A Tribute to Industry Legends

The Hospitality Industry Hall of Honor

Established in 1995, the Hospitality Industry Hall of Honor recognizes those leaders in the hospitality industry who have made extraordinary contributions to American business, international business and society. Permanent displays in the Hall of Honor, the Leaders Gallery and the Hospitality Archives at the Conrad N. Hilton College memorialize the inductees’ achievements and leadership—providing a lasting tribute to the companies they conceived and built during their lifetimes.

The Hall of Honor is an exceptional educational resource for students pursing a career in hospitality management, for people working in the profession, and for individuals interested in the learning more about one of the world’s largest industries.

Members of the Hall of Honor Board of Overseers, including representatives of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the National Restaurant Association, the Travel Industry Association of America, the International Hotel and Restaurant Association and the American Gaming Association, nominate and elect each year’s new inductees into the Hall of Honor in the fall.

The 2009 Induction Ceremony

The honorees for 2009 are the late M. K. Guertin, founder of Best Western, whose idea of an informal referral system between hotels has grown into the World’s Largest Hotel Chain®, a title maintained for over 30 years with over 4,000 independently owned and operated member hotels in 80 countries and territories; and the Pappas Brothers (Christopher J. Pappas, Harris J. Pappas and the late Gregory J. Pappas) whose privately owned Houston-based restaurant chain operates nearly 100 restaurants throughout the Southwest, Southeast and Midwest and has grown to include eight brands, including Pappas Seafood Houses, Pappasito’s Cantinas and Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchens. David Kong, president and CEO of Best Western International, will accept the honor on behalf of his company’s founder, and Chris and Harris Pappas will accept for the Pappas Brothers. Visit the inductees to learn more about these industry leaders and the other hospitality giants who are honored here.

The 2009 Hall of Honor induction ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, with a reception starting at 6 p.m. The official induction ceremony is slated for 6:45 p.m. in the Conrad Hilton Grand Ballroom of the Hilton University of Houston Hotel.

As is now tradition, for the fourth consecutive year, the Hall of Honor format now creates more interaction between students, industry leaders and faculty to raise the profile of the event within the industry. To that end, in addition to the traditional formal reception, dinner and induction ceremony, our Hall of Honor activities begin with a series of think tank sessions involving both students and industry members. The think tanks are presented by Hall of Honor members and other industry leaders and moderated by a Hilton College faculty member. Other highlights of Hall of Honor Week include an industry luncheon and a reunion dinner for former inductees. A student board of directors plans and manages all Hall of Honor events.

We invite you to join us for any or all of these activities that honor our 2009 inductees. These honorees, as the others before them, are industry pioneers whose contributions have truly shaped the scope of our industry.

Contact Us

If you would like to be a part of this important event by attending or sponsoring a think tank, luncheon, reception or dinner, or if you would like to show your support by purchasing a ticket or student table for the induction ceremony itself, please contact:

John Bowen
Dean of the Conrad N. Hilton College
(713) 743-0209

Professor Thomas W. Lattin
Managing Director of Hall of Honor
(281) 580-0495