The Holiday Inn® Brand Partners With Small Business Owners in Next Evolution of its Journey to Extraordinary Campaign

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) today announces the newest evolution of the Holiday Inn® brand's Journey to Extraordinary campaign. This campaign, now in its third year, celebrates the unique journeys of the many guests who walk through the doors of Holiday Inn hotels each day. In this new year of the campaign, the Holiday Inn brand will highlight the extraordinary journeys of two small businesses – Sword & Plough and Perfect 10 Foods – and how Holiday Inn hotels can be a valuable partner in helping them succeed.

Eric Lent, Vice President, Holiday Inn Brand, Americas said: "The Holiday Inn brand carefully researched nearly 300 businesses before deciding to partner with Sword & Plough and Perfect 10. Both of these inspiring companies have a purpose-led mission to change the way business is done in their respective fields, and therefore have an incredibly unique story to tell. Sword & Plough and Perfect 10 embody the entrepreneurial spirit that is the foundation of the Holiday Inn brand. Founder Kemmons Wilson grew the brand from a small, family-owned business into a global brand that offers a consistent and affordable hotel experience that makes travel more enjoyable for all, and in doing so, changed the way people travel."

With this campaign, the Holiday Inn brand will reinforce through creative storytelling how it anticipates the needs of small business travelers to better serve them as individuals and empower them with the service and value they need to be successful. Whether a small business traveler is checking in for the very first time or for their first stay in a while, the Holiday Inn brand strives to support their team while on the road by helping to facilitate valuable connections that will grow their business.

The Holiday Inn brand documented the extraordinary journeys of these two businesses over the course of a few months across eight cities and six states nationwide, resulting in compelling documentary-style videos showcasing both the ups and downs of small business ownership. The campaign includes long form and short form content for each company, which will be featured in television and digital advertising and across the Holiday Inn brand's various platforms including YouTube,Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and on HolidayInn.com.

Sword & Plough
Founded by sisters, Emily Núñez Cavness and Betsy Núñez, the Denver, Colorado-based Sword & Plough repurposes military surplus into fashionable bags whose sale empowers veteran employment, reduces waste and strengthens civil-military understanding. Emily and Betsy grew up in a military family and Emily is currently serving as a U.S. Army officer. Sword & Plough works with veterans at every stage, from product conception to order fulfillment, and hopes its bags will serve as conversation pieces that help bring awareness to veteran issues. Since the company's launch in 2013, Sword & Plough has already made important steps toward its quadruple bottom line goals: people, purpose, planet and profit donations.

Emily Núñez Cavness, Founder, Sword & Plough said: "We wanted to create something that would emotionally and physically touch civilians in their everyday lives, and remind them, in a beautiful way, of the challenges many veterans face, as well as the incredible talents and leadership backgrounds that they bring to civilian communities. Running a small business is definitely difficult, and when we travel, our hotel becomes our mobile office. Holiday Inn hotels have become an extension of our team and it's great to know there is a hotel out there looking to help small businesses succeed that we can count on."

Perfect 10 Foods
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Perfect 10 is an artisanal food distributor that is committed to building personal, long-term relationships with its customers rather than be just another mass delivery business. Brothers Nick and Steven Carse founded Perfect 10 following the creation of their first successful venture, King of Pops®. After experiencing frustration with the company's distributors, the Carse brothers wanted to create a new and unique distribution business that would provide like-minded companies with the personal service and attention to detail that their brands and products deserve.

Nick Carse, General Manager, Perfect 10 Foods said: "We have a dedicated team carefully delivering our products and visiting customers throughout the Southeast region on a regular schedule. As our business is growing, we're on the road all day long, and it's exhausting. It's important to stay at a hotel that has a lot to offer, and Holiday Inn hotels have really been a part of our team. Small business is tough and it's better to have friends out there – it makes life on the road much easier."

About Sword & Plough
Sword & Plough is a socially conscious brand that works with American manufacturers who employ veterans. The company recycles military surplus, incorporates that fabric into stylish bag designs and donates 10% of profits back to veteran organizations. www.swordandplough.com.

About Perfect 10 Foods
Perfect 10 Foods is a little different than your typical food distributor, as we're looking to build personal, long term relationships rather than be a mass delivery business. We got into the food industry when we started King of Pops in 2010 and quickly found both success and frustration in our wholesale business. We are based in the Southeast and work with only local, artisan food brands that we personally love and know that you'll love too. We're here to help you sell more and keep your customers happy. www.perfect10foods.com.

Media Contact

Jordan Worrall

Holiday Inn Express® Brand [email protected] 770-604-5010