Dorothy Dowling Named Allied Leadership Council President for GBTA

Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Best Western Hotels & Resorts, was named Allied Leadership Council (ALC) President for the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). Appointed to this prominent leadership post by Christle Johnson, GBTA president, and Bhart Sarin, GBTA Chairman, Dowling will continue to play a key role in setting the strategic direction of GBTA and shaping the organization’s future.

“I am thrilled to have appointed Dorothy Dowling, one of the industry’s longest-serving and most respected executives, to serve as President of the ALC,” said Christle Johnson, GBTA President. “As a more than 30-year veteran of the travel industry and having served as Vice President of GBTA’s Allied Leadership Council since 2013, Dowling brings a wealth of experience to her new post. Known for driving positive change within Best Western Hotels & Resorts and the industry in general, we have every confidence she will contribute significantly to GBTA’s continued evolution.”

“I am honored to be tapped for this prestigious leadership position within an organization that is the premier voice in the business travel space,” said Dowling. “I would like to thank Scott Solombrino for his leadership of the ALC and congratulate him on his new role as GBTA’s executive director and Chief Operations Officer. I couldn’t be more excited to work with Scott Solombrino and my colleagues on the ALC and GBTA Board to continue to develop GBTA’s preeminent role in the industry and deliver value for GBTA’s membership.”

In her new role, Dowling will remain a champion for diversity and inclusion within the hospitality sector, continuing as Chair on the Strategic Advisory Board for WINiT by GBTA – a network focused on the advancement of women professionals in the industry.

“I am proud to be the first woman to be named President of the ALC and to have the privilege to work with my industry colleagues on the GBTA and WINiT boards to co-create innovative solutions for member companies to affect change in the industry,” said Dowling.

Reflecting the significant impact Dowling has made as a GBTA Allied member, she was the recipient of the 2018 GBTA Allied Member of the Year award. Dowling has also contributed greatly to the success and innovation of the Best Western brand, which has undergone a substantial transformation in recent years. Under Dowling’s guidance, Best Western has become a trusted leader in business travel, earning a number of prestigious industry accolades such as Best Western Plus® and Best Western® ranking as the number one upper-midscale and midscale hotel brands by Business Travel News, a leading business publication. This recognition marked the brand's fifth consecutive year of being top ranked by the outlet.