ATLANTA - The International Franchise Association (IFA) will appoint Kirk Kinsell, senior vice president, Americas Franchising and Business Development, InterContinental Hotels Group [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], the world's most global hotel company, to serve on its board.

The newly elected IFA board will take office following its annual meeting that will be held March 6-9, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nev. These executives will work to shape association policies and positions on issues affecting the franchise sector.

"When you work for a company like IHG whose entire franchising platform is based on collaborating with its franchisees - you are able to share real life instances and best practices with the membership of an organization like the IFA," said Kinsell.

The International Franchise Association, founded in 1960, is a membership organization of franchisors, franchisees and suppliers. The IFA Web site serves to provide members and guests with a one-stop shopping experience for franchise information.

As senior vice president, Americas franchising and business development, Kinsell is responsible for franchise sales, relations, administration, food and beverage and hotel quality standards across all IHG brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn ® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, and Candlewood Suites®. In addition, he heads up all real estate development activities sponsored on behalf of the Company and has responsibility for new brand development in the Americas.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United Kingdom [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, more than 3,400 hotels and 530,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world (). The Group owns a portfolio of well recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn ® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, and Candlewood Suites®, and also has a controlling interest in Britvic, the second largest soft drinks manufacturer in the UK.

InterContinental Hotels Group offers information and reservations capability on the Internet - for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, www.crowneplaza.com for Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, www.holiday-inn.com for Holiday Inn hotels, for Holiday Inn Express hotels, www.staybridge.com for Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn hotels, and www.candlewoodsuites.com for Candlewood Suites, and for the Group's rewards program, www.priorityclub.com.

Carolyn Hergert
+1-770-604-8248
IHG