Human Resources

🏨 2026, Washington, D.C.: The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), representing over 30,000 members, announced its 2026 leadership. Marriott's Liam Brown will chair the Board, with Thom Geshay as vice chair and Jon Stanner as secretary/treasurer. Brown retires June 2026, passing the chairmanship to Geshay. The AHLA Board and Executive Committee include leaders from various sectors, with Bill Elliott and Jeff Horwitz joining the Executive Committee. The association emphasizes hosting global events and strengthening the hotel industry.

📈 Prakash Maggan will lead the IHG Owners Association as Chair of its Global Board of Directors in 2026. Based in Atlanta, Maggan, Principal & CFO of Rainmaker Hospitality, will oversee significant initiatives. He transformed his family business from 8 to 29 hotels, employing over 600 people. The Association, founded in 1955, represents over 4,000 owners of nearly 3,000 IHG properties globally, serving as a vital communication link with IHG leadership.

🏨 Hotel Equities (HE) expands its Caribbean & Latin America (CALA) platform with five open hotels and twelve projects in the works, including Amaris Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos. Juan Corvinos leads the CALA region, focusing on local talent and partnerships. The recent Donoma Las Terrenas Beach Resort in the Dominican Republic joins their portfolio. HE plans to open the 63-room Claritas Resort Jacó in Costa Rica by March 2, 2026. Key appointments include Rodrigo Cuello and Mariana Gonzalez.

📈 Ryan Davis, Valerie Shell, and Vanessa Tilley were promoted within LEFT LANE Development to lead revenue, sales, and marketing, respectively. The firm, based in New York City, focuses on developing historic properties in emerging U.S. markets. New projects are planned in Pittsburgh, Providence, Phoenix, Bozeman, and Savannah, set to open between 2026 and 2028, featuring repurposed historic buildings and new F&B concepts. Hotel Bardo Savannah launched in February 2024.

🏨 In 2026, in Washington, D.C., Liam Brown of Marriott International will chair the AHLA board of directors, with Thom Geshay as vice chair and Jon Stanner as secretary/treasurer. Brown retires in June 2026 after nearly 40 years, with Geshay succeeding him. Mitch Patel, former chair, remains on the board. The AHLA leadership prepares for a "mega decade" of global events, supporting over 2 million U.S. hotel industry employees.

🏨 Apple Hospitality REIT has selected Crestline Hotels & Resorts to manage two properties in Orlando: SpringHill Suites by Marriott and Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites, each offering 200 guestrooms. Both hotels are strategically located on International Drive near attractions like SeaWorld, Disney World, and Universal Resorts. Crestline's CEO, James Carroll, emphasized their strong partnership and commitment to service excellence. This appointment enhances Crestline's portfolio in key U.S. markets, especially in Orlando.

🍳 Marco Terenghi is the new executive chef at L’Assaggio, an Italian restaurant in Paris's first arrondissement. The restaurant has partnered with Michelin-starred chef Ugo Alciati since 2016. Terenghi, previously a sous-chef, trained in Michelin-starred kitchens in France and Italy. He plans to retain classic dishes like vitello tonnato and introduce new Mediterranean-inspired plates. This appointment highlights Starhotels Collezione’s focus on internal talent development.

🛫 AI-driven travel tech company, IBS Software, appoints Christophe Roux as Senior VP and Head of Passenger Solutions. He will spearhead the Aviation Passenger Solutions globally from Dubai, aligning with AWS on an AI-first airline retail platform. Roux, formerly with Amadeus and the Emirates Group, will oversee strategy, growth, and delivery, reporting to CEO Somit Goyal. His leadership is key to accelerating AI innovation and redefining airline retailing and passenger engagement.