InterContinental Hotels Group fills key corporate hotel brand positions.
With the addition of the sixth IHG brand - Candlewood Suites and the momentum surrounding the Holiday Inn brand, IHG has filled several key hotel support positions. Shelley Rapier has been promoted to vice president, operations, Staybridge Suites, IHG; Gina LaBarre returns to IHG as the vice president, brand management, Candlewood Suites, IHG; and Wayne Hamilton has been promoted to director, brand marketing, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, IHG.
In her new capacity, Shelley will oversee operations for all Staybridge Suites hotels in the US and Canada. She also works extensively with the IHG development group on potential joint ventures, IHG owned projects and on the acquisition of new management contracts.
A 13-year veteran in the hospitality industry, Rapier has extensive exposure spanning hotel operations, sales and revenue management. "I'm excited to announce we're elevating Shelley's position within IHG," said Tom Murray, COO, the Americas, IHG. "In her previous role with IHG, Rapier served as area director, Florida Region, for two years and was responsible for overseeing all aspects of sales, marketing and operations for five of the largest mid-scale hotels in the company including management of a Cluster Sales Office and Cluster Reservations Office."
LaBarre will be reporting to Tom Seddon, senior vice president, Americas Brand Performance, IHG and is responsible for the overall strategic direction of Candlewood Suites, including the development of brand communication strategies, tactical marketing promotions, revenue management and new product development.
"Gina brings a unique combination of skills to her role that make her the right person to lead the Candlewood Suites brand to even higher levels of success," said Seddon. "She has a proven ability to use IHG Enterprise Values to drive a brand; she has a strong understanding of the extended stay segment both marketing and operations; she has tremendous passion and expertise in brand management; and she has demonstrated excellence in using e-commerce to drive extended stay guests."
As director, Brand Marketing, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Wayne Hamilton is responsible for US consumer brand advertising, promotions, channel and on-property communications of this legacy brand and its line extensions, Holiday Inn Sunspree Resorts and Holiday Inn Select.
A combined 15 years in the sales, marketing and hospitality industries, Hamilton recently served as brand manager, Strategic Marketing, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts. His responsibilities included strategic development of brand promotions and media plans.
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