In 1989, DeHaan became the sole owner, chairwoman, and CEO of RCI.  Considered a pioneer of vacation exchange, the company became a catalyst for the timeshare business � the fastest-growing segment of the travel and tourism industry.  Prior to selling the company to the Cendant Corporation (formerly known as HFS Incorporated) in 1996, RCI and its sister companies grew into a global enterprise with more than 3,000 resort affiliates and 2.2 million member families residing in 165 countries.

Since the acquisition of RCI, DeHaan started the Christel House in 1998, a public charity with a mission to help impoverished children around the world and break the cycle of poverty.  An active and recognized leader in the travel and tourism industry, she was appointed to President Clinton�s first White House Conference Task Force on Travel and Tourism, inducted into the British Tourism Hall of Fame, and named to the College of Benefactors at Nottingham University in England for establishing the DeHaan Travel & Tourism Research Institute. 
 

From Left to Right: Howard Nusbaum, President/CEO, ARDA (American Resort Development Association), Drew Dimond, Chairman, ISHC (International Society of Hospitality Consultants), Christel DeHaan, co-founder of RCI (Resorts Condominiums International) and recipient of the 2004 ISHC Pioneer Award,  Lori Raleigh, Executive Director, ISHC (International Society of Hospitality Consultants), and Bernard Delomenie, President,  ISHC (International Society of Hospitality Consultants). .

Given by ISHC � a professional society of leading hospitality consultants who provide various services to hotel owners and operators � the award selects recipients based on three areas of criteria: (1) active involvement, (2) contributions, and (3) personal/organizational attributes and qualities to the hospitality industry.

�We believe Ms. DeHaan is a true shining star within the hospitality community as well as in philanthropic matters.  She remains in the forefront of the hotel industry, committed to investigating various avenues that will aid in its continued prosperity and innovation.  All the while, she garners respect from her peers and colleagues.  MS. DeHaan is truly deserving of this award because she continues to give her very best,� said BHN President and Conference Chairman Jim Burba. 

DeHaan joins other industry luminaries in receiving the ISHC Pioneer Award including Steve Wynn, president and CEO of Wynn Resorts, Ltd.; Randy Smith, president of Smith Travel Research; Michael Leven, president and CEO of US Franchise Systems, Inc.; and Jonathan Tisch, chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels.

Co-hosted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and the Burba Hotel Network (BHN), the two and a half day event is designed to address the unique needs of the hospitality-investment community and provide a meeting and networking place for hotel executives, investors, lenders, developers, and professional financial advisors.  ALIS features an extensive array of seminars hosted by leading experts and investors discussing important trends and identifying new opportunities. 

Proceeds from ALIS benefit the educational, research, and training missions of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation, AH&LA�s not-for-profit affiliate.

For questions about the Pioneer Award, contact ISHC Executive Director Lori Raleigh at (941) 436-3915 or [email protected].

For general ALIS event information and sponsor opportunities, contact Harriet Lewis, BHN vice president, at (949) 574-3900 or [email protected]. 

The ISHC is a professional society of hospitality consultants who provide a wide range of services to owners, operators, and others involved in the hospitality industry.  The society has 170 members located in 16 countries throughout the world.  Membership of ISHC is by invitation only, with members if the organizations being principals, owners and/or directors in their firms, and considered leaders in their area of expertise.  With over 30 different areas of specialty expertise represented in the organization, including asset management, architectural and engineering, customer service training project design and construction, legal services, sales and marketing, and technology.  ISHC represents a one-of-a-kind collection of experience and expertise in the hospitality industry.