DELAVAN, WI, January 19, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Brandon M. McConnell has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. McConnell has established a distinguished career in the hospitality industry, marked by more than two decades of progressive leadership and strategic influence. Since 2023, he has served as corporate executive at Delavan Lake Management LLC in Delavan, Wisconsin, where he manages strategic initiatives, portfolio development, and partnerships that directly influence organizational growth and maintains financial oversight and ensures operational excellence.

In addition to his executive role, Mr. McConnell continues an active board presence serving as a leader throughout several associations and educational institutions within the industry through direct investment and governance. He has also served as chairman of the board for the Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association. His influence extends nationally as a leader with the American Hotel & Lodging Association throughout several boards, committees and sub-committees, reflecting his ongoing commitment to shaping industry standards. Also, the education certification advisory council for the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute and National Restaurant Association, and as a member of advisory boards including Purdue University since 2018, Madison Area Technical College in Madison, Wisconsin and Milwaukee Area Technical College in Milwaukee, WI.

Mr. McConnell's expertise in emerging artificial intelligence technologies, business development and organizational scaling has positioned him as a sought-after leader within the field. In 2025, he joined an international cohort through John's Hopkins University to continue these studies across multiple verticals.

His previous roles include executive vice president at Arbor Lodging in Chicago, Illinois, in 2022 and president of IDM Hospitality Management in Madison, Wisconsin, from 2020 to 2022. During his tenure as president at IDM Hospitality Management, Mr. McConnell led the company through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He considers mentoring and developing individuals who have advanced to leadership roles within his organization as his greatest professional achievement, an accomplishment he values above financial successes or operational milestones.

From 2018 to 2020, Mr. McConnell was vice president at IDM Hospitality Management. He contributed to industry advocacy through his work with the American Hotel & Lodging Association's industry advocacy committee, government affairs and independent council from 2014 to 2022. He served as an advisory board member for Gateway Technical College from 2016 to 2018 and was part of the executive committee at Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan, Wisconsin, from 2014 to 2018.

Earlier in his career, Mr. McConnell was a human capital executive research national board member with HCM Advisors from 2012 to 2016 and a business intelligence board member with MediaTec Publishing from 2012 to 2015. He held leadership positions such as national chairman U30 Gateway for the American Hotel & Lodging Association from 2012 to 2013 and multi-unit general manager at Wyndham Destinations from 2012 to 2014.

Mr. McConnell's foundational experience includes serving as corporate learning and development manager at TMI Hospitality (now Aimbridge) in Fargo, North Dakota, from 2008 to 2010; guest relations manager at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, from 2006 to 2008; and certified trainer in resort management and recruiting with Disney in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, from 2004 to 2006, a pivotal role that ignited his passion for hospitality.

Mr. McConnell's professional affiliations are extensive. He has served as chair for several committees within the American Hotel & Lodging Association, including the industry advocacy committee, government affairs and independent boutique councils. He is also affiliated with the National Restaurant Association, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, the Forbes Business Development Council, the executive advisory council for the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute and the hospitality educational institute. Additionally, he serves on boards for Visit Lake Geneva, Visit Illinois under the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity Office of Tourism and Travel Wisconsin. As a contributing author for Hotel News Now from 2016 to 2019, Mr. McConnell shared insights on industry trends while participating in projects that have advanced knowledge within hospitality management.

His academic background is equally robust. Mr. McConnell is currently pursuing applied generative and agentic artificial intelligence cohort coursework at Johns Hopkins University. He completed Business Administration executive studies at the University of Notre Dame, hotel real estate and asset management coursework at Cornell University and corporate law coursework at Ashworth College. He also holds a certificate in hospitality and tourism management from Florida Atlantic University.

Mr. McConnell's entry into hospitality was influenced by early exposure through his mother's work in food service management after her nursing career. Although he initially pursued pre-law, economics and politics academically—with involvement in government affairs—a transformative experience working with The Walt Disney Company revealed the global impact of tourism and hospitality industries.

Beyond his professional commitments, Mr. McConnell is civically engaged with organizations such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Special Olympics, the Wounded Warrior Project and other veteran's programs. He has received numerous accolades, including being named a Stephen Porter Emerging Hospitality Award finalist by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, nominee for International Hotel Investment Forum Young Leader Award, recipient of Corporate Champion of the Year by Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association and recognition among "40 Under 40" by Business Magazine, "40 Over 40" by Hotel Management Magazine and "30 Under 30" by Hotel Management Magazine.

Mr. McConnell attributes his success not only to his education but also to those around him, emphasizing that guiding others into leadership roles has been more meaningful than any business metric or financial gain. This people-centered approach has shaped his legacy as a mentor who prioritizes personal growth over traditional measures of success.

Outside of his career, Mr. McConnell enjoys golfing—often sharing this pastime with his two young sons—coaching football and baseball teams and traveling with family. Looking ahead, he intends to become a part-time educator either as an adjunct professor or by supporting educational institutions directly. He also plans to establish a foundation with regional lodging associations aimed at subsidizing student attendance at industry events through scholarships covering airfare registration fees and meals. Additionally, he seeks to bring affordable global education opportunities to his region through partnerships with municipalities and businesses—providing subsidized or free higher education access for underserved populations.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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