Washington, August 13, 2002 - The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) recently awarded 22 hospitality students each with a $1,500 scholarship for the 2002-2003 academic year. The AH&LEF-administered international academic competition sponsored by the IAHI, an international association of owners and operators who franchise Six Continents Hotels lodging properties, to award outstanding hospitality students.

The IAHI scholarship program is open to all part- and full-time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in an accredited college or university, vocational/technical school, or training program with a declared major in hotel, food and beverage, or some other hospitality- related program. Additionally, the students must be employed at an IAHI member lodging property to qualify.

“This program as been a resounding success in terms of supporting and rewarding lodging employees who have a desire to pursue or continue their academic endeavors. These individuals will gain valuable training and education, which ultimately secures the future success of the hospitality industry,” said AH&LEF Director of Foundation Programs Michelle Poinelli.

“For 56 years, the IAHI has represented the interests of franchise owners of Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, and Staybridge Suite Hotels. The IAHI scholarship program is just one more positive example of our IAHI member benefits, immaterial of size and location of the property. With over 10 years of providing scholarships to deserving Hospitality Industry students, what better way to ensure for our future success, and especially Six Continents Hotel brands, than providing for the education of our current and future leaders,” said IAHI Chairman George Glover. In addition, one student enrolled at the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management at the University of Memphis was to receive a separate $5,000 scholarship. However, do to a lack of unqualified applicants, the funds will be held until a recipient is identified during next year’s program. For more information about the IAHI scholarship program, visit IAHI’s Web site, www.iahi.org, or contact Whitney Webster at (770) 604-5506 or [email protected]. For questions regarding other AH&LEF scholarships, contact Poinelli at (202) 289-3181 or [email protected].

AH&LEF is the only educational dollar-dispensing, not-for-profit affiliate of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. In April 2002, it merged with AH&LA’s other affiliate, the Educational Institute, to become the largest educational and training provider for the hospitality industry. For over 88 combined years, the newly formed AH&LEF is the premier organization for scholarships, professional certification, and instructional material as well as funding for industry research.

The IAHI is an international association of hotel owners and operators who franchise from Six Continents Hotels. Our members own and operate Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites brands. The IAHI was formed in 1955, and represents its membership in working with Six Continents Hotels for the purpose of maintaining the highest professional hospitality standards for its brands.

AH&LA is a 92-year-old federation of state lodging associations throughout the United States with some 13,000 property members worldwide, representing more than 1.7 million guest rooms. AH&LA provides its members with assistance in operations, education, and communications, and lobbies on Capitol Hill to provide a business climate in which the industry can continue to prosper. Individual state associations provide representation at the state level and offer many additional cost-saving benefits.

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