Tag: Main Blog

Women’s History Month has been honored in March since 1987, celebrating the hard work, adversity and trailblazing of women from all across the globe.  The meetings and events industries wouldn’t be what they are today without the bravery and strength of female warriors. Today, we celebrate the stories of five stellar onPeak SHEroes who have not only brought incredible success and valuable contributions to onPeak, but also helped pave the way for future generations to come.  With a combined experience of 101 years in the industry, there is no shortage of girl power here at onPeak!

Lisa Baez, Vice President, Operations

Years in the Industry: 30 | Years at onPeak: 27

Lisa’s career began as a temp with the Harvard Institute for International Development, rubbing elbows with many notable Harvard economists and attorneys. Lisa’s hard work and perseverance didn’t go unnoticed and quickly earned her a full-time position.

After learning the ropes at Harvard, Lisa moved to Washington, D.C. to begin a career in Convention Services with Hilton and then moved into Association meeting planning.  This experience prepared Lisa for the Program Executive role in 1992 with Travel Planners, where she ultimately stayed through the company’s merge with onPeak five years ago, earning her current title as Vice President of Operations.

Over the years, Lisa has worked her way from Manager, to Director of IT and eventually Director of Strategy & Operations: a culmination of experiences leading up to Executive Director.  Lisa is confident that this success is a result of self-advocation and a consistent showing of tenacity, curiosity and desire to move the company forward.

It’s no secret that with incredible success comes great obstacles and over the last 30 years, Lisa has overcome a slew of challenges. She realized that oftentimes, a woman’s confidence is mistaken for bossiness or a nurturing work style for weakness, so it was important for Lisa to develop her own voice while staying authentic to who she is as a person: a sassy, spunky Superwoman!

Lisa is a wife and mother to two grown sons and is confident that “having it all” is not an easy feat.  Although Lisa’s work brought her all over the country and in the process, found the balance between work and family to be difficult, her boys admire her passionate work ethic that helped her to be the inspiring role model that she is today.

Lisa’s advice:  Determine what you want in your career, go after it and don’t give up!  Find a group of like-minded women who support and empower each other to lean on.  

Louise Alvarado, Director, Account Services

Years in the Industry: 27 | Years at onPeak: 14

Would you believe that Louise got her start in the biz by accident? As an Accounting major, Louise applied for her first accounting position at Hotel Macklowe (now known as the Millennium Broadway Hotel). After only six months, she took a chance on herself and applied for a Sales Systems Analyst role, aka Revenue Manager, and got in on the ground floor of the Hotel Revenue Management concept.

As an analyst, she picked the brains of her superiors and learned everything there was to know about the newly-established industry. After many years of hard work, risk-taking and growth, Louise worked her way up the ladder to Director of Revenue Management at The St. Regis New York hotel.  Several years later, she received a surprise phone call from Lisa Baez and history was made!

Louise attributes much of her confidence and success to Scott Geraghty, then General Manager of The St. Regis New York hotel and her biggest mentor (and one whom she still confides in to this day)! Scott pushed Louise beyond what she thought her capabilities were and challenged her to take risks, making her a respected addition to the onPeak family.

Louise’s advice:  Never give up! Ask the questions and don’t be afraid to speak up.  Show them what you are made of while being humble and kind.

Megan Claudio, Director, Account Services

Years in the Industry: 20 | Years at onPeak: 13

Megan spent the first 10 years of her career in the New York City food industry, learning the ins and outs of the operations behind running a successful restaurant.  During this time, Megan met a chef who would later become her husband!  This worked perfectly for her, since Megan can’t cook and admits to preparing less than 10 meals in her life.  She willingly cleans the dishes as a fair trade.

After 10 years of catering to her guests in the restaurant business, Megan moved to the hospitality industry, where she catered to the stars.  Megan’s had some incredibly high highs throughout her career, like working the wedding of Catherine-Zeta Jones and Michael Douglass at The Plaza Hotel in New York City.

With the highest highs come the lowest lows.  Megan will never forget walking three miles to work within an hour of the Twin Towers going down on September 11^th, 2001.  She could see the smoke from her house and she just knew in her heart that she was meant to help the guests stranded at the hotel.  The entire team banded together like a family to care for one another, turning this horrifying situation into a beautiful one.

Throughout her career in the hotel business, Megan’s learned how to succeed in a male-driven industry by being flexible and willing to evolve in such a fast-paced environment. She realized that women tend to be more hesitant to put themselves in challenging situations, unlike their male counterparts.

She harnessed these feelings and turned them into personal growth opportunities, pushing herself while developing her confidence in both her personal and professional life. Through these experiences, she’s learned not to second guess herself and embrace change.

Megan’s advice:  Be flexible and learn to evolve.  When you’re put in a challenging situation, put yourself in the other’s shoes and be empathetic to their needs.  Once you learn to see it from their perspective, you can find a way to make a compromise that is mutually acceptable for all parties.

Katie Reed, Director, Account Services

Years in the Industry: 11 | Years at onPeak: 11

As an Omaha, Nebraska native and Skee-Ball champion, Katie left home to embark on an adventure to the Windy City where she attended Loyola University Chicago and officially became a Chicagoan – and never left!

As a fresh college grad, Katie began her professional career at Travel Tech (now onPeak) as an Event Manager, working on special company projects and learning the ropes in the Meetings and Events Industry.  In less than three years, Katie earned herself a promotion to Senior Event Manager.

Throughout her 11-year career, she’s learned that women oftentimes allow others to dominate conversations. Katie has steadily worked her way up to the Director level by not only putting her clients first, but also making sure her voice and ideas were shared and considered. Her growth at onPeak has given her a unique understanding and respect for all facets of this industry, making Katie a serious asset within the Account Services team.

Although this role has taken Katie all over the country, she’s made the most of her business trips by turning them into unique bonding experiences with her account teams.  When she’s not on the road, Katie is a proud doggy mom to Matilda and Sadie, her two prized pups.

Katie’s advice:  Believe in yourself! Don’t defer to other people on everything: You can be polite while still making sure your voice and ideas are shared and taken seriously.

Shyanne Robinson, Director, Account Services

Years in the Industry: 13 | Years at onPeak: 10

A native of Washington, D.C., Shyanne left our nation’s capital for sunshine and palm trees to attend Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University.  As a young 20-something with a hunger to learn and larger than life ambitions, Shyanne began her career as the Associate Director of Housing for the Democratic National Convention Committee, specializing in event accommodations and hotel contracting. It wasn’t long before she discovered her niche for hospitality and embarked on a career path that would lead her to a new respect for the meetings industry as a whole.

Shyanne quickly realized that the industry was dominated by men who not only pre-judged her because of her sex, but also because of her age and color. Fresh faces and ideas are difficult realities for those resistant to change, so Shyanne’s first major challenge was understanding how best to deliver information to different audiences, ultimately preparing her for a career at onPeak.

