Apaez named ALIS CALA award winner

MIAMI, Florida – Jorge Apaez of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in Latin America and the Caribbean, will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the ALIS CALA conference on April 28, 2026, at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel in Florida. This award is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the hospitality industry over their lifetime through their actions, deeds, and great accomplishments.

His deep understanding of owners’ investment, operational, and commercial priorities is matched by a proven ability to drive growth through brand development, franchising, and talent advancement.

Jeff Higley

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“Jorge Apaez’s long-standing expertise and unwavering commitment to fostering a strong hotel investment environment—past, present, and future—make him an exceptional choice for the ALIS CALA Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Jeff Higley, president of Northstar Travel Group’s Hotel Investment Group. “His deep understanding of owners’ investment, operational, and commercial priorities is matched by a proven ability to drive growth through brand development, franchising, and talent advancement. Mr. Apaez’s remarkable career longevity reflects his enduring passion for the industry, and we are proud to name him the 2026 recipient of this award.”

Apaez is a retired global hospitality executive with more than 40 years of leadership experience across Mexico, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States. He most recently served as chief operating officer for IHG in Latin America and the Caribbean, concluding a distinguished 31-year career with the company.

Throughout his career, Apaez held senior leadership roles in sales and marketing, commercial strategy, operations, development, and regional management. He served as regional president for IHG in Mexico and later expanded his responsibilities across Latin America and the Caribbean, overseeing a large portfolio of multi branded franchised and company-managed hotels.

From 2009 to 2014, Apaez was based at IHG’s Americas headquarters in Atlanta, where he initially led operations for the Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands and later the company’s full brand portfolio across the western United States.

Apaez played a key role in the expansion and positioning of international hotel brands throughout Mexico and Latin America, helping global companies enter and grow in the region by adapting their value propositions to local markets.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism from the Instituto Politécnico Nacional and an MBA from IPADE Business School. He is a recipient of the IHG President’s Award and has been recognized by several institutions for his contributions to the development of the hospitality industry and tourism education in Mexico.

Apaez is passionate about education, developing talent, and building strong, high-performing teams, as well as creating compelling value propositions for owners, guests, and colleagues. He and his wife, visual artist Laura Rubio, have two children, Patricio and Camila.