Lodging magazine. �Because of this valuable background, they are able to work with us efficiently on various levels.."