Bill DeForrest Assumes Chairmanship of IAHI, the Owners' Association for IHG Brand Hotels

ATLANTA, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- IAHI, Owners' Association for IHG-brand hotels, announced during the IHG Americas Investors Conference that Bill DeForrest has assumed the chairmanship of the IAHI Board of Directors.

DeForrest currently serves as president and chief executive officer of Northbrook, Illinois-based Lane Hospitality, one of the nation's leading and most respected hotel development and management companies.

With more than 30 years of experience in the hotel and resort management industry, DeForrest has served on numerous boards relating to tourism promotion and development, chamber of commerce and charitable organizations. His leadership of the more than 3,000 member strong IAHI includes serving as Chairman of the Holiday Inn Committee, Chairman of the Regional Operations Committee, and Chairman of the Central Region Committee. During his many years of service as a general manager, he was recognized by both state and industry associations as "Hotel Manager of the Year" first in 1984 and again in 1995.

"Bill has been an influential and integral member of the IAHI board," said Eva Ferguson. president of the IAHI. "One of his strengths is his ability to keep us focused on the issue at hand and, more importantly, to lead us to take appropriate action. His action-oriented leadership is well recognized and will benefit the association and its members tremendously."

During his introductory presentation at the conference, DeForrest detailed the key priorities for the coming year, including focusing on performance and growth for the refreshed Holiday Inn brand, re-invigorating the Crowne Plaza brand, and fully launching the new procurement platform. Each of these key priorities, DeForrest noted, works in concert with core strategies adopted by IHG.

Since being established by Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson over half a century ago, IAHI, the Owners' Association, has performed an invaluable service on behalf of IHG franchisees. The IAHI is a voice for its members, playing a vital role in communicating with IHG management about a variety of issues associated with a franchised hotel operation; working closely together with the IHG to establish and coordinate everything from standards and rules of operation to marketing and communications strategies.

SOURCE IAHI