Under what circumstances are there exceptions to the Best Western policy requiring patronage of Best Western properties?

According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Board of Directors has established a policy to maximize the use of Best Western properties by its members, board, officers, employees, and agents. Generally, when the corporation pays for lodging, a Best Western property should be chosen if reasonably available.

However, the policy allows for exceptions under specific circumstances. These exceptions include situations where Best Western properties are not reasonably available for the Annual Meeting or for District Meetings. Additionally, exceptions are made for trade shows held at other facilities, where it is beneficial for attendees to stay on the premises of those non-Best Western facilities.

This policy ensures that Best Western aims to support its own franchise locations while recognizing practical constraints and opportunities that may arise during corporate events and trade shows. For a prospective franchisee, this means understanding that while there's a strong push to utilize Best Western properties, there are defined situations where this requirement is waived, providing flexibility for corporate travel and event planning.