Speaker(s)
BARROS Rui Wyndham Hotel Group | Senior Vice President and Managing Director
Rui Barros is responsible for Wyndham Hotel Group’s operations functions throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa, overseeing the coordination and execution of cross-functional brand initiatives throughout the region.
An industry veteran with nearly 25 years of experience, Barros joined the company in 1998 as director of regional marketing. Since that time, he has held titles that include vice president of group operations; senior vice president of operations, Latin America; and most recently, brand senior vice president for the company’s Howard Johnson®, Travelodge® and Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham® hotel brands.
Prior to Wyndham, Barros served in regional and property level management roles with SORA Management, Inc., in Las Vegas, Nev.; and the Marquis and the Racquet Club, both in Palm Springs, Calif. He began his career in 1988 as a front desk associate for the former Wyndham® Resort and Conference Center, also in Palm Springs, Calif.
About Wyndham Hotel Group:
Wyndham Hotel Group, part of the Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE:WYN) family of companies, is the world’s largest hotel company with nearly 7,260 hotels and approximately 618,100 rooms in 66 countries under the hotel brands: Wyndham® Hotels and Resorts, Ramada®, Days Inn®, Super 8®, Wingate by Wyndham®, Baymont Inn & Suites®, Microtel Inn & Suites® by Wyndham, Hawthorn Suites® by Wyndham, TRYP by WyndhamSM, Howard Johnson®, Travelodge® and Knights Inn®. In addition, the company has license agreements to franchise the Planet Hollywood Hotels, Dream® and Night® brands and provide management services globally.
JOYCE Stephen Choice Hotels International | President & CEO
Stephen P. Joyce is president, chief executive officer, and member of the board of directors of
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world’s largest hotel franchisors. With a
career in the lodging industry spanning nearly three decades, Mr. Joyce has a proven track record of
developing and growing some of the best-known hotel brands in markets worldwide.
Since Mr. Joyce took the helm of Choice Hotels in 2008, he has led the company on an impressive
and focused growth strategy, resulting in a significant gain in the company’s market share position,
expansion into new markets and the advancement of new brands. Under Mr. Joyce’s leadership
during 2009, his first full year as president and CEO of the company and one of the most historically
challenging environments for the industry, Choice outpaced industry supply growth and increased
market share, as well as led hotels in the Choice system to improved guest satisfaction results and
RevPAR index versus its competitors.
In addition, Mr. Joyce’s leadership has resulted in further enhancements to the company’s marketing
strategies, brand awareness and eCommerce initiatives, including the launch of the industry’s first
global iPhone application and the highest year-over-year growth in the company’s award-winning
Choice Privileges rewards program, which surpassed 15 million members as of May 2012.
Mr. Joyce also has greatly expanded Choice’s industry profile and corporate social responsibility
initiatives, including the establishment of a multi-year signature cause partnership with Rebuilding
Together, the nation’s leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities throughout the United States. Launched in September 2009, Choice associates and franchisees donated more than 5,000 volunteer hours during the first 90 days of the program’s inception.
Prior to joining Choice Hotels in May 2008, Mr. Joyce served as executive vice president, global
development/owner & franchise services for Marriott International, Inc., where he was responsible for
the development of Marriott’s lodging brands worldwide. Under his leadership at Marriott, its global
development group successfully grew the company’s hotel brands worldwide including all mixed-use
and real estate development. Prior to leading Marriott’s growth efforts, Mr. Joyce held previous
positions in franchising, finance and operational consulting.
An active member of the lodging industry and business community, Mr. Joyce serves on a variety of
boards and community organizations. He holds leadership roles with the International Franchise
Association as secretary and member of the executive committee of the board of directors, and the
ServiceSource Foundation as vice chairman of the board of trustees. He also serves as a member
of the board of directors for: the U.S. Travel Association; DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN); the Wolf Trap
Foundation for the Performing Arts; the Autism Learning Center; and The Real Estate Roundtable.
Mr. Joyce was a recent recipient of the 2010 Community Partner Award from ServiceSource.
Foundation and was also named Maryland Business Gazette’s 2010 Executive of the Year. He
holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Virginia and has done graduate work
at Cornell University, Wharton Business School, and the Aspen Institute.
About Choice Hotels International :
Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest and most successful lodging companies in the world. Choice Hotels currently franchises more than 6,100 hotels, representing more than 495,000 rooms, in more than 30 countries and territories. Ranging from limited service to full service hotels in the economy, mid-scale and upscale segments, Choice Hotels-branded properties provide business and leisure travelers with a range of high-quality, high-value lodging options throughout the United States and internationally.
The company's Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands, as well as its Ascend Hotel Collection membership program, serve guests worldwide.
VINCENT Simon Hilton Worldwide | President, EMEA
Simon Vincent is President, EMEA for Hilton Worldwide. Based in London, Vincent is responsible for more than 290 hotels across six brands in 49 countries. Having spent his early career in International banking with HSBC, Vincent has since forged a career in the leisure and travel industry spanning 20 years. Previously, he was CEO of Opodo, the pan-European online travel agency and also spent 13 years in senior roles at the Thomas Cook Group.
He is Chairman of the Hilton in the Community Foundation, Chair of the Hospitality Guild, on the Executive Committee of the British Hospitality Association and is also a Trustee of the Jigsaw School, which caters for children on the autistic spectrum. An enthusiastic sportsman, Vincent took part in this year’s Galvin’s Chance Mayfair and Park Tower Race, raising money for the Hilton in the Community Foundation.
About Hilton Worldwide:
Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value.
The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,800 hotels and timeshare properties, with 630,000 rooms in 88 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®.
|