( St. Louis, MO ) April 2009  --  The International Association of Conference Centers bestowed the first annual Global Distinguished Service Award to Andy Dolce, Founder and Chairman of Dolce Hotels and Resorts at the associations 28th annual conference at Chateau Ãlan Winery & Resort in Braselton, GA last month.

According to Neil Pompan, IACC Global President who presented the award to Dolce, this award was established to recognize the contribution of one member annually who has made a sustained commitment and contribution to IACC and the conference center industry at the global level and across chapters.

Pompan explained that nominees for the award must have strived for the advancement of the industry and the promotion of IACC standards within their own country and abroad for a minimum of five years. The award was established by the IACC Global Board of Directors to recognize an industry leader whose contributions include efforts to educate the industry and members on the value of IACC and to improve the benefits available to those members. Additionally, nominees must have fostered relationships between the various segments of the industry around the world.

Andy Dolce served as President of IACC from 1993 to 1994.  During that time, Andy introduced a vision for IACC which included establishing chapters in Europe, Asia Pacific and North America.  In late 1995, that vision became reality in Lillehammer, Norway when he and other members signed the first documents for IACC-Global and set the stage for the first Global Board of Directors. Even before that initiative, Andy was a major champion of IACC and the conference center concept while building his own organization that now manages 16 conference centers in North America and six in Europe.

In 1997, Dolce was the recipient of IACC's oldest and most prominent award, the Mel Hosansky Award for Distinguished Service.  This award is given to an individual in recognition of outstanding service to IACC over a period of time and for service to the meetings industry.

Dolce Hotels and Resorts, formerly Dolce International, provides exceptional meeting environments at its 23 hotels and resorts in the United States, Canada and Europe by providing superior cuisine and amenities, state-of-the-art technology and a community of passionate, intuitive employees.

Dolce Hotels and Resorts comply with standards set by the International Association of Conference Centers and are rated by AAA, Mobil, Michelin and Meeting Professionals International.  Many Dolce hotels and resorts offer spas, championship golf courses and workout facilities.

Founded in 1981 by Andy Dolce, the company is headquartered in Montvale, N.J., and Paris, Dolce Hotels and Resorts is majority owned by Broadreach Capital Partners and employs approximately 4,000 worldwide.  Additional information is available at www.dolce.com.

Founded in 1981, the International Association of Conference Centers is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting understanding and awareness of the conference center industry and to giving member properties the tools necessary to provide an exceptional meeting experience. Active members meet a set of stringent Universal Criteria and agree to a Code of Ethics. Currently, the association includes approximately 400 members from the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, France, England, The Netherlands, Germany and Japan. For more information, visit the website at www.iacconline.org.  IACC = exceptional meeting experiences.