Reporting to the IAHI Board of Directors, Committee members and Ambassadors perform the vital work of the Association. Volunteer leaders play a significant role in supporting the implementation of the Association’s strategic plan and in maintaining high-quality standards for all IHG hotel brands, in addition to working to protect and enhance every member’s ROI by being on the frontline for standards and operations development.
There’s also much to gain personally. Volunteering for Committee participation provides the unique ability to network with IHG leadership and fellow franchisees to promote the ideals of the Association and develop essential leadership skills to prepare for future service to the Association, the industry and your hotel.
How the Committee Process Works
· IHG presents proposed standard initiatives to the appropriate IAHI Committee or Committees.
· IAHI Committee reviews the initiative to ensure it has been thoroughly researched, delivers measurable ROI, is of minimal cost impact to the hotel and meets corporate responsibility guidelines.
· IHG presents proposed standard language to Committee.
· IAHI and IHG work together to fine-tune language and, where necessary, create a pilot program to test the standard before endorsement.
· IAHI Committee endorses the standard and forwards to the IAHI Board of Directors for endorsement.
Need more reasons to get involved?
If being an active participant in the future of your hotel isn’t enough incentive to volunteer, there’s more. When you’re involved, the IAHI will be an even greater force for:
· Collaborating with IHG to drive profit to owners
· Lobbying for IAHI owners’ interests with governmental leaders
· Protecting your bottom line by advocating positive change
· Networking with industry leaders
· Reducing costs at your hotel
Ready to apply?
To be appointed to a Committee, Task Force, or as an Ambassador for a one-year term, you must be:
· An existing IHG franchisee
· An IAHI member in good standing
· Able to demonstrate strong quality scores at your IAHI member hotels
· Willing to participate in IAHI educational initiatives and events
· Prepared to commit the time to attend meetings and participate in conference calls as required. (IAHI Committees meet for two days approximately four times a year at various locations. Travel expenses are reimbursed based on established IAHI guidelines.)
· You must currently own a hotel of the brand for which you would like to participate. (Holiday Inn Committee members must own a Holiday Inn, etc.)
How to Volunteer
Submit your application indicating your areas of interest and expertise on iahi.org beginning May 3, 2010. The IAHI Board of Directors and Committee Chairmen will appoint applicants to available Committee positions. Selected members will be notified by mid-October to serve a one-year term, commencing October 2010. The deadline to apply is August 2, 2010.
What’s your expertise?
Additional Info on IAHI Committees
IAHI Committees focus on individual IHG brands as well as IHG programs and services. Take a look at what each Committee offers and then determine where your expertise can truly make an impact.
BRAND COMMITTEES
Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express,
Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, Hotel Indigo
Focus: Marketing, Standards, Operations & Quality
These Committees work closely with the IHG brand leaders to create operating standards and guidelines that will improve ROI for all member hotels. When new brand standards are proposed, the IAHI Committee reviews the standards carefully to ensure that they add value and maintain a competitive position in the market. Additionally, the Committees review brand-specific sales and marketing plans and provide feedback to IHG about the media initiatives.
REVENUE PERFORMANCE COMMITTEE
Focus: Generating maximum revenue through all
booking channels
Ultimately, the hotel industry is about booking the room. This global Committee works with IHG to develop strategies to make booking easier for guests and owners. Whether it is improving how to display rates for guests or enhancing information for CRO agents, this Committee focuses on the engine that powers your hotel: reservations. The Committee members are focused on keeping costs to hotels at the most efficient spending level.
PRIORITY CLUB REWARDS (PCR) COMMITTEE
Focus: Leveraging the power of the loyalty program
As the world’s most global — and most admired — loyalty program, Priority Club Rewards is a valuable asset for every IHG hotel. This global Committee helps to maximize PCR’s power for franchisees and to promote its value to our guests. This Committee collaborated with the IHG team to re-write the PCR standards based on extensive market analysis, and is committed to educating and implementing these standards.
TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
Focus: Maximizing current and emerging technology
In a world where technology drives the economy and constantly evolves, it is imperative that hotels use technology wisely and efficiently from the front desk to the guest room. This Committee works with IHG to develop technology strategies to introduce new products and services in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
DIRECT SALES COMMITTEE
Focus: Assist IHG in developing a productive and effective direct sales culture
This global Committee develops and reviews relevant pricing strategies, reporting systems, tactics and processes to facilitate greater market share performance and revenue growth. In addition, they assist IHG in the development of an industry leading, connected network of sales professionals. Results of this Committee effort will be evaluated based on the revenue production improvement and RGI growth directly related to the direct sales effort.
GLOBAL COMMITTEES
Canada, Mexico, Latin America, EMEA, Asia-Pacific
Focus: Initiatives that affect specific regions
For some standards and other initiatives, regional differences may affect their implementation. Each of these global Committees help to address both regional requirements and regional issues as they are identified for the individual brands, while keeping in mind the need for overall global cohesiveness of all IHG brands.
AMBASSADORS
Focus: Providing feedback on key initiatives through Task Forces, surveys, etc.
The IAHI Ambassadors meet on a monthly basis via webinar to review issues and to discuss opportunities to improve ROI for every IHG hotel owner. In addition to the webinars, IAHI Ambassadors are invited to participate in designated owner-to-owner sessions in conjunction with IAHI Committee meetings. (The travel costs to attend these meetings will be covered by the attendee.)
During the year, the IAHI may develop special Ad Hoc Committees or Task Forces to address specific needs of the IHG System. Should those needs arise, the IAHI Board will look to individuals who volunteered for Committee or Ambassador service to identify individuals with the skills and talents to effectively address the issues.
Have Questions?
Lauren Miskewycz, IAHI Meetings and Education Specialist