I have had the opportunity to work extensively with Best Western Hotels & Resorts, a well-known international hospitality brand that offers dependable, comfortable lodging experiences for a wide range of guests. Known for its presence in key urban centers and travel corridors, Best Western properties strike a balance between accessibility and quality, making them a popular choice among business and leisure travelers alike. My collaboration with the brand spanned multiple aspects of both the technical setup and operational launch of new hotel locations.
At the heart of my role was the coordination of all IT-related acquisition and deployment efforts during pre-opening stages. This entailed assessing each property’s operational needs, identifying suitable technologies, and managing the procurement process for infrastructure components. From networking hardware and Wi-Fi systems to desktops, telephony solutions, and backend servers, I ensured all equipment aligned with Best Western’s global specifications while also being adapted to the unique conditions and constraints of each individual property.
Simultaneously, I led the design and rollout of the full IT and workplace infrastructure across the sites. This included developing cabling blueprints, implementing secure and scalable wired/wireless networks, setting up VoIP phone systems, and configuring the server environments necessary for property management software, POS systems, and other mission-critical platforms. Particular emphasis was placed on optimizing guest connectivity and ensuring that public-facing digital services complied with both performance standards and regulatory security practices.
In addition to the technical implementation, I also played an advisory role to hotel executives and operational staff. Acting as a technology strategist, I helped integrate digital tools into daily workflows, improving communication, operational efficiency, and guest interaction. This included hands-on staff training, direct support during system transitions, and ongoing efforts to simplify complex technologies for non-technical users—ensuring smooth adoption and minimal disruption.
Due to my deep involvement in the hotel’s development and launch, I was invited to take on the interim position of General Manager during the property’s first operational year. This temporary leadership role continued until a permanent GM could be recruited and relocated. During this transitional period, I was accountable for overseeing all daily hotel activities, managing team performance, ensuring high guest satisfaction, and upholding Best Western’s operational and brand standards. My leadership helped establish a stable, guest-oriented environment at a critical point in the hotel’s lifecycle.
Even after operations were fully underway, I remained engaged as a technical advisor for a number of targeted projects. These included infrastructure optimization efforts, integration of external service providers, enhancements to network speed and stability, and adherence to Best Western’s IT security protocols. I collaborated with external vendors, on-site teams, and Best Western’s corporate IT staff to ensure effective planning and execution across all initiatives.
My work with Best Western required not just deep technical expertise and project management capabilities, but also the agility to shift into leadership and support roles where necessary. The experience highlights my ability to combine hands-on IT knowledge with strategic operational insight—skills that have proven essential in complex hospitality environments.
