Industry Strategist to Focus on Assisting Hospitality Companies Increase Profitability by Creating Actionable Items based on Data and Insights

New York, January 24, 2023—Horwath HTL, the world’s only independent advisory brand
focused one hundred percent on hospitality, tourism, and leisure development, today
announced that Melissa Maher has joined the group as Managing Director to support
hoteliers with actionable items to optimize their business offerings.

“Melissa will bring her unique understanding of the technology and data sources our industry
uses daily to our team,” said John Fareed, Global Chairman, Horwath HTL. “Her ability to look
at all the data and sort through what is truly needed and the best way to interpret the data
to enhance overall operations and push profitability will help our clients achieve best in class
for their properties and portfolio.”

Maher started her career in the hospitality business as a Sales Manager for the Courtyard by
Marriott Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada. She most recently spent the last 21 years with
Expedia Group in various positions, including Chief Marketing Officer & Senior Vice President
of Marketing and Industry Engagement, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Innovation,
Chief Inclusion Officer, Senior Vice President, Global Partner Group, Vice President Global
Strategic Accounts & Industry Relations, and Regional Director of Market Management. In her
time with Expedia, she formed strategic relationships with brand partners, founded the
ownership council for hotel owners, and created B2B marketing programs to assist owners in
growing their business more scalable way through innovative technology and special
initiatives, including promotions, data, and insights.

“I am excited to join John and the Horwath HTL team in the California office,” said Melissa
Maher, Managing Director, Horwath HTL. “Having the ability to work with a global firm to
bring commercial development and strategy to hospitality companies will allow me to utilize
my experience and expertise to ensure hoteliers optimize their business offerings.”

Maher has been recognized with many honors throughout her career, including the Top 40
Women in Travel WINiT by Global Travel Associations. She was named one of the 30 Most
Influential Women in Hospitality by Hotel Management Magazine. She serves as a board
member and advisor for several organizations, including Women in Travel Thrive, Thayer
Ventures, and StayBoutique. She formerly served as a board member for WINiT by GBTA and
HSMAI. She also volunteers for organizations she closely connects with, including the Lupus
Foundation of America, Crystal Cove Conservancy, and the Nevada Partnership for Homeless
Youth. Maher holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management and a Master’s of Business
Administration from the University of Nevada, located in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Horwath HTL’s strategic advisory services include asset management, planning and
development, positioning and repositioning, transaction services, and expert witness and
litigation support.

About Horwath HTL
Horwath HTL is focused one hundred percent on hospitality, tourism, and leisure consulting.
Our services cover every aspect of hotel real estate investment, tourism, and leisure
development. Our clients choose Horwath HTL because we have earned a reputation for
impartial advice that will often mean the difference between failure and success. Each client
project is unique, and they rely on us to utilize the experience we have gained throughout our
100-year history to assist them in achieving their goals. Being a global firm with 52 offices in
40 countries, we have successfully carried out over 40,000 assignments for both public and
private clients. As part of the Crowe Global network, a top-ten accounting, and financial
services network, Horwath HTL is the number one choice for companies and financial
institutions looking to invest and develop in the industry.

For more information, please visit www.horwathhtl.com.