Top 100 People Who Dramatically Influenced the Hotel Industry

Due to positive response from literally dozens of people around the globe and requests for additional time to submit more details on nominees, hotelier and educator John Hogan has extended an earlier closing date to 3/31/04 in order receive information and nominations on the Top 100 People of all time who Influenced and Changed the Hotel Industry


While Hogan’s research will be used as partial fulfillment of his current quest to complete his doctorate in International Business, it will also be the foundation of a book that he hopes will be used in hospitality programs.
"Every industry has cycles that tend to repeat, but the hotel segment of the hospitality industry is one that retained its’ foundations of service and long term profitability while adapting to global economic conditions" Hogan says.

“The people that have been nominated to date are those who have made a difference in the industry as a whole. Pioneers in franchising, market segmentation and consolidation represent a portion of the nominees, but the group includes many from around the world who have offered unique solutions to real estate development or who have made service a measurable benchmark of excellence.

Research to date has included material found in documents available online, from company and private sources, individuals and University archives, such as those housed at the Hilton School of Hospitality Management at the University of Houston.

Many of the better known names have been submitted such as Lord Charles Forte of the UK, the Swiss Caesar Ritz, America’s Curt Carlson and M.K. Guertin, but additional nominations from the industry have identified individuals whose legacy may or may not include a brand named after them but have made a truly major impact on the industry.

While the deadline has been slightly extended, Hogan invites those with documentary material and background information to write or email him as soon as possible with information, as the first draft of the book is expected by summer 2004.

There are certain specific points of information being sought, such as any far-reaching contributions that the hotel industry may have adopted. These could be in a wide range of diverse areas such as:

• Acquisitions and mergers
• Design
• Education
• Franchising
• Globalization and/or diversity
• International trade
• Marketing & Sales
• Positioning in the market
• Service
• Specialty or niche markets, such a time shares, mixed use development or long term residence
• Training
• Other factors that changed the industry greatly

To download the nomination form click here.
Adobe Acrobat© is required to access the form.


John Hogan, MBA CHA MHS is the Director of Education & Cultural Diversity for Best Western International, the world’s largest hotel chain. His background includes teaching college level courses as an adjunct professor for 20 years, while working with Sheraton, Hilton, Omni and independents hotels. Prior to joining Best Western International in spring of 2000, he was the principal in an independent training & consulting group for more than 12 years serving associations, management groups, convention & visitors’ bureaus, academic institutions and as an expert witness. He continues to be involved in a number of industry associations, including CHRIE, AAHOA, AH&LA and several university level accreditations commissions. He has conducted more than 3,000 workshops and seminars in his career to date.
He has published more than 175 articles & columns on the hospitality industry and is co-author (with Howard Feiertag, CHA CMP) of LESSONS FROM THE FIELD – A COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO EFFECTIVE HOTEL SALES.

Hogan can be reached by email at tophotel100@yahoo.com. Written and printed material can be sent to the author c/o TOP 100, c/o LESSONS FROM THE FIELD, PO Box 23177, Phoenix, AZ 85063 - 3177


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