Welcome to IHG Owner Orientation

May 5–6, 2026

During this complimentary, two-day event, leaders from across the business will introduce you to IHG Hotels & Resorts through sessions focused on the support, tools and resources to successfully move from ground break, to opening and beyond. REGISTRATION IS FREE. If you register, please note a $500 cancellation fee will apply if you cancel your registration within 7 days of the event or fail to attend without prior notice.

Click Here to Register

Visit the IHG Design Center

The IHG Design Center, where we showcase and innovate IHG Hotels & Resorts’ brands, is located in Atlanta. We invite you to tour the IHG Design Center while you are in town for the IHG Owner Orientation.

Tours will be available on Wednesday, May 6 at 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. ET, with transportation departing from the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. ET. Transportation to the airport after the tours will also be provided.

Please indicate in the registration form if you would like to the visit the IHG Design Center.

Agenda

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

General Sessions

IHG Americas Corporate Headquarters - 3 Ravinia Dr., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30346

2nd Floor - Conference Center

Agenda is subject to change

8:00 - 9:00 AM

Breakfast

9:00 AM

Welcome and Owner Introductions

Gina Merz

VP, Franchise Lifecycle, Americas

9:30 AM

Fireside Chat with our CEO

Jolyon Bulley

CEO, Americas

Chris Bagnato

SVP, Hotel Lifecycle & Growth, Americas

10:05 AM

Development

Mark Sergot

Chief Development Officer, Americas

10:25 AM

Hotel Lifecycle & Growth

Gina Merz

VP, Franchise Lifecycle, Americas

10:35 AM - 10:50 AM

Networking Break

10:50 AM

Pre-Construction and Plan Review

Keita Cooper

Director of Renovations, Premium Brands

Shannon Davis

Head of Design Review

11:10 AM

Construction Services

Tony Rawe

Director of Construction Strategy

11:35 AM

IHG Owners Association

Steve Sickel

CEO, IHG Owners Association

12:00 - 1:15 PM

Lunch Hosted by IHG Owners Association

1:15 PM

Technology Support

Kerrell Hurt

VP, Partner Engagement, Technology

1:40 PM

Procurement

Chequetta Dessources

VP, Global Procurement

2:00 PM

Hotel Lifecycle & Growth & Partners: Q&A Session

Paul Carpenter

Director of Franchise Openings

Marvilene Holland

Director of Franchise Openings

2:30 - 2:50 PM

Networking Break

2:50 PM

IHG University & Owner Learning Solutions

Derrick Wheeler

Manager of Owner Learning Solutions

3:10 PM

Commercial Revenue

Christina Kozub

Director of Commercial Performance

3:25 PM

Operations, Commercial and Global Sales Panel with Q&A Session

Sean Sauer

Head of Quality, Americas

Chris Bradley

Regional Director Revenue Management, New Hotel Openings

Christina Kozub

Director of Commercial Performance

4:00 PM

Breakout 1: The IHG F&B Journey: From Concept to Opening Day and Beyond

Michael Gayton

Head of Hotel Operations Support

Renzo Freitas

Head of Food & Beverage

Breakout 2: Meet your Design Review Manager

4:30 PM

Closing Remarks

Chris Bagnato

SVP, Hotel Lifecycle & Growth, Americas

Gina Merz

VP, Franchise Lifecycle, Americas

4:30 - 6:30 PM

Reception in the Ravinia 3 Lobby

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

IHG Design Center Tours

1289 Seaboard Industrial Blvd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

8:30 AM

Pick up at Crowne Plaza Perimeter Ravinia

9:15 AM – 1:30 PM

IHG Design Center Tours and Return to Crowne Plaza or ATL Airport