-- As Global Entrepreneurship Network's first exclusive hospitality partner, 
Crowne Plaza hotels will be the home of Startup Huddle, helping build local 
startup communities around the world. 

Crowne Plaza(R) Hotels & Resorts ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=1966856585&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crowneplaza.com%2Fhotels%2Fus%2Fen%2Freservation&a=Crowne+Plaza%C2%AE+Hotels+%26+Resorts 
) is proud to announce the launch of a global partnership with the Global 
Entrepreneurship Network ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=3260164124&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.genglobal.org%2F&a=Global+Entrepreneurship+Network 
) (GEN). The partnership will kick off during the annual Global 
Entrepreneurship Week (November 18-24, 2019). As the first exclusive 
hospitality partner for GEN, select Crowne Plaza properties around the world 
will be the new hubs of Startup Huddle monthly meetups, ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=1196407809&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.genglobal.org%2Fstartup-huddle&a=Startup+Huddle+monthly+meetups%2C 
) a program designed to help entrepreneurs while strengthening the local 
ecosystem, providing easier access to spaces for entrepreneurs to collaborate, 
problem solve and inspire one another. 

Photo - 
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1030342/IHG_Hotels_and_Resorts_Hamburg.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1030343/Crowne_Plaza_Atlanta.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/951572/IHG_Crowne_Plaza_Logo.jpg 


One of the largest upscale brands in the world, the Crowne Plaza brand is in 
the midst of a global evolution and expansion, with six new flagship hotels 
opening in the US, Europe and China by early 2020. Designed to meet the 
changing needs of modern travelers, the Crowne Plaza brand's new hallmark 
design innovations include Plaza Workspace ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=1468899520&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ihg.com%2Fcrowneplaza%2Fcontent%2Fus%2Fen%2Fexp%2Fplazaworkspace&a=Plaza+Workspace 
), a co-working lobby design concept featuring flexible workspaces, breakout 
areas and The Studio, a bookable-by-the-hour meeting space. GEN has more than 
15,000 members in 170 countries. With this partnership, select Crowne Plaza 
hotels will offer them discounted or complimentary access to these spaces for 
collaboration. 

The Crowne Plaza brand's flexible lobby design provides the perfect environment 
for entrepreneurs to meet face to face. Connecting in-person is more important 
than ever before for entrepreneurs and startups, according to the 2019 Global 
Startup Ecosystem Report ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=1059574829&u=https%3A%2F%2Fstartupgenome.com%2Fgser2019&a=2019+Global+Startup+Ecosystem+Report 
) by Startup Genome and GEN. The report recently revealed that higher scores 
for "local connectedness" translated to more successful startups and to 
stronger entrepreneurship ecosystems. Specifically, those entrepreneurs who had 
high levels of "local connectedness" grow their revenue two times as fast as 
those with low local connectedness. 

Libby Escolme, Global Vice President, Crowne Plaza, commented: "We are proud to 
partner with GEN to support and provide a home for the next generation of 
entrepreneurs around the world. This partnership comes at the perfect time for 
the Crowne Plaza brand as we expand our new flexible lobby and room designs in 
flagship properties around the world. From our lobby concepts to our patented 
WorkLife guest rooms, our hotels are truly serving the modern business traveler 
and local business communities." 

The Crowne Plaza brand's sponsorship of Startup Huddle will kick off on 
November 19, 2019 during Global Entrepreneurship Week with an event at the 
brand's newly transformed Americas flagship, the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter 
hotel at Ravinia ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=1151572698&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cpravinia.com%2F&a=Crowne+Plaza+Atlanta+Perimeter+hotel+at+Ravinia 
). Jonathan Ortmans, founder and president of GEN, and Meredith Latham, VP of 
Crowne Plaza, Americas, will host the event which will take a close look at the 
startup scene in Atlanta and how great design fuels creativity and 
collaboration. Several events at Crowne Plaza properties around the world are 
also being planned for 2020.

Ortmans commented: "We are thrilled to partner with the Crowne Plaza brand in 
helping foster healthier ecosystems for entrepreneurs from all backgrounds to 
thrive. Local startup ecosystems need connectivity and density - the vibrant 
atmosphere of the new Crowne Plaza lobby concept offers a home for 
entrepreneurs to collaborate and build community. The Crowne Plaza brand is an 
early adaptor in recognizing the important role they can play and we look 
forward to seeing more of our programs and communities leveraging their local 
Crowne Plaza hotel as a hub for community innovation and growth." 

For information about the partnership, please visit genglobal.org/crowneplaza ( 
\\10.86.178.63\Users\newstet\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.O
utlook\MFCO4BGH\genglobal.org\crowneplaza ). 

About the Global Entrepreneurship Network
The Global Entrepreneurship Network operates a platform of programs in 170 
countries aimed at making it easier for anyone, anywhere to start and scale a 
business. By fostering deeper cross border collaboration and initiatives 
between entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers and entrepreneurial 
support organizations, GEN works to fuel healthier start and scale ecosystems 
that create more jobs, educate individuals, accelerate innovation and 
strengthen economic growth. For details on the programs and initiatives that 
make up GEN, visit genglobal.org. Follow GEN on Twitter @unleashingideas.

