IHG's Patrick Imbardelli named Asia Pacific Hotelier of 2006

IHG's Patrick Imbardelli named Asia Pacific Hotelier of 2006

May 17, 2007

    SINGAPORE, May 17 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- A. Patrick
Imbardelli, Chief Executive of IHG (InterContinental Hotels
Group) Asia Pacific, has been named "Hotelier of the
Year 2006" at the 10th Asia Pacific Hotel Investment
Conference, organised and hosted by Jones Lang LaSalle
Hotels. 

    (Photo: http://www.xprn.com.cn/xprn/sa/200705171100.JPG
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    (Photo: http://www.xprn.com.cn/xprn/sa/200705171151.jpg
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    (Logo: http://www.xprn.com.cn/xprn/sa/200702131431.jpg
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    Photo 1: A. Patrick Imbardelli, Chief Executive, IHG
Asia Pacific
    Photo 2: A. Patrick Imbardelli, Chief Executive, IHG
Asia Pacific (left) received the award from Peter Barge,
Chairman, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels & CEO Asia Pacific
Jones Lang LaSalle

    The eighth recipient to receive the prestigious award,
Mr. Imbardelli has been leading many high-profile
developments for the group since he took on his role at IHG
Asia Pacific in 2003.

    IHG today has grown to 188 hotels in the region, with
105 more in the development pipeline.  The company is now
the largest international hotel group in Greater China,
well on track to achieving its goal of having 125 hotels
opened by 2008.  The recently formed IHG ANA Hotels Group
Japan -- a joint venture with All Nippon Airways -- makes
IHG the biggest international hotel operator in Japan, the
second largest hotel market in the world.  IHG is also
growing in India, another strategic business tourism market
within the region. 

    IHG's family of brands have crossed major milestones in
profitability and distribution growth under Mr. Imbardelli's
leadership, delivering consistent value to hotel owners. 
Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts is now the most recognised
brand in China, while Crowne Plaza & Resorts is one of
the fastest growing hotel brands in Asia Pacific. 
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts continues to build on
its legacy as a leading premium brand, and the recent
introduction of the franchise model for Holiday Inn Express
in China is yet another strategic move in a key market for
IHG. 

    A veteran hotelier, Mr Imbardelli has over 24 years of
experience in the hotel and tourism industry.  A member of
the Young Presidents' Organisation, he has held key
appointments in industry bodies and other advisory boards,
including the Global Hoteliers Society.  Both the Fred
Hollows Foundation and the Variety Club International have
recognized him for contributions to the disadvantaged and
underprivileged children in Australia and Southeast Asia.  


    Each year, the Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference
honours an Asia Pacific Hotelier who has had the greatest
impact on the region's hospitality industry.  The Hotelier
of the Year award was first presented at the 3rd Asia
Pacific Hotel Investment Conference in 2000.  Mr Imbardelli
joins the list of past winners including:

     -- Mr. Kwek Leng Beng, Executive Chairman of Hong
Leong Group
     -- Dr. Hari Harilela, Chairman of The Harilela Group
     -- Mr. Richard Hartman, Managing Director of
InterContinental 
        Hotels Group
     -- Mr. Gwee Liang Kheng, President and Chief Executive
Officer of 
        publicly listed company Hotel Plaza Limited, and
also President and 
        CEO of United Overseas Land
     -- Mr. David Baffsky, Chairman of ACCOR Asia Pacific
     -- Dr. Lo Ka Shui, GBS JP, Deputy Chairman and
Managing Director of 
        Great Eagle Holdings and Chairman of the Langham
Hotels International 
        Group
     -- Mr. Giovanni Angelini, Chief Executive Officer and
Managing Director 
        of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

    Held annually in Singapore, the Asia Pacific Hotel
Investment Conference is widely recognized as the premier
forum for the Asia Pacific hospitality industry.  A
"By-Invitation Only" event, the conference brings
together senior decision-makers of hotel owning and
operating companies as well as investors.  The 10th Asia
Pacific Hotel Investment Conference has the sponsorship
support of Accor Asia Pacific, Baker and McKenzie, Hilton
International, IHG, Marriott International, Shangri-La
Hotels and Resorts, Starwood Hotels and Resorts and The
Registry Collection. 
 
    Notes to Editors: 

    About Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels

    Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, the first and leading global
hotel investment services firm, is uniquely positioned to
provide both the depth and breadth of advice required by
hotel investors and hotel companies, through a robust and
integrated local network.  In 2006, Jones Lang LaSalle
Hotels provided sale and purchase advice on 186 hotel
transactions globally; representing a combined value of
US$9.3 billion, a total of 43,272 hotel rooms in 78 cities.
In addition advisory and valuation services were provided on
589 assignments globally for 136,270 rooms across
approximately 280 cities.  The global team comprises 187
hotel specialists, operating from 23 offices in 14
countries. The firm's advice is supported by a dedicated
global research team, which produced over 45 publications
in 2006 in addition to bespoke client research. Jones Lang
LaSalle Hotels' services span the hospitality spectrum,
from luxury single assets and large portfolios to select
service and budget hotels, resorts and pubs.  Their
services include investment sales, mergers and
acquisitions, capital raising, valuation and appraisal,
asset management, strategic planning, operator selection,
management contract negotiation, consulting, industry
research and project development services.  Jones Lang
LaSalle Hotels' clients have access to the resources of its
parent company, Jones Lang LaSalle (NYSE: JLL). 
http://www.joneslanglasallehotels.com .
 
    About IHG

    InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United Kingdom
(LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)) is the world's largest hotel
group by number of rooms. InterContinental Hotels Group
owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various
subsidiaries, over 3,700 hotels and 558,000 guest rooms in
nearly 100 countries and territories around the world.  The
Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected
hotel brands including InterContinental(R) Hotels &
Resorts, Crowne Plaza(R) Hotels & Resorts, Holiday
Inn(R) Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express(R),
Staybridge Suites(R), Candlewood Suites(R) and Hotel
Indigo(TM), and also manages the world's largest hotel
loyalty programme, Priority Club(R) Rewards. 

    InterContinental Hotels Group offers information and
online reservations for all its hotel brands at
http://www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club
Rewards programme at http://www.priorityclub.com .

    For the latest news from InterContinental Hotels Group,
visit our online Press Office at http://www.ihg.com/media .


    For more information, please contact:

     Sharona Tao
     IHG
     Tel:   [phone]
     Fax:   [phone]
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