Other notables being honored with Hospitality Industry Hall of Honor recognition are: Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Carlson Companies; Gabriel Escarrer Julia, Sol Melia; and Alice Sheets Marriott, wife of J. Willard Marriott (being inducted posthumously). William Norman, president and CEO of the Travel Industry Association of America, and Tom Curley, president and publisher of USA Today, will serve as Masters of Ceremony.
    
The Hogans, who began Pleasant in 1959, are pioneers in packaged travel and today operate the largest travel company serving Hawaii, sending nearly 500,000 visitors a year to the Islands. In 1998, the Hogans formed Pleasant Holidays, L.L.C., which now serves as the parent company of Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays, Pleasant Mexico Holidays, Pleasant Tahitian Holidays, Pleasant South Pacific Holidays, Pleasant Fiji Holidays, Pleasant Australia/New Zealand Holidays, Japan & Orient Tours, Destinations Plus, Pleasant Island Holidays, Vacation Acceptance Company, and other travel-related businesses.

Since that time, the annual net profits of the travel group have gone to The Hogan Family Foundation, a non-profit organization that operates and funds charitable and educational programs that promote the importance of travel and tourism to world peace and commerce.

Dr. Ronald A. Nykiel, chairman of the Hall of Honor, stated, "The Board of Overseers recognizes the Hogans' substantial contribution to the global hospitality industry through their outstanding vision and leadership. As a result, they have helped grow the industry and have exhibited the leadership examples every aspiring industry leader can learn from and strive toward."
    
The Hospitality Industry Hall of Honor and Archives are located at the Conrad N. Hilton College. Within the complex are displays and memorabilia related to the life, career and accomplishments of each inductee. Dr. Nykiel stated: "...from the moving portraits in the `Leaders Gallery' to the visual displays and historic documents, a true `learning from leadership' education environment is provided."
    
Ed Hogan, who believes strongly that world peace and economic stability are fostered by travel and tourism, has just introduced a Pleasant promotion he calls "Keep `Em Flying." This is Pleasant's commitment to help get America's economy moving again, a vow to return to normalcy following the horrific acts of violence of Sept. 11.
    
Hogan says, "Those responsible for these tragic events believed our country would fold in a crisis, paralyze our will to travel and stifle our economy. Well, they were wrong, and seriously misjudged Americans. As President Bush stated, we must -- and will -- resolve to travel and live again our normal productive lives in a free, democratic society."
    
With more than 50 years of travel industry experience and observer of many historic events, Hogan adds, "As Americans, we've shown immense compassion for the families of victims of the New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., tragedies. Now, it's time to step up to the plate, to show our courage by flying again."
    
And, for the near 500 urban search and rescue personnel recently sent from Hogan's home state of California to help in New York, Hogan has developed a fundraising effort through Pleasant to generate $500,000 for the Firefighters' Widows & Orphans Fund.
    
Throughout their careers, the Hogans have been recognized many times for their accomplishments. For example, the American Society of Travel Agents inducted them into their prestigious World Hall of Fame in 1993. Ed was also named to the Travel Industry Association's Hall of Leaders in 1999.
    
The first inductees of the Hospitality Hall of Honor were: Conrad N. Hilton, J. Willard Marriott, Vernon Stouffer and Kemmons Wilson. Other inductees into the Hall of Honor include: Curtis Carlson, Robert Crandall, Robert Dedman, Walt Disney, Paul Dubrule & Gerard Pelisson, Lord Charles Forte, Barron Hilton, Ray Kroc, Howard Johnson, J. Willard Marriott, Jr., Colonel Harland Sanders, Isadore Sharp, Ellsworth Statler, Laurence A. and Preston Robert Tisch.