Choice Hotels CEO Steve Joyce Elected to Leadership Post at IFA

For immediate release
Contact: Alisa Harrison, 202-628-8000
aharrison@franchise.org
www.twitter.com/franchising411

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2010—Stephen P. Joyce, president & CEO and member of the board of directors of Choice Hotels International, Inc., one of the world’s largest hotel franchisors, has been elected Secretary of the International Franchise Association, a position that places him in the top leadership chairs of the association.
“IFA is extremely fortunate to have someone as experienced and knowledgeable about franchising as Steve Joyce to assume this leadership position,” said IFA Chairman Ken Walker, chairman and CEO of Driven Brands. “Steve has been an active leader in the IFA and by assuming this leadership post, we will have the benefit of his leadership and guidance for years to come.”
The International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA members include franchise companies in over 100 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development.
Joyce, who will assume his position Feb. 16, 2011 at the conclusion of the IFA 51st Annual Convention in Las Vegas, has been active in the IFA for many years in a variety of roles, most recently serving as a member of the IFA Executive Committee, the IFA Board of Directors and chairman of the Franchisor Forum. In his new position, upon approval of the IFA Board of Directors, he will have the opportunity to move through the leadership chairs becoming IFA Chairman in 2014.
“I am very honored to have been elected secretary of the IFA and am excited to contribute to the association in a leadership position,” said Joyce. “IFA is an extremely powerful advocate for all of franchising. I look forward to working closely with other industry leaders and the IFA staff to continue to increase to the effectiveness and reach of this well-regarded association.”
With a career in the lodging industry spanning nearly 30 years, Joyce has a proven track record of developing and growing some of the best-known hotel brands worldwide. Since taking 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 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.
Prior to joining Choice Hotels in May 2008, he 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. In addition, he oversaw Marriott’s owner & franchise services group, which supports both franchisees and owners of Marriott managed hotels.
In addition to serving the IFA, Joyce is an active member of the lodging industry and business community. He currently is chairman of the U.S. Travel Association, serves on the executive committee of the board of directors of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, serves on the board of the Autism Learning Center, and as vice chairman of the board of trustees and Service Source Foundation. He is also chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AH&LA) Multicultural Diversity Advisory Council.
Joyce 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 the International Franchise Association
The International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. Celebrating 50 years of excellence, education and advocacy, IFA protects, enhances and promotes franchising through government relations, public relations and educational programs. Through its awareness campaign highlighting the theme,
Franchising: Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time,IFA promotes the 21 million jobs and $2.3 trillion of economic activity generated by franchising. IFA members include franchise companies in over 90 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development.