US: The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) and the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) has recognised Jack DeBoer with the Pioneer Award.
With the founding of Residence Inn, followed by Summerfield Suites and Candlewood Suites, DeBoer is recognised as the pioneer of the extended-stay and all-suite hotel concepts. He designed and built the first Residence Inn, an all-suite hotel, in downtown Wichita, Kansas, in 1975, and built or franchised 103 more properties before selling The Residence Inn Company to Marriott Corporation in 1987.
In 1988, he co-founded Summerfield Hotel Corporation, a second-generation upscale all-suite hotel chain, which was sold to Hyatt. In 1995, he founded the Candlewood Hotel Company. After developing 130 hotels, Candlewood was purchased by InterContinental Hotels Group in December 2003. In June 2002, DeBoer used his extended-stay hotel model to create Value Place, a short-term apartment concept that continues to expand. Value Place, now known as WoodSprings, sold to Choice Hotels in January 2018. In 2014, he founded WaterWalk Hotel Apartments, a hybrid between a hotel and an apartment.
Today, DeBoer serves as chairman of the board for the Hix Corporation, the premier manufacturer of printing equipment, electric and gas dryers, and machines for the food industry. He also serves as chairman of Consolidated Holdings, Inc., a company he founded in 1989.
Andrea Belfanti, executive director of ISHC, said: “Jack DeBoer is extremely deserving of this award and ISHC is honoured to be able to give it to him. As the pioneer of the extended-stay concept over 40 years ago, his vision has forever changed the landscape of the hospitality industry. Today the extended-stay segment is even more relevant to our industry than ever before and continues to grow exponentially. ISHC members recognise the incredible impact Jack has had on our industry and we are thankful for his legacy.”
The ISHC Pioneer Award was established in 1996 to recognise an individual each year who has made an outstanding contribution, achievement and/or improvement in the hospitality industry.
