Source1 Purchasing and Latino Hotel Association Form Alliance

MEMPHIS, Tenn. and HOUSTON, Texas, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The Latino Hotel Association (LHA), a newly formed global organization dedicated to expanding Latino ownership, leadership and commerce in the hotel industry, today announced that it has formed a strategic alliance with Source1 Purchasing to enhance the food and beverage pricing power of LHA members.

"Hotel food and beverage operations historically have lower margins than the rooms side of hotels," said Scott Hoffmire, F.M.P., founder and CEO of Source1 Purchasing.  "Through our unique Buyers' Marketplace program, we will provide LHA members with more attractive pricing options through more than 500 existing manufacturer agreements representing more than 6,000 food, beverage and supply products.  Also, LHA members will earn rebates on items they purchase, with Source1 providing tracking, collection and allocation of rebates."

"One of our founding principles is to add value to our membership, including strategic relationships, like this one with Source1," Angela Gonzalez-Rowe, president and founder of LHA.  "Source1 has been named a Top Purchasing Company for 2009 and 2010 by a leading hotel publication, which attracted us to them."  

Under the alliance, LHA members will have the collective buying power of more than $5 billion in leveraged purchasing volume.  Other benefits include secure online access to customized reports, success tools, education and trend and partnership data.  The Buyers' Marketplace program offers free access to a broad cross-section of regional and national partner distributors.  The voluntary program gives LHA members the choice to use Source1 or remain with some or all of their current suppliers.  

About Source1 Purchasing

Memphis-based Source1 Purchasing has been a leading provider of supply services to the food and hospitality industries for more than 15 years. Focusing specifically on cost management, savings and operational efficiencies, the company offers clients a comprehensive suite of services, empowering operators to lower prices, reduce operating costs, ensure consistent product quality, and achieve higher customer satisfaction.  For more information, visit www.source1purchasing.com.

About the Latino Hotel Association

Headquartered in suburban Houston, LHA is a worldwide, non-profit association dedicated to increasing Latino participation in the hospitality industry, to include ownership, leadership and commerce.  The organization provides education, international and regional conferences and networking opportunities with the leading hotel companies in the world.  Additional information is available at the association's website, www.latinohotelassociation.org.

SOURCE Latino Hotel Association