PHILADELPHIA, PA � April 24, 2003 � Bob Johns, general manager of ARAMARK Harrison Lodging�s Center for Executive Education at Babson College in Wellesley, MA, has been announced as the winner of the International Association of Conference Center�s (IACC) Award of Excellence in 2003.  Johns, who received the award in recognition of his educational endeavors on behalf of IACC-North America, has played an intricate role in the conference center industry for the past 25 years.  The presentation was made at IACC�s 22nd Annual Conference held in Banff, Alberta, Canada.

Bob Johns

Candidates of this award are required to have a minimum of three years of volunteer service.  Johns has exceeded that requirement in several ways.  In addition to spending many years on IACC�s Annual Conference Planning Committee, co-chairing the Technology Committee and serving on IACC�s leadership development committee, he also co-chaired the New England special interest group (SIG) from 1995-1998 and has been a host of professional development programs and study tours over the years.  He just finished his longtime service on IACC�s Board of Directors as a member and an officer of the association. 

Since joining Harrison Conference Centers, which became part of ARAMARK Harrison Lodging in 2002, Johns has held a variety of leadership positions. He currently serves as general manager of The Center For Executive Education at Babson College, which has recently undergone a $32 million, 85,000 square - foot expansion.  Johns consistently strives for excellence in all areas of the conference center industry and serves as a role model for all ARAMARK Harrison properties in New England.  Prior to his role at Babson, Johns was director of operations at The Merrill Lynch Conference and Training Center and general manager of the Conference Center at Eagle Lodge. 

Offering a collection of the world�s most effective environments for learning, communication and personal growth, ARAMARK Harrison Lodging operates more than 50 conference centers, corporate training centers, and specialty hotels in educational environments � each strategically located close to leading business destinations.  The company supports the stringent standards of IACC and harnesses the power and expertise of its founding entities to expand its contributions to the industry.

To learn more about ARAMARK Harrison Lodging or to book a meeting, log onto www.aramarkharrisonlodging.com, or call their sales office at 1-800-422-MEET.

IACC is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1981 to promote advancement and awareness of the conference center industry. For more information, contact Tom Bolman, executive vice president, IACC, 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141; (314) 993-8575; fax (314) 993-8919; email [email protected]; or visit IACC�s web site at www.iacconline.org.