WASHINGTON, DC (Oct. 29, 2001) � The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has announced the recipients of the coveted 2001 Albert E. Koehl and Winthrop W. Grice Awards, which will be officially presented at the Annual HSMAI Awards Celebration and Dinner on Jan. 29, 2002 at the Marriott Marquis in New York. 

This year�s honorees are Horst H. Schulze, formerly vice chairman of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. and Eric Friedheim, Editor Emeritus of Travel Agent Magazine, respectively. 

Albert E. Koehl Award: 

Horst H. Schulze, the 26th recipient of the Albert E. Koehl award, joined the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in 1983.  Over the past two decades, under his charismatic leadership, the company has been awarded the 1992 and 1999 Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award and has been continuously voted �best hotel company in the world� by leading convention and trade publications. 
In 1991, Schulze was recognized by his peers and named �corporate hotelier of the world� by Hotels Magazine.  He was also awarded the prestigious Ishikawa Medal for his personal contributions to the quality movement. 

The HSMAI Adrian Awards Committee established the Albert E. Koehl award in 1975 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to advertising and marketing in the hospitality industry.  A lifetime achievement award, it was named in honor of Albert E. Koehl, a pioneer in hotel advertising. 

Winthrop W. Grice Award: 

Eric Friedheim is the 13th honoree of the Winthrop W. Grice award.  Friedheim acquired Travel Agent Magazine in 1951 and after selling the magazine in 1978 he remained the editor-in-chief until 1999.  He has won numerous industry awards including the distinction of  being inducted into the HSMAI Travel Industry Hall of Fame. 

Friedheim is also the author of several works including �Fighters Up,� the official history of American fighter pilots in the battle of Europe, and �Agents of Change, The Story of Vacation.com.� 

The Winthrop W. Grice Award was established in 1989 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to public relations in the hospitality industry.  It was named in honor of Winthrop W. Grice, a long-time senior marketing executive with Marriott, who was the award�s first recipient. 

�The success of HSMAI is a by-product of the many individuals who have spent tireless hours and energy working on its behalf,� states Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI.  �By acknowledging their contributions, we can pay tribute to their efforts and accomplishments, and hopefully encourage others to make similar commitments to their careers, the industry and to HSMAI,� he added. 

HSMAI is an organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry while operating as a leading voice for both hospitality and sales and marketing management disciplines.  Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprised of over 5,000 members from 35 countries and 60 chapters worldwide.