After re-locating to Atlanta in 2008, Shyanne began her onPeak career as an Event Manager.  She served as Board Member of the SE Chapter of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and earned a certification by the Events Industry Council®. Shyanne’s passion and expertise continued to grow and quickly earned her the ranks of Senior Account Executive and eventually, the title of Director of Account Services.  Her mentor, Tina Akintayo, is the one person who helped plant Shyanne’s roots in hospitality from the very beginning.  Had it not been for her courage and ambition and seeing her overcome life’s struggles, Shyanne wouldn’t have been prepared for her own.  She is thankful to have someone that’s always been in her corner, through the good times and bad.

Although Shyanne’s commitment to her career has kept her working extra hours and traveling on the road, she has two Yorkie dogs she loves more than anything and love her back unconditionally!

Shyanne’s advice:  Although you may have to work three times harder or stay five hours longer and get significantly less recognition, the most important thing is to stay true to yourself.  Never compromise your integrity.

Over the last year, you’ve been ferociously planning for your event and everything leading up to the big day. You’ve spent months curating the look and feel of your event floor and experience in the hopes that event participants will return year after year. But, despite all that planning, there is often one thing that gets overlooked – the housing desk!

More often than not, a positive hotel experience leads to repeat customers, which is exactly what you want. Once your event participants are in the habit of booking in the block, they’ll be more likely to do it again in the future. Did you know that a well-executed onsite desk can generate up to 25% of your total event reservations? To help you get started, here are five easy ways to promote your housing desk.

1. Secure a High-Traffic Location

The three most important rules of business: location, location, location. Position your housing desk near event registration check-in to take advantage of the high-traffic area. The area next to the CVB desk promoting next year’s host city is another great option. As people get excited about the next destination, asking them to book their hotel room becomes an easy sell. Plus, if your event is being held in a big city, then you’ve probably thought about compression over next year’s dates. A risk of compression means that booking ahead isn’t just the responsible thing to do – it’s necessary.

And speaking of registration, any exhibitor planning to attend the following year will be interested in space draw while onsite. Consider this area a prime target to capture and connect with exhibitors. If they’re already planning for their booth location, they should plan their hotel stay too, making it a one stop shop.

Many events that draw international attendees offer a special international pavilion for participants with language-specific needs. Consider adding an additional housing desk to connect with international show goers too.

2. Add Signage and Advertise the Housing Desk

Avoid being the catch-all desk for questions like, ‘where can I find the bathroom?’ To keep your hotel reservation desk from getting lost in the sea of thousands of exhibitor booths, add eye-catching pop-up banners and use clear and concise language, like Hotel Reservations, so passersby clearly understand what happens at the desk.  Add hotel desk directional signage around your show floor and include the desk location on your digital displays to make your desk as easy to find as possible.

In addition to signage, consider promoting the desk location through a variety of different mediums. An email campaign or a mobile push notification alerting participants of the housing desk hours, location and re-book services are effective ways to grab their attention and remind them of the benefits to booking their hotel room early.

Print outs are another tried-and-true method to help spread the word. Add print pieces to the hotel desk, promoting the desk location and hotel information, as a takeaway for those passersby that are interested in re-booking at some point during the event.

And who could forget about your official show publication? Drop in a hotel-specific message or reserve space for ads to promote the desk.

3. Engage With Live Re-book

Having a housing desk onsite offers a great way to connect directly with your attendees and exhibitors and extends the customer service experience. It not only allows guests to seek face-to-face reservation support, but also promotes the relationship with the event’s official housing partner. Now take it one step further – if you can open housing for next year’s event, it offers a major convenience factor for event goers.  Allowing participants to re-book their hotel room is one of the most crucial ways to increase the number of event participants booking in your room block.

To make sure you have all the right tools to support event goers, start with the basics: Plan ahead for electrical hookups, Internet access and phone connections.  This is key to offering the best customer service experience.

4. Offer an Incentive Promotion

Make hotel bookings fun! Consider working with the hotels in your block or your city CVB to come up with raffle prizes as an incentive to book onsite.

At the North American Spine Society 2018, the account team collaborated with Marriott hotels and the Los Angeles CVB to provide LA Go cards, Marriott Rewards points, complimentary stays and upgraded rooms as part of an onsite raffle program. Sweetening the deal to book onsite is another way to keep your event participants booking in the block year after year. Who doesn’t love a free hotel night?

Looking for ways to reward your event attendees? Consider closing housing immediately following the event. This strategy gives your event attendees first priority to book onsite and makes them feel valued in the process.

5. Connect Face to Face

Have you ever wondered why some exhibitors don’t book directly in the block? At onPeak, our Exhibitor Group Analysts participate in Exhibitor Connect, a one-on-one personal meet and greet onsite with exhibitors to help plan for next year. Building relationships onsite and interacting face-to-face with event goers is key to building trust and in the end, your event’s hotel block.

“There is something special about having the main problem solver and path smoother on the ground to put our exhibitors at ease and allow them to focus on other event-related matters,” says Nicole Pemberton, Director of Exhibitor & Group Services at onPeak.  “Through strong professional relationships, EGA’s keep our retention rates high and continue to build our customer base.”

Not all exhibitors book in the official block, but thanks to our Exhibitor Connect program, EGA’s help you understand why. Having a team in place to discover this information helps to round out hotel contracting and plan ahead for following years.

If housing for next year isn’t open yet, leave your event goers with something to look forward to.  Start an email list and follow up as information becomes available. After your event, consider sending a thank you email along with a satisfaction survey to keep the dialogue open and make your event participants feel important.  Gathering this feedback will not only help you to make improvements for the next year, but also keep registrants engaged in your event and interested in returning year after year.

As the leader in event and convention housing, we understand the importance of creating the most successful and memorable event experiences year over year and that there are so many pieces to this puzzle. Having a memorable housing desk presence onsite and implementing any number of these strategies is another important piece to this puzzle that will help you to promote your housing desk for years to come. Give your housing program the attention it deserves and make the housing program as important as any other activity at your event. If you’re unsure of where to start, have no fear! onPeak is here to help support you and your hotel program every step of the way.

I started my career working for hotels and learning the ins and outs of their strategies, but I’ve spent the majority of my 19-year career with third-parties, including onPeak.  My extensive background in hotel contract negotiations and group pricing piqued my interest in the economics of hotel construction and strategy, which led me to discover some interesting research about the state of our event and meeting space.

Group demand is increasing, but finding meeting space is becoming a bigger challenge for event planners.  Even though hotel construction is at near-record levels, meeting space is not being built to meet the increased demand.  ^*Over the past five years, only 11 hotels have been built with 50,000 or more square feet of meeting space.

^*Of hotels in the active pipeline (planning, final planning, or in construction), 85% of hotel projects have less than 150 rooms, so meeting space in these hotels is minimal.

