HMC Appoints New Executive In The Middle East, Africa And West Asia

NEWPORT BEACH, California, Sept. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospitality Marketing Concepts (http://HMCloyalty.com), the world's leading provider of paid membership loyalty programs for premium hotel organizations, today announced the appointment of Kevin Joseph to the position of vice president and general manager, Middle East, Africa and West Asia. Mr. Joseph will be based in HMC's regional office in Dubai Media City, effective 1 October 2014.

As vice president and general manager, Joseph will oversee strategic direction and partnership developments for HMC in the region. Continuing the company's significant growth and momentum for all three of HMC's core products—premium paid membership programs, CLUBHOTEL, and VOILA Hotel Rewards—Joseph will focus on enhancing client and member geographical distribution and engagement throughout the Middle East, Africa and West Asia. In addition, Kevin will employ his substantial experience to advance HMC's e-commerce and partnership opportunities with the goal of expanding into new distribution and revenue channels for HMC's hotel partners. Under Kevin's leadership, HMC will also continue to expand its geographical presence throughout the region.

Mr. Joseph's career is comprised of senior appointments in several countries across all continents, including the UK, Ireland, France, Canada, United States, South Africa and, most recently, Australia. He worked primarily in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) segment until he and his family settled in Sydney, Australia, 10 years ago. In Australia, Joseph leveraged his seasoned leadership experience and change management expertise to lead medium-sized organisations in Australia to record levels of success. These skills took him into the hospitality, banking and education industries where Joseph left a mark of success in each case. Of closer relevance to his new role with HMC, Kevin assisted in the successful opening of five large 300+ seat restaurants in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Kuwait, all of which operate today with much accomplishment. A graduate of the University of South Africa, with an Honours Degree in Marketing, Joseph brings to HMC a proven track record with over 30 years of experience in some of the world's most prominent and successful companies.

"We are delighted to welcome Kevin to his new role," said Mokhtar Ramadan, CEO of Hospitality Marketing Concepts. "With this appointment, HMC further aligns our organization around a commitment to performance excellence. Kevin's extensive experience working with top global firms will have a major influence on HMC's future by ensuring continued, unwavering success in business and partnership development both for our premium paid-membership programs and VOILA Hotel Rewards."

"As the worldwide leading provider of premium hotel loyalty programs, HMC has developed and implemented thousands of successful and innovative hotel membership programs over the past 26 years at upscale hotels in the Middle East, Africa and around the world. HMC is truly the leader in the industry," said Kevin Joseph. "I have long believed that in this 'highly connected world of rapid knowledge transfer,' business success is achieved through brand trust and people engagement within an organisation. Most importantly, it is fundamental that we always exceed customer's expectations."

HMC is the world's leading full service loyalty solution provider for more than 1,250 four- and five-star hotels and luxury brands. The company's offerings include paid membership loyalty programs, white-labeled points-based loyalty programs, booker's programs, meetings platforms and corporate incentive programs. HMC leads the industry in new proprietary operational technologies, state-of-the-art Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, and highly detail-oriented personalized service. To learn more, visit http://HMCloyalty.com.

About Hospitality Marketing Concepts

Headquartered in Newport Beach, Southern California, HMC (http://HMCloyalty.com), HMC is the world's leading provider of outsourced database management and loyalty marketing programmes for premium hotel organizations. Our core competencies are the creation, implementation, management and marketing of custom-made programmes designed to drive incremental revenue and profits into each partner hotel.

HMC provides a turnkey solution to hotel clients, from the initial concept and design, to IT deployment, management and ongoing marketing and customer service. HMC serves two high-end clients – premier hotels and the members who subscribe to the hotel loyalty programs. The objective of HMC's loyalty solutions is to help hotels increase bottom-line profit, through the recruitment and retention of repeat customers and lowering the cost of business via direct e-commerce channels. Member acquisition is primarily through outbound telesales; target members are managers and owners of small to medium-size business, professionals, and affluent lifestyle individuals. HMC also operates two proprietary global hotel loyalty networks: CLUBHOTEL and VOILA Hotel Rewards, further improving our client's business opportunities through the world.

CLUBHOTEL (http://clubhotel.com) boasts the largest variety of brands and independent properties around the world. The program is currently offered at over 720 luxury hotels in 52 countries and in more than 447 cities. Established in 1996, CLUBHOTEL has generated staggering results, representing tens of thousands of incremental room nights for participating hotels each year.

VOILA (http://voilahotels.com) is the world's number one loyalty program that unites a network of more than 250 select independent hotels comprising over 25 select global hotel brands. VOILA's points-based frequency guest program provides recognition benefits and Award Night room redemption opportunities at participating network hotels. But unlike big chain programs, VOILA enables independent hotel groups to maintain their branding and unique qualities. To achieve this, VOILA provides hotel- or group-branded loyalty solutions for our partner hotels, with VOILA acting as the supporting brand. VOILA's global presence also allows members to earn and redeem points across a wide variety of redemption partners - including airlines, retail merchants and charities. From the consumer's perspective, this means members can enjoy the rich experiences and extraordinary qualities independent hotels offer while earning points and receiving benefits typically tied to big chain loyalty programs.

A selection of HMC's clients includes: Hilton Hotels, Carlson Hotels, Movenpick Hotels, Fairmont Hotels, Shangri-La Hotels, Tivoli Hotels, Marco Polo Hotels, Hoteis Deville, InterContinental Hotels, Real Hotels, Hoteis Othon, St Giles Hotels, and Luxe Hotels, in addition to many independent hotels. HMC is a global company with offices in more than 50 countries including Spain, Poland, Turkey, Portugal, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, UAE, Egypt, Thailand, Colombia, Brazil, Canada, United Kingdom and United States.

Peter Gorla
Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer – HMC
Managing Director – VOILA Hotel Rewards
Direct Phone: +1 (949) 260-9538
gorlap@clubhotel.com