Joseph Fan becomes the first Chinese-American to receive the California Lodging Investment Conference Lifetime Achievement Award.

The “California Lodging Investment Conference” (CLIC), composed of mainstream hotel industry groups in California, awarded Joseph Fan with a Lifetime Achievement Award on March 6th. This is the first time this award has been given to a person of Chinese descent, once again demonstrating the outstanding contributions of Taiwanese Americans in the California hotel industry.

This year marked the eighth annual conference and awards ceremony for CLIC, bringing together professionals from various fields such as venture capital, finance, management, chain brands, architecture, law, tax accounting, and government agencies. The conference discussed investment trends, smart applications, market dynamics, regulatory policies, and other important topics, while also recognizing leaders with significant influence in the industry during the awards ceremony.

Joseph Fan founded Brighton Management in 1994, specializing in hotel property management. Currently, the company manages 30 hotels with over 1,500 employees. He is also a director and former president of the Taiwanese Hotel Association in Southern California. With his outstanding operational performance, Brighton Management has received multiple awards from IHG and Marriott, and has been selected by “Hotel Management” magazine as one of the top 30 hotel management companies in the United States.

After immigrating to the United States with his parents, Joseph Fan was exposed to the hotel industry from a young age. He mentioned that many second-generation Taiwanese Americans are reluctant to take over hotel businesses after witnessing their parents work tirelessly in the industry around the clock. However, he believes that the hotel industry is not just a job but also a significant real estate investment. He advises young people aspiring to enter the hotel industry to view it from a broader perspective, beyond just the day-to-day operational challenges.

Joseph Fan stated, “Our second generation should think about how to leverage the advantages of this industry to create greater value.” While careers like being a lawyer or doctor may yield annual incomes ranging from $100,000 to $200,000, the profit potential of managing a hotel far exceeds that. The hotel industry is not only a stable investment but also can bring substantial returns, potentially reaching millions or even tens of millions of dollars. Therefore, Joseph Fan encourages the younger generation not to easily give up on this industry but to consider collaborating with businesses to create more value.

Although Joseph Fan initially started by helping operate hotels, he also holds significant hotel stakes. In addition to his career success, he is actively involved in giving back to society and engaging in philanthropy. He has long supported non-profit organizations like Special Olympics, Give Kids the World Village, War Heroes on Water, having donated over $1.8 million in recent years to support law enforcement agencies, scholarship programs, and charitable institutions, helping both communities and economically disadvantaged students.

Wang Weixing, the President of the North American Taiwan Hotel Association, a member of CLIC and a long-time friend of Joseph Fan, hailed Joseph Fan’s achievements. As the introductory speaker, Wang Weixing praised Joseph Fan’s work accomplishments and expressed his joy in sharing this honor with Joseph Fan’s family and friends. Managing a large number of properties, Joseph Fan provides support in supervision and compliance to the industry, while also resolving various practical issues. Wang Weixing stated, “Joseph Fan’s professional capabilities are recognized by many large enterprises. He not only enjoys a great reputation in the entire hotel industry but also holds significance in the Taiwanese American community.”

Yu-Fen Chang, President of the Taiwanese Hotel Association in Southern California, also attended to congratulate Joseph Fan. She believes that Joseph Fan’s award is a source of pride for Taiwanese Americans and the wider Chinese community. Joseph Fan not only wholeheartedly supports the Chinese community but also extends his influence to mainstream American society. His success is not only evident in his career but also in his selfless love and dedication. Joseph Fan has helped many children with disabilities, injured veterans, and has even participated in marine ecological conservation and rescue operations, truly embodying the social responsibility and influence of an entrepreneur. ◇