Gino has been closely connected to the hospitality industry his entire life through the influence of his father, Steve Belmonte. His experiences as a young child attending conferences to a young adult working by Steve’s side in the business of hotel management as well as franchise negotiations have laid the foundation for success.
Gino graduated from Roosevelt University with a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Gino completed the General Managers Certification Training and has a Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) designation through the Education Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Gino has worked very closely with Steve Belmonte on various areas of franchise development and franchise sales. Before taking over as President in 2018, Gino had been training with Steve on day-to-day franchise negotiations. Along with his father, Gino is a fair franchising advocate.
Since becoming the youngest general manager in the history of Holiday Inn at the age of 18 and later operating the hotel he started at, to holding the title of longest standing President and CEO of a national franchised hotel chain while at the helm of the Ramada hotel chain, Steve Belmonte brings new meaning to the phrase “from the mailroom to the Boardroom.”
In 2002, Belmonte returned to his entrepreneurial roots and launched Hospitality Solutions LLC, a full-service, nationwide consultation firm specializing in lodging industry issues at the hotel and corporate level. Drawing on over 35 years of experience and key contacts both inside and outside of the industry, Hospitality Solutions was specifically designed to assist hotel owners in negotiating a fair franchise agreement with all major hotel franchise companies. In addition, Hospitality Solutions negotiates the reduction of “liquidated damages” (termination fees) for hotel owners who have been terminated or desire to cancel their existing franchise agreement.