California Hotel & Lodging Association Honors Tim Bridwell, CHA, Area Vice President of Hilton Hotels Corporation.

Tim Bridwell, CHA is Inducted into the CH&LA Hall of Fame

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- The California Hotel & Lodging Association (CH&LA) inducted Tim Bridwell, CHA, Area Vice President of Hilton Hotels Corporation into the CH&LA Hall of Fame tonight in Santa Barbara at Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort Hotel. The Hall of Fame award is CH&LA's most prestigious honor, presented to California hoteliers or industry executives recognized for outstanding contributions of leadership, service, and professionalism to the California lodging industry and the community at large.

Tim Bridwell, CHA was the 20th recipient of the CH&LA Hall of Fame award. As Area Vice President of Hilton Hotels Corporation, with oversight responsibilities for Hilton-managed Doubletree and Hilton properties in Central and Northern California, Tim was honored for his devotion of time and talent in strengthening the lodging industry. Tim is currently a Commissioner and Executive Committee Member of the California Travel & Tourism Commission and has been an active member of the CH&LA Board of Directors since 1994, and was CH&LA's Chairperson in 1999. Tim has also represented California as a director for CH&LA's national affiliate, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, as well as chaired AH&LA's Sales & Marketing Committee. In Santa Barbara, Tim has also served as an Officer/Director of the Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce, as the President of the Board of Directors for the Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission from 2003 to 2005, and as Cabinet Chair for the Santa Barbara United Way.

Tim was also named Outstanding General Manager of the Year in 2003 by CH&LA's national affiliate, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, specifically for his participatory leadership style of more than 400 employees that resulted in low staff turnover rates, increased guest loyalty scores, and higher profitability levels.

The proceeds from this year's Hall of Fame event, including a generous $5,000 contribution from Hilton Hotels Corporation in Tim's name and underwriting from USA Today, benefited the CH&LA Education Foundation. Additional sponsorships from Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard, PSAV Presentation Services, Kaleidoscope Flowers, Jordanos, and the Greater Santa Barbara Lodging Association and a very successful silent auction of items donated by CH&LA members, all benefited the CH&LA Education Foundation.

"Tim's dedication of both time and effort on behalf of the hospitality industry sets an example to all others in the industry," said James O. Abrams, President & CEO of CH&LA. "It's an honor to induct such an exemplary lodging industry professional into the CH&LA Hall of Fame."

The California Hotel & Lodging Association (CH&LA) is the largest state lodging industry trade association in the country. Its 1,600 members, which comprise approximately 175,000 guest rooms, consist of hotels, motels, bed and breakfast inns, guest ranches, resorts, spas, condominium rentals, timeshares, and vacation home rentals located throughout California, as well as supplier and vendor members. CH&LA's mission is to be the indispensable resource for communicating and protecting the rights and interests of the California lodging industry, for providing educational training and value programs for all segments of the industry, and for supporting strategic alliances to promote the value of California tourism and travel. Sacramento-based CH&LA has been representing California's lodging industry for more than a century. CH&LA is on the web at www.calodging.com.