Choice Hotels, Education Institute (EI) Partner to Offer Professional Accreditation to General Managers.

Worldwide lodging franchisor Choice Hotels International, Inc. and the Educational Institute (EI) of the American Hotel & Lodging Association have joined forces to offer Choice Hotels' general managers the opportunity to train and test for either the Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) or Certified Lodging Manger (CLM) accreditations, the industry's premier recognition of professionalism and proficiency in lodging operations.

The training and testing, which replaces an existing program produced in-house, is required for all general managers entering the Choice Hotels system. Existing Choice Hotels general managers whose in-house certification is set to expire will undergo the management training, as well.

"Eventually, every single domestic Choice Hotels property will be managed by an accredited CHA or CLM professional - a signature distinction of which we can all be extremely proud," said Janna Morrison, senior vice president, franchise services, Choice Hotels. "We are delighted to partner with EI as we endeavor to 'raise the bar' for professionalism throughout our franchise system."

"The Educational Institute is excited to be working with Choice Hotels to ensure that its general managers receive the most up-to-date training the industry has to offer," said Barbara Blankenship, EI's director of professional certification. "Choice Hotels has the distinction of being the first hotel brand to provide targeted training that prepares its general managers to earn the CHA or CLM designation. By setting a goal of certifying all general managers, Choice Hotels is sending a powerful message about its commitment to excellence and professionalism."

Choice Hotels' CHA/CLM Management Training Program is an intense, five-day program covering a wide range of operations functions including human resources, front desk management, risk management, maintenance operations, housekeeping operations, financial management and sales & marketing. At the conclusion of the coursework, participants test for either the CHA or CLM accreditation.

The program is offered at Choice Hotels' Silver Spring, Maryland headquarters in its state-of-the-art Learning Center, as well as at the company's Phoenix, Arizona western headquarters.