Annual brand conferences afford hoteliers a firsthand opportunity to learn about planned upgrades and initiatives. But such conferences can present another, even more valuable opportunity.

I, along with a number of M&R general managers and senior executives, attended the annual InterContinental Hotels Group conference several weeks ago. As manager of three Holiday Inn and four Holiday Inn Express hotels, we are affiliated with IHG’s largest, most widely recognized brands.

The IHG team shared exciting design and food and beverage initiatives including a gourmet dinner concept, upgraded breakfast and stylish Holiday Inn Express guest room décor known as Formula Blue.

It’s gratifying to see the brand teams at IHG working hard to innovate, which helps keep us ahead of the competition.

Our general managers took advantage of the conference to network with their counterparts at Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels from around the world.

Tracey Rucks, general manager of our Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Midtown West, for example, said she appreciated the chance to “share notes and trade best practices.” Challenges in one region, after all, are likely to be similar to challenges in other regions, she observed.

Returning to their properties, our managers share what they’ve learned with their team members. The conference is a reminder that we’re all part of a larger industry community.