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Original operations The Hospitality Newsletter Team · ·For: Owner, GM, Revenue, Ops

IHG, Marriott, Duetto, and Concord Reshape Operations

Recent hotel industry shifts bring leadership changes at IHG, software consolidation via Duetto, and portfolio expansions from Marriott and Concord.

The short answer

IHG has appointed Leanne Harwood as head of global sales, while Duetto acquired revenue management software provider FLYR Hospitality. Meanwhile, Spire Hospitality opened a Series by Marriott hotel in Alabama and Concord Hospitality added over 12 management assets.

55
guest rooms at the St. James Hotel
Selma, Alabama property
12+
hotels and restaurants added by Concord Hospitality
portfolio expansion
240
rooms at The Beckworth Hotel Charlotte
opening early 2027
“FLYR Hospitality's pricing science and plain-language BI [business intelligence] are some of the best in the category, and combined with our own ML platform, world class RMS, and HotStats' data, we can give every hotelier, however sophisticated their team, however complex their portfolio, a genuine path to better performance”
Alex Zoghlin, CEO, Duetto
IHG, Marriott, Duetto, and Concord Reshape Operations
Photo: Veronika Andrews / Pexels

The short version

  • IHG appointed Leanne Harwood, a 20-year company veteran, as senior vice president of global sales.
  • Duetto acquired automated revenue platform FLYR Hospitality following its 2025 purchase of HotStats.
  • Concord Hospitality added more than 12 properties and dining venues across North Carolina, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C.

Major hospitality brands and technology vendors executed several commercial expansions this week, led by IHG Hotels & Resorts appointing Leanne Harwood as senior vice president of global sales, Duetto acquiring automated pricing platform FLYR Hospitality, Spire Hospitality reopening an Alabama boutique under Series by Marriott, and Concord Hospitality securing over 12 property management contracts [1].

What changes did IHG make to its global commercial leadership?

IHG Hotels & Resorts appointed company veteran Leanne Harwood as senior vice president of global sales to direct commercial performance across worldwide channels, according to a Tuesday news release reported by Hotel Dive [1]. In this post, Harwood leads IHG's global sales organization, overseeing corporate accounts, group bookings, and meetings and events segments globally [1].

Harwood brings more than 20 years of internal tenure to the post [1]. She previously served as senior vice president and managing director of luxury, lifestyle and managed hotels in the Americas, where she handled operational performance for IHG's upscale regional collection [1]. Her move comes alongside broader commercial appointments across lodging groups, following executive adjustments made during the third quarter [1].

corporate office sales conference meeting
Photo: Felicity Tai / Pexels

How is Series by Marriott expanding its boutique footprint?

Series by Marriott added the historic St. James Hotel in Selma, Alabama, reopened by management company Spire Hospitality [1]. Marriott International originally launched the Series by Marriott brand in May 2025, later expanding into markets such as Miami Beach, Florida, and Santa Monica, California [1].

The restored 55-room boutique property sits overlooking the Alabama River [1]. Guest accommodations feature designated workspaces, high-speed Wi-Fi, and HDTVs, while on-property facilities include an on-site restaurant, flexible meeting space, and a fitness center [1].

Why did Duetto acquire revenue management provider FLYR Hospitality?

Duetto acquired automated revenue management and business intelligence provider FLYR Hospitality to add artificial intelligence-driven revenue strategy software to its cloud platform, according to a Thursday news release [1]. Financial terms for the acquisition were not disclosed [1].

modern boutique hotel guest room desk
Photo: Nothing Ahead / Pexels

The acquisition incorporates FLYR's pricing engine into Duetto's Revenue & Profit Operating System, adding automated revenue strategy features alongside existing modules for revenue management, group business, and profit benchmarking [1]. This buyout follows Duetto's 2025 acquisition of financial benchmarking firm HotStats [1].

Which assets did Concord Hospitality add to its operating roster?

Concord Hospitality expanded its operating footprint by adding more than 12 hotels and restaurants across North Carolina, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., Hotel Dive reported [1]. The Raleigh, North Carolina-based management group secured contracts for One Washington Circle, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, in Washington, D.C., and The Satire, Autograph Collection, in Alexandria, Virginia [1].

rooftop hotel bar city skyline
Photo: Zak Chapman / Pexels

In New Jersey, Concord added two destinations: The Union Hotel Flemington, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, and The Vintedge in Lyndhurst [1]. Additionally, Concord is preparing to open the 240-room Beckworth Hotel Charlotte, Curio Collection by Hilton, inside Charlotte's historic Johnston Building in early 2027, featuring a rooftop bar, ground-floor restaurant, and coffee shop [1].

CompanyTransaction or EventAsset or Brand InvolvedLocation / Scope
IHG Hotels & ResortsExecutive appointmentGlobal sales leadershipWorldwide
Spire Hospitality / MarriottProperty reopeningSt. James Hotel (Series by Marriott)Selma, Alabama
DuettoTechnology acquisitionFLYR HospitalityGlobal operations
Concord HospitalityManagement contractsOne Washington Circle, Tapestry CollectionWashington, D.C.
Concord HospitalityManagement contractsThe Satire, Autograph CollectionAlexandria, Virginia
Concord HospitalityFuture property openingThe Beckworth Hotel, Curio CollectionCharlotte, North Carolina (2027)

What broader development announcements emerged across the industry?

The operational announcements accompanied widespread prototype and portfolio debuts revealed during the annual Lodging Conference in Phoenix [1]. At the event, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts formed a partnership with Travel + Leisure Co. to scale its Sports Illustrated Resorts hotel portfolio [1].

Brand prototypes also expanded across select-service and extended-stay segments [1]. Hyatt revealed new building prototypes for both Hyatt Place and Hyatt Studios, while Hilton developed a new-build prototype for its Undergraduate brand alongside naming a former Uber executive as its chief technology officer [1]. At the same time, Accor appointed a regional leader for luxury development in North America [1].

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Frequently asked

+Who was appointed to lead global sales at IHG Hotels & Resorts?

IHG appointed Leanne Harwood as senior vice president of global sales. She brings over 20 years of experience at IHG, previously serving as senior vice president and managing director of luxury, lifestyle and managed hotels in the Americas.

+What features are included in the new Series by Marriott property in Alabama?

Managed by Spire Hospitality, the 55-room St. James Hotel in Selma overlooks the Alabama River and includes modern workspaces, high-speed Wi-Fi, HDTVs, an on-site restaurant, a fitness center, and meeting space.

+Why did Duetto acquire FLYR Hospitality?

Duetto acquired FLYR Hospitality to integrate artificial intelligence pricing science and business intelligence into its Revenue & Profit Operating System, combining automated tools with Duetto's revenue management and benchmarking platform.

+When did Marriott launch the Series by Marriott collection brand?

Marriott International launched the Series by Marriott brand in May 2025, subsequently adding locations in destinations such as Miami Beach, Florida, and Santa Monica, California, prior to the Selma, Alabama opening.

+What hotels did Concord Hospitality add to its management portfolio?

Concord added more than 12 hotels and restaurants, including One Washington Circle in Washington, D.C., The Satire in Alexandria, Virginia, The Union Hotel Flemington, and The Vintedge in New Jersey.

+When is The Beckworth Hotel Charlotte scheduled to open?

The 240-room Beckworth Hotel Charlotte, Curio Collection by Hilton, is slated to open in early 2027 in the historic Johnston Building with a restaurant, coffee shop, and rooftop bar.

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