Abhijay Sandilya

Abhijay Sandilya is Managing Director - Japan at IHG®, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. He is responsible for the company’s strategic growth, performance and operations in Japan.

Prior to taking on this role in October 2021, Abhijay spent nearly 6 years with IHG in Australia where he most recently led IHG’s Development team as VP Development - Japan, Australasia, Pacific. Together with his team in Sydney and Tokyo, he was responsible for IHG’s biggest years of signings and openings on record in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia and Micronesia – signing almost 60 deals and reshaping the JAPAC region from 60 operating hotels in 2016 to more than 140 open and pipeline hotels today.

Key signings in his time with IHG have included the Appi Kogen portfolio, IHG’s biggest conversion deal in more than a decade in Japan, the first voco and Vignette Collection hotels globally, and market entries for Hotel Indigo, Kimpton and Regent.

Prior to his time at IHG, Abhijay worked for Whitbread PLC and the Jumeirah Group in Singapore and Dubai holding key leadership positions working on hotel real estate acquisitions for the groups working across markets in the Middle East, Africa and the Asia Pacific regions.

Abhijay has lived and worked in eight countries and holds a Master’s degree from Erasmus University’s Rotterdam School of Management.

Amy Schimmel

Amy Schimmel serves as Regional Director for IHG Hotels & Resorts – Mainstream Brands, overseeing franchise development and brand growth throughout the Mountain States region, including Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

With more than 31 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Amy brings a comprehensive and well-rounded perspective to hotel development. She began her career with Bristol Hotel & Resorts in Addison, Texas, and ClubCorp in Dallas, Texas, where she built a strong operational foundation that would shape her long-term success in the industry.

Amy joined IHG in 2015 as a Regional Manager of Property Improvements, where she worked closely with owners and operators to enhance asset value and ensure brand excellence. Over the course of her career, she has developed extensive expertise across multiple disciplines, including design and construction management, procurement, renovation oversight, and hotel development. Her breadth of knowledge and collaborative approach have established her as a trusted advisor to franchise partners throughout the region.

Recognized for her strategic insight and relationship-driven leadership style, Amy is dedicated to helping owners successfully position and grow their investments within the IHG portfolio.

Amy proudly calls Colorado home. She and her husband have been married for 32 years and have two children and a Corgi. Outside of work, they enjoy hiking, skiing, college football, and spending time in Northern California’s wine country.

David Self

David works closely with hotel owners to expand the footprint of IHG’s Essentials & Suites Brands across Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Prior to joining IHG, he spent nearly 15 years in Franchise Development for Choice Hotels International in the Upper Midwest, Texas, and Southeast Regions. David holds a BA in Business & Economics from Wheaton College, near Chicago. Outside the office, he's always ready for a pickup basketball game and enjoys hunting for his next favorite band. Above all, he adores spending time with his family.

Alex Shamsuddin

Justin Shapiro

Justin Shapiro is the Director of Mainstream Development for IHG, overseeing projects in New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington D.C. In his role, Justin spearheads development efforts for IHG’s mainstream brands, including Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, avid hotels, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, Garner, and Atwell Suites.

Since joining IHG in 2023, Justin has leveraged his robust background in technology from working with fintech startups and prior experience as a consultant with Cognizant. His previous role with IHG as Business Development Manager has positioned him as a pivotal player in IHG’s expansion and growth within these key markets.

Justin holds a bachelor’s degree from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland and earned his MBA from Emory University's Goizueta Business School in 2019.

Based in New York City, Justin is an avid traveler and enjoys skiing and golf in his leisure time. His diverse professional background and passion for hospitality make him a dynamic leader in the industry.

Elizabeth Shults

Elizabeth supports the development of IHG’s Mainstream brands and growth activities for the Midwest. Elizabeth holds a degree in Communications and Entrepreneurship from the University of Michigan and currently lives in Chicago. She loves traveling, being active, cooking, trying new restaurants, and all things Michigan and Detroit sports.

Shawn P. Siemers

Shawn steers the expansion of IHG’s mainstream brands in the Eastern Unites States. Since joining IHG in 1991, Shawn has excelled in various roles within the company, including Director of Franchise Services, Senior Area Franchise Manager, New Hotel Opening Manager, and Corporate Trainer. Based in Lafayette, Indiana, the home of his alma mater, Purdue University, Shawn is a die-hard Boilermakers football fan and Major League Baseball enthusiast, having visited 27 of the 30 professional ballparks. When he’s not catching a game, you can find him on the farm making pure maple syrup or at sea fishing for sharks.

Andrzej Szymczyk

Andrzej Szymczyk is Development Director for Poland & Eastern Europe at IHG®, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. He is responsible for leading and growing IHG’s portfolio through franchise and management agreements.

Andrzej has over 15 years of extensive international experience in the hospitality industry across various hotel departments, especially in large hotel groups as well as independent hotels covering a large variety of property types. He is well positioned to help owners optimise their asset and recommending the most appropriate brand and design solutions for their properties.

Matthew Tripolone

Matthew Tripolone is Managing Director - Australasia & Pacific at IHG®, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. He is responsible for the company’s strategic growth, performance and operations in the Australasia & Pacific region.

Matthew was previously based in Dubai as Vice President of Development for IHG’s Middle East & Africa region since 2018, where he built and led the team that signed 17,000 keys, delivering unparalleled growth and signings for the Group, including the first Kimpton in MEA, and the world’s largest Crowne Plaza and voco hotels in the world.

Prior to that, Matthew headed development for IHG in Australasia & Japan, where he was responsible for IHG’s growth and doubled the annual signings, including iconic properties including InterContinental Perth, Crowne Plaza Christchurch, Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour and InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, as well as the renewal of several strategic portfolios for the group.

He joined IHG in 2014 from Accor Hotels where he held the role of General Manager, Development – Pacific, since 2008. Prior to that Matthew has worked for a number of leading real estate and advisory companies specialising in development, planning and site acquisition.

Matthew holds a Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Urban & Regional Planning from the University of Sydney.