Ford of Lodging Econometrics and New England Hotel Realty recipient of 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award

Portsmouth, NH According to Harry Javer, producer and founder of The Lodging Conference, Patrick Ford, chairman, CEO and founder of Lodging Econometrics (LE) and New England Hotel Realty (NEHR), has been selected as the recipient of the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award. The award will be presented at The Lodging Conference on September 25. 

In a career spanning more than 50 years, Ford, who currently resides in Rye, N.H. with roots in Lowell, Mass. and Portland, ME, began his career with the Dunfey Hotel Co., the predecessor to the Omni Hotel Co., where he spent 20 years in a variety of operational and executive roles. In 1995, he founded LE to compile lodging development and transaction data for the U.S. Within two years, LE replicated their development research programs in every country of the world. 

Shortly thereafter, LE positioned away from solely being a data provider towards being a lodging sales and marketing specialty firm as well, providing a variety of customized new hotel construction and supply side databases, and trend line and forecast reports that assist development teams in growing their business within the lodging industry. 

In 2017, Lodging Econometrics was honored by the Peter Paul School of Business at the University of New Hampshire as the most outstanding family business in New Hampshire. Today, Lodging Econometrics is ably led by Ford’s sons, Timothy, JP and Bruce and has also provided employment opportunities for a number of third generation family members.

“I’m delighted to be selected for the prestigious 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award and to be counted amongst the prominent roster of former award winners. It has been a pleasure to spend my over 50 year career as part of the lodging industry and in particular to have played a part in the unprecedented global expansion of the industry over the last 25 years. It’s been an exciting time,” said Ford.

“We are thrilled to have Pat Ford as this year's recipient of The Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Harry Javer, producer and founder of The Lodging Conference. “This distinction is all about visionary leadership and there is no one who has provided more insight into the hospitality industry than Pat. Lodging Econometrics is the go-to industry source for franchise companies, ownership and management groups and lodging vendors who rely on timely intelligence on new construction, renovation and conversion opportunities and for transaction trends in every region, country and market worldwide. Pat is the embodiment of outstanding achievement.” 

Past recipients include Minaz Abji, executive vce president, Host Hotels & Resorts; Jack DeBoer, chairman, Value Place; John Hammons, founder, chairman and CEO, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts; Michael Leven, president and COO, Las Vegas Sands Corp.; Joe McInerney, president & CEO, McInerney Hospitality International; Leland Pillsbury, co-chairman & CEO, Thayer Lodging Group; Hasmukh (H.P.) Rama, CEO & chairman of the board, JHM Hotels; Randy Smith, chairman and founder, STR; Jonathan Tisch, co-chairman of the board and a member of the office of the president of Loews Corp., and chairman and CEO of its subsidiary, Loews Hotels & Co.