Limited Service (aka Select Service) hotels are being built more often than full service hotels.  A limited service hotel offers fewer amenities and may or may not have food and beverage service.  A full service hotel would typically offer three meals per day, with ancillary outlets such as a bar or coffee stand.

^*Sixty three percent of new construction is in select service hotels. Why is this the case?

1. Labor costs are a large part of expense for any hotel, and with labor costs increasing, brands that are more efficient with labor are more attractive to operators.
2. Profit is higher in limited service than full service hotels; fewer amenities equals less expense.
3. Limited service hotels are 80% less costly to build than a large hotel, so banks are more willing to lend to these projects.

In addition to increased competition for space, demand from the Transient/Leisure sector is showing higher growth than Group business, so it’s more attractive to hoteliers. This results in hotels offering smaller room blocks to groups.  As a meeting planner, here are the four things you need to know to overcome scarce event space :

1. Be flexible on the date and pattern.  If a hotel can layer your group with other business, they’ll be happy to work with you.
2. Have reasonable expectations on rate. Ask hotels to explain why their rate offer makes sense if you think it’s too high.
3. Have numbers and revenue from Food and Beverage spend, and other revenue enhancers for hotels included in your RFP.  This can also help when discussing rates.
4. Being a repeat customer is powerful, so nurture those hotel relationships.

*STR Hotel Data Conference August 2018 by Aoife Roche and Matthew Wilson

It’s a tale as old as time…unsolicited companies posing as your event’s housing bureau and actively pursuing your attendees and exhibitors to unknowingly book outside the official hotel block. At onPeak, we know first-hand how frustrating it can be.

While it might seem obvious to you and me, these poachers have perfected sophisticated techniques to deceive event participants. Many find these offers tempting and promptly hand over their credit cards, believing they have scored the best deal . Unfortunately, this often turns out to be the beginning of a long nightmare, ultimately resulting in hidden fees and sometimes, no hotel reservation at all.

Technically, it’s not illegal to operate a third-party housing company and solicit registrants to purchase discounted rooms for an upcoming conference or tradeshow, but sources argue that it is unethical to falsely claim to be an event’s official housing bureau.

If you’ve found yourself with a poacher problem, you’re in luck because onPeak is here to help! Here are five easy ways that you can actively combat room poachers.

 

1. The Power of Visibility Can Never be Underestimated

The primary resource for credible information about a show is the event website! Include information about the official hotel provider, the benefits of booking within the sponsored hotel block and warn event participants about the possibility of poacher situations. Reinforce this message by including prominent links to hotel information in every event communication so that the attendees & exhibitors can booking directly through official channels.

2. Education is the Most Powerful Weapon

First-time attendees and exhibitors present a great opportunity for education. Increase your reach and leave a lasting impression by clearly identifying the official housing bureau in educational materials such as welcome packets, freshman webinars or even by word of mouth from your group sales manager. The more people understand the value, not only to themselves, but to the event as well, the more likely they will be to want to book in the block.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Get Personal

If you become aware of a potential poacher, do not hesitate to make it clear that they are not affiliated with the event. List the names of suspected offenders on your website and issue email alerts of known solicitors, warning members of the financials risks they could face by booking rooms through any party other than the official housing bureau.

4. Sharing Isn’t Always Caring

Protect your data! Room poachers scour association websites and collect information about who is attending the event. The more information you make easily accessible online – exhibitor names, speaker bios, sponsors, and entertainment venues – the easier a room poacher’s task. Consider making registration required in order to view full details or password protect pages that may include important information.

5. Final Notice

Cease and desist letters are the first step in the legal process against unauthorized housing bureaus, claiming the poacher is intentionally interfering with contractual relations between you and the hotels in your block. It sends a warning to room poachers that the organization is aware of their activities and establishes that serious consequences will follow. If the poacher is infringing on intellectual property, such as using your logos, there is a clear case for legal action!

Technology Trends That Are Disrupting Traditional Hotel Experiences

What to keep an eye out for, to stay ahead of the curve.

No matter age, gender, or demographic, people want what they want and they want it now. For travelers staying in a hotel, they want to check in without waiting in line, they want their Wi-Fi to be just as fast as their home or office, and if they need an extra pillow or a late night snack, they expect someone to deliver it immediately upon request. With traveler expectations becoming greater, one can’t help but wonder, how are hotels keeping up with the increasing demands?

With each technology trend on the rise, the focus is entirely on convenience to create a better user experience. The increase of control from mobile devices, using artificial intelligence for personalization, and the use of virtual reality are new concepts that are prominent in hotels today. In the ever-evolving hospitality industry we need to stay ahead of the curve by paying attention to what is becoming popular and what will progress into the new norm. To ensure we don’t fall behind, let’s take a look at recent technology trends that are disrupting traditional hotel experiences, and what it means for us.

There’s an App for that – Mobile capabilities for hotels

Traditionally, a typical hotel experience goes something like this: wait in a long line to check in only to find out that your room won’t be ready for an hour, struggle to get out your hotel key while holding all of your luggage, wait 45 minutes for the extra pillow you called the concierge for, and finally get snuggled into bed just to realize the remote is across the room to turn off the TV. Now, what if there was an app to take care of all of that?

The ability to control your hotel experience from check-in to check-out can now often be managed from the palm of your hand. Hotels are working to up their app game to offer more conveniences for guests such as the ability to check in, open doors, order room service, and control the TV. Hotels that have implemented mobile check-in have found that it not only improves the customer experience, but it also provides more accurate room availability information – ultimately optimizing room revenue.¹ The ability to have real-time knowledge of room vacancies can better assist those receiving upgrades, or other hotel requests immediately, improving a previously tedious process with a very lengthy turn-around time.

The ever-increasing Wi-Fi demand – Tech-driven meeting spaces

Not only are travelers’ personal needs changing, but also their business needs. With professionals constantly on the go these days, no longer will it suffice to have a plain, sterile conference room or having to pay for slow Internet access. Having a place where guests can get out of their rooms but still access Wi-Fi to relax or get work done is important. Hotels are finding it necessary to continue increasing their Wi-Fi bandwidth range, and keeping their technology and meeting rooms up-to-date to make working on the road feel a little more like working from your home away from home.

As onPeak’s Kristiana Balac found, having a unique meeting space is number three of the top five most appealing event accommodation amenities, and complimentary Wi-Fi is number one. The Hyatt Regency Chicago meets these demands by introducing 22 new unique, and tech-driven meeting rooms. Besides having a large Wi-Fi bandwidth throughout the entire hotel, their meeting rooms include interactive plasma displays, with rotating digital info to help navigate throughout Chicago’s largest hotel. The Hyatt Regency also comes equipped with Google Maps touchscreens where guests can easily locate specific meeting spaces throughout the hotel.³ These high-tech conveniences of finding necessary meeting rooms at the touch of a finger, then being able to use top-notch equipment for all business needs, creates a unique and memorable experience, encouraging guests to return again.

