Best Western Announces 2012 Board of Directors

PHOENIX, Dec. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Western International announced today that its Board of Directors has elected Devang (Dave) Amin as chairman of the Board of Directors. Amin previously served as the Board's secretary-treasurer and is the owner of the BEST WESTERN Horizon Inn in Edinburg, Ind., the BEST WESTERN PLUS Gateway Inn & Suites in Evansville, Ind., and the BEST WESTERN Torchlite Motor Inn in Wheatlands, Wyo.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110111/LA27838LOGO)

James Cosgrove, District VII Director (northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada) and a second-generation Best Western Member, was elected as vice-chairman to the Board of Directors. Cosgrove is the owner of the award-winning BEST WESTERN PLUS Revere Inn & Suites in Paradise, Pa.

The Board of Directors also elected District V Director (mid-southern U.S.) Jay Patel to the position of secretary-treasurer. Jay Patel has been with Best Western for more than 25 years and has developed five Best Western hotels in Louisiana.

Prior to these Board of Director appointments, District IV (southeastern U.S.) elected Dilipkumar (Danny) Patel as its Director.  Danny Patel, who has been a Best Western Member for 17 years, has served as chairman of the Board of Directors for the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (www.aahoa.com) and as a Best Western Governor and member of the Design Advisory Committee. He is the CEO of Peach State Hospitality, a Georgia-based hotel development and management company, which has developed 32 branded and independent hotels in Georgia and Alabama. Additionally, Danny Patel has served as director on the board of the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association.

In the northwest U.S. and western Canada, District II members elected Beth Campbell to serve a second term as their Director. Campbell served as Board Chair in 2010, has chaired the brand's Marketing Advisory Committee, and served as a brand governor for 15 years.  In addition, Campbell she spent 15 years as mayor and city council member for the city of Penticton, BC.  For the past 30 years, Campbell has owned and operated that city's BEST WESTERN PLUS Inn at Penticton, a Three-Diamond resort-style property.

"Our Board of Directors, made up of seven of Best Western's dedicated hoteliers, is committed to helping define what our iconic brand's course will be," said David Kong, president and CEO of Best Western International. "These talented hotel owner-operators work very hard to ensure all our hotels remain competitive and deliver on our brand promise."

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ABOUT BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Best Western International, Inc. is THE WORLD'S BIGGEST HOTEL FAMILY®, providing marketing, reservations and operational support to over 4,000* BEST WESTERN®, BEST WESTERN PLUS® and BEST WESTERN PREMIER® hotels in more than 100* countries and territories worldwide. Each Best Western-branded hotel is independently owned and operated. Now celebrating 65 years of hospitality, Best Western has grown into an iconic brand that hosts hundreds of thousands each night. Equally committed to the business and leisure traveler, Best Western has embarked on a mission to lead the hotel industry in customer care. World Vision is the charity of choice for Best Western in building the world's biggest family, with our hotels and staff sponsoring children in need around the globe. Our partnerships with AAA/CAA, Michael Waltrip Racing™ and Harley-Davidson® help guests make the most of every trip. For the fastest way to a free night globally, join Best Western Rewards®. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.bestwestern.com.

SOURCE Best Western International