Under what conditions is the Best Western General Manager's continuing education requirement considered fulfilled for the current three-year period?

According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a General Manager's continuing education requirement is considered fulfilled for the current three-year period if they obtain an AH&LA EI CHA or CLM designation, or a similar designation approved by Best Western's Board of Directors, after successfully completing the required GMPD course. However, this fulfillment is contingent upon maintaining the designation throughout the three-year period.

This policy provides an alternative pathway for General Managers to meet their continuing education obligations, recognizing the value of achieving and maintaining professional certifications. By obtaining a relevant designation, General Managers can demonstrate their commitment to professional development and potentially satisfy the requirement without needing to accumulate additional professional development points through other training programs.

For prospective Best Western franchisees, this means that encouraging their General Managers to pursue certifications like CHA or CLM can be a strategic way to ensure compliance with continuing education requirements. It also highlights the importance of staying informed about which designations are approved by the Board of Directors, as this list may evolve over time. This can be a beneficial approach for both the franchisee and the General Manager, as it promotes professional growth and potentially reduces the need for attending multiple training programs to earn the required points.