Henry (Hank) Ciaffone, President-International of Interstate Hotels and Resorts, and Boris Guretsky, General Director of Mospromstroi, have been named as the joint winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the forthcoming Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference.

The two hospitality leaders will be presented with their awards at RHIC, which is being held 25-27 October, at the Corinthia Hotel, St. Petersburg, Russia.

The RHIC Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to individuals who, over his or her lifetime, have made a significant difference in the hospitality industry by their actions, deeds and great accomplishments.

“Hank and Boris are wonderful examples of an owner and an operator working together in a constructive relationship. Together they were responsible for creating some of the first international brands in Moscow, which allowed the region to take its initial steps into becoming a player in the global market,” said Jon Leibowitz, EVP of Questex Media Group, owners and co-organisers of the RHIC.

“They represent different cultures and languages but were able to forge past those obstacles and ultimately focus on the tasks at hand and succeed admirably.”

“We are thrilled to award Hank and Boris for their lifetime achievements in the hospitality industry,” said Jonathan Worsley, co-organiser of the RHIC. “They are truly inspirational to us all and they have made outstanding contributions to the Russia and CIS region. They embody the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurialism that the RHIC was founded upon.”

Ciaffone, a 35-year industry veteran, has been the President of International Operations and Development of the Interstate Hotels Corporation since 2003, and oversees the seven hotels Interstate manages in Russia, as well as in other regions. He also plays a key role in the company’s continuing growth in Europe. He joined the company in 1989 and held a lead role in 1995 in the International Operations and Development department when Interstate’s first hotel in Moscow opened.

Guretsky, known as one of the first and most successful non-government investors, is the General Director of Mospromstroi, the largest contractor in Moscow with 35 branches and subsidiaries and employing more than 22,000 highly qualified personnel. Guretsky had a vision beginning in 1994 that the way for the hotel industry to grow in Russia was through international brands and international operators. Subsequently, Mospromstroi developed the three Marriott hotels, Hilton and two Holiday Inns that operate in Russia today.

The joint winners were selected for the Lifetime Achievement Award by the RHIC Advisory board, made up of key hotel industry leaders with experience from the region. The advisory board is instrumental in developing a well-rounded and balanced programme with topics and regional issues to be presented and discussed on panels at the RHIC 2009.

The Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference will be held October 25-27, 2009 at the Corinthia Hotel, St. Petersburg.