(Berlin/Germany – Ocotober 4, 2012) Majid Mangalji, President of Westmont Hospitality Group, has been named as the 2013 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 16th annual International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF). This year’s conference will take place on the 4-6th March 2013 at the InterContinental Hotel Berlin, Germany.
The IHIF Lifetime Achievement Award is renowned throughout the hospitality community and recognises an individual who has made a significant difference in the industry over the course of their lifetime.
The Westmont Group was founded in 1975. What started with a single hotel in North America, has today become one of the largest privately-held hospitality organizations in the world. Having built the company with his family, Mr. Mangalji has been involved in all aspects of the development of the Westmont Group. During this period it has grown to become one of the largest hotel owner operators in the world with a significant presence in North America, Europe, and Asia. As the head of this global group, Mr. Mangalji has developed an extensive knowledge of international hospitality markets, investing and operating in these markets and has created strong relationships with major international hotel brands, leading financial institutions, and investment funds.
Mr Mangalji is the Chairman of the Board of InnVest REIT, the largest publicly listed hotel company in Canada. He sits on the Board of IREFAC (Industry Real Estate Financing Advisory Council to the American Hotel Association) and IHIC (International Hospitality Investment Council based in Europe).
Mr. Mangalji holds a business degree with a double major in Accounting and Marketing.
Throughout the years, the Westmont Group has had an ownership interest in and operated over 1000 hotels; currently this stands at over 500 hotels across three continents. Westmont has formed several strategic alliances and branding relationships with all the major hotel brands in the world. The company is one of the largest owner/operator and franchisees of IHG Hotels and Hilton Hotels worldwide. Westmont has a very diversified portfolio ranging from budget and extended-stay apart-hotels to mid-market business and conference hotels to boutique hotels and a few luxury resorts.
Tess Pearson, Event Director Questex Media Group, hosts of IHIF commented: “The Lifetime Achievement Award engenders such respect throughout the industry and never was there a more worthy recipient than Majid. He has guided the team at Westmont through the most challenging period in its history and remained level-headed and inspiring throughout.”
Jonathan Worsley, Chairman and CEO Bench Events, who works in association with IHIF congratulated Mr Mangalji on the award and said: “The presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the real highlights of the conference and highly anticipated every year. We are delighted to honour Majid’s accomplishments over the course of his career and admire and value his contribution to our industry.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is selected by a committee comprised of the IHIF’s Patrons, Sponsors, Hosts, and Organizers.
Previous Lifetime Achievement Award winners, in no particular order, include: Isadore Sharpe, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts; Lord Forte, Forte Hotels; Gabriel Escarrer, Sol Melia; Paul Dubrule & Gerard Pellison, Accor; Georg Rafael, Rafael Hotels; Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Carlson; PRS Oberoi, Oberoi Hotels; Kurt Ritter, Rezidor; Jim Sherwood, Orient-Express; Sir David Michels, Hilton International, Michael Hirst OBE, CB Richard Ellis Hotels and Alan Parker CBE, Chief Executive of Whitbread plc and Edwin D. Fuller, Marriott International.