Global Update
( L to R ) Hostmark President and CEO Jerry Cataldo , Founder Bud Cataldo , Marketing Manager Allyson Cataldo and Vice Chairman and COO Robert Cataldo
Generational hoteliers
Jerry Cataldo has been in his family ’ s hotel business for 32 years , and as much as business changes Hostmark Hospitality Group has stayed a family affair . In fact , the interview for this story was interrupted when patriarch C . A . “ Bud ” Cataldo called his son with a question . “ One of the lessons I ’ ve learned is that you always have time for your father ’ s call ,” Cataldo quips .
What started as 50-50 partnership in Denver some 50 years ago — leading to a buyout in the early 1990s with a new partner — has evolved into a third-party management company based in suburban Chicago that has operated some 375 hotels over the years in locations as close as Chicago and as far as Sharm el Sheikh , Egypt .
Jerry Cataldo , currently president and CEO , says one piece of advice he would offer starts with “ remembering we are in the customer-service business . If you get wrapped up in development or the frothiness of the day , in the long term you slip .”
Another key , which he says comes from years of watching his father and partners , is treating people with respect . “ We ’ ve always conducted ourselves that way , and it has helped us be successful for as long as we have ,” he says .
Today Hostmark operates 27 hotels and practices continued disciplined growth with development partners ,
including a recently announced deal to manage a new-build , dual-branded , 210-room Hampton Inn and 126-room Homewood Suites with Jupiter Realty Co . and Boston-based Intercontinental Real Estate Corp . Further management deals in Boston and Florida were under development at press time .
Hostmark and Jupiter have a partnership spanning 40 years and 35-plus hotels . “ We ’ ve tended to work with groups of people on a repetitive basis because we certainly understand the needs , wants and objectives of our clients ,” Cataldo says .
Hostmark ’ s 50th-anniversary celebration will be true to its character , with a scholarship competition between leading U . S . hospitality schools that will showcase leadership and the values upon which Hostmark has been built .
Yet Cataldo prefers to look ahead for his inspiration , often to his adult children , some of whom work with him at Hostmark . “ You have to look outside your own box of influence to people who have different viewpoints ,” he says . “ That comes from paying attention to the younger generation .”
New corporate braNd for IrelaNd
Dalata Hotel Group is launching a luxury brand focused on the corporate market called Clayton Hotels . Ireland ’ s largest operator — with 45 hotels across Ireland and the U . K . — is taking 10 of its newly acquired assets to create a brand with 13 hotels by year ’ s end , including this Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge in Dublin . Along with its more leisure-focused Maldron brand , Dalata is investing € 27 million ( US $ 29.8 million ) in the redevelopment of both brands , including the launch of the Clayton Hotel signature bedroom , a healthy breakfast and people-focused service with a “ your stay , your way ” approach .
14 HOTELS September 2015 www . hotelsmag . com