As Mitchel Hochberg, president of private real estate company Lightstone, said, “Today’s travelers don’t need a newspaper at their door, or a mint on their pillow. They want to be engaged by unique experiences that create a sense of place.”⁴ Having high-speed internet and an enjoyable environment isn’t limited to meeting spaces, but also, the idea of a “Smart Room” is an important concept being developed.

Alexa, order room service – Smart rooms for smart guests

Personalized experiences don’t just exist in the boutique hotel space – the big box brands are getting on board, too. Amazon has created Alexa for Hospitality, and hotels across the board are starting to adopt this convenience of home. Alexa’s new skills can be customized for each location, and offer the ability to order room service or adjust room controls. Alexa-powered support devices are already being used onsite at events, and hotels are quickly starting to follow suit by using them for similar capabilities. Colin Bunn, VP of Product and Technology at onPeak, says that Alexa, along with other chat-bots, are being used as a first-line of defense for support teams everywhere. Mainly, they’re being used for convenience, to get simple questions (like where is the bathroom) out of the way before you need to talk to a real person. The guest will have the option to ask location-specific questions such as what time the pool closes, or where the fitness center is. Along with that, guests will eventually be able to temporarily link their accounts to Alexa for Hospitality in order to access their music or Amazon orders while they are in their room. ⁵ This allows guests to experience a quintessential at-home feeling while traveling.

Robots aren’t taking over the world – But they are making a rise in hotels

With all of these options in high-tech, trendy hotels, how does one choose? Many hotels are diving into virtual reality use to better serve the guest. The Hilton’s “Hilton Innovation Gallery” is designed to test new creative ideas in VR and is located next to their headquarters at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner in Virginia. Currently, the gallery allows visitors to enter the VR stage and put on a headset that will mirror a selection of different room types at different times of the day for the guest to take VR tours.⁶ For those that enjoy waking with the sun or sleeping in complete darkness, the gallery also allows guests to select their ideal room location. The use of this VR to view different hotel rooms ultimately allows guests to have a better idea of which room type they prefer, to decrease last-minute room change requests. But once you pick the perfect room after using these tools, how will the hotel ensure you have a seamless stay? Robots. Actual robots.

People may picture a small metal Jetsons-looking butler when they hear the word robot, and while the appearance is different, the abilities of these robots do parallel a butler. In Japan, Henn-na hotel is completely staffed by robots, and although this concept seems far from our reality, many hotels are already dipping their toes in the Artificial Intelligence water. The robot you are guaranteed to see hitting the lobby and hallways is Relay, the first U.S. autonomous hotel robot that delivers amenities or food to guest rooms. Relay can use the elevator alone, call guests when it arrives, and identify poor Wi-Fi zones to relay the information to the hotels IT department. The Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel in Las Vegas has two Relay robots and already named them – Elvis and Priscilla. There are about 70 Relay bots in hotels around the world right now. ⁷ Yet, this is not to say we should worry that robots will begin to take over the world, or human jobs. Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta says that, although they are experimenting with bots, Hilton will “always [be] in the business of people taking care of people.” Bots are being implemented for the tedious tasks in hotels to free up employees to tend to more exclusive and important human interaction responsibilities, which sure makes for a convenient guest experience.⁸

My company doesn’t have a robot – How to digest these trends

While onPeak is passionate about our own innovative in-house technology, we also continue to stay up-to-date on the technology trends and developments that our hotel partners offer, to ensure your guests receive the experience that they expect. We know that we don’t need our own personal onPeak robot to keep up with the rising demands of hotel visitors. Having expert knowledge of which hotels provide the best amenities to guests allows onPeak to better serve your attendees. Whether it’s mobile device control, faster Internet, or a robot delivering your morning coffee, onPeak is on board with these exciting new developments and will remain ahead of the curve with our awarenesses of the best hotel technology for your attendees. Now, Alexa, make me a hotel reservation. I need to see these robots for myself.

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1 “Hotel technology trends to keep an eye on in 2018,” Hotel News Now, February 2, 2018. http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Articles/271561/Hotel-technology-trends-to-keep-an-eye-on-in-2018
2 “Top 10 Communication Trends in Hotel Technology for 2018,” Mitel Powering Connections, January 15, 2018. https://www.mitel.com/blog/top-10-communication-trends-in-hotel-technology-for-2018
3 “10 Tech-Savvy Chicago Hotels and Venues” Choose Chicago, 2018. https://www.choosechicago.com/meeting-professionals/hotels-and-venues/hotels-venues/10-tech-savvy-chicago-hotels-venues
4 “Moxy Times Square Reinvents the Traditional Hotel Experience, Encouraging Guests to Play On…” HospitalityNet, September 26, 2017. https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4084723.html
5 “Alexa for Hospitality,” Amazon, 2018. https://www.amazon.com/alexaforhospitality
6 “Hilton Introduces Innovation Gallery,” Will Speros, Hospitality Design, February 7, 2018. https://www.hospitalitydesign.com/news/hotels-resorts-wellness/hilton-introduces-innovation-gallery
7 “The Relay hotel delivery robot will soon spot Wi-Fi dead zones and mingle with guests,” The Verge, January 11, 2018. https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/11/16879432/savioke-relay-hotel-delivery-robot-wi-fi-dead-zones-mingle-ces-2018
8 “Hilton Experiments with the hotel room of the future,” USA Today, January 9, 2018. https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/roadwarriorvoices/2018/01/08/hilton-experiments-hotel-room-future/986738001/

onPeak Sponsored TSE Fastest 50 Lunch

It’s no secret, we work in a pretty amazing industry and onPeak is proud to play a part in it. We relish opportunities to celebrate this industry and the amazing people in it and for this year’s TSE Fastest 50, we did just that! On June 13th, onPeak had the pleasure of sponsoring the Trade Show Executive’s Fastest 50 Awards & Summit lunch honoring this year’s Award nominees and winners. But this was no ordinary lunch! It consisted of a mixology competition as well as partaking in a murder mystery – who knew how many actors and actresses we had in this industry?

The TSE Fastest 50 honors the fastest-growing trade shows in the meetings and events industry by determining winners based on the highest percentage of growth in each of the following categories: net square feet of paid exhibit space, number of exhibiting companies and number of attendees.

“onPeak is delighted to work with TSE on both the Fastest 50 and Gold 100 events,” onPeak VP of Sales and Marketing, Barry McDonald says. “It’s a fun time to support both our industry and to celebrate with our clients on their phenomenal achievements. Many of the award winning teams use onPeak as their housing provider and we are very proud to have played an important role in making their guests’ stay a wonderful experience. Unmatched service combined with leading technology will continue to be our mantra as we work towards helping our clients win again next year!”

