Former BWH Hotel Group CEO David Kong on going beyond the “D” in DEI

David Kong worked in the hospitality industry nearly 50 years at several brands, ending in 2021 when he retired as CEO of BWH Hotel Group, a global network of 4,500 hotels across 18 brands in more than 100 countries.

With a career spanning so many decades – and more than 17 years in the role of CEO – Kong was on the front lines of changes that have rippled through the hospitality industry, ranging from the proliferation of automation and other digital solutions to new booking channels and shifts in consumer preferences.

At the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) produced by the BHN Group - another brand of Northstar Travel Group - Kong received the ALIS Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the hospitality industry through their actions, deeds and accomplishments.

At the event, Kong also sat down for a one-to-one interview in the PhocusWire studio.

The conversation began with Kong reflecting on his time in the industry and specifically its use of technology that has become even more pronounced in recent years.

“The industry has been notorious for not embracing technology quickly, and understandably so because you think about the investments that have to be made,” he said.

“But lately … the brands have been able to use technology to do a lot of things, including sales and marketing and using [artificial intelligence] for revenue management, for example. It shows the industry has an appetite for tech. It’s just that we want to be cautious and make good investments for our owners.”

The conversation also covered Kong’s current venture, DEI Advisors, which he founded after retiring from BWH Hotel Group. Kong is focused on sharing stories from industry leaders to empower women and members of minority groups working in hospitality to understand how to network, how to find mentors and how to advocate for themselves.

Kong said he has been pleased to see travel companies make progress on creating more diverse teams, but he called this “only the first step.”

“Please think about inclusion and equity, think about how we can make people feel heard and seen, respected and valued. Having diversity around the table is only the start,” he said.

“If you can … create a sense of belonging where people feel safe, and they feel trusted, and they feel empowered. That’s when you can really unleash the true power of diversity.”

Watch the full discussion below.