ROCKVILLE, Md., March 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, is pleased to announce today that its president and CEO, Steve Joyce, has assumed the chairmanship of the International Franchise Association (IFA).
"It's an honor to be chairman of the IFA, and I look forward to working closely with the IFA executive committee and board of directors as we represent and advocate for pro-growth policies that support the interests of franchisors, franchisees and suppliers," commented Steve Joyce.
With a career in the lodging industry spanning over three decades, Joyce has led Choice Hotels since 2008, and has a proven track record of developing and growing some of the best-known hotel brands in markets worldwide.
Joyce has long been involved in the lodging and franchise industries and the global business community. Joyce comes into the role of IFA chairman after previously serving as IFA's Vice Chairman. A long-standing IFA member, Joyce has held many additional leadership roles, including serving in the leadership chairs since 2011 and a board member since 2001, IFA Educational Foundation Executive Committee first vice chairman (2012-2013) and Franchisor Forum chairman (2003-2010). He has served on multiple IFA committees that provide guidance to the organization, including chairing the Long Range Planning Committee in 2009, as well as chairing the IFA 2014 Convention Committee.
"Franchising is woven into the fabric of American commerce," continued Joyce, "It is a uniquely American proposition, which provides a robust path for individuals to achieve the American dream. As chairman, I will continue our strategic focus to ensure that IFA is inclusive of both franchisees and franchisors, so that together, we can continue to build this important industry for our economy."
About The International Franchise Association
The International Franchise Association is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. Celebrating over 50 years of excellence, education and advocacy, IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising. Through its media awareness campaign highlighting the theme, Franchising: Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time, IFA promotes the economic impact of the more than 825,000 franchise establishments, which support nearly 18 million jobs and $2.1 trillion of economic output for the U.S. economy. IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development.
About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,300 hotels, representing more than 500,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 35 other countries and territories. As of December 31, 2013, 422 hotels, representing more than 31,000 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States. Additionally, 81 hotels, representing approximately 7,200 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 15 other countries and territories. 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.
Additional corporate information can be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. web site, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com.
Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Choice Privileges, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, Ascend Hotel Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International Inc. and its subsidiaries.
© 2014 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.
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SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.