Hospitality DVP to Address Challenges Facing the Industry

Joe Martin, the 2009 Chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), recently stated at his inaugural dinner, "My timing could have been better …I’m only stepping into the chairman’s role during the worst economic crisis and retail slowdown this country has faced in the last 80 years."

On Wed, Feb 18, several hundred undergraduates will have the opportunity to hear directly from the 27-year veteran of the hospitality industry when he comes to the Providence Campus as the 50th Distinguished Visiting Professor (DVP) to The Hospitality College.

Joe Martin, CHA, is owner/operator of Stillwater Hospitality, LLC, which is based in Oklahoma. An active and long-time supporter of AH&LA, Martin has served on the association's board of directors for the past seven years. In addition, he is involved in many organizations that support and represent the hotel and lodging industries, including the Governmental Affairs/HotelPAC Committee, the Multicultural & Diversity Advisory Council, and the Women In Lodging Executive Council, among others.

To his credit and under his leadership, the Best Western Mark Motor Hotel in Weatherford, Oklahoma received the 2001, 2005, and 2006 "Best of the Best" award, the hotel chain's highest honor. Additionally, in 2003 and 2004, Martin's Hampton Inn & Suites received Hilton's highest honor, the "Connie Award."

The January issue of Lodging Magazine featured a profile of Martin. Among the first items on his agenda as new chairman of AH&LA was the release of the organization's Top 10 Tips for Hoteliers.

Students from several hospitality classes will gather in Xavier Auditorium to listen to his experiences, get advice, and ask the expert direct questions that will impact their continued studies and future careers.