Shatterproof ‘Hospitality Heroes’ Reception Convenes More than 60 Hospitality Companies
Raises More than $2M to Drive Solutions to the Addiction Crisis
Shatterproof, a national nonprofit dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the U.S., recently honored Chris Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, with the Shatterproof Hospitality Hero Award. He is the fifth recipient to receive the award. Nassetta has been an integral voice on the issue of addiction in America, using his leadership in the industry to unite hospitality executives to take an active role in ending the addiction crisis.
Senior executives across the hotel industry united during the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in Los Angeles to commend Nassetta on his accomplishments. More than 60 hospitality companies raised more than $2 million during the event to advance the important work Shatterproof is doing and to support its founder and CEO, Gary Mendell, a former hotelier (chairman and co-founder of HEI Hotels and Resorts), who lost his son Brian to addiction in 2011.
“I was honored to receive this award, but more importantly, to help raise critical support for Shatterproof and the transformational work they are doing,” said Nassetta. “The hospitality industry is disproportionately impacted by substance use disorder, and Shatterproof is leading the way in advocating for those struggling with addiction, their families and the communities this disease impacts.”
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, employees of restaurants and hotels (the two major branches of the hospitality industry) have the highest rates of substance use out of the entire American workforce.
Mendell regularly attended the ALIS conference in his 25-year hospitality career. After losing his son, Mendell founded Shatterproof with a goal of sparing others from the tragedy his family suffered. Since 2016, the hospitality industry has raised more than $5 million for Shatterproof during events at ALIS.
"I continue to be inspired by the incredible support of the hotel industry,” said Mendell. “Substance use disorder is a largely preventable disease, and it is through the generous support and awareness efforts of the hospitality industry that we will be able to reduce stigma and increase the number of policy changes and treatment resources to end this crisis.”
The 2023 Shatterproof Hospitality Heroes Committee includes
Robert Alter, Geoff Ballotti, Mike Barnello, James Burba, Patrick Campbell, Thomas Corcoran, Ted Darnall, Joel Eisemann, Clark Hanrattie, Tim Hodes, Merrick Kleeman, Dan Lesser, Gary Mendell, Chris Nassetta, Bill Reynolds, Anthony Rutledge, Stacy Silver, Paul Whetsell, and Mark Woodworth.
About Shatterproof
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the course of the addiction crisis in America. Shatterproof is focused on ensuring treatment in America is based upon proven research and ending the stigma of addiction. The organization advocates for changes to federal and state policy, payer reform, treatment quality assessment, and provides public education through family and workplace programs.
About Gary Mendell
Gary Mendell is the founder and CEO of Shatterproof. He founded Shatterproof to spare others the tragedy his family suffered with the loss of his son Brian to addiction in 2011. He is a frequent speaker on how our society can end the stigma unjustly associated with addiction, has been honored numerous times for his leadership related to reversing opioid epidemic, testified in front of the President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis and is a frequent commentator in the media. Mr. Mendell also serves on the Executive Advisory Board of the University of Pennsylvania's Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (LDI). He is an experienced businessman and CEO who founded HEI Hotels & Resorts and is the former president of Starwood Lodging Trust.
