Joseph A. McInerney CHA is the president & CEO of McInerney Hospitality International LLC, a full service international consulting firm. He serves on the advisory boards at three Universities and is the author of Change is the New Status Quo, a book about leadership, management, people, and lessons learned.

He is emeritus president and chief executive officer of AH&LA.  As the chief executive of the largest trade association representing the U.S. lodging industry, McInerney implemented and directed AH&LA’s services and provided leadership to association members.  During his 12 years, he worked directly with the volunteer officers, board of directors, and partner state associations in determining the direction of the industry.

 

He has over 60 years of experience in the hospitality industry in both the for profit and not for profit sectors as president/CEO of ITT Sheraton’s Franchise Division, Hawthorn Suites, Forte Hotels, the Pacific Asia Travel Association, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association, it provides him with a global prospective and a greater understanding of the various business models as well as the cultural diversity sensitivities throughout the world.  

 

Throughout his career, McInerney has been a change agent – growing brands, creating earning streams, increasing profits, enhancing brand image, and significantly improving employee morale at the companies and associations he managed. 

 

McInerney is an honor graduate of Boston College, the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Driehaus College of Business from DePaul University, and a United States Army veteran. He is, also, a Certified Hotel Administrator via the Educational Institute.

 

McInerney has been recognized with several industry awards, including 2013 Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals Paragon Award, 2013 The Food & Beverage Association Industry Professional of the Year, 2012 Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association Beacon of Hospitality for Industry Leadership, the Boutique Lifestyle Lodging Association 2012 Person of the Year award; the first 2012 Founding Member award from DePaul University College of Commerce School of Hospitality Leadership; induction into the 2010 University of Houston’s Hospitality Hall of Honors, induction into the 2010 Massachusetts Lodging Association Hall of Fame; the 2009 J. Patrick Leahy Lifetime Achievement Award from the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association; 2007 “Above and Beyond Award” at The Lodging Conference; 2000 “Tourism Man of the Year” award by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association; the 1999 Stephen Brener, Silver Plate Lifetime Achievement Award from Hospitality Magazine; Travel Agent Magazine’s 1998 Pacific/Asia Person of the Year, and the 1994 Economy Lodging’s “Person of the Year,” by AH&LA.