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The hotel franchisor has strengthened its internal team.
IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced three internal appointments to strengthen its sales leadership team. Betty Wilson will take on the role of VP of global accounts, while Jonathan Kaplan assumes the position of VP of Americas sales. Tamara Laster has been promoted to VP, global sales strategy; all three new appointments are effective December 1, 2020.
“Betty, Jonathan, and Tamara bring a wealth of experience and knowledge into their new roles,” said Derek DeCross, senior VP, global sales. “All these appointments were internal, which highlights the incredible level of talent we have across our team. These leaders will continue to build the reputation of IHG Hotels & Resorts in the B2B community and advance our team’s focus on providing a great buying experience for our B2B customers – whether they be corporate travel managers, meeting planners, or travel advisors – in the same way that we focus on delivering a great guest experience at our more than 5,900 hotels across our 16 brands around the world.”
Betty Wilson, previously VP of Americas sales, joined IHG in 2018 and was instrumental in reshaping the Americas sales function at IHG, growing revenue and driving customer-focused solutions. In her new role as vice president of global accounts, Wilson and her team will bring the best of IHG to its customers and partners on a global scale.
Jonathan Kaplan first joined IHG over three years ago, and has since helped to execute a number of programs, including launching IHG’s award-winning small and medium-sized enterprise program, IHG Business Edge. Prior to joining IHG, Kaplan spent more than 15 years at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, most recently as director of global leisure & luxury sales.
Last but not least, Tamara Laster joined in 2011, as director, B2B customer solution design. During her time at IHG, her team delivered several programs, such as the overhaul and expansion of Corporate Gold chainwide pricing program and the introduction of IHG’s centralized RFP program. In her new role, Laster will lead a team responsible for driving IHG’s B2B sales strategy, programs and initiatives for IHG’s corporate, groups and meetings, and small and medium-sized enterprises, including the IHG Business Edge program.
