IAHI, The Owners' Association of InterContinental Hotels Group, Names President
ATLANTA, GA, June 30, 2005. The board of IAHI, the Owners' Association of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), has selected Eva Ferguson, vice president of operations & membership, to be its new president. Ferguson succeeds Cam C. Cooper, who is leaving the organization to relocate out-of-state.
"We are sorry to see Cam leave IAHI, but feel that Eva's experience within the organization and in the hospitality industry makes her a wonderful choice to take over leadership of this global association," says David Shamoian, chairman of the IAHI and executive vice president of the Peabody Hotel Group and president of its Brand Management Division. "Eva has helped IAHI mature into a major force in the lodging industry and has worked to enhance its relationship with IHG. Eva has the exemplary skills and knowledge to help guide us into the future."
In this role, Ferguson will direct the professional staff that administers the day-to-day business of the nearly 2,700-member Association. IAHI members own and operate InterContinental Hotels Group brand properties worldwide, including Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, and Candlewood Suites hotels.
In addition to working closely with the IAHI's leadership to establish policy and direction, Ferguson will be responsible for enhancing member benefits, delivering value-added programs, growing membership globally and ensuring ongoing communications with the membership and with leaders of IHG.
Ferguson, who started her career in the hotel business more than 20 years ago, has been with IAHI since 1992. She began with IAHI as director of meetings and business services and was later promoted to vice president of operations & membership. Prior to that, the Arkansas native served as a manager in franchise administration with the Holiday Corporation. Ferguson first worked in the hospitality arena as a legal assistant at Hampton Inns and was part of the first team of Hampton corporate employees in the brand's early years.
"I am thrilled to be taking the helm of the industry's most established and unique franchisee association, now celebrating its milestone 50th year," Ferguson says. "I hope to strengthen the IAHI's position even further for its members and work very closely with the management team of IHG for the benefit of everyone."
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