IHLA Honors Hostmark Hospitality Group President for Lifetime Achievement

Schaumburg, IL, May 29, 2008 – The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) awarded their most prestigious honor to Mr. Robert J. “Bob” Cataldo, President and Chief Operating Officer of Hostmark Hospitality Group, at the 13th Annual Hospitality Luncheon held during the National Restaurant Association Convention at McCormick Place in Chicago this month. With over 500 hospitality professionals in attendance, Mr. Cataldo received the 2008 IHLA J. Patrick Leahy Lifetime Achievement Award in its inaugural year, recognizing enduring excellence in the hospitality industry.

Mr. Cataldo maintains responsibility for all operations of hotels, resorts and restaurants in Hostmark’s management portfolio and development pipeline, also directing the company’s relationships with hotel owners, financial and institutional fund managers and hotel franchise companies. With experience spanning four decades and including positions as general manager and director of food and beverage with various branded and independent hotels, including the post of General Manager at the famed Ambassador West Hotel on Chicago’s Gold Coast, Mr. Cataldo has developed and held operational responsibility for more than 300 hotels and resorts with asset value exceeding $3 billion.

Among his many accomplishments, which include leading a dedicated executive staff at Hostmark, Mr. Cataldo's vast experience and foresight into consumer trends prompted the launch of Amalfi, Hostmark’s boutique hotel concept, as well as the company’s international expansion, creating and bringing the Hostmark hotel brand to the global market. Mr. Cataldo is known throughout the industry as having a "hands on" approach, and is a respected leader among hotel operators internationally. He serves on numerous academic and industry boards, including that of Roosevelt University’s Manfred Steinfeld School of Hospitality Management. Additionally, he has been awarded an honorary Master’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management by the Steinfeld School, recognizing his many years of leadership in the hospitality industry.

The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association was founded in 1910 and currently comprises more than 450 hotels throughout the state of Illinois and is among the top five fastest growing state lodging associations in the United States, reflecting the dynamic Illinois tourism industry.

Mr. Marc Gordon, President and CEO of the IHLA, commented on Mr. Cataldo’s influence, describing Bob as a ‘great mentor and friend to me’ since early in his career. He included this heartfelt statement as he introduced Bob at the IHLA Hospitality Luncheon, “Bob truly has a lifetime of achievements and is a great choice to receive IHLA’s highest recognition award and to honor Pat Leahy’s memory.”

Hostmark Hospitality Group (www.hostmark.com) is a leading hospitality management firm operating upscale fullservice hotels, resorts and focused service hotels and restaurants worldwide. Headquartered in Schaumburg, IL, with Development offices in Boulder, CO, and Cairo, Egypt, Hostmark Hospitality Group is an award winning operator of Marriott, Hilton, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Starwood and Wyndham Hotels. Under consistent leadership spanning more than four decades, Hostmark Hospitality Group has launched its own boutique concept Amalfi (www.amalfihotelchicago.com), as well as other luxury independent hotels and resorts. Hostmark Hospitality Group has a proven long-standing reputation for performance-driven results through superior operating and asset management.

Contact:
Hostmark Hospitality Group
Brian Tkac, Vice President
847.517.9100
btkac@hostmark.com

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