Development Trends and Opportunities for Growth - Julienne Smith, IHG

In this episode, we learn from Julienne Smith, Chief Development Officer, Americas, at IHG.You'll gain a deeper understanding of a Chief Development Officer's crucial role in fostering relationships with franchise partners and driving the growth of hotel brands. You'll discover the intricate connection between real estate and hospitality and why understanding this relationship is essential for anyone passionate about the industry. Julienne sheds light on the challenges and opportunities the current real estate market presents, including the impact of high interest rates and the strategic shift towards conversions and adaptive reuse in hotel development.You will also learn about the importance of keeping hotels fresh and the delicate balance between satisfying consumer expectations and achieving a return on investment. Julienne discusses the evolution of property improvement plans and the focus on technology to enhance both guest and associate experiences.This episode also touches on the broader implications of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the hospitality industry. Julienne highlights initiatives like the Ascend program that aim to mentor and sponsor individuals, particularly people of color, to create a more inclusive and representative environment.Whether you're a hospitality professional, an investor, or simply intrigued by the behind-the-scenes of hotel development, this episode offers valuable perspectives and actionable advice to help you navigate and succeed in the hospitality landscape today.Follow Julienne on LinkedIn hereLearn more about IHG development A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands