Holiday Inn Express ® Hotels Teams Up With Tabatha Coffey To Takeover Small Businesses' Travel Expenses

WASHINGTON, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- This week in Washington D.C., the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) National Small Business Week brings the economic need for small businesses and entrepreneurs into the national spotlight. Recognizing that business travel is a critical element of success, IHG's Holiday Inn Express hotel brand together with TV star and multi-talented entrepreneur Tabatha Coffey is launching "The Key to Business Travel" contest. Holiday Inn Express and Tabatha Coffey are searching for the small business or entrepreneur with the most compelling story of why a year's worth of free stays at Holiday Inn Express hotels will help grow their business.

"Travel services are among the top purchases that small business owners plan to make in 2012,[*] and as a business community-minded partner, we want to do all we can to help small businesses," said Wayne Hamilton, Director of U.S. Business Travel, IHG.  "Holiday Inn Express hotels' The 'Key to Business Travel' contest is looking to reward a deserving small business or entrepreneur with a year of free hotel stays, plus we're rewarding all travelers with up to $200 back for weeknight stays through our Travel Bonus promotion."

Small business owners and entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit "The Key to Business Travel" contest at Facebook.com/HolidayInnHotels and share their story why a year's worth of free stays at Holiday Inn Express hotels will benefit their business. From today through June 17, 2012, the public will have a chance to view and vote for their favorites. Savvy about small businesses, Tabatha Coffey and a panel of judges will select the top ten finalists, who will then submit videos for the final stage of judging. The small business owner with the most compelling story will win a year's worth of free stays at Holiday Inn Express hotels for their business. 

Live From the Floor of National Small Business Week

"As an entrepreneur, I know firsthand how traveling can help grow a business and I'm looking forward to learning about how other small businesses can benefit from a year's worth of hotel stays," said Tabatha Coffey, co-judge for Holiday Inn Express hotels' "The Key to Business Travel" contest and star of Bravo's 'Tabatha Takes Over.' "I've made it my everyday mission to help small businesses grow and making connections through travel is a key element of success."

Tabatha Coffey is joining Holiday Inn Express hotels today on the floor of the SBA's National Small Business Week Conference. The hotel brand is part of IHG's co-sponsorship in the annual conference that is taking place in Washington D.C.

Enter Holiday Inn Express hotels' "The Key to Business Travel" contest and learn more information at http://www.facebook.com/holidayinnhotels.

Helping All Travelers Save

U.S. residents who stay two consecutive weekday nights at any of IHG's 4,500 hotels worldwide, including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Holiday Inn®, Holiday Inn® Resort, Holiday Inn® Club Vacations, Holiday Inn® Express, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites® can sign up for the "Travel Bonus" promotion and get a $50 prepaid card each time they stay. IHG's cash back rewards from "Travel Bonus" can be spent however the traveler chooses, such as:

• Future hotel stays
• Meals for meetings with business associates and potential clients
• Travel costs associated with car rentals, checked baggage, wi-fi access, airfare and other travel expenses
• Gas for the next road trip, whether for work or play

IHG's "Travel Bonus" promotion is redeemable for a maximum reward of $200 per traveler. For more information about "Travel Bonus" and to book accommodations, visit www.ihg.com/get50.

Notes to Editors:

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global organization with nine hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites®, as well as our two newest brands, EVEN™ Hotels and HUALUXE™ Hotels & Resorts. IHG also manages Priority Club® Rewards, the world's first and largest hotel loyalty program with over 65 million members worldwide.

IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns over 4,500 hotels and more than 661,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories. With more than 1,000 hotels in its development pipeline, IHG expects to recruit around 90,000 people into additional roles across its estate over the next few years.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

Visit www.ihg.com for hotel information and reservations and www.priorityclub.com for more on Priority Club Rewards. For our latest news, visit www.ihg.com/media, www.twitter.com/ihgplc, www.facebook.com/ihg or www.youtube.com/ihgplc.

[*] Source: RapidBuyr Customer Choice Survey

SOURCE Holiday Inn Express