Westgate Resorts Founder David Siegel Named to Central Florida Hospitality Hall of Fame for 2013

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Apr 24, 2013, 10:00 ET

ORLANDO, Fla., April 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Westgate Resorts is pleased to announce that our President and CEO David Siegel has been named to the Central Florida Hospitality Hall of Fame by the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management in recognition for his long-standing "service and commitment to the local hospitality industry."

"I am truly honored to be inducted into the Central Florida Hospitality Hall of Fame," said Siegel. "Westgate Resorts has become a leader in the hospitality industry by constantly focusing our efforts on understanding our customer's needs and exceeding their expectations. In addition, the Westgate Resorts Foundation continually works to give back to the community by supporting charitable activities where our employees live and work."

A pioneer in the tourism industry, Siegel has spent more than 30 years shaping Westgate Resorts into the largest privately owned business in Central Florida. With nine full-service resorts boasting a total of approximately 17,535 beds in the Orlando area alone, Siegel is one of the largest hoteliers in Central Florida. In addition, Siegel has been honored as the "Entrepreneur of the Year" for construction and real estate in Central Florida and finished second in the "Entrepreneur of the Year" national competition. Siegel also holds an honorary doctorate from Florida A&M University for his work in community service, as well as the National Community Service Award from the American Resort Development Association (ARDA).

The Central Florida Hospitality Hall of Fame was established in 2007 by UCF's Rosen College to honor outstanding leaders for their contributions to the local hospitality industry and service to the community. Siegel will be inducted into the Central Florida Hospitality Hall of Fame at a special ceremony on November 16, 2013, at The Peabody Orlando during Rosen College's annual Grand Tour Gala, along with fellow inductee Richard Maladecki, president and CEO of the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association. As a Hall of Fame inductee, Siegel will be presented with a limited-edition Steuben crystal pineapple award, the symbol of the hospitality industry. In addition, he will be pictured with a plaque on the Hall of Fame wall, which is located at the UCF Rosen College campus.

About Westgate Resorts
Founded in 1982 by David A. Siegel, Westgate Resorts is the largest privately owned timeshare company in the world and one of the largest resort developers in the United States. Westgate features 27 themed destination resorts with over 10,500 luxury villas in premier locations throughout the United States, such as Orlando, Florida; Park City, Utah; Las Vegas, Nevada; Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Williamsburg, Virginia; Miami, Florida; Branson, Missouri; Mesa, Arizona; and Tunica, Mississippi. Most Westgate Resorts locations feature a variety of unique restaurant, retail and spa concepts, including Drafts Sports Bar & Grill, Westgate Smokehouse Grill, Edge Steakhouse, Westgate Marketplace & Deli and Serenity Spa by Westgate. For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.westgateresorts.com.