Vantage Appoints Gene Conklin as Regional VP of Development
To oversee development of Vantage’s Upscale Brands in Western U.S. and Canada
Vantage Hospitality's upscale development team continues to expand with the addition of industry veteran Gene Conklin, who will serve as the new Regional Vice President of Development for the western region of the U.S. and Canada. The company's midscale to upscale offerings include Lexington® by Vantage and the brands that are being relaunched under the Vantage umbrella – Jameson Inn®, Jameson Suites® and 3 Palms Hotels & Resorts®.
Most recently, Conklin served as Regional Director of North American Development for Best Western International, Inc., where he earned Salesman of the Year and other awards that reflect his ability to help hotel owners identify and meet their branding needs. He also served 25 years as a Regional GM with Marriott, during which he gained a diverse background in operations, sales and marketing, finance, renovations and new construction.
"I've worn many hats within the lodging industry and this has allowed me a greater understanding of the hotel business from the perspective of both a brand and an owner/operator," said Conklin. "Vantage is different than any other hotel company because it puts control back into the hands of hotel owners while providing more resources, lower fees and a better bottom line."
"I've worked with Gene for years and I can't tell you how excited I am to have him join our team. He has that rare insight into the lodging industry that will help us take Vantage's brands to the next level," said Mark Williams, Group President of Vantage's Upscale Brands. "2015 is going to be a really big year for us."
This month, Vantage will close on the acquisition of the America's Best Inn & Suites®, Country Hearth Inn & Suites®, Jameson Inn and Signature Inn® brands, and is managing the 3 Palms Hotels & Resorts brand pending its acquisition by Vantage later this year. Further development of the newly acquired brands and Vantage's legacy brands (Lexington by Vantage, Americas Best Value Inn® and their brand extensions and international counterparts) will resume later this month.
Conklin will be based out of Chandler, AZ and may be reached at [email protected] or 480-299-6796. For more information, please visit VantageHospitality.com.
About Vantage Hospitality Group, Inc.
Vantage Hospitality Group, Inc., has been recognized as one of the most progressive hotel companies in the history of the lodging industry. With over 1,200 properties worldwide, Vantage is the only hotel company to be ranked among the Inc. 500/5000 List of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies for eight consecutive years. Supported by the resources of a franchise and the freedom of a membership organization, hotel owners around the globe have embraced Vantage's philosophy that puts control back in their hands, allowing them to be "In Business for Themselves, Not by Themselves." Vantage Hotels is among the top 10 hotel franchisors based on the number of hotels in its system. Whether a property is a member of Vantage's legacy brands, the award-winning Americas Best Value Inn brand (with its sister brands, Canadas Best Value Inn and Value Inn Worldwide) and the ground-breaking Lexington by Vantage, or of the Jameson Inn, Country Hearth Inn & Suites, or Signature Inn brands, all Vantage Hotels members enjoy the opportunity to maximize their revenue and asset value through Vantage's low fees and reasonable contract terms; flexible, straightforward agreements; A Voice and A Vote® in major brand initiatives; the most comprehensive resources, support and CRS in the industry; sensible PIPs, and a culture that is centered on educating, not mandating. Membership in Vantage brands in the United States is offered (as a franchise) through Vantage Franchising, Inc., and in Canada, through Vantage Franchising (Canada) Inc., wholly-owned subsidiaries of Vantage Hospitality Group, Inc. For more information, visit www.JoinVantageHotels.com.