Congratulations to all of the TSE Fastest 50’s honorees and winners, especially to onPeak clients! We can’t wait to see what this year holds for these impressive and ever-growing tradeshows and we are glad to have been able to celebrate with you.

Something old, something new, something borrowed…The phrase is not only applicable in wedding season.  As we step forward into a new life, we look to the past at generations who’ve breathed life into us – we also look around: landscapes and culture tailor the foundation for our interests and sense of style.

The trends we’re seeing in today’s hotel renovations and new developments are to respect and allude to a storied history as well.  They’re also rooted in the city’s geography and culture – revitalizing public and private spaces with intimate, elegant and boutique designs.

onPeak shares this journey alongside our hotel partners because we appreciate that an elevated hotel experience contributes to the overall event experience for our clients.  Today, we delve into the factors shaping top trending hotel transformations and are excited to explore and share these insights with you.

Shaped by History

St. JANE HOTEL, CHICAGO

In Chicago, the historic Carbide & Carbon building housed the Hard Rock Hotel until last December.  This architectural icon, nestled on Michigan Avenue between Millennium Park and the Chicago Riverwalk, will be repositioned and unveiled as the St. Jane Hotel June 2018.  The name pays homage to the Chicago social worker and tireless civil rights leader Jane Addams, while upholding the Art Deco motif so prevalent in the city’s urban landscape.

Originally built in 1929, and said to be designed as a response to Prohibition, the building’s shape is that of a vintage green champagne bottle.¹ The Hotel takes its cue from the Gilded Age, the harmonious push and pull between bold and refined.St. Jane Hotel converts the previously music-themed property into a lavish haven, transporting us to a past familiar in fiction, film and fashion.  It brings a different kind of glitz, one furnished by high-end custom pieces, tiered chandeliers and monochromatic accoutrements.

Kevin Robinson, COO of Chicago-based Aparium Hotel Group which manages St. Jane, describes the redesign.  “This will be unique to the history of Chicago.  Tasteful, refined…It feels like a 100-room boutique hotel.”²

 

 

Like the transition from marble to brass, timeless sophistication is sharpened with a contemporary, distinctly Chicago edge.³ Thirty-three upscale suites comprise The Tower at St. Jane, located on floors 25 and above. Guests of The Tower also have access to an exclusive indoor/outdoor 24th floor lounge.

In addition to the lounge, the property offers guests an array of dining and meeting options, including a full service restaurant, market café, cocktail bar, and 11,000 sq. ft. of event space.

How will St. Jane live up to its namesake?  “The hotel will also be a deeply-rooted member of Chicago’s philanthropic community through giving back, and supporting local causes through sales and the hosting of charity events and meaningful donations,” says Carrie Meghie, Co-President at St. Jane’s investment firm, Becker Ventures.

“Chicago deserves this beauty, and the Carbide & Carbon building deserves to be as impressive on the inside as much as it’s inspiring on the outside,” Meghie remarks.

Shaped by Culture

THE RITZ-CARLTON, PHILADELPHIA

Paying tribute to the architecture and affluence of the Roman Empire, The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, resides in 9,000 tons of Georgia marble.  A neoclassical reproduction of the Pantheon, this historical treasure was originally built as The Girard Trust Company in 1908.⁴

So it comes as no surprise that this rich history became the muse for The Ritz-Carlton’s 2016 transformation and redesign.

“The building’s banking history has been incorporated into the design palette used throughout the hotel, which pulls through the sophisticated rich colors of precious metals and currency.”4 Metallic and bronze accents highlight neutral tones. Luxurious fabrics and textures were intently selected to allude to currency.⁵

Throughout the property, notes of bronze and nickel harmonize a modern luxury with a marble foundation that bursts through the structure, reminiscent of an opera house.

Just as Grecian art influenced that of the ancient Romans, The Ritz-Carlton’s extensive art collection soaks up the taste of its surroundings.  Located on the Avenue of the Arts, the hotel “celebrates the Avenue’s cultural prominence as the art, music, theatre center of Philadelphia.”⁴

The Ritz-Carlton reciprocates this cultural immersion, giving back to Philadelphia just as well.  Internationally acclaimed chef and restaurateur, Richard Sandoval, turns up the heat at Aqimero, serving sustainable, wood-fired specialties.  Located in the landmark property’s marble lobby, Latin-American small plates, seafood and steaks permeate the 140-foot dome’s oculus.

“The new design brings a fresh and sophisticated feel to the hotel while also telling a story…a distinct sense of place in the heart of Philadelphia.”  General Manager, Darryll Adam announces, “After years of thoughtful planning and construction we are thrilled to re-introduce The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, and showcase the new modern interiors inside our classic and historic building.”⁶

 

 

THE MAYFAIR HOTEL, LOS ANGELES

The Mayfair Hotel in Los Angeles, which hadn’t been updated since before the 1984 Summer Olympics, completed a four-year renovation, April 2018.⁷

The hotel performed a complete overhaul, revitalizing the space with a mix of ‘20s flair and sophisticated brass elements.  A curated artwork collection was overseen by an internationally renowned graffiti artist. Celebrity chef and Hell’s Kitchen Season 12 winner, Scott Commings, heads the hotel’s restaurant, Eve American Bistro. The Library Bar sets the mood for playwrights with cozy chairs beside a large fireplace, a piano, billiards and book-lined walls.

On top of these very Los Angeles themes, the hotel has also added a recording studio.  The Podcast Room has been custom-built for creatives to rent and record segments.⁸

In a seamless mix of old Hollywood style and today’s social

media culture, The Mayfair Hotel revealed each stage of completed renovations to its Instagram followers, drumming up well-deserved hype.  One fan rejoices, “I can’t wait to sip champagne there and make memories never to be forgotten but never to be repeated!”

Shaped by Guests

HOTEL NIKKO, SAN FRANCISCO

Linda Quintanilha, Senior Hotel Industry Relations Manager at onPeak, says, “Essentially all of San Francisco has done renovating at the same time as the convention center so [the city] is a completely new product.”

In an unconventional fashion, Hotel Nikko in San Francisco closed its doors for three months to complete around-the-clock renovations in March 2017.  The overhaul encompassed structural upgrades to the lobby and public areas, ballroom and meeting spaces, guestrooms, infrastructure and technology⁹ emerging “from the renovation to create a completely reimagined and elevated hotel guest experience.”¹⁰

Staying true to its previously Asian-inspired aesthetic, the refresh incorporates “a sophisticated and contemporary design that took inspiration from the fluid lines of a traditional kimono, and the movement and brushstrokes of Japanese calligraphy.”  Wall screens, organic lighting fixtures mimicking the geometry of branches overlapping, and carpet resembling the flow of water aren’t purely ornamental.¹⁰ These cultural applications also serve to enhance guest experiences.

Each design aesthetic has an intentional function: allowing visitors to feel more at ease; propelling the energy of groups in meetings; creating a residential-style safe-haven for long-distance travelers.

