WHITE PLAINS, NY, December 23, 2003 ... Beginning in 2004, the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show® (IH/M&RS) will introduce a new four-day format, with a full-day conference and networking event augmenting three days of exhibits.

On Saturday, November 13, 2004 the IH/M&RS will feature a comprehensive conference program for the hospitality industry, as well as association governance meetings, the Air Force Innkeepers Awards and Luncheon, an industry career fair and after hours networking events. Exhibits will run from Sunday, November 14, through Tuesday, November 16, and will feature some 1,500 suppliers of products and services for the lodging and foodservice industries.

"Market research tells us that this concentrated format � with three days of exhibits covering two business days and a full-day of conference and networking activities � will best serve exhibitor and attendee needs, while delivering the same qualified buying audience," said John Russell, chairman of the 2004 IHM&RS Board of Directors.

John Russell, a partner of Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russell and CEO of Hospitality Artists, LLC, has been named Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show® (IH/M&RS) for 2004. In addition, Chester S. Deptula, General Manager of the Surrey Hotel in New York City, has joined the nine-member Board.

Russell has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry including service as chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). Russell is a partner of Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russel and CEO of Hospitality Artists, LLC. He has held positions such as vice chairman of Cendant�s Travel Division; chairman and CEO of Cendant�s Hotel Division; president and CEO of Resort Condominium International LLC, Global Operations; and executive vice president of franchise sales for Century 21 Real Estate Corporation. He began his hotel career as a tour and travel sales manager at the Sheraton Park Hotel in Washington, DC. Russell has also held positions with Days Inn. He is a graduate of West Point, having served both stateside and overseas in Vietnam and Germany before leaving the Army as a captain.

Deptula replaces Gary Schweikert, Regional Vice President � New York and Managing Director of The Plaza Hotel, who retired from the board of directors at the conclusion of the 2003 IH/M&RS. Deptula is currently the general manager of the Surrey Hotel in New York City, a position he has held since 1984, and serves as chairman of the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC). In his 40 years in the hospitality industry, Deptula has held a number of posts with the Plaza Hotel, St. Regis Hotel and the Regency Hotel, all in New York City.

Current Board members for the 2004 IH/M&RS include: 

• Chairman, John Russell of Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russell and Hospitality Artists, LLC (Orlando, FL); 
• Treasurer, Joseph E. Spinnato, Esq., of the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc. (HANYC); 
• Secretary, Daniel C. Murphy of the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association (NYSH&TA); 
• Joseph McInerney of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA); 
• Robert A. Holt of Best Western Inns & Suites (Cooperstown, NY); 
• Xavier S. Lividini, CHA, of The Mayflower Hotel (New York, NY); 
• Gene Rupnik of Rupnik Hospitality Management (Springfield, IL); and 
• Chester S. Deptula, Surrey Hotel (New York, NY).

The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show is sponsored by the American Hotel & Lodging Association; the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc.; the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, and is managed by George Little Management, LLC (GLM®).

For IH/M&RS exhibitor information, contact Christian Falkenberg, show manager, at GLM, Ten Bank Street, White Plains, NY 10606-1954. Telephone (914) 421-3296. Fax (914) 948-6180. E-mail: [email protected].