Eva Ferguson Celebrates 30 Years with IHG Owners Assoc., Appreciating and Advocating for Franchisees

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. September 16, 2014

ATLANTA - September 16, 2014 - As hotel industry veteran Eva Ferguson celebrates 30 years with the IHG Owners Association - the last nine as President - she says she is most proud of taking the Association global and building a team to direct an organization where "everything we do is aimed at helping InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) franchisees."

Says Ferguson, "It has been an honor to work for the IHG Owners Association. I take pride in our affinity with IHG and the work that we have been able to accomplish together. The Association is unique to the hospitality industry in that no other (association) is as organized, as diligent or as proactive on behalf of its members. Through a finely tuned committee and board process, we are diligent to hear owners' concerns, and work in tandem with IHG to be involved in due diligence, and focus on owner ROI to improve franchisees' bottom line. That's the lens we look through."

The IHG Owners Association represents the interests of thousands of IHG owners and operators worldwide. With a new chairperson elected from its Board of Directors every year, Ferguson is the consistent voice of the Association, providing continuity and working closely with IHG to strengthen the system, and exchange ideas and best practices. In addition, she has increasingly monitored key legislative initiatives to safeguard franchisees' long-term success, and liaised with lobbyists to address agendas that directly affect owners and the industry.

"It is my pleasure to recognize Eva Ferguson for 30 years of service and leadership to the IHG Owners Association," said Kirk Kinsell, President of IHG Americas. "I have witnessed how her commitment to the owners of IHG hotels around the world has evolved and how she has become an advocate upon whom we depend to address and act on important issues and legislation that impact our businesses every day."

Commented IHG Owners Chairman Bakulesh "Buggsi" Patel, the first Asian-American chairman of IHG Owners Association and President of BHG Hotels, and who has traveled extensively with Ferguson during 2014, "As our President, Eva Ferguson, celebrates 30 years with the Association, I thank her for listening to and advocating for thousands of hotel owners around the globe. Her commitment and appreciation for the diversity of the brand, the owners and their success is unparalleled, as is her ability to globally work in partnership with IHG and take a leadership role to protect our interests in the democratic process. We look forward to many more years of her leadership."

Looking back, Ferguson points to many positive changes within the company and the Association. "At IHG, there are strong operations-oriented people who are experts in the industry," she says. "Likewise, at the Association, we are fortunate to have the benefit of owner/entrepreneurs who are all leaders and busy running their own businesses, yet devoted to the Association to give of their time, energy and expertise. I am grateful because I learn from each and every one of them, and having the opportunity to work with them has made me better at what I do."

She cites her passion for traveling the globe as another learning experience that has positively impacted her ability to address and understand owners' issues. "I've had the opportunity to be exposed to many cultures and appreciate the diversity of business practices around the world."

Looking ahead, Ferguson says she will maintain a busy international travel schedule. Closer to home, she will continue to be involved in owner advocacy and legislative issues that affect the industry. Another priority is to work with IHG on the Governance Project, a strategic five-year plan to make the Association even more global in its impact and reach.

Ferguson began her career in hospitality in 1984 in the legal department of Hampton Inns and was an integral member of the brand's launch. She moved on to Holiday Corporation, where she became a manager in franchise administration for multiple brands. With her knowledge of franchise and licensing issues, her transition to the IHG Owners Association as Director of Meetings & Business Services was a natural fit. Before being named Vice President of Operations & Membership in 1996, she did virtually every job in the Association.

Ferguson, a native of Arkansas, serves as a board member of the IHG Owners Association and is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). She also directs INN-PAC, the Association's political action committee, and serves on the Governmental Affairs Committee for the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA).

About IHG Owners Association

The IHG Owners Association - originally established by Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson in 1955 - was the first association of its kind in the hotel industry. It currently represents the interests of owners and operators of more than 3,200 Intercontinental Hotels Group® (IHG) properties in the United States, Africa, the Asia Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Mexico and the Middle East. Throughout the years, the Association has been a voice for its members and played an integral role in communicating with IHG management on issues related to franchised hotel operations. The IHG family of brands includes InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hualuxe™, Crowne Plaza® Hotels and Resorts, Hotel Indigo™, EVEN Hotels™, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®. For additional information, visit www.owners.org.