Driftwood Executive Wins Top Award at LHA's Annual Conference

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. December 09, 2011

North Palm Beach, FL - December 8, 2011 - Driftwood Hospitality Management Executive Vice President Carlos Rodriguez received the Estrella Award for “Latino Hotelier of the Year” at the 2011 Latino Hotel and Restaurant Association's (LHA) International Conference & Expo. The event, which welcomed more than 200 hospitality industry leaders, was held November 16-18 at the Tropicana Las Vegas.

Rodriguez joined Driftwood in June 2003 to oversee real estate development and acquisitions, finance and investor relations. The former Chairman and CEO of Cardel Hotels, a group of affiliated hotel management, ownership and development companies, Rodriguez is based in Miami, Florida.

"We couldn't be more proud of Carlos for winning the esteemed Estrella Award from LHA," said David Buddemeyer, Driftwood's president. "Bringing years of experience as a hotel owner and avid businessman, Carlos is an instrumental part of our management team. We're happy to celebrate this monumental achievement with him."

The conference, sponsored by the Latino Hotel and Restaurant Association, featured three days of informational sessions and culminated with LHA's signature fundraising event, the Battle of the Brands. The lively series of boxing matches featured industry leaders facing off against one another after months of training.

About Driftwood Hospitality Management (www.TheDriftwoodDifference.com)

Based in North Palm Beach, Fla., Driftwood Hospitality Management, LLC is a leader in providing solutions-based services for the domestic and international hotel industry. Boasting extensive management experience and relationships with most major hotel franchising companies, Driftwood covers the full spectrum of lodging business needs, from full-service, upscale and upper-upscale hotels, in addition to mid-size extended-stay, select and limited-service properties. Currently, Driftwood's focus is on strategic acquisition, development, third-party management and receivership. Driftwood has extensive experience working with major brands, including InterContinental Hotels Group, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., Hilton Worldwide, Carlson, Choice Hotels International, Inc. and Wyndham Worldwide. Driftwood has additional offices in Costa Rica, Scottsdale, Ariz. and Miami, Florida. In the past three years alone, the company and its hotels have received more than 25 industry awards.

About the Latino Hotel and Restaurant Association (LHA)

Headquartered in suburban Houston, LHA is a worldwide, non-profit association dedicated to increasing Latino participation in the hospitality industry, to include ownership, leadership, and commerce. The organization provides education, international and regional conferences, and networking opportunities with the world's leading hotel companies. Additional information is available at the association's website, www.latinohotelassociation.com.

Media Contacts:
Samantha Jacobs / Claibourne Smith
M. Silver Associates
954-765-3636 or
[email protected]
[email protected] .