New Industry Association Growing Fast

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL— The National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD)— officially launched just two months ago— has passed the 40-member mark, according to association President Andy Ingraham (of Horizons Marketing Group International). As noted by NABHOOD’s inaugural Chairman Donnell Thompson of Thompson Hospitality in High Point, NC, the group’s members already represent more than 50 lodging facilities ranging from limited-service to luxury hotels. Additionally, Thompson said the fledgling organization “is dedicated to improving the lot and raising the profile of people of color within the lodging business.” As such, he maintained that the new association’s ranks are open not only to hotel owners and developers but to virtually any African-American in the ranks of operations and/or management. Operating under an agenda of boosting the number and level of career opportunities available to black professionals in the hotel business, Ingraham and Thompson were optimistic that NABHOOD’s membership rolls could include some 150 black hotel owners within five years. —Michael Billig