IHG^® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has earned a 100 percent score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) and been recognized as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality for the sixth year in a row. 

The Index is viewed as a significant endorsement of a company’s efforts to promote LGBTQ equality in the workplace, with this year’s report rating more than 1,000 companies across the U.S. for their non-discrimination policies; employment benefits; demonstrated organizational competency and accountability around LGBTQ diversity and inclusion; public commitment to LGBTQ equality; and responsible citizenship.

Elie Maalouf, Chief Executive Officer, Americas, IHG, said: “As a company with more than 3,800 hotels in the U.S. alone, we know we have massive potential to drive positive change in the communities where we operate by embracing our different backgrounds, and celebrating the core values that bring us together. At IHG, it is this inclusivity that has created an empowering sense of belonging among our colleagues.

We applaud the efforts of all organizations working to promote LGBTQ workplace equality and commend the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for its continued leadership in championing these important initiatives.”

IHG has hotels and corporate offices in more than 100 countries, with colleagues representing multiple nationalities, cultures, religions, races, sexualities, backgrounds and beliefs. The company continues to build on its culture of inclusion through key initiatives in the U.S. and around the world:

• Complementing the efforts of its CEO-led Global Diversity & Inclusion Board, in 2019, IHG established Regional Diversity & Inclusion Boards that oversee and champion delivery of the company’s D&I strategy, to ensure D&I programs and initiatives resonate locally.
• Employee Networks, such as IHG Out & Open, continue to provide colleagues with a forum to get involved in LGBTQ-focused conversations and activities throughout the year, and there are plans to expand Network chapters to additional hotels and offices in 2020.
• Mandatory unconscious bias and inclusive leadership training is being implemented for all corporate colleagues and general managers across the Americas region in 2020.
• IHG continues to engage with national and local organizations that provide ongoing support for the LGBTQ community as a corporate partner and board member of the National Diversity Council; Rainbow-level sponsor of the annual Atlanta Pride Festival; and Gold-level sponsor of the Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.