�Notes for Success,� the theme of this year�s conference, features an unprecedented 20 educational seminars on technology, marketing, human resources, purchasing, design, extended stay, and condominium/vacation ownership.  Also, general sessions will be held featuring such guest speakers as Eric Pfeffer, CHA, chairman and CEO, Cendant Lodging Divison; Jim Evans, president and CEO, Best Western International; J. Peter Kline, president and CEO, Bristol Hotels & Resorts; and Steve Rushmore, CHA, president, HVS International.

In addition, several awards will be given during the conference including AH&MA�s first annual Cutting-Edge Corporate Awards and Teammate Supplier Awards, which are presented to companies with outstanding records of support of AH&MA through conferences, trade shows, and membership retention and recruitment programs.  The Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Visa U.S.A., will honor properties, chains, and employees who �shine brighter than the rest.�  AH&MA also will present Jack Vaughn, chairman of Opryland Lodging Group, with the first annual Hospitality Heritage Award, deemed as one of the hospitality industry�s most prestigious awards.  The black-tie optional dinner, which will honor Vaughn for his distinguished career spent with of one of the industry�s most well-known establishments, the Opryland Hotel Convention Center, will donate all proceeds to benefit the American Hotel Foundation�s educational and research missions.

�This year�s conference will offer an array of speakers, seminars, and other educational tools that will definitely benefit today�s hoteliers,� said Conference Chairman Bob Slater, AH&MA vice chairman, and president, Southern Hospitality, Inc.  �Our mission at AH&MA is to evaluate all aspects of the lodging industry and work on its behalf to improve and empower its leaders and constituents.�

Held in conjunction with this year�s conference is AH&MA�s first annual Conference of Inns & Suites (formerly the Economy Lodging Conference), a focused meeting for executives and operators in midmarket and economy lodging properties.  The meeting will address unique challenges facing the inns, suites, and economy sectors of the industry.

The annual conference registration rate before February 12 is $595 for AH&MA members and $895 for nonmembers (includes a complimentary ticket from VISA U.S.A. for the Vaughn Tribute Dinner).  The Conference of Inns & Suites (CIS) registration rate is $295 for AH&MA members and $425 for nonmembers.  A special $100 discounted rate for joint registration of the conference and CIS is available before February 12 for $790 for AH&MA members and $1,220 for nonmembers (includes a complimentary ticket from VISA U.S.A. for the Vaughn Tribute Dinner).

For additional information, contact Kelley Wells, George Little Management, Inc., at (914) 421-3377 or send an e-mail to [email protected].  The Opryland Hotel is extending a special rate of $149 single/double occupancy if booked by March 20.  Continental (call 800/468-7022, refer to code ZGWU, reference code IDGJNL) and Southwest (call 800/433-5368, meeting identifier K6269) are offering a 10 percent discount off the lowest available fares.

AH&MA, founded in 1910, is a federation of state lodging associations throughout the United States, with some 11,000 property members worldwide, representing more than 1.4 million rooms.  AH&MA provides operations, technical, educational, marketing, and communications services plus governmental affairs representation to the lodging industry.