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Positive Outlook Evident at First 2010 ASFONA Board Meeting
 

Economic recovery, ramped up sustainability initiatives, and changes to Starwood’s North American
operations management structure headline the year’s first ASFONA Board of Directors meeting


Atlanta — January 25, 2010
— Despite acknowledging that 2009 was one of the worst years in recent history for the worldwide hospitality industry, a positive outlook was readily apparent at this year’s first ASFONA (Association of Starwood Franchisees & Owners – North America) Board of Directors meeting. The January ASFONA Board of Directors meeting, held in Atlanta, was attended by an influential group of Starwood representatives, Starwood-branded hotel owners and franchisees, and select associate members. The collective sigh of relief that 2009 was finally over was almost audible in the meeting room, as attendees discussed the current trading conditions, and shared views on the economic recovery and its potential short- and long-term impacts on the hotel and travel industry.
 
“There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that it was a very tough year for the hotel industry as a whole, and particularly for the full service and luxury market,” stated John Shingler, ASFONA president. “However, many of our Starwood owners and franchisees have weathered the storm better than most, due in part to the strength of our brands and the support of one of the world’s strongest hotel organizations.

“Our sense is that the hotel industry recovery in North America will not happen overnight,” added Shingler. “It will likely be a slow ‘U’ as opposed to a sharp ‘V’, but the good news is that all the industry information that we have been provided with indicates that hotel business demand in North America is headed in a more positive direction, starting sooner than later in 2010.”

ASFONA’s primary role is to interact with Starwood in the development of brand policies, standards, technologies, and other business areas that impact its members businesses. Therefore, another important item on the agenda at the January ASFONA board meeting included the recently announced organizational management responsibility changes for Full Service and Specialty Select Service brands within Starwood Hotels & Resorts in North America.  A presentation outlining the key points of the changes was given by Lynne Dougherty, Senior Vice President – Owner & Franchise Services for Starwood.

“We are looking to drive the maximum value for our franchise partners and Starwood shareholders, and it was evident that we needed to evolve our franchise organization and deliverables into two distinct organizations. We have not downsized, but rather implemented shared resources and increased internal efficiencies to make Starwood an even stronger and more proactive organization,” said Dougherty.

Starwood’s new sustainability initiatives were also presented, including an overview of the new aloft™ brand. The four areas of focus for 2010 across the Starwood brands include (1) energy and water conservation, (2) waste minimization, (3) enhanced indoor air quality, and (4) sustainable meetings.

Presentations by ASFONA’s honorary board members for the associate member/vendor community highlighted an array of new and exciting initiatives, including a number of sustainable options, such as organic linens, biodegradable plastics and Energy Star®-rated electronics.

For more information on ASFONA, including the association’s 2010 initiatives, please contact John Shingler at (713) 523-1352 or visit www.asfona.com.

About ASFONA - Association of Starwood Franchisees & Owners – North America
The mandate of ASFONA is to provide an effective line of communication between Starwood and its franchisees, owners and hotel management companies doing business in North America. The association provides Starwood the opportunity to seek the council and opinion of the franchise and ownership community on policy and standard operating procedures that can influence the owners’ businesses and the cost of doing business.

ASFONA’s Board of Directors is charged with providing the leadership required to build strong working relationships between Starwood and its franchisees and owners. The primary goal of ASFONA is to ensure that all ownership groups, and specifically those in membership, have a solid platform upon which both ASFONA and Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ management can work together in building the best and most successful brands in the hotel industry. For more information, please visit www.asfona.com.

 
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Contact:

John Shingler
President
ASFONA
[email protected]
Tel: 1-713-523-1352
 
Media Inquiries, contact:
Andrea Roland
Plan A Public Relations & Marketing, Inc.
[email protected]
Tel: 407-905-0608


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