Horsham, PA, USA; June 7, 2012 - LRA Worldwide, Inc., the leading provider of Quality and Brand Assurance Audits for the global hospitality and travel industries, recently graduated the 400th consultant from its proprietary training and professional development program, LRA University. The consultant was a member of the LRA University class that graduated June 1st in Madrid, Spain.
 
LRA University has been a crucial part of the LRA Worldwide value proposition since the firm’s inception in 1980.  The curriculum provides each and every full-time hospitality consultant with a sound foundation in LRA’s audit methodology, ensuring consistent and accurate data collection in the field, as well as a full immersion in the client’s brand program.  While the initial course of instruction typically involves two weeks of classroom training and two weeks in the field, “LRA U.” is really an ongoing professional development process that includes regular refreshers on company best practices and the evolution of client-specific brand initiatives.
 
“As we’ve grown internationally, the communication tools for conducting LRA University have changed,” said Rob Rush, CEO of LRA Worldwide. “The goal of LRA U. remains the same, however. Equip our consultants to conduct quality assurance audits consistently and accurately, interact with property management professionally, and understand and speak the language of our clients’ brands fluently.”
 
The recent class in Madrid graduated consultants who will operate out of Spain and Italy. The previous class wrapped up in mid-May in Bangkok, Thailand; those graduates will operate out of Australia, Singapore and Japan.   The classes abroad have been crucial to support LRA’s growth in both EMEA and AP, as new client projects for Hyatt International, Accor (AP, United Kingdom, Egypt), Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts and Rotana Hotels & Resorts have launched in recent months.
 
 “One of the most valuable parts of LRA University is the element of client participation,” explained Ben Flournoy, LRA’s Vice President for Asia Pacific.  “Because our clients participate in the training process, it provides them with insight into how we conduct global programs without compromising consistency and quality and comfort that their brand promise is being well represented at the property level.”
 
LRA provides quality assurance and guest experience measurement services to many of the leading global and regional hotel companies.  In all, LRA’s Quality Assurance group will conduct nearly 20,000 audits in 2012, along with another 7,000 conventional “mystery shopping” evaluations.   In addition to its work with lodging clients, LRA provides QA and customer experience research services to industry leaders in Hospitality, Gaming, Sports & Entertainment, Senior Living, Homebuilding, Retail and Travel. 
 
The next LRA University class will be held at LRA’s corporate headquarters in Horsham, PA, outside of Philadelphia.   Spots are available for talented individuals with experience in the hospitality industry; learn more about careers at LRA.
 
About LRA Worldwide, Inc:
LRA Worldwide is a leading research and consulting company in the emerging discipline of Customer Experience Management (CEM). We work with our clients to help them design and deliver consistently exceptional customer experiences in order to drive customer satisfaction, loyalty and advocacy, and company growth and profitability.
 
In LRA’s 25-year history, we have grown from a provider of customized quality assurance evaluation programs for the hospitality industry, to a leading CEM consulting company offering a variety of client solutions. The evolution has been driven by our clients asking us one question - "How do we get better?" In response, we have built a range of performance measurement, research, training and consulting solutions to help them do so. Today, we are a growing company operating in more than 120 countries throughout the world, helping clients such as Starwood Hotels & Resorts, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, National Football League, International Speedway Corp., Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Marriott International deliver exceptional customer experiences. Every touch. Every time. For more information, visit us at www.LRAworldwide.com.