WHITE PLAINS, NY— Vijay Dandapani, COO of New York-based Apple Core Hotels, has been appointed chairman of the board of directors for the 2008 International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS). In his new role Dandapani will guide the nine-member board of directors as it develops plans for the 93rd annual IH/M&RS, which will take place Nov. 8-11 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. He is also a member of the board of directors for the Hotel Association of New York City and the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association. In addition to Dandapanis appointment, Pedro Mandoki, president/CEO of Mandoki Hospitality Group and former chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, has also been named to the shows board of directors. Other members of the board include Joseph Spinnato, president, Hotel Association of New York City; Dan Murphy, president, New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association; Joe McInerney, president/CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association; John Fitzpatrick, CEO North America, Fitzpatrick Hotel Group; Cristina Lussi, vice president sales and marketing, Crowne Plaza Resort & Golf Club Lake Placid; Tony Mangano, general manager, Ramada Inn Syracuse; and John Russell, CEO, NYLO Hotels, LLC.
