Melinda Bush, C.H.A.

Senior Travel & Hospital Advisor

Melinda Bush is one of the most well-known and respected experts on the issues affecting the hotel and tourism industries. With over 25 years of front line experience building and managing the world's largest travel trade publishing companies for William Ziff, Rupert Murdoch and Reed Elsevier, Melinda Bush is frequently cited in the press as among the most well-informed and influential executives in the hotel and tourism industries.

Her achievements include the industry development of PEGASUS, the industry's largest reservations provider; the global expansion of Hotel & Travel Index with 14 offices around the world to provide global marketing services to over 50,000 hotels and resorts; the early development and branding of Expedia under the Microsoft ownership;
the successful launch of the “I Love New York” campaign and the founding of Premier Hotels & Resorts Media.

Her past clients include prestigious firms like The Carlyle Group Realty Fund, The Blackstone Group Realty Fund, Accor Hotels-Worldwide, Jumeirah Holdings-Dubai; Fairmont Hotels Worldwide, Taj International and Leisurescape Development Partners.

In the marketing arena, Mrs. Bush remains an expert in online reservations systems and products that serve the hospitality industry and is sought after for her advice in the most effective ways of optimizing reservations networks through online media. Her projects include the marketing, brand development and financing activities for major hotel and resort projects in China, Vietnam, Morocco, Vancouver, The Dominican Republic, St. Maarten, Panama and in New York, Arizona, California, Florida and the Southeast. Her media practice includes capital raise and joint venture activities for several online initiatives related to the hospitality industry.

Mrs. Bush serves on a number of public and private boards including FelCor Lodging Trust (NYSE); StonePoint Global Brands, (TSX); Sun Resorts (OTC); the American Hotel Lodging Education Foundation; and recently completed her assignment on President George Bush's International Trade Commission, then chaired by the current World Bank President, Robert Zoelleck.

She was named Woman of the Year in Travel by the Travel Industry Association of America, received an Honorary Doctorate degree from Johnson & Wales School of Hospitality, and is an Honorary Member of the Cornell Society of Hotelmen.