Known as the hospitality and tourism capital of the world, Orlando has grown to be the most visited destination in the United States, welcoming more than 56 million annual visitors. Helping to accommodate the record-setting number of tourists is David Siegel, president & CEO of Westgate Resorts, and Richard Maladecki, president & CEO of the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association, who for decades have both helped grow and shape the lodging segment of Central Florida鈥檚 hospitality industry. In recognition of their service and commitment to the local hospitality industry, the 麻豆原创鈥檚 Rosen College of Hospitality Management will induct the two influential lodging executives into its Central Florida Hospitality Hall of Fame later this year.
The Central Florida Hospitality Hall of Fame was established in 2007 by 麻豆原创鈥檚 Rosen College to honor outstanding leaders for their contributions to local hospitality industry and service to the community.
鈥淚 am honored to welcome David Siegel and Richard Maladecki into the Central Florida Hospitality Hall of Fame,鈥� said Dr. Abraham Pizam, dean of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Rosen College. 鈥淭hese two distinguished executives have not only had a tremendous impact on the industry and community, but also serve as an example to our students, as they both demonstrate the college鈥檚 core values of professionalism, leadership, and service.鈥�
Both Siegel and Maladecki will officially be inducted into this prestigious group of local hospitality leaders on Nov. 16, 2013 at The Peabody Orlando during the college鈥檚 annual Grand Tour Gala, produced by the National Association聽for Catering and Events (NACE) Orlando chapter. As Hall of Fame inductees, Siegel and Maladecki will each be presented with a limited-edition Steuben crystal pineapple award, the symbol of the hospitality industry. Additionally, the inductees will be pictured with plaques on the Hall of Fame wall, located at the 麻豆原创 Rosen College campus.
As a pioneer in the tourism industry, Siegel has spent the past 30 years shaping his company into the largest privately owned business in Central Florida. His empire includes timeshare, real estate, construction, hotel and apartment management, travel services, telecommunications, citrus, insurance, transportation, retail, and much more. Siegel struck success in the 1970s, when he purchased a prime piece of real estate that later developed into the largest single-site vacation ownership resort in the world – Westgate Vacation Villas.
Siegel has been honored as the “Entrepreneur of the Year” for construction and real estate in Central Florida and finished second in the “Entrepreneur of the Year” national competition. He also holds an honorary doctorate from Florida A&M University for his work in community service, as well as the National Community Service Award from ARDA, the national timeshare association. Siegel also contributes to the Westgate Resorts Foundation, which supports charitable activities in areas where his employees live and work
As president & CEO of the world鈥檚 largest regional lodging association, Maladecki is responsible for overseeing a multi-million dollar budget and managing a 45-member Board of Directors, consisting of hotel General Managers and tourism industry executives. He also serves as a Board Member for Visit Orlando, is the current president of the Orange County Library Board of Trustees, and sits on the Central Florida Boy Scouts Council, as well as the Valencia Foundation Board of Directors. Maladecki has also served on the Blue Ribbon Task Force and the Orange County Sheriff鈥檚 Transitional Team.
Maladecki is a Boy Scouts of Central Florida 鈥淕olden Eagle鈥� awardee and has also been named one of Orlando Magazine鈥檚 鈥�50 Most Powerful People鈥� for six consecutive years.
Siegel and Maladecki will join the following executives as members of the Central Florida Hospitality Hall of Fame: Albert Covelli, Covelli Enterprises, largest franchisee of Panera Bread; Gary C. Sain, Visit Orlando; Alan C. Villaverde, The Peabody Orlando (2012); Al Weiss, Walt Disney Company, and Thomas L. Williams, Universal Parks & Resorts (2011); Carolyn Fennell, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, and Mark McHugh, Gatorland, (2010); Jim D. Atchison, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, and Harris Rosen, Rosen Hotels & Resorts (2009); Patricia J. Engfer, Hyatt Orlando, and Richard A. Nunis, Walt Disney Attractions (2008); and Richard J. Walsh, Darden Restaurants, and William C. Peeper, Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau (2007).