Bernard Chênevert Appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors - A Wind of Change for the Hotel Association of Greater Montreal

MONTREAL, April 18, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Hotel Association of Greater Montreal (AHGM) is pleased to announce that Bernard Chênevert, General Manager of the InterContinental Montreal (IHG), has been appointed chairman of the board of directors.

Mr. Chênevert is an effective, results-oriented manager with extensive experience in the hospitality industry. In 2008, he led the strategic repositioning of the InterContinental Hotel Montreal, prior to which he held senior roles with several renowned hotels in Quebec including W Montréal (Starwood), Le Westin Resort & Spa Tremblant (Intrawest), and Hôtel du Lac Carling (Small Luxury Hotels of the World). In 2011, Mr. Chênevert won the General Manager of the Year award within the InterContinental Hotel Chain (Americas division).

"It is with great enthusiasm that I accept the mandate to preside over the Association's board of directors. As a professional, I am very proud to work in Montreal's hospitality industry and to fully recognize the importance of the hospitality industry on the city's economy. During my term, I will continue to defend the interests of our members among various industry stakeholders while ensuring that hotels in the Greater Montreal region retain their reputation for the outstanding courtesy and hospitality for which they are recognized," explained Bernard Chênevert.

Eve Paré, AHGM President and CEO, also took the opportunity to highlight the excellent work of outgoing Association President Gerard Breton, Executive Director of Square Phillips Hotel & Suites, who will be retiring after a long and successful career in the hospitality industry.

"Mr. Breton has led our latest strategic planning exercise magnificently and I am honoured that along with the AHGM team, he has thrown his full support behind the implementation of the new directions we are taking," Eve Paré affirmed.

The Board of Directors of the AHGM also announced yesterday at its annual meeting the appointment of its newest board member, Mr. Vittorio Di Re, General Manager of Hôtel Le Saint-Sulpice.

These latest announcements are part of the AHGM's new strategy to be more visible and to highlight the hospitality industry's significant contribution to the Montreal economy. In 2012, Montreal's hotel sector comprised 17,500 hotel rooms, representing 4.2 million stays by tourists visiting the city. The hospitality industry contributes to 45,000 tourism-based jobs in Montreal.

About the Hotel Association of Greater Montreal
Founded in 1949, the Hotel Association of Greater Montreal is the professional association of hotel establishments in Montreal. Its mission is to represent its members before government agencies and other organizations on various topics directly or indirectly affecting the hospitality industry in Montreal. The Association also guides and supports its members in their professional activities and initiates or contributes to relevant initiatives that promote the development and growth of the hotel industry in the Greater Montreal region.

SOURCE: Hotel Association of Greater Montréal

Noémie Prégent-Charlebois
514-716-8298