Washington, D.C., May 27, 2010 �Anthony A. Falor, managing director, Select Service Division of Hodges Ward Elliott (HWE), has been named chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) Fund Development Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the Annual Giving campaign, the group�s primary fundraising vehicle.  Kicking off the 2010 campaign are three $2,500-4,999 donors � USA Today, Best Western International, and Westmont Hospitality Group.

Falor joined HWE in October 2003 with an extensive background in franchise sales, development, and marketing, including 13 years with the world�s largest lodging franchisor, Cendant Corporation, most recently as president/CEO of their budget/extended stay brands.  Falor currently serves on the AH&LEF board of trustees and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) board of directors.

The Annual Giving Campaign is the Foundation�s key yearly fundraiser that supports its core missions, including providing scholarships to hospitality management students, funding important research in areas such as room tax, energy management, and ADA requirements, as well as promoting hospitality as a career of choice and workforce development initiatives. 

AH&LEF�s list of Annual Giving donors is a snapshot of hospitality�s most innovative leaders and industry insiders, as well as up and coming professionals.  This year�s campaign donor recognition benefits include: 

�  Recognition in top trade publications, ads, and mailings to AH&LA members; 
�  Recognition in AH&LA�s Annual Report; 
�  Listing on AH&LEF�s Website; 
�  AH&LA allied member access to joint AH&LA/AH&LEF donor logo for marketing materials. 

Donors of $1,000 and higher receive: 

�  Inclusion in donor list to run continuously on AH&LEF�s home page. 

Gold Level donors $2,500 and higher receive: 

�  Donor announcement in press releases;
�  Logo recognition in AH&LA�s Annual Report;
�  Company logo and Website link featured on AH&LEF home page. 

Donors of $5,000 and higher receive: 

�  Acknowledgement in AH&LA President/CEO Joe McInerney�s monthly e-Newsletter; 
�  Recognition in AH&LA�s SmartBrief news service. 

AH&LEF is the not-for-profit affiliate of AH&LA and is funded solely by charitable donations from progressive hospitality leaders and companies within the industry. In 2009, AH&LEF disbursed $1.2 million to prepare promising college students for a career in hospitality, to attract and retain talented industry professionals, and to fund valuable research for lodging properties.  Since the Foundation�s inception, approximately $14 million has been distributed through its scholarship, education, outreach, and research programs. 

All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.  For more information about donating, contact Michelle Poinelli, senior vice president of foundation programs at (202) 289-3181 or [email protected], or visit www.ahlef.org.

AH&LEF is the charitable fund-raising and endowed fund-management subsidiary of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Founded in 1953, AH&LEF is the premier organization for scholarships, professional certification, and instructional material as well as funding for hospitality industry research. For more information, visit www.ahlef.org.

Serving the hospitality industry for a century, AH&LA is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added services to provide bottom line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. Partner state associations provide local representation and additional cost-saving benefits to members.