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Heather Balsley is InterContinental Hotels Group's senior vice president for global loyalty and partnerships. Jennifer Gribble succeeds Balsley to senior vice president for global marketing of mainstream brands. Balsley has been with IHG for 13 years, most recently as senior vice president for global marketing of mainstream brands. Gribble is succeeding her to that position. In her new role, Balsley oversees the company's IHG Rewards Club program. Gribble has been with the company for 16 years, most recently as vice president for Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels and Atwell Suites brands. She now oversees brand performance, design and F&B as well as the launching of new brands. She also served in Crowne Plaza brand management and portfolio-wide marketing services roles in the Americas. "Heather and Jennifer's appointments are critical to IHG's growth as we enhance our award-winning loyalty proposition and our powerhouse mainstream-brand portfolio," Claire Bennett, IHG's global chief marketing officer said in a statement. "Heather brings a strong strategic focus and passion to her new role in loyalty and partnerships, and Jennifer has incredible knowledge of guest insights and owner economics to drive growth and return for our stakeholders."

HOTEL BRAND HIHOTELS by Hospitality International has launched changes to its INNcentive Instant Rewards program, a statement said. The program offers members access to thousands of discounts and special offers from nationally recognized companies, the company said in a statement. The benefits under the rewards program include a 15 percent discount during each stay (based on availability), early check-in and late checkout, discounts and special offers for dining, shopping, entertainment and travel and weekly emails with special offers for traveling and everyday activities. "A major initiative has been to enhance the structure and offers of the INNcentive program to benefit our franchisees," said Chris Guimbellot, hihotels president and CEO. "These added perks and discounts will help our hotel owners retain current guests and attract new ones, increase repeat visits and brand loyalty, drive direct bookings to our hotels and allow us to compete more effectively with other brands and OTAs - all without any additional fees to franchisees."

In our exclusive Leadership Series interview, Pat Pacious, president and CEO of Choice Hotels International, reflects on his organization's relationship with AAHOA, his opposition to the proposed New Jersey State legislation on fair franchising and why Asian hoteliers are still important to the company. In the end, he said, it's about keeping state governments out of a dialogue that should be held between franchisers and their franchisees regarding subjects such as selling loyalty points and revenue from preferred vender programs. Pacious also discussed other key topics in the conflict between AAHOA and several large hotel companies, including Choice as well as Marriott International. Also in the interview, held at Choice's recent 67th Owner & Franchisee Convention in Las Vegas, Pacious discusses topics addressed at the convention, such as Choice's recent acquisition of Radisson Hotels Americas. He also comments on the company's offering to current and future franchisees and the importance of Asian American owners. 'This is not about fair franchising' In February, Choice announced it would "pause its partnership" with AAHOA, according to an alert to AAHOA members. AAHOA said Choice's decision came in response to AAHOA's 12 Points of Fair Franchising and its public support for New Jersey Assembly Bill A1958, which would make changes to the New Jersey Franchise Practices Act. Prior to Choice's action, Marriott had announced it was withdrawing its support for AAHOA for the same reason, and both companies chose not to attend the 2023 AAHOA Conference and Trade Show in Los Angeles in early April. Other companies, including Hilton and IHG Hotels & Resorts, also did not attend.

UNITY WAS THE theme at Sonesta International Hotels' inaugural conference in Las Vegas. Sonesta essentially completed its integration with Red Lion Hotels Corp. with the announcement of a unified loyalty program, Sonesta Travel Pass, and combined website. Approximately 1,300 attendees, including franchisees, general managers of Sonesta's corporate owned properties and employees, came to the conference and trade show at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. Along with keynote speakers and entertainment, the conference provided updates on the company's status. "My team and I have been looking forward to this moment for months to finally be with you, to talk with you, to listen to you and your guests and to show off a little to you," said John Murray, executive vice president for The RMR Group that owns Sonesta. "Because we really do have a lot to show off. We also have a lot to celebrate. Today we're here to celebrate the transformation of Sonesta and Red Lion's histories into our future as one Sonesta."

Sonesta International Hotels Corp.'s Red Lion Inn & Suites in Elk Grove, Illinois. The 47-room mid-scale property is owned by Mahesh Chaudhari. "The opening of the Red Lion Inn & Suites Elk Grove is a testament to the brand's renewed growth nationwide," said Keith Pierce, Sonesta's executive vice president and president of franchise and Development. "This is the third Red Lion Inn & Suites location to open in 2024, underscoring how Sonesta continues to meet consumer demand for midscale properties with openings in secondary and tertiary markets." Sonesta said that guests at Red Lion Inn & Suites Illinois can earn or redeem points through the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program. Sonesta is the 8th largest hotel company, with approximately 1,100 properties totaling 100,000 guest rooms across 15 brands in eight countries, according to STR.

