From the moment she entered the hotel lobby for our meeting it was obvious that this c-suite executive, the woman who leads Worldhotels, is “in charge.” It takes only a moment to reach the conclusion that Kristin Intress is sharp, smart, savvy, sophisticated and, as an American heading up a German company, she is going to lead her organization to continued global expansion.
Strength-to-Strength
Intress entered the hotel, travel and tourism industry through a circuitous route. Starting at the age of 15, she was part of team that opened a hotel. Later she joined the military and the National Guard, developed restaurants in Scotland and owned/ directed technology-based organizations. A graduate of Winona State University with a BS in Business and Marketing, she earned her MBA in Marketing and Finance from Northwestern University- Kellogg School of Management. Recognized for her leadership successes in 2011 and 2012 Intress was a Stevie Award Finalist and recognized as a Top Woman in Business, voted one of the Most Influential Women in Nashville (2014).
Leadership
One of the many distinguishing characteristics of this corporate leader is her management style; Intress focuses on participatory management and team building. As the new CEO she is using her experience to build a global, cross-cultural/diversified organization that is responsive to the evolving wants/needs of hotel guests while encouraging members/hoteliers to develop the uniqueness of their properties.
At a recent Worldhotels conference she introduced the new Check 5 program. The initiative is designed to assist affiliates build their sales intelligence. To add a comfort level members/hoteliers are free to leave the network if the organization fails to deliver the promised outcomes.
Sales activities are concentrated on five core features:
1. Enable hoteliers access to market intelligence and information that includes economic, political and target market data for their key feeder markets.
2. Quarterly webinars presented in real – time by Worldhotels sales staff to enhance development in target markets.
3. Face-to-face working sessions with Worldhotels sales teams during the company’s annual conference.
4. Personal introductions to selected markets.
5. An annual review of the hotel’s Check 5 guarantee.
Where in the World
Worldhotels is a European-based global association of individual and independent hotels plus regional hotel brands that benefit from the management and marketing, sales, distribution technology and brand identification skill-sets available from the organizations ales and executive teams. Organization partnerships include frequent flyer programs with the world’s leading international airlines.
Worldhotels consumer members represent business and leisure travelers, conference and incentive organizers, corporate travel managers, and travel agents.
Going Forward
Intress is looking forward to expanding the number of hotels in the organization’s portfolio. She plans to attend international investment conferences so that a Worldhotels affiliation becomes part of the new hotels development strategic plan. Geographical expansion interests include Africa, India and Asia.
For additional information: http://www.worldhotels.com/en
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