Full circle
From pillbox-hatted bellboy at the Fairmont to new trump Ceo , Eric DanzigEr has Come Full CirCle , returning to luxury to help grow a high-proFile brand .
by Jeff Weinstein , editor in chief
-year-old kid who
The 17 started his hotel career some 44 years ago wearing a pillbox hat while carrying bags outside the Fairmont in San Francisco says he has likely found his last job , and he says it ’ s ideal .
The new CEO of The Trump Collection is the first non-family member holding this senior of a position at the company ’ s New York City 5th Avenue office . And with his many years of experience , big personality and strong will , Eric Danziger is likely a good fit to work with Donald Trump ’ s children ( Ivanka , Donald Jr . and Eric ), who today run the hotel business under the chairman . That chairman , at press time , was boldly running for president of the United States , which certainly creates interesting dynamics across the Trump organization , including a very publically facing hotel business .
What wasn ’ t ideal , unfortunately , was Danziger ’ s quick exit from Hampshire Hospitality Management in New York not much more than a year after coming in to reorganize the operation and launching the Début Hotel Group . Danziger boasted big plans at Hampshire as he was not much more than six months removed from the start of developing new global lifestyle brands for the Chatwal family . “ The strategy was set , the team was put into place and I no longer control the execution . It is fully in their hands as to what they ’ ll do with it ,” Danziger says , adding that regretfully he couldn ’ t control the timing of an offer too good to resist .
Danziger ’ s new mandate is to grow the Trump Collection of 14 hotels today with another four set to open next year . The long-time brand man , not surprisingly , adds that he and the family may add a brand — perhaps not using the biggerthan-life Trump name . The man who has also served as president and CEO of Starwood Hotels , and president and COO of Carlson Hotels Worldwide is no shrinking violet and will likely try to use his experience and global connections to pick up the pace of development .
HOTELS spoke to Danziger just as he was moving into his new office about his new job , his views on luxury hotelkeeping , how he will fit into the Trump family culture and more .
HOTELS : What ’ s your take on luxury hotels today and how Trump is positioned within the segment ?
Eric Danziger : There ’ s an excellent opportunity here . People will always
www . hotelsmag . com October 2015 HOTELS 35