Guest reviews of the property make mention of improved environmental aspects, showing Hotel Nikko left no stone unturned.  An astounding number of accommodating USB ports, surprisingly sound-proof rooms and hallways, and show-stopping entertainment in the 140-seat theater all enhance their experience. “Where else do you have 12 USB ports for your devices and multiple plugs? Our room was also very quiet thanks to being offset from the hallway and we never heard people in the halls. Loved it and would stay again!” exclaims one traveler.¹¹

Yet one of the most differentiating enhancements has to be Hotel Nikko’s perspective on dog-friendly.  A newly renovated pet terrace and dog-run is open 6 am to 10 pm for guests traveling with pets.  They’ll also be welcomed with dog beds, bowls and treats.  For those arriving without their furry companions, the hotel has a resident pup onsite, Buster.  Guests can schedule to spend time with Buster in person and follow his San Francisco shenanigans via his social media handle @NikkoPupSF.¹²

Hotel Nikko’s revived the 30-year-old property into more than just a place to lay your head between arrival and departure.  It’s wholeheartedly embraced change, accomplishing the goal of an elevated experience with each conscious design element and at every interaction.

Love Shapes Design

It’s evident there’s some overlap among trends in hotel transformations, with history and location playing a role in culture, and culture influencing travelers’ interests and desires.  Whether your brand is considering a revamp or you’re sourcing a new location to add to your event’s hotel program, we hope you’ve been delighted by a few common themes.

The onPeak team is full of experts who understand the hotel experience contributes to your attendees’ complete event experience.  We’re here to help you curate the perfect block for them – come visit our website to say hello and find what you’ve been missing!

 

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1. “St. Jane Chicago Hotel to Open Spring 2018,” Hotel News Resource, August 29, 2017. https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article96113.html
2. Rackl, Lori. “Soon-to-open St. Jane Chicago now taking hotel reservations,” Chicago Tribune, June 4, 2018. http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/travel/ct-trav-st-jane-chicago-reservations-0604-story.html
3. “Gallery | St. Jane Hotel,” St. Jane Hotel, last modified 2018. https://stjanehotel.com/gallery/
4.  “Historical Transformation at The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia,” The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, last modified 2018. http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/philadelphia/hotel-overview/hotel-redesign/historical-transformation
5. “Renovation Design | The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia,” The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, last modified 2018.  http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/philadelphia/hotel-overview/hotel-redesign/design-inspiration
6. Contreras, Jimmy. “Historic Philadelphia Bank Building Transformed,” The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, June 23, 2016. http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/philadelphia/hotel-overview/press-releases/historic-philadelphia-bank-transformed
7. “Mayfair Hotel to Return in April,” LA Downtown News, March 1, 2018.  http://www.ladowntownnews.com/development/mayfair-hotel-to-return-in-april/article_2ae3b3d4-1d8f-11e8-b92d-731d08001a86.html
8. “Experience,” The Mayfair Hotel, last updated 2018.  https://www.mayfairla.com/experience
9. Littman, Julie. “Pardon Our Dust: 7 San Francisco Boutique Hotels Undergo Significant Renovations,” Bisnow, July 24, 2017. https://www.bisnow.com/san-francisco/news/hotel/pardon-our-dust-san-francisco-hotels-undergo-significant-renovations-76861
10. “Hotel Nikko Closure for Renovation and 30 Year Anniversary Grand Reopening,” Hotel Nikko, last modified 2016. http://www.hotelnikkosf.com/renovation.aspx
11. “Hotel Nikko San Francisco – Prices & Reviews (CA)” TripAdvisor, last modified 2018. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60713-d80793-Reviews-or5-Hotel_Nikko_San_Francisco-San_Francisco_California.html
12. “San Francisco Pet Friendly Hotel” Hotel Nikko, last modified May 25, 2018. http://www.hotelnikkosf.com/pet-friendly-hotel.aspx

If you’ve been following along, we kicked off Earth Day with a spotlight on sustainability and how corporate social responsibility (CSR) is taking shape in hotels and convention centers across the U.S.  We began the series highlighting New York and Chicago, discussing urban ecosystems and agriculture, and how to get started partnering on a food recovery plan.  But what does sustainability look like in a vastly different environment, like the desert?  Let’s hop on over to Las Vegas and take a look!

Environmental concerns are taken to heart in Las Vegas, and as the city’s fueled by tourism and events, hotels are a key player at the table.  For Vegas properties, it’s not just about a single green act and then wiping their hands clean.  Some hotels have adopted complete sustainability programs, paving the way for this desert city to become a seriously green city.

Bellagio Las Vegas is highly committed to conservation efforts, through an array of traditional and unconventional practices.  The hotel’s furniture is made from fast-growing, renewable eucalyptus (how cool!).  Grocery vendors are committed to delivering 90% of all items through two distributors, reducing fuel consumption.  And Bellagio has over 1,500 employees involved in the Club Ride carpooling program, the highest participation in Vegas.  Bellagio even hosts Internal Green Fairs, engaging employees on how to adopt sustainable habits in their own homes and personal lives.

¹But let’s talk water.  Two of the most iconic performances in Vegas are the Fountains of Bellagio and Cirque du Soleil®.  How can opulence also go hand-in-hand with saving the planet?  Are the hotel’s sustainability efforts just smoke and mirrors, a slight of hand like a showy Vegas illusionist?  Nope.  Lake Bellagio and the aquatic, acrobatic production “O” by Cirque du Soleil are both replenished with non-drinkable well water.  On top of that, the hotel’s upgraded water treatment system saves 24m gallons of water annually.  And the towel/linen reuse program?  Another 15.5m gallons conserved.

Who else is making a splash in towards a more sustainable city?  ARIA Resort & Casino.  Simply by installing low flow shower heads, this hotel saves 50m gallons of water each year, providing enough clean water for over 45,000 people.

All cooking oil used in ARIA restaurants is also repurposed and converted into biofuel, serving as a renewable energy source and reducing the resort’s dependence on water.² The Las Vegas Sands Corp—which includes The Venetian, The Palazzo, and Sands Expo & Convention Center—is celebrating 11 years of dedication to the environment.  “Sustainability is an ever-evolving conversation, and so are high-performance building strategies…Since 2007, we’ve made it a strategic priority to become a more sustainable company,” says Sheldon Adelson, Chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corp.³

Sands has a comprehensive CSR plan, which include some pretty cool measures!  Things that fit in the palm of your hand, like equipping 2,000 housekeeping staff with iPods instead of paper for assignments, takes the company “from paper to pixels.”⁴  Zooming out, Sands runs one of the largest rooftop solar-thermal systems in the U.S.  It provides hot water for all swimming pools, spas, and an area of The Palazzo tower.  Plus, the company’s nano-filtration system allows The Palazzo to care for all plants without accessing the municipal water grid. ⁴Conservation efforts like this are huge.  From 2008 to 2016, Las Vegas reduced its water consumption by 20%⁵, not only by changing out shower heads.  Grass in new developments is replaced with synthetic turf, and drought-tolerant plants are being used in landscaping and public art.  Combined, these city-wide practices are evolving Vegas into a model, eco-friendly city.

