ATLANTA - October 2011 – IAHI, The Owners’ Association for InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG)-brand hotels worldwide has formally rebranded itself as the “IHG Owners Association”.  At today’s IHG Americas Investors & Leadership Conference in Las Vegas, the new identity and website at www.owners.org will be unveiled when outgoing Chairman Bill DeForrest of Lane Hospitality turns over the reins to incoming Chairman Glenn Squires of Pacrim Hospitality Services.
 
“Leading the process of change this past year for the Association has been a true evolution.  Our new identity reflects who we are, what we do, and how we have evolved over the last 50 years to represent all owners of all IHG hotel brands across the globe,” said DeForrest.

“This is a fitting finale for Bill DeForrest's excellent leadership of the Association.  I would like to thank him for this, and would also like to be amongst the first to welcome Glenn Squires to his new role as Chairman," said Richard Solomons, Chief Executive of IHG.  "The relationship between IHG and its owners – through the IHG Owners Association – is unique in our industry and has helped us, together, create some of the world's strongest and most successful hotel brands.  The new name reflects this history, the strength of the relationship, and our future plans to continue to work closely together to create value for our owners.” 
 
For nearly six decades, the IHG Owners Association – whose members own and operate more than 3,100 IHG brand hotels worldwide – has represented interests of IHG owners around the globe and played an integral role in communicating with IHG management on issues associated with franchised hotel operations.  Established by Holiday Inn’s renowned founder Kemmons Wilson in 1956, the association was the first to be comprised of owners exclusively in the hotel industry.  Today, more than 75 percent of IHG owners worldwide are members.
 
According to Eva Ferguson, President of IHG Owners Association, “The name change and our new look are especially significant because they reflect a higher level of commitment to align us with who we are and where we’re going.  As we take owner engagement to a whole new level, we look forward to new initiatives representing all regions, all brands and all IHG brand owners.
 
“We are the only owners’ association where paying dues is not mandatory,” Ferguson continued.  “Our volunteer leaders are hotel owners whose true passion is to work with the brand family and be involved in brand decisions.  We take pride in a genuine exchange of ideas fostered by a committee structure and process that draws from their interest, extensive knowledge and expertise.“
 
Association members around the globe embrace the change.  Joep Peeters, Managing Director of Westbridge Europe and Board member noted, “We are now truly representing multiple brands in one association as IHG Owners Association.”
 
Fellow Board member Kerry Ranson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Expotel Hospitality, said, “Our focus in guiding this change never wavered—we wanted to reflect how the Association has changed but maintain our connection to where we have been.”
 
Over the years, the Association has worked hard to support and participate in the development of such pivotal industry programs as InnSupply, the proprietary procurement portal offered by IHG, and People Tools, IHG’s program to recruit, retain and develop employees.  Bringing both of these programs to franchised hotel operations was inspired and supported by the Owners Association.  In addition, the recently completed Holiday Inn re-launch – the most ambitious and wide-ranging hotel industry initiative ever – was greatly influenced by IHG Owners Association members, whose hotels were key pilot sites.  
 
Initiatives for 2012
“As the Association’s first chairman under new identity, I am especially inspired to lead meaningful changes that will improve the revenue to our hotels, the value of IHG brands, and most importantly, the experiences for our guests,” said Squires.
 
While 2012 initiatives are still under development, Squires notes several guiding principles for the Association under his leadership:

1. To increase return on investment for all owners by continuing to monitor standards development and looking for bottom-line cost savings to improve cash flow.
2. To deepen engagement for all owners with the Association and with IHG brands as well as within their local communities and at their hotels.
3. To lead change that solidifies the Association’s strategic and succession planning and secures future growth and collaboration with IHG.

Earlier this year, the IHG Owners Association reported members showing optimism with results of its annual Member Survey.  The majority of respondents want to increase their personal level of involvement with the association, and more owners were satisfied with the organization’s support.  Noting that those results would play a key role in the Association’s planning for 2012, Ferguson said, “The IHG Owners Association looks to working hand-in-hand with our owners to create opportunities that benefit all IHG owners.”
 
The IHG Owners Association
The IHG Owners Association represents the interests of owners and operators of more than 3,100 InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) hotels worldwide in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Canada, Mexico and Latin America.  The IHG family of brands includes InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels and Resorts, Hotel Indigo™, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®.  For additional information, visit www.owners.org or contact 770-604-5555.