Hospitality veteran to succeed John Muehlbauer, driving continued value and advocacy for IHG Owners Association
The IHG Owners Association, the global organization representing the interests of IHG Hotels & Resorts franchisees, today announced the appointment of Steve Sickel as Chief Executive Officer, effective November 24, 2025.
Sickel will succeed John Muehlbauer, who earlier this year announced his plans to retire at the end of 2025 after a distinguished 30-year career in hospitality and travel, including the past five years leading the Association. Muehlbauer is credited with driving tens of millions in value for IHG hotel owners worldwide, including last year’s loyalty and IHG Ignite fee reductions. He will remain with the Association through year-end to ensure a seamless transition.
Following a comprehensive search process conducted in partnership with hospitality executive recruitment firm Bristol Associates, Sickel emerged as the unanimous choice of the Association’s CEO search committee.
A seasoned leader with a proven track record in growth, innovation, and global brand strategy, Sickel brings more than two decades of experience across the hospitality and travel sectors. During his 13 years with IHG, he held a series of senior leadership roles, most notably as Global Head of Revenue Delivery, where he spearheaded strategy and execution across IHG’s key commercial drivers, including IHG One Rewards, Distribution Marketing, Digital Marketing, Pricing and Revenue Management, and the System Fund.
Beyond IHG, Sickel served as CEO of RoomKey, the hotel distribution joint venture created by the world’s largest hospitality companies, where he helped reduce third-party distribution costs. Most recently, he was Partner & Chief Marketing Officer at The Mallet Group, a global loyalty marketing consultancy specializing in the travel sector. Sickel has also been recognized by HSMAI as one of the “Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality.”
“I am honored to step into this role and represent IHG owners around the world,” said Sickel. “John has built a strong foundation of advocacy and value creation, and I look forward to strengthening relationships with IHG leadership, owners, and industry partners to champion solutions that enhance long-term returns and strengthen our collective voice.”
Mark Zipperer, 2025 Chair of the Association’s Global Board of Directors, added: “Steve’s deep knowledge of IHG, paired with his broad industry expertise and reputation as a collaborative problem-solver, makes him the ideal choice to lead the Association at this pivotal moment.”
The Association also extended its sincere gratitude to Muehlbauer for his leadership and congratulated him on his upcoming retirement.
Founded in 1955 by Holiday Inn® founder Kemmons Wilson, the IHG Owners Association is the only organization of its kind in the hotel industry. Representing more than 5,000 owners of IHG Hotels & Resorts properties worldwide, the Association advocates on behalf of members to strengthen returns on their investments and address key issues shaping hotel operations and the broader hospitality industry.
The IHG family of brands includes Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas™, Regent® Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Vignette™ Collection, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo®, voco™ hotels, Ruby™ Hotels, HUALUXE® Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, EVEN® Hotels, Holiday Inn Express®, Holiday Inn® Hotels & Resorts, Garner® Hotels, avid® hotels, Atwell Suites™, Staybridge Suites®, Holiday Inn Club Vacations® and Candlewood Suites®.
Media Contact: Susie O’Connell, IHG Owners Association, [email protected]
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