MS Society to honor Mr. John Q. Hammons, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts
The Mid America Chapter will honor Mr. John Q Hammons as a “Champion” at the 2010 Dinner of Champions premier gala event in the Ozarks. This inaugural elegant evening will include dinner and a program and conclude with a presentation to Mr. Hammons of the Hope Award, the National MS Society’s highest achievement recognizing his significant business, civic and philanthropic contributions to the community. The event will be held at the University Plaza Convention Center in Springfield, Missouri on Tuesday, May 11, 2010. For more information or to purchase a table, contact Debbie Mellentine at 417-882-8128 (press 2).
Event Details:
MS Dinner of Champions Honoring John Q Hammons Rescheduled Until May.
Due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict within John Q Hammons Industries, the National MS Society has temporarily postponed the Dinner of Champions honoring Mr. John Q. Hammons. The event will be rescheduled in May. Tickets already purchased will be honored at the rescheduled May date.
Biography:
Mr. John Q. Hammons, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts. For 51 years, Mr. Hammons has been a leading innovator in the lodging industry. He is well known for his shrewd market analysis and for creating signature-style, full-service hotels featuring atrium lobbies, expansive meeting and convention space, large guest rooms, podium check-in stations, and complete business traveler amenities. Over the years, Mr. Hammons has developed 208 hotel properties in 40 states.
Currently, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts operates properties nationwide under brands such as: Embassy Suites Hotels, Renaissance, Marriott, Radisson, Residence Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn and Courtyard by Marriott. The company owns or manages 82 hotels in 25 states and is considered to be the leading independent manager of hotel meeting space in the country. Grounded in Mr. Hammons’ commitment to exceptional service and quality, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts’ properties have a reputation for leading their competitive set, as reflected by the company having the #1 Embassy Suites several years running.
Mr. Hammons resides in Springfield, Mo., and is active in the community. He has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to the city of Springfield and other organizations over the last five decades.
Charlie Spoonhour, Keynote Speaker
After highly successful coaching stops at UNLV, Southwest Missouri State and St. Louis University (SLU), Charlie Spoonhour has returned to broadcasting and the speaking circuit. The veteran coach turned Southwest Missouri into a NCAA tourney regular in the 1980's before going to SLU in 1992.
His accomplishments at SLU were nothing short of spectacular. In only his second season, Spoonhour directed the 1993-1994 Billikens to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 37 years. The team was nationally ranked for the first time in 29 years. That season led to a wave of postseason honors for Spoonhour including National Coach of the Year, St. Louis Sports Personality of the Year and induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. His winning ways continued during the 1997-1998 season when he directed the Billikens to their third appearance in the NCAA tournament in five years.
He retired from The Billikens in 1999 and devoted two years to broadcasting and on the speaking circuit.
Charlie Spoonhour's wit is charming, his ability to spin a tale unparalled and his leadership, motivation and coaching skills are highly touted.