Hotel EMC2 opens in Chicago
Autograph Collection Hotels has announced the opening of Hotel EMC2, a new boutique property in Chicago celebrating the convergence of art and science through design, cuisine and guest experience.
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Hotel Versey Opens Its Doors As Chicago's Newest Lifestyle Hotel
Oxford Hotels & Resorts, LLC, the Chicago-based hotel management affiliate of Oxford Capital Group, LLC, today proudly announce the opening of Hotel Versey, its newest lifestyle hotel in the heart of Lincoln Park – Lakeview. Located at the intersection of West Diversey Parkway, North Clark Street, and North Broadway, the newly renovated 137-room hotel is housed within Chicago"s 1920"s Diversey Arms building, which was previously the Days Inn Chicago. Once known fondly as the "Rock and Roll Days Inn," the transformed property honors its history and location through its contemporary design and invites guests to "Stay Like a Local" in the city"s diverse and lively Northside. Rates start at $229.
Sara Davis-Zapata has been named General Manager at AC Hotel Chicago Downtown
The Marriott AC Hotel Chicago Downtown, owned and managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, today announced Sara Davis-Zapata has been appointed general manager. In her new role, Davis-Zapata will be responsible for all hotel operations at the 226-room property located steps from Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.
T.R. ENGEL Group, LLC Named Asset Manager for Dual Branded Hiltons in Chicago
T.R. ENGEL Group, LLC, ("TRE"), the Boston-based hospitality advisory, asset management, project management and transactions firm, has been retained by a joint venture between Boston-based Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation ("Intercontinental") and Chicago based Jupiter Realty Company LLC ("Jupiter"), as asset manager of their dual-branded, 336 rooms and suites Hampton Inn by Hilton / Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown West Loop.
Viceroy Chicago Opening September 2017
Viceroy Chicago, located in the exclusive Gold Coast neighborhood, will mark Viceroy"s first destination in the Windy City. Located at the site of the 1920s-era Cedar Hotel, among historic mansions and just steps to the Magnificent Mile and Lake Michigan, Viceroy Chicago will offer a locally-inspired luxury experience with 180 guestrooms and suites.
Tijs Klerx has been appointed as General Manager at Viceroy Chicago
Originally from The Netherlands, Tijs Klerx got his start in hospitality with a degree from the International Hotel Management School at the NHTV University of Applied Sciences in Breda. Before graduating, Klerx began working with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Over the course of his seven years spent with the company, he worked largely with guests in leadership roles, starting as Duty Manager at The Park Lane Sheraton Hotel in London and worked his way up to Director of Front Office at The Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel.
The Historic Talbott Hotel, a Joie de Vivre Property, Plans May Reopening Following Extensive $20M Renovation
The Talbott Hotel (20 E. Delaware Pl.), a Joie de Vivre boutique property, announced today that it will officially re-open in May following a four-month, comprehensive renovation. The historic hotel, originally constructed in 1927, received a full interior refresh driven by KARA MANN, the celebrated Chicago-based interior design icon.
First Hospitality Group, Inc., Celebrates Grand Re-opening Of The Springhill Suites Chicago O’hare
Rosemont, Ill.-based First Hospitality Group, Inc. announced today the grand re-opening of its SpringHill Suites Chicago O'Hare hotel following an extensive renovation. To celebrate, FHG hosted a grand re-opening event yesterday on Tuesday, April 11. First Hospitality Group, Inc. President and CEO Robert Habeeb made the announcement.
Matt Schalk has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Hyatt Regency Chicago
Schalk was most recently with Hyatt Hotels Corporation serving as the Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the West Region. Prior to that position, Schalk held a number of positions with a focus in revenue management, including Regional Director of Revenue Management for the Southern Region and Area Director of Revenue at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and Director of Revenue at Hyatt Regency Chicago, Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, and Hyatt Regency Dearborn.
Nick Dostal has been appointed as Executive Chef of Sixteen at Trump International Hotel & Tower
Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago is pleased to announce the appointment of Nick Dostal as executive chef at the two Michelin star, fine dining restaurant, Sixteen.
