TIM International Inc. Establishes Scholarship Endowment
At the School of Travel Industry Management’s 14th Annual Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism Event, TIM International President Glenn Perry (BBA ’70) presented Dean Juanita Liu with a $35,000 check for the establishment of the TIM International Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment Fund. This is the first-ever alumni fund the school has ever started in its almost 50 years of existence. The TIM alumni have been strong supporters of the TIM School for many years, sponsoring numerous School events including graduation ceremonies, mentorship events, and outstanding student and teaching awards, and providing students with numerous internships and job opportunities. It has always been a goal of TIMI to establish an endowed scholarship that will provide present and future TIM students with financial assistance to obtain a degree in TIM.
TIM graduates Kevin Iwamoto (BBA ’77), vice president of industry strategy at ACTIVE Network Business Solutions, and David Kong (BBA ’74), president and CEO of Best Western International, Inc., were also inducted into the TIM Alumni Hall of Honor.
Kevin Iwamoto was chosen to be inducted into the TIM Hall of Honor by his peers for his outstanding leadership in the business travel sector. As vice president of industry strategy at ACTIVE Network Business Solutions, Mr. Iwamoto has more than 20 years of experience managing corporate travel and meeting programs. Previously, he served as president and CEO of the board of directors for the Global Business Travel Association (formerly the National Business Travel Association). Some of his numerous awards include the NBTA’s Industry Icon Award, Business Travel News’ Best Meeting Practitioner Award, as well as being named one of the top 25 most influential executives by Meeting News. Mr. Iwamoto is also a distinguished industry spokesperson, representing business travel interests globally to the U.S. Congress after 9/11, and to national media outlets.
David Kong was also selected to be inducted into the TIM Hall of Honor for his exceptional contributions to the hospitality industry. As president and CEO of Best Western International, Inc., Mr. Kong oversees more than 4,000 hotels in 100 countries and territories. In his 42 years of experience as a leader and innovator in the hospitality industry, he has worked in management of numerous top hotels. Mr. Kong is the past chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and he also served three terms on the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which provided counsel to former U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.