Can a Brand Still Be “Boutique” After a Buyout? IHG VP on Why Scaling isn’t Bad

What really happens when an independent brand gets acquired by a global hotel company—and can it stay “boutique” after the buyout? On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Vicki Poulos, Vice President of Luxury and Lifestyle Brands at IHG Hotels & Resorts, for an honest look at growth, scale, and authenticity in modern hospitality. With over two decades of experience, Vicki shares how her Greek roots shaped her creative instincts, how she built the Moxy Hotels brand at Marriott, and how she now leads some of IHG’s most iconic names. Vicki and Katie unpack what happens after independent brands are acquired, why “scaling” isn’t the dirty word people think it is, and how strong leadership and brand clarity can actually make both sides stronger. She also opens up about balancing personal growth with professional ambition, especially as a working parent in an industry that never sleeps. Connect with Vicki: Vicki's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickipoulos Thank you to this week's sponsors! Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lodgify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links: Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suite Success Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Katie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