June 1, 2005 - The Massachusetts Lodging Association will hold its
First Annual Hall of Fame Awards on Wednesday, June 22, 2005, 5:30 - 7:00
p.m., at the Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston in Cambridge.
The Hall of Fame Awards will honor three individuals - a hotelier, an
industry supplier, and an overall tourism leader - who have made outstanding
contributions to the hospitality and tourism industries of Massachusetts.
Tickets to the event can be purchased at www.masslodging.com/events.
The inaugural honorees are:
Roger A. Saunders
Founder, Saunders Hotel Group
During the past 50 years, Roger A. Saunders has taken an active leadership
role in the hotel industry on a national, regional, state, and city level.
Starting in 1951 with the Copley Square Hotel, and later the Lenox Hotel
and Park Plaza Hotel and Towers, he built the Saunders Hotel Group into
a driving force in the industry. He has served as National President and
Chairman of the AH&MA and President of MLA's predecessor organizations.
Mr. Saunders is a trustee of Newbury College and the namesake of its lodging
degree program, and he is the driving force behind the MLA Education Foundation's
Roger Saunders Lodging Institute.
Joseph M. Callahan
Sales Manager, Ecolab
For 28 years, Joseph M. Callahan has been an industry leader with a
steadfast belief in solving customer challenges and building lifetime relationships
and friendships. As a Territory Manager, he became Salesman of the Year
in 1979. Two years later, as a District Manager, he brought the Boston
District into the top 12 nationally before moving on to Chain Accounts
Manager, National Accounts Manager, and then Corporate Accounts Manager,
selling some of the most prestigious accounts in New England. Mr. Callahan
serves on the MLA Board of Directors and contributes his time and leadership
skills to many other organization Boards and Committees.
Paul J. Sacco
Executive Director, Mass. Office of Travel & Tourism
Paul J. Sacco has more than 30 years of experience in sales, marketing,
and operations in the hospitality industry. He was previously Chairman
and CEO of Belvedere Hotels Ltd. and Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing
for Omni Hotels Corp. Mr. Sacco serves on the Boards of Directors for Discover
New England and the Travel Industry Association of America, and he is former
Chairman of the Advisory Board for Historic Hotels of America and former
President of MLA. Currently, Mr. Sacco oversees the domestic and international
marketing efforts of MOTT, promoting Massachusetts as a premier vacation
destination.
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