About Crowne Plaza(R) Hotels & Resorts 
Crowne Plaza(R) Hotels & Resorts is one of the fastest growing hotel brands 
globally. At Crowne Plaza(R) we're expert in helping guests to do business 
better, combining empowered colleague service, always-on connectivity, 
innovative rooms and flexible co-working spaces. All this helps guests to be 
productive, feel energised and build meaningful relationships with their 
clients and colleagues, or travelling companions. Beautifully equipped rooms, 
signature Sleep Advantage(R) programme, 24-hour fitness facilities, stylish 
meeting & event facilities and on-site restaurants & bars. At Crowne Plaza 
hotels we deliver an experience that's design-led, tech-enabled and culturally 
relevant to the world of modern business & leisure travel; meaning guests can 
recharge and be inspired in their downtime and worktime. For more information, 
visit www.crowneplaza.com, and connect with us on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/Crowne.Plaza Twitter www.twitter.com/crowneplaza, and 
Instagram www.instagram.com/crowneplaza. 

About IHG(R)
IHG(R) (InterContinental Hotels Group) ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=1731540558&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ihgplc.com%2Findex.asp&a=IHG%C2%AE+(InterContinental+Hotels+Group) 
) (LON:IHG) (NYSE:IHG) (ADRs) is a global organisation with a broad portfolio 
of hotel brands, including Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=930970199&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sixsenses.com%2F&a=Six+Senses+Hotels+Resorts+Spas 
), Regent Hotels & Resorts ( 
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), InterContinental(R) Hotels & Resorts ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=1702977731&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.intercontinental.com%2Fhotels%2Fgb%2Fen%2Freservation&a=InterContinental%C2%AE+Hotels+%26+Resorts 
), Kimpton(R) Hotels & Restaurants ( 
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), Hotel Indigo(R) ( 
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), EVEN(R) Hotels ( 
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), HUALUXE(R) Hotels and Resorts 
(https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=6924001&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ihg
.com%2Fhualuxe%2Fhotels%2Fgb%2Fen%2Freservation&a=HUALUXE%C2%AE+Hotels+and+Resor
ts ), Crowne Plaza(R) Hotels & Resorts ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=542448030&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ihg.com%2Fcrowneplaza%2Fhotels%2Fgb%2Fen%2Freservation&a=Crowne+Plaza%C2%AE+Hotels+%26+Resorts 
), voco(TM) ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=2397557585&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ihg.com%2Fvoco%2Fhotels%2Fgb%2Fen%2Freservation&a=voco%E2%84%A2 
), Holiday Inn(R) Hotels & Resorts ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=3431174478&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ihg.com%2Fholidayinn%2Fhotels%2Fgb%2Fen%2Freservation&a=Holiday+Inn%C2%AE+Hotels+%26+Resorts 
) , Holiday Inn Express(R) ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=1655978565&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ihg.com%2Fholidayinnexpress%2Fhotels%2Fgb%2Fen%2Freservation&a=Holiday+Inn+Express%C2%AE 
), Holiday Inn Club Vacations(R) ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=3060334676&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ihg.com%2Fholidayinnclubvacations%2Fhotels%2Fus%2Fen%2Freservation&a=Holiday+Inn+Club+Vacations%C2%AE 
), avid(TM) hotels ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=2764137094&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ihg.com%2Favidhotels%2Fhotels%2Fus%2Fen%2Freservation&a=avid%E2%84%A2+hotels 
), Staybridge Suites(R) ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=999233511&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ihg.com%2Fstaybridge%2Fhotels%2Fgb%2Fen%2Freservation&a=Staybridge+Suites%C2%AE 
), Atwell Suites(TM) ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=650097182&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.atwellsuites.com%2F&a=Atwell+Suites%E2%84%A2 
), and Candlewood Suites(R) ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=4211011349&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ihg.com%2Fcandlewood%2Fhotels%2Fus%2Fen%2Freservation&a=Candlewood+Suites%C2%AE 
). 

IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns nearly 5,800 hotels and approximately 
865,000 guest rooms in more than 100 countries, with over 1,900 hotels in its 
development pipeline. IHG also manages IHG(R) Rewards Club ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=2332243969&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ihg.com%2Frewardsclub%2Fgb%2Fen%2Fhome&a=IHG%C2%AE+Rewards+Club 
), our global loyalty programme, which has more than 100 million enrolled 
members.   

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2644974-1&h=1080746229&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ihgplc.com%2Findex.asp&a=InterContinental+Hotels+Group+PLC 
) is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and 
registered in England and Wales. More than 400,000 people work across IHG's 
hotels and corporate offices globally.

Visit www.ihg.com for hotel information and reservations and 
www.ihgrewardsclub.com for more on IHG Rewards Club. For our latest news, 
visit: www.ihgplc.com/media and follow us on social media at: 
https://twitter.com/ihgcorporate, www.facebook.com/ihgcorporate and 
www.linkedin.com/company/intercontinental-hotels-group.

Media Contact 
Jason Rollins, IHG 
Jason.Rollins@ihg.com  
+1-770-604-5314

SOURCE: IHG Hotels and Resorts