Hafeez Merani, Guest Speaker this Friday

hotel executive with IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group)
note IHG is the largest hotel company in the world by number of rooms

Hafeez Merani began his career in the hospitality industry in 1986 at a Holiday Inn in Calgary, AB. He spent his early days in key managerial positions on the front line including Night Audit and later as Guest Services Manager through the Winter Olympics in 1988 in Calgary. In 1992, Hafeez relo- cated to New York City where, after a one year at the Holiday Inn – JFK, Hafeez was prepared to take on Manhattan. He was successfully employed by the Crowne Plaza Times Square – then a company managed flagship IHG property with 770 guestrooms. Hafeez took on key roles in the area of Guest Services Management along with special projects on Quality and Customer Service Improvement. He was named “Manager of the Month” multiple occasions and was instru- mental in rise of the property to Torchbearer and Quality Ex- cellence status.

In 1996 when IHG acquired its first owned and operated Crowne Plaza Hotel in New York City, Hafeez was part of the opening team delivering service modules and revenue strategies at this luxury 300 room property on the East Side of Manhattan. With the strong mentorship of his GM, Ms. Carmen Brun, Hafeez became involved in all aspects of the daily operations.

In 1999, Hafeez received the prestigious “Best of the Best” award as Guest Services Manager of the year for the Americas. Hafeez decided to move back to Canada and took on a role at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Georgia – Vancouver, a grand old hotel built in 1927 that was home to many celebrities in its day. He served as interim GM and later as Director of Hotel Opera- tions for 7-years until the hotel closed for a complete restoration in 2007.

After being on the closing team and helping the ownership with the sale of the key assets, Hafeez took on a role as Area GM for a local hotel company which included the Plaza 500 Ho- tel and Best Western affiliate. Within a year of managing both properties, Hafeez was able to use his skills gained to deliver a Best of the Best Award for the Best Western property. Hafeez’s variety of experiences in the hospitality industry will offer a unique perspective when supporting the franchisees and their respective team.

Hafeez is actively involved in the local community with several fundraising activities and lives in Vancouver, BC with his wife and two daughters, who are also both involved in fundraising efforts to assist schools in the remote areas.

Hafeez Merani snapshot:

Title — Major Market Director - Northwest US and Canada

Family — Married to Saufia for 20 years. They have two daughters, Alyssah-Jasmine and Inaara, and a cat.

Favorite hobby — Volunteering in the local community and help those in need Favorite sports— Soccer and Hockey

Favorite quote — “Standing at the foot, looking at the sky, how can you ever climb if you don’t try?” —K.G. Merally

Little known fact— Hafeez played at soccer at highly competitive level.

Video about the latest financials from IHG: