Released on: April 29, 2008, 7:49 am

Press Release Author: Ypartnership

Industry: Real Estate

Press Release Summary: Alan J. Fuerstman has been honored as the 2007 Resort
Executive of the Year by hospitality and resort industry leaders convening at the
2008 Resort Management Conference at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego.

Press Release Body: SAN DIEGO, CALIF. - (April 29, 2008) - Alan J. Fuerstman has
been honored as the 2007 Resort Executive of the Year by hospitality and resort
industry leaders convening at the 2008 Resort Management Conference at the Hotel del
Coronado in San Diego. Fuerstman, the founder and chief executive officer of Montage
Hotels & Resorts, a Laguna Beach-based luxury hotel and resort management company,
is the 34th individual to receive this prestigious hospitality award.
The Resort Executive of the Year is awarded to a resort executive in the United
States who has demonstrated superior management ability, a commitment to staff
training and motivation, active participation and leadership in lodging industry
association activities, support of legislation beneficial to the lodging industry,
and leadership within his or her community. The presentation of the award is one of
the highlights of the annual Resort Management Conference, which is attended by
leaders from throughout the hospitality and travel industry.
In September 2000, Fuerstman, a 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry, formed
his own hospitality company to serve the affluent traveler by creating a collection
of distinctive luxury hotels, resorts and residences devoted to comfortable
elegance, unique experiences and authentic sense of place reflected in architecture
and interior design.
Montage Laguna Beach, the company's oceanfront Craftsman-style flagship, opened in
the arts community of Laguna Beach in February 2003 and has been the recipient of
numerous accolades, including the first-ever Mobil 5-Star spa award. The company's
second property, Montage Beverly Hills, will open in the fall of 2008 in the heart
of the Beverly Hills golden triangle. Montage Deer Valley is scheduled to open in
Park City, Utah, for the 2010-2011 winter ski season. Montage Los Cabos, set on
Santa Maria Bay and the Sea of Cortez in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, is currently under
development and slated to open in 2010. Montage Royal Island, the centerpiece of a
private luxury resort and residential island community in the Bahamas, is also
scheduled to open in 2010.
Before launching Montage, Fuerstman was the opening vice president of hotel
operations at the Bellagio Las Vegas, joining the pre-opening management team in
April 1998. From 1994 to 1998, Fuerstman was the president and managing director of
The Phoenician resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. During his tenure there, he was
responsible for ITT Sheraton Luxury Collection's St. Regis Aspen and St. Regis
Houston hotels, as well as overseeing all ITT Sheraton properties in Arizona.
Fuerstman was recognized as ITT Sheraton's 1993 "General Manager of the Year" and in
1996, the company named The Phoenician its "Hotel of the Year." Under his direction,
The Phoenician earned the prestigious Mobil 5-Star award and several rankings as the
top resort in North America by various travel magazines.
Prior to joining The Phoenician, Fuerstman served as general manager of the El
Conquistador Resort and Country Club in Tucson, Arizona. He began his distinguished
career with Marriott International in 1978. His tenure with Marriott culminated with
the opening of several new properties, including their flagship resort, the Marriott
Desert Springs Resort and Spa.
Fuerstman currently serves on the board of trustees of Gettysburg College and on the
Northern Arizona University School of Hotel and Restaurant Management's advisory
board. Prior public service includes a board position with the Nevada Hotel/Motel
Association, the American Red Cross in Tucson, Business Advisory Council for Public
Schools in Tucson, the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Industry Advisory Council in
Scottsdale, the board of directors of Arizona Hotel/Motel Association, the Phoenix
and Valley of the Sun Convention and Visitors Bureau, and as a trustee for the
Arizona Hotel Foundation.
A native of New Milford, New Jersey, Fuerstman graduated with a Bachelor of Arts
degree from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. He is married to Susan J. Fuerstman
and they have four children.
The Resort Executive of the Year Award is sponsored by Ypartnership, Orlando, Fla.,
the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and The
University of Denver's School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management.

# # #

More information: Rod Caborn, Ypartnership, 407-838-1799, rod.caborn@ypartnership.com

A high-resolution photo is available for the next 14 days at
http://download.yousendit.com/62FC0636530C4E25


Web Site: http://

Contact Details: More information: Rod Caborn, Ypartnership, 407-838-1799,
rod.caborn@ypartnership.com