NEW YORK— Raymond Johnston, vice chairman of the board for Best Western International— considered to be a shoe-in as the membership organizations chairman following elections later this month— was on the show floor early this morning here at the International Hotel/Motel and Restaurant Show, talking up the brand at BWIs booth. “We have movement nationally as well as internationally. We anticipate having a very aggressive development plan and expansion plan internationally as well as coming back in inside nationally to take care of our memberhship and to advance our membership in terms of quality, service and design,” he told HOTEL BUSINESS®. He noted B WI has penetrated Europe “quite heavily” with its 30-month-old Premiere product, with a concentration now on China. “As far as North Americas concerned, were still looking at that. Were trying to analyze the success of it in Europe first before we try to bring it into North America,” he added.— Stefani C. OConnor
