Robert I. Small was a 40-year veteran of the hospitality industry. He was the retired CEO and president of Fairmont Hotels where he spear-headed the hotel’s turnaround and revitalized the chain throughout the ‘90s. Before Fairmont, he served as executive vice president for Walt Disney World Resort Division presiding over the largest hospitality expansion in the company’s history. Before that, he pioneered Marriott Corporation’s expansion into Europe and became vice president of western region resorts. He was the recipient of the President’s Medallion, American Culinary Federation. In 1997, Business Traveler Magazine named Small the World Travel Executive of the Year. On May 1, 1998, Small was inducted into Hospitality Design’s Platinum Circle. Small had served on the Board of the American Hotel and Motel Association (AHMA). Small passed away in May 2014.