Robert Dora
CEO
About Robert
Robert Dora graduated from the University of Colorado. He is the past President of the Indianapolis Hotel Association and has served on several hospitality-related boards and committees. These include: the Board of Directors of the International Association of Holiday Inns‚ the IAHI Full Service Committee, the Holiday Inn Food and Beverage Council, IAHI Central Region Committee, IAHI Holiday Inn Express Committee (chairman) and the IAHI General Manager’s Council (chair).
Mr. Dora also founded and implemented the Intercontinental Hotels Group General Manager’s Academy, which is an annual international training conference offered to a select group of qualified General Managers within the IHG portfolio. Training includes progressive management instruction by notable business and marketing professionals.
Having grown up in the industry, Mr. Dora has always had a passion for hospitality, and has been involved in the development and opening of over 37 hotels and 4 TGI Fridays restaurants during his career. He is currently a managing partner/member or stockholder in several branded and independent hotels including: Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, Comfort Inn & Suites, Hampton Inn, and Hilton Garden Inn. Mr. Dora’s properties have been recipients of numerous awards for quality and hospitality service excellence.
What was it about the hospitality industry/hotels that inspired you to start your own hotel management company?
The reason I started the Management Company was two-fold. First was to follow in my Dad’s footsteps. He started the company that started the Dora Family in the Hospitality Industry and brought his younger brother into the business. Second was my love for the business I developed as a child. I worked in my Dad’s roadside motel, the Covered Wagon Lodge. There were ponies in the back that I played with. I worked weekends and could stay at the hotel and have a TV to myself. The 50 cents I earned each night helped pay for the matinee ticket the next day along with a pop, candy bar, and popcorn. It was the best job a kid could ask for!
Mr. Dora also founded and implemented the Intercontinental Hotels Group General Manager’s Academy, which is an annual international training conference offered to a select group of qualified General Managers within the IHG portfolio. Training includes progressive management instruction by notable business and marketing professionals.
Having grown up in the industry, Mr. Dora has always had a passion for hospitality, and has been involved in the development and opening of over 37 hotels and 4 TGI Fridays restaurants during his career. He is currently a managing partner/member or stockholder in several branded and independent hotels including: Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, Comfort Inn & Suites, Hampton Inn, and Hilton Garden Inn. Mr. Dora’s properties have been recipients of numerous awards for quality and hospitality service excellence.
What was it about the hospitality industry/hotels that inspired you to start your own hotel management company?
The reason I started the Management Company was two-fold. First was to follow in my Dad’s footsteps. He started the company that started the Dora Family in the Hospitality Industry and brought his younger brother into the business. Second was my love for the business I developed as a child. I worked in my Dad’s roadside motel, the Covered Wagon Lodge. There were ponies in the back that I played with. I worked weekends and could stay at the hotel and have a TV to myself. The 50 cents I earned each night helped pay for the matinee ticket the next day along with a pop, candy bar, and popcorn. It was the best job a kid could ask for!