David Kong
Founder and Principal | CEO | Strategic Advisor
- Role
- Founder and Principal at It\'s Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
- Location
- Phoenix, AZ, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About David Kong
After nearly 18 years as President and CEO of BWH Hotel Group (World Hotels, Best Western and SureStay), one of the world’s largest and most diverse hotel companies, I retired at the end of 2021, leaving a legacy of growth, innovation, and transformational leadership. During my tenure, I expanded the company’s portfolio from a single brand to 18, driving record revenue and profitability while earning widespread recognition within the hospitality industry and beyond. I have been honored with numerous awards, including the Arne Sorenson Social Impact Award (2022) and GBTA Male Coach of the Year (2021), as well as Lifetime Achievement Awards from ALIS, Business Travel News, IHIF, and HSMAI. In 2019, I was named Innovator of the Year by Hotel Interactive and Guest Lab Italy, recognizing my commitment to forward-thinking leadership. A passionate advocate for social responsibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion, I founded DEI Advisors, an Arizona nonprofit dedicated to empowering personal success. Through our platform, It’s Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast, I continue to share insights from industry leaders, inspiring others to achieve their goals and embrace their own leadership journeys. With a career defined by vision, values, and a deep commitment to developing others, I remain dedicated to shaping the future of hospitality and empowering individuals to reach their fullest potential.
Experience
Founder and Principal
It\'s Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Dec 2021 — Present · Scottsdale, AZ, US
Education
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Bachelor's degree
1970 — 1974
Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management
Executive Development Program
Skills
- Leadership
- Hospitality
- Tourism
- Hospitality Management
- Customer Service
- Sales
- E-Commerce
- Business Development
- Hotels
- Hotel Management
- Marketing Strategy
- Business Strategy
- International Business
- Loyalty Programs
- Revenue Analysis
- Hospitality Industry
- Customer Satisfaction
- Social Media
- International Development
- Business Planning
- Resorts
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