Michael Roberts

President Roberts Hotels, NABHOOD Chairman

NABHOOD CELEBRATES ITS COMMITMENT TO INCREASE AFRICAN AMERICAN HOTEL OWNERSHIP.

I would personally like to invite you to become a member of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD). Our mission, to increase the number of African-Americans developing, managing, operating and owning hotels; increase vendor opportunities & executive level jobs for minorities, thereby creating wealth within the African-American community. If you are interested in the hospitality industry, and want to work with people that will help you realize your dreams and make a difference, then this is your organization.

Welcome to our 12th Annual International African American Hotel Ownership /Multicultural Tourism Summit & Trade Show. As we gather to reflect on the accomplishments of our industry and discuss the trends that lie ahead, I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge this year as our 11th anniversary and to share some of the recent positive steps that the NABHOOD has taken to benefit our members and supporters.
I joined the NABHOOD organization because of my commitment to our mission -- Increase the number of African-Americans developing, managing, operating and owning hotels; increase vendor opportunities & executive level jobs for minorities, thereby creating wealth within the African-American community. Our commitment to the hotel and hospitality industry is evident in the successful outcome of our annual trade show. After the hugely successful trade show last year, we decided to recommit to its infrastructure in order to strengthen its ability to deliver its mission. We have made some significant progress and continue to work to fine tune the organization so that it is more efficient and more effective at accomplishing our mission.
Some highlights of our recent work include upgrading our infrastructure in order to expand membership benefits; strengthen governance and enhance communications with members. We have also strengthened our commitment to good corporate governance by amending our bylaws, enhancing our Board of Directors by activating the Standing Committees and initiating a process for ongoing communications with our sponsors and members so we can share best practices and ideas. Additionally, we have recommitted to our core mission statement of educating African Americans about all aspects of the hotel industry -- management, operations, and ownership.
Our strengthened position has helped us bolster our work through strategic alliances. We have also joined forces with Miller Law Group, PC, Goldstein Law Group, PC; and other legal professionals to assist our members with legal advice and services to help them with their business. We have strengthened our relationship with hotel franchisers in order to better service our members who are involved or interested in investing in franchises.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to our corporate partners and sponsors, our Executive Committee and Board Members, our volunteers, our conference planning committee, our event planners and the national office team for their overwhelming support. I also would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Andy Ingraham, our President and CEO for his dynamic leadership and his untiring commitment to our organization and to make The Summit the best event ever. Despite his commitments to his family, his company and number of charitable organizations, Andy’s energy for NABHOOD has never wavered. His leadership has laid a solid foundation for the many plans we have charted for our future.
I look forward to working with you to achieve our vital mission of increasing ownership for African-Americans in the hotel and hospitality industry.