Chicago Hotel Jobs Drive City Growth, Revenue
The Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association (IHLA) and the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) today released a report by Oxford Economics analyzing the economic impact of the hotel industry to the City of Chicago. The report underscores the significant contributions lodging provides to the city, generating some $2 billion in federal, state and local taxes every year and supporting nearly 90,000 local jobs. The report detailed specific impacts hotel guests have on Chicago's economy, including the tremendous economic contributions of hotel guests to the community. In 2016 alone, guests spent $8 billion. Every $100 spent on lodging at hotels leverages an additional $176 spent at local businesses.
Frank Sanchez has been appointed as Executive Chef at Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile (520 N. Michigan Ave.) is excited to announce that it has appointed Frank Sanchez as executive chef. Formerly the hotel’s executive sous chef, Sanchez will oversee all culinary operations at the hotel and its F&B outlets, Harvest Restaurant and Rush Street Pantry, including management of the hotel’s rooftop garden and beehives.
DePaul University houses execs from Hyatt Hotels, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
Leaders from two iconic Chicago hospitality groups, Lettuce Entertain You restaurants and Hyatt Hotels, have joined a new Executive in Residence program at DePaul University. The program brings executives into the School of Hospitality Leadership to network with faculty, advise students and connect them with Chicago's world-class hospitality industry.The first cohort of the program includes Lettuce Entertain You executive partners Jerrod Melman and Marc Jacobs; and Paul Daly, area vice president for Hyatt and general manager of the Hyatt Regency O'Hare.Wealth of hospitality industry is 'people'"When the executives are here, the students light up and are engaged at a different level," said Misty Johanson, director of the school and associate dean of the Driehaus College of Business. Other hospitality programs around the country need to build facilities to expose students to the industry, but DePaul innovated a different approach, explained Johanson."We are blessed that our students have Chicagoland as a lab for learning in the field. And industry partners want to be part of the daily activities in the school. So we've brought the wealth of the local industry here, and that's its people," said Johanson.DePaul's School for Hospitality Leadership began offering its degree programs in 2010 and has grown quickly in size and reputation. With about 300 students, the school is business-focused and has a highly personalized career-development component. Johanson said the Executive in Residence program is among the first of its kind in hospitality higher education. For the executives, the residency is an opportunity to influence young leaders who will shape the future of hospitality in Chicago.Chicago is a 'hospitality town'Daly, a 25-year veteran in the hotel industry, said there is a "natural connection" between DePaul and Hyatt, which has its global headquarters in downtown Chicago, not far from DePaul's business college. A founding member of the school's advisory board, Daly said interactions with students keep him engaged with his work. "Their enthusiasm helps me stay focused and reenergizes me. It's great to bring students to the hotel, listen to their ideas and introduce them to Hyatt."Most DePaul graduates stay in Chicago, and Melman sees the residency as a way to keep talent local. "Chicago is more than just a great food city, it's a hospitality town," said Melman, who graduated from DePaul in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in communications before joining the family business. "What I love about this program is DePaul helps students understand the career realities of this industry and focuses on getting them ready for real jobs in our community." Melman has opened more than a dozen restaurants, including HUB 51, Three Dots and a Dash, and RPM Italian in Chicago and Washington, D.C. "Building relationships early on benefits us and it benefits students," he said.A hallmark of the program is one-on-one sessions where executives counsel students on career choices. "Today's marketplace is different, and millennials are different," said Jacobs, who also sits on the school's advisory board. "While employers are definitely interested in classroom experience, students also need to be trying new things to see what they like -- and what they don't like – before they graduate."Jacobs is encouraging students to do just that, and he knows firsthand about the importance of hands-on experience. He started at Lettuce as a busser in 1991 and worked his way up, training as a line cook and taking on increasing roles in leadership. He went on to open several popular Lettuce restaurants including Antico Posto, Foodease market at Water Tower Place, Ema and Beatrix."We're helping students to be more career-focused so when they're done with the program, they're going to more quickly find the avenue that's right for them," said Jacobs.Companies sponsor their executives' time at DePaul and support student engagement activities throughout the year. Daly sees the residency as a "growth opportunity." He mentors students in DePaul's chapter of the American Hotel Lodging Association, helping them think through strategic goals and fundraising. Recently, Daly worked with the student club before a big competition, and they won second place nationally."From a career perspective, it's been neat to see the commonality between what we see in the industry and what's being taught at DePaul. The curriculum and its programs are spot on, and we are there to advise on trends and changes in the field. It's been a fun journey so far," Daly added.The School of Hospitality is housed in DePaul's Driehaus College of Business, which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, a distinction earned by less than 5 percent of business schools worldwide. For more information, visit http://hospitality.depaul.edu.
