While Clayton Reid, CEO, MMGY Global, will be receiving the Albert E. Koehl Award for Hospitality Marketing from the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) at its annual Adrian Awards celebration at The Boca Raton in Boca Raton, FL, later this month, he feels that the recognition should not just go to himself.
“While I don’t believe my individual accomplishments belong in the same echelon as the incredible people who have previously been recognized, I do think MMGY Global’s collective body of work does,” he said. “Over the course of 30 years, we’ve brought innovation, industry insight and a commitment to serve the industry through a singular focus. We have led during crises and worked to build bridges for those whom travel can bring equality, economic opportunity and the greatest intellectual experiences.”
MMGY Global is a worldwide integrated marketing communications and technology company specializing exclusively in the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. The company employs more than 400 people in 13 offices in six countries. The firm’s work has included support of global issues such as the empowerment of women in the tourism industry, prevention of human trafficking, promotion of sustainability and the power of underrepresented communities in travel.
Reid said that travel has been a part of his life since childhood. “My family traveled and lived all over the world, and I think I have always understood, perhaps at times subconsciously, that travel would remain part of my personal and professional life,” he said. “I believe it is the most important industry on earth in terms of its role in economic and intellectual growth.”
Many people have influenced him throughout his life and career. “The founder of our company, Don Montague, taught me how to think,” he said. “My mom and dad taught me how to work hard. And many of our clients, including Tom Storey, Sue Brush, Warren Fields and Marty St. George, taught me how to understand the travel business.”
He added, “This is the only industry I have ever known, and it has paid dividends that are impossible for me to measure.”
