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PROTESTORS CAME TO DISRUPT A HOTEL CONFERENCE. LODGING CEOS WERE UNFAZED.
By DAVID EISEN
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N EW YORK— Not even a strident protest could derail lodging company
CEOs from staying on message.
Hospitality conferences are not typically tense events. Sure, topics and discussion can be spirited, but fear of safety is never a concern. At NYU IHIF, at the Marriott Marquis, the playbook shifted.
Shortly after the start of the CEO panel, demonstrators outside the conference space could be heard blowing whistles and banging on doors. One got through and was subdued by security. Shouting rang through
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the hall, but it was difficult to ascertain the message. At one point, Sébastien Bazin, chairman & CEO, Accor, told the audience they were shouting“ Free Palestine.” As the rapt audience craned their necks to get a better look, the panel, somewhat awkwardly, continued undaunted. Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton, turned to Anthony Capuano, his counterpart at Marriott International, and said,“ Tony, this could be one heck of a service recovery,” the line generating nervous laughter from the crowd. Some in the |
audience left their seats and took positions closer to the wall.
It turns out that the protestors were not there to protest the war in Gaza; rather, they were there railing against what they perceive to be Marriott’ s use of eggs from caged chickens. Marriott International said its aim is to source 100 % of eggs from cagefree sources by the end of 2025.
The protest quelled, the panel continued and an unfazed Capuano gave a strong defense of travel and hospitality despite headwinds and data that would say otherwise.“ Consumer
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8 hotelsmag. com July / August 2025 |