Paul E. Cardona has been appointed as General Manager at Le Meridien Chicago - Oakbrook Center
Wischermann Partners appointed Paul E. Cardona as GM of the Le Meridien Chicago - Oakbrook Center. Combining his background with luxury and lifestyle hotels, Cardona will bring over 22 years of hotel expertise to Chicago to spearhead the operation of the 172-room property. With an extensive career in the hospitality industry, the Glen Ellyn, Ill., resident joins the Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center team from previous executive roles at hotels including Four Seasons Hotel & Resorts, Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, Soho House & Co., Miami’s SLS Hotel and the Park Hyatt Chicago. There, he lead the team at NoMI to its first and only one-star Michelin rating.
First Hospitality Group Breaks Ground on Hilton’s First Triple-Brand Hotel at Chicago’s McCormick Place
First Hospitality Group, Inc. (FHG) and Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced today their partnership to bring Hilton's first triple-brand hotel, consisting of a Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton, to North America's largest convention center, McCormick Place. A formal announcement will be made tomorrow by FHG's Founder and Chairman, Stephen Schwartz, and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority's CEO Lori Healey, among others, during a groundbreaking celebration for the project.
Peter Simoncelli has been appointed as General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago is proud to announce the appointment of Peter Simoncelli to general manager of the award-winning hotel on the Magnificent Mile. A hospitality veteran of over 30 years with deep-seated roots in Chicago, Simoncelli has vast experience in the luxury hotel space and will be instrumental in leading the team and continuing with the success that the hotel has experienced for the past four decades.
Mark Pratt has been appointed as Vice President and National Director of Hospitality at The Walsh Group
The Walsh Group welcomes Mark Pratt to its professional staff as Vice President and National Director of Hospitality. Mark will lead the Walsh Hospitality Center of Excellence and be responsible for expanding the company's hospitality brand across the United States.
Kimberly Terry-LeDoux has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at The Blackstone, A Renaissance Hotel
Sage Hospitality, one of the leading hotel management and investment companies in the country, is pleased to introduce the new Director of Sales and Marketing of The Blackstone, A Renaissance Hotel, Kimberly Terry-LeDoux. With over twelve years of experience, Terry-LeDoux will bring her expansive knowledge and expertise in the hospitality industry to the role.
Hotel Chicago-Illinois Medical District Launches New Complimentary Livery Service by FirstClass Travel
The Hotel Chicago-Illinois Medical District (IMD) is now offering free transportation in licensed livery vehicles for all its guests. The partnership with Chicago-based FirstClass Travel, a new on-demand concierge service, allows riders to control their experience – like Uber Black but with professional chauffeurs and at absolutely no charge to guests. Owned by Chicago luxury car icon Joe Perillo, Hotel Chicago-IMD is the first hotel to launch the new black car platform, which is both an app and a smart dispatching system. The 116-room independent boutique hotel has already carved out a niche in the crowded marketplace after opening six months ago, with its "less to stay means more to play" mantra. Located on the edge of Chicago's booming West Loop, Hotel Chicago-IMD offers affordable rates so that guests will have more money in their wallet to enjoy the exciting neighborhood.
Travelers Increasingly Use Connected Devices for Planning and Booking, Smartphones Experience Largest Gains in Use
U.S. travelers are using more devices than ever before, increasing their use of smartphones, computers, and tablets for researching travel options and purchasing air travel and hotel rooms. In fact, a significant majority of consumers – 63% – say that they regularly use more than one device for planning and booking trips, according to a new consumer survey conducted by Signal, a global leader in real-time, people-based marketing.