PHOENIX (March 2, 2011) – James Cosgrove, a hotel owner from Lancaster, Pa., has been elected to serve on the Best Western International Board of Directors. Cosgrove represents Best Western hotel owners in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada, from Newfoundland and Labrador south to Virginia.

“Jim and his family have been affiliated with Best Western for many years. We are excited to welcome him to his new role, and look forward to his thoughtful leadership,” said David Kong, Best Western International president and CEO.

Before being elected to the Board, Cosgrove held a number of leadership positions with the brand. He served as a brand governor for southeastern Pennsylvania and as a member of the brand’s marketing advisory and reservation and technology committees. He also served as chair of Best Western’s New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania marketing co-op and sat on the board of the brand’s Global Marketing Group. For the past decade, Cosgrove has represented his hotel and the brand at travel trade shows around the globe.

Cosgrove and his family own and operate the award-winning BEST WESTERN PLUS Revere Inn & Suites in Paradise, Pa., The historic, full-service hotel in Pennsylvania’s Amish country has been in the family for more than 40 years. The Cosgroves also own and operate the adjacent Revere Tavern. Built in the 1700’s, the former stagecoach stop was previously owned by President Buchanan.

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Best Western International, Inc. is THE WORLD’S BIGGEST HOTEL FAMILYSM, providing marketing, reservations and operational support to over 4,000* BEST WESTERN®, BEST WESTERN PLUS® and BEST WESTERN PREMIER® hotels in 90* countries and territories worldwide. Each Best Western-branded hotel is independently owned and operated. Now celebrating 65 years of hospitality, Best Western has grown into an iconic brand that hosts 400,000* worldwide guests each night. Equally committed to the business and leisure traveler, Best Western has embarked on a mission to lead the hotel industry in customer care. World Vision is the charity of choice for Best Western in building the world's biggest family, with our hotels and staff sponsoring children in need around the globe. Our partnerships with AAA/CAA, Michael Waltrip Racing™ and Harley-Davidson® help guests make the most of every trip. For the fastest way to a free night globally, join Best Western Rewards®. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.bestwestern.com.

*Numbers are approximate and can fluctuate.