Name: David Canty
Title: Vice President, Loyalty Programs
Company, city: InterContinental Hotels Group; Atlanta, Ga.
Number of employees: More than 300,000 globally, including hotels
Recent project: Last year we launched a Stay Preferences program that gives members a simple way to tell us what they prefer when they travel, helping hotels prepare for arrivals and deliver more personalized stays.
First job: I worked as a farm laborer during summers in Ireland — bailing hay, cutting corn, picking potatoes and carrots, and even milking cows.
Little-known fact about you: I grew up in the pub industry in Ireland. My great-grandfather opened Canty’s Bar in Cork in 1892. My grandfather and then my father ran it until it was sold. The pub remains, so if your travels take you to Cork, drop in for a pint.
About Your Business
What innovations/initiatives do you foresee in the industry over the next years? The industry will continue to gain agility through technology as guests increasingly search, book and manage stays on mobile devices. We see mobile keys, mobile check-in and check-out, and in-room control of settings becoming standard. In-room artificial intelligence will expand to help guests order room service and control their environment; we are already piloting voice-driven experiences with Amazon Echo. Personalization will deepen: we will continue to tailor rewards and partnerships to deliver value to members, adding services and content from partners such as Amazon and Apple so members can receive Kindle books or earn points for select Apple purchases.
Best career advice you’ve received: Be true to yourself and love what you do.
What advice would you give someone starting out in the field? Immerse yourself in your work, be passionate about it, learn as much as possible, and freely share your knowledge with colleagues and those eager to learn. Curiosity, persistence and a collaborative mindset will take you far.
David Canty as a Traveler
Favorite travel memory or story: When I was 19 I backpacked through northern Italy and stayed in a guest house in La Spezia the night before hiking the Cinque Terre. With an English–Italian dictionary in hand, I joined a group of elderly gentlemen watching a football match on TV. Hours later, after a few glasses of wine and putting the dictionary aside, we were still deep in conversation and laughing — a warm reminder of how travel connects people.
One travel tip you cannot live without: Carry a small amount of local currency and turn off data roaming unless you have an international plan. Venture off the beaten path to experience local culture firsthand.
Best advice for business travelers: Download the IHG App to manage your stay and preferences and to access tools such as sleep tips, neighborhood guides and a translation feature. We want business travelers to feel genuine hospitality: from pillow preferences to arrival times, they can share as much or as little as they choose before arrival so hotels are ready to meet — and often exceed — expectations.
About InterContinental Hotels Group
What member benefits can premium travelers expect from IHG Rewards Club? IHG Rewards Club members enjoy no blackout dates for reward nights and can earn faster rewards by combining points and cash. Members save and earn points through Your Rate bookings and via numerous partners for activities like car rentals, shopping, dining and special events. Our elite tiers — Gold Elite, Platinum Elite and Spire Elite — receive additional benefits such as complimentary room upgrades, rollover nights and special welcome amenities. Our highest-tier Spire Elite members can gift Platinum status to a friend, receive exclusive welcome benefits and become eligible for Gold status with our car rental partner Hertz.
Tell our readers about some of IHG Rewards Club partner companies and upcoming promotions. IHG Rewards Club provides many ways to earn and redeem points, from reward nights at IHG hotels worldwide to items available in our redemption catalogue, including music downloads, electronics and gift cards. Key partnerships enhance value: the IHG Rewards Club Credit Card by Chase offers generous co-branded benefits, participating Shell stations allow members to save and earn points on fuel, and Hertz rentals earn points and savings. Crowne Plaza guests currently receive a free Audible download as part of a partnership we intend to grow.
What can members expect from IHG Rewards Club in the future? Our goal is to make the program feel personal and flexible, offering members meaningful choices. We will expand digital capabilities so members can select rewards and experiences that matter most to them. From curated partner offers to recognizing individual preferences like wine choices, we will continue to make membership more tailored and easier to manage through digital tools.