Marcus Smola learned the hotel business from the ground up. His training and extra-occupational marketing studies were followed by various positions in sales and marketing. After almost 10 years at Steigenberger Hotels, he joined Best Western in 1999. As Deputy Managing Director, he was responsible for the expansion and quality assurance of the group in Germany for a long time. He has led the company as Managing Director since April 2008. In January 2018, Marcus Smola was also appointed to the Management Board of DEHAG Hospitality Group AG, the parent company of BWH Hotels Central Europe.