A NEW JERSEY bill that will reform the franchise business model in that state took another step forward today, moving from the Assembly to the Senate, and supporters, including AAHOA, expect it to become law this year. However, the American Hotel & Lodging Association has come out in opposition to the law, saying it would "undermine the foundation of hotel franchising." New Jersey Assembly Bill A1958 would make changes to the New Jersey Franchise Practices Act. AAHOA has been supporting the bill, saying it mirrors several concerns included in its 12 Points of Fair Franchising. Specifically, it would reform rules for mandated vendors, rebates, loyalty programs and new fees, AAHOA said in a statement. "New Jersey has long been a state with a strong entrepreneurial culture that has been welcoming to immigrants, including many AAHOA members," said AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel. "The state Assembly recognized that and took a step toward making New Jersey a better place for small businesses with today's vote to advance fair franchising principles. New Jersey can be an example to the nation for supporting franchising practices that allow hotel owners to achieve the American dream." AAHOA supports the preference of certified women-owned, minority-owned and veteran-owned businesses to serve as the mandated and preferred vendors for the franchise business model.

AT THE 35TH Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, there was plenty to talk about. Several Indian American hoteliers were speakers at the event at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta March 19 to 22. This year's conference came with "a profound sense of purpose, no limits," said Lee Hunter chairman of the Hunter Conference during his welcoming address. "Over the next three days, we're going to hear from numerous industry experts, as leaders in this industry, we understand the importance of embracing change, challenging the conventions and pursuing new opportunities," Hunter said. "It's with this in mind that as we sat down to put forth our speaker lineup, this year, we focused on bringing new voices to distinguish. These voices are going to challenge you. They're going to inspire you, they're going to force you to think outside the box."

Dorothy Dowling, Best Western Hotels & Resorts' senior vice president and chief marketing officer, received the Albert E. Koehl Lifetime Achievement Award by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. The Albert E. Koehl Award, part of HSMAI's Adrian Awards, is given to individuals for their contributions to the advancement of hospitality marketing. Dowling has worked in the industry for 30 years and currently oversees Best Western's loyalty program, consumer and field marketing activities, advertising, public relations and e-commerce. "It is an honor to be joining the list of previous winners, which is filled with the names of industry icons who I have admired throughout my career in hospitality," said Dowling. "I can only hope my contributions to the industry will one day be as iconic as those who have come before me. I am particularly honored to be following in the footsteps of Best Western's President and CEO, David Kong, who won this same accolade in 2014."

Amtrak Guest Rewards is a loyalty program designed to reward frequent Amtrak riders with points that can be redeemed for travel, hotel stays, car rentals, and more. Members can earn points through Amtrak travel and purchases with program partners. Join or learn more about Amtrak Guest Rewards, call +1-800-918-3039.

Sudhakar Veluru is now the executive vice president and chief information technology officer at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. Prior to this role, he served as the chief technology officer at MGM Resorts International, spearheading digital transformation initiatives that enhanced access to e-commerce, customer loyalty programs, and casino games across mobile and online platforms, Four Seasons said in a statement. Before joining MGM, Veluru held various senior leadership positions at The Walt Disney Co. He will report to Alejandro Reynal, Four Seasons' president and CEO. "We are excited to welcome Sudhakar at this important time in Four Seasons information technology transformation," said Reynal. "Sudhakar's extensive experience in technology and IT innovation will be instrumental in shaping our digital-first future, further enhancing the guest, resident and employee experience across our growing global portfolio of luxury properties."

HYATT HOTELS CORP. reported an almost 85 percent growth in its global pipeline since 2017, reaching a record of 129,000 rooms. During this period, the company doubled its luxury rooms, tripled its resort rooms, and quintupled its lifestyle rooms. Pictured is a rendering of the New Andaz Miami Beach in Miami Beach, Florida. The company is expanding its brand portfolio both nationally and globally, selecting new and existing markets to enhance its network effect for owners and guests, Hyatt said in a statement. "Hyatt leading the industry in net rooms growth for seven years is a result of our unique approach to development," said Mark Hoplamazian, Hyatt's president and chief executive officer. "We strategically expand our portfolio of brands, intentionally selecting new and existing markets to enhance our network effect for owners and guests. Our commitment to thoughtful organic growth and strategic acquisitions amplifies our asset-light business model. Our goal is not to be the largest hospitality company, but the company most valued by colleagues, guests, and owners."