It’s evident that CSR has been prevalent for some time, but “with the current volatile social and political climates and widening divides, CSR is being pushed to the next level…Consumers are also responding, demanding more of the businesses with which they interact. In an age where people are overwhelmed with choices, the brand that stands for the social justice issues consumers care about is often the one that wins their dollars.”⁶

Our goal with this series on sustainability and social responsibility is not only meant to highlight your screen a little greener this Earth Week.  We want to shout from the rooftop gardens that the hospitality and events industries are recognizing their ability to reform their sustainable practices, increasing transparency and decreasing their footprints.  We want you to be inspired, because as a traveler, a meeting planner, a hotelier or other participant in the events industry, your voice and values are essential to making progress.  Thanks for joining us on this journey!

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1 “Environmental Commitment” MGM Resorts International, last modified 2018.
2 “Behind the Scenes of Las Vegas: how ARIA guests experience green” MGM Resorts International, last modified 2018.
3 “SandsEco360: 2016 Environmental Report” Las Vegas Sands Corp, last modified July 31, 2017.
4 “A Sustainable Path Forward” Venetian Meetings Las Vegas, last modified 2018.
5 “Sustainability” City of Las Vegas, last modified 2017.
6 “2018 Experiential Marketing Trend Report: Top 10 Trends to Transform Events in 2018” AgencyEA, last modified 2018.

In our Chicago office, company-provided dishes were randomly disappearing. Plates, silverware, it was the funniest thing that the kitchen seemed to be this Bermuda Triangle sucking down ceramics. Last fall, one of the designers, Kyle, got hitched and graciously donated his old dishes and flatware to our office. Since then, not a bowl has bounced nor a fork fled. It appears everyone is taking great care to wash and return each dish used and treat this new collection with gentle maintenance and respect. There’s a sense of duty that comes with something on loan to us, to nurture it and return it in the same condition as it was received.

This parallels the social responsibility companies are facing now. As consumer behavior shifts—realizing our environment and resources are also on loan…and that money talks—shoppers are now advocating for businesses whose values align with their own. Consumers have the flexibility to be discerning while competition grows and companies increasingly vie for their attention.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) isn’t a trend, it’s a business model redefining how companies are evaluating, spending, building, and flourishing. A 2017 CSR study1 of 1,000 Americans revealed that 88 percent are more loyal to companies that support social and environmental issues, and 89 percent would switch brands to those associated with a good cause, given similar price and quality. “Americans expect companies to not only improve their business practices…but to be a force for change in broader society.”¹

”When it comes to reported actions, consumers see their wallets as the most effective way to drive change – whether that’s making a donation, buying a product with a social or environmental benefit or boycotting a company that steps out of line,” the study points out. Organizations dropping the ball on CSR will simply fall behind.

As a celebration of Earth Day, but also an industry introspection at a time when change is in our hands, we’ll be highlighting by region how some of our partners are manning up and landing CSR on the map.

Focusing on event space, totaling more than 85 million square feet in the U.S.,² and hotels—which account for more than five billion square feet³ and, unlike most commercial properties, consume resources 24/7—and there are countless opportunities for them to reassess and reduce their carbon footprint.

Let’s start with New York. “New York City is one of the largest and most diverse travel and tourism markets in the Western Hemisphere, and demand for hotel rooms has historically kept up with supply.”⁴ Visitors to NYC grew from 47m to 60.7m from 2007 to 2016—an increase of nearly 30 percent!—and the number of hotels have jumped from 350 to 630 in that same period. Whoa, right?

Hotel occupancy in New York was the highest occupancy in the nation’s top 25 lodging markets, at 85 percent. That means “eight out of ten rooms are being sold every night for 11 months in a row,” says Jan Freitag, of the hotel research firm STR.⁵

How is the hospitality industry effectively becoming leaders of change, starting with its impact on the environment? Linen cards—reminding guests to reuse their towels or hang that Do Not Disturb sign a little longer—are fantastic first introduction to going green, but there’s so much more going on under the hood.

Seventeen hotels have taken up Mayor Bill de Blasio on his NYC Carbon Challenge, committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their buildings by 30 percent over a 10-year span.⁶ As a whole, the program would reduce citywide emissions by 515,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent to removing 100,000 cars from the road.

The Grand Hyatt New York is installing exhaust controls in its kitchens to minimize energy expended when stoves are not in use and 16,000 LED bulbs throughout the property. Additionally, the hotel’s investing in a new HVAC system, operating on demand-based ventilation. These three modifications will cut down the hotel’s carbon emissions by 2,400 metric tons annually.7 That’s over 450 cars, gone!

The Westin New York at Times Square is also retrofitting the entire building with LED bulbs and sensors, low-flow showerheads and energy-efficient boilers and coolers.

Hudson, a boutique New York hotel, calls itself Glamorously Green. “Now is the time for us to be daring and innovative as we embrace a greener lifestyle…Gone are the days of a typecast granola green.”⁸ This is demonstrated by such initiatives as donating mattresses to charity organizations worldwide; maintaining environmentally responsible practices in its F & B outlets, including evaluating seasonal menus, featuring locally-sourced ingredients and not offering over-fished species; and donating unused soap and toiletries to Clean the World’s soap recycling program, supplying children in need with amenities to keep clean and become less susceptible to infection.⁸

So where are these travelers going? Well, the Javits Center, located on Manhattan’s West Side, attracts 2m visitors annually. The space hosts more than 175 events, 40,000 exhibiting companies, and 5,000 employees each year. “At the Javits Center, sustainability has become a critical focus in an effort to improve the quality of life for our employees, visitors, the surrounding neighborhood and its ecosystem.”⁹

The Javits Center installed a 7 acre green roof, sustainable pest management, and facilitated a post-show donation program, among other practices. Talk about initiating change! The green roof is the second largest of its kind in the U.S., and has actually created a new ecosystem of birds, honey bees, bats, and butterflies! The roof has also prevented nearly 7m gallons of storm water run-off annually, significantly reducing heat gain and energy consumption, because puddles don’t just affect your favorite Vince Camutos.

These industry leaders are not our only meeting and hospitality partners in New York, or nationwide, making changes in their sustainability practices. Swing by again on Tuesday, April 24th, to hear how the Midwest lands on the map! Maybe you’ll recognize a familiar name or uncover new ways to embody CSR with poise. See you again next week!

