PASSION FOR HOSPITALITY
INGS
EDITORIAL Jeff Weinstein , Editor In Chief 1.312.274.2226 E-mail : jweinstein @ hotelsmag . com Barbara Bohn , Managing Editor 1.312.274.2209 E-mail : bbohn @ hotelsmag . com Bert Ganzon , Senior Art Director 1.312.274.2227 E-mail : bganzon @ mtgmediagroup . com Steve Vanden Heuvel , Vice President / Creative Director 1.312.274.2218 E-mail : svandenheuvel @ mtgmediagroup . com Brittney Hackbart , Associate Art Director 1.312.274.2216 E-mail : bhackbart @ mtgmediagroup . com Carolina Martinez , Freelance Design E-mail : cmartinez @ mtgmediagroup . com Bill McDowell , Vice President , Editorial Director 1.312.274.2201 bmcdowell @ mtgmediagroup . com maybe this time they will institute measures that stick .
In this month ’ s Trending section , read what hoteliers are thinking about strategically moving forward .
I also want to take a moment to recognize some heroes and thought leaders who have stepped up to lead with poise and grace . I know there are so many I don ’ t hear about , and for all who have stepped up to serve their communities and teams , I applaud you .
If by now you have not seen Marriott International CEO Arne Sorenson ’ s March video message to his constituents , I urge you to search for it online and watch it as he defined leadership with his honesty , courage and empathy . Those are among the key words of the day to live by . The more we can all practice these approaches to business and life the better we will all become .
And let me close by giving you hope and a bit of inspiration . There is an owner-operator here in Chicago who has an incredible will , determination and desire to succeed named Ben Weprin of AJ Capital Partners . He and his team created the nostalgic , experiential Graduate hotel brand with a growing , now 22-property portfolio located on or near major universities . Whenever I talk to him I can ’ t help but walk away inspired by his sincere enthusiasm . I was interviewing Ben in early March , before COVID-19 became a pandemic , for a feature story about AJ ’ s growth . Naturally , I had to follow up with him a few weeks later and he struggled for words as he ran along Chicago ’ s lakefront searching for clarity . But when I asked Ben how this crisis will impact his plans , he found his resolve . “ No virus can touch my dreams ,” he said . “ You can ’ t lay a hand on it . This is a speed bump .”
Yes , students will return to universities , parents will visit and need a place to stay . I only hope Ben can stay the course .
While not every hotel will survive this moment , the world and the hotel business will eventually right itself , and this industry has a more recent history of bouncing back faster than anticipated . So , I wish you good luck in your recoveries and I would love to hear your stories of resolve and share them with our readers to reinforce hope .
Editor In Chief
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Judith Crown , Megan Rowe , Juliana Shallcross , Erin Sund
PUBLISHING David Wood , Publisher 1.312.274.2225 dwood @ hotelsmag . com Bill Kinross , Vice President , Group Publisher 312 / 274-2214 bkinross @ meatingplace . com
INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD Nakul Anand Executive Director , ITC Ltd ., Gurgaon , India Stephen Bartolin President , Broadmoor Sea Island Co ., Colorado Springs , Colorado Alex Kyriakidis President and Managing Director , Middle East and Africa , Marriott International , Dubai Christopher Nassetta President and CEO , Hilton Worldwide , McLean , Virginia Monika Nerger Chief Information Officer , Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group , Atlanta Paul Sistare President and CEO , Atlantica Hotels International , São Paulo Susan Terry Vice president of culinary and food and beverage operations , Marcus Hotels & Resorts , Milwaukee , Wisconsin
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