About Clean the World
Clean the World is a nonprofit organization, partnering with 5,000 hotels internationally to recycle soap from nearly one million hotel rooms daily, distributing them to families, schools, and organizations in need.¹⁰ Meeting planners and travelers frequently consider sustainability practices when booking a hotel. Recycling with Clean the World is a great way to achieve corporate social responsibility goals and attract more guests. Learn how to become involved with Clean the World.¹¹

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1 “2017 Cone Communications CSR Study” Cone Communications, last modified May 15, 2017.
2 “Convention Center Directory” Cvent Inc., last modified 2015.
3 “LEED® In Motion: Hospitality” US Green Building Council, last modified Feb. 2016.
4 “NYC Hotel Market Analysis: Existing Conditions and 10-Year-Outlook” New York City Department of Planning, last modified 2017.
5 Jones, Charisse, “Hotel building boom bringing 100,000 new rooms to U.S cities” USA Today, Jan. 10, 2016.
6 “The New York City Carbon Challenge” NYC Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, Green Buildings & Energy Efficiency, last modified 2018.
7 Vora, Shivani. “New York Hotels Make a Green Pledge” The New York Times, Jan. 19, 2016.
8 “Glamorously Green” Morgans Hotel Group, last modified 2018.
9 “Sustainability Report 2017: Greening America’s Busiest Convention Center” Javits Center, June 6, 2017.
10 Springer, Kate, “The company cleaning up the world’s biggest hotels,” CNN, May 1, 2017.
11 “Recycle Soap. Save Lives. Protect the Environment” Clean the World, last modified 2018. 

 

Yesterday, we continued to embrace Earth Day with open arms, talking about how sustainability in the hospitality and events industry is not just a trend, but rather a socially-responsible business model taking shape across the U.S.  If you’ve yet to read the post, check it out here!  We talk Bears, Beets, and Battlestar Galactica…ok not quite, but just as cool, there’s mention of birds, bats, and Bill de Blasio.  The series started in NYC, but now let’s migrate west to Chicago.

Chicago is no stranger to sustainability.  With the most Green Seal certified hotels in the nation,1 Windy City hotels are working hard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The Chicago Climate Action Plan (CCAP) revealed 71 percent of emissions were coming from buildings (and my whole life I thought cars and hairspray were the culprits), so the city created a task force to reduce these levels 80 percent by 20502.  “With its 24 hour operations, the hotel industry has a large environmental impact, and Chicago’s hotel industry has proved its environmental leadership,” says the CCAP.

Chicago has a number of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and Green Seal certified hotels which appear regularly in event hotel programs: Aloft Chicago City Center, Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, and Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, to name a few.

Hotel Felix, compromising neither luxury nor comfort, became the first Chicago accommodations recognized with LEED Silver certification, and practiced “structural preservation during development to avoid landfill,”³ installed energy efficient lighting, and sustainable art.  “The hotel employs natural heating sources…reclaimed building materials and artwork and earth friendly cleaning supplies.”⁴

With a cheeky sense of humor, Hotel Felix commissioned an artist for Earth Day to construct a seven-foot-tall sculpture of completely found and recycled materials.  “Loren the Doorman”—
crafted from recycled pipes, an umbrella stand, drill bit, and milk-bucket head—then received two additional sculptures “to keep [him] company,” “Madeline” and “Scrappy” the metal dog.⁵

Swissôtel Chicago uses a different approach to making guests feel happy.  The hotel takes the linen card program to the next level, rewarding guests who opt out of housekeeping during a 2-or-more-night stay with a $10 food & beverage credit for each day housekeeping is declined.⁶

It may not be glorious, but getting green also means getting down and dirty.  Waste reduction certainly includes familiar efforts like a recycling program, serving water in pitchers or spring water coolers, and eliminating the use of plastic straws.

But let’s talk excess food.  “By donating edible surplus food, you can help support the local community, preserve the resources that went into making the food, and reduce the amount of edible food sent to compost, landfill, or other end of life solutions.”⁷  The World Wildlife Fund has great tips on finding a food rescue and recovery organization and creating a donation program.

In addition to ensuring food recovery partners can accept hotels’ commonly overproduced food items, WWF advises hotel staff to establish regular pick-up schedules, safe food-handling practices, obtain appropriate documentation for tax incentives, and benchmark program success.  Did you know President Clinton signed the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act into law in 1996, protecting donors from liability?  The act is meant to encourage companies to donate food that would otherwise go to waste.

Guests aren’t the only ones taking notice.  SAVOR…Chicago, the exclusive food and beverage provider at McCormick Place, commits to corporate social responsibility in the convention center industry. SAVOR…Chicago was recognized four times by the EPA for its sustainability solutions and received the Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award for 2014.  As well as providing locally sourced menu choices, the organization has established food recovery partners in the community, donating over 37 tons of food to local charities since beginning its work at McCormick Place.⁸

The USDA actually invited McCormick Place to present at USDA Market Summit – Tomorrow’s Table, “to better understand the resources needed for the next generation in agriculture…and the best practices that innovative players are using.”⁹  Kevin Jezewski, Sustainability Director for SAVOR…Chicago, presented the need for “local purchasing and urban agriculture,” illustrating how McCormick Place, the largest exhibition and meeting facility in North America, has fully embraced such practices and allowed sustainable solutions to come to fruition.

“The amazing community work supported by venues is so inspiring,” says Amanda Simons, program manager at a sustainability consulting firm, Greenview.  Greenview’s 2016 Green Venue Report revealed that of surveyed venues, “Seventy-seven percent of centers help event organizers donate leftover conference materials, and almost 60 percent of centers regularly donate food from events to local charities in need.”¹⁰

These continued efforts from our event and hospitality partners truly embody the heart of corporate social responsibility. Join us for our next post, which will wrap up this sustainability min-series.  We’ll fly even farther west and take on water conservation in an arid region and how small steps make a big impact.

Helpful Links:

Good Samaritan Food Donation Act

Find a Food Bank

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1 Michaels, Stephanie. “Chicago—The City with the Most Green Seal Certified Hotels in the U.S.” The Huffington Post, last modified May 25, 2011.
2 “Chicago Climate Action Plan” City of Chicago, last modified 2010.
3 “5 Best Green Hotels in America” Huffington Post, last modified Dec. 6, 2017.
4 “13 Eco Friendly Hotel Blending Luxury & Sustainability” The Good Trade, last modified 2017.
5 “About Hotel Felix: Learn How Our Chicago Hotel Aims to Make You Happy” Hotel Felix, last modified 2018.
6 “Green Program” Swissôtel Chicago, last modified 2018.
7 “Hotel Kitchen – Donation: The Second Line of Defense” World Wildlife Fund, last modified 2018.
8 “Sustainable Management of Food” Environmental Protection Agency, last modified Feb. 19, 2017.
9 Marquisos, Mary Kay. “McCormick Place Sustainability Efforts Presented at White House Symposium” Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, Feb. 22, 2016.
10 Durso, Christopher. “The State of the Art in Sustainable Venues” PCMA Convene, Nov. 20, 2016.