NEWH - Fall 2014 - 24

Q&A

Meet Katie Zuidema
President of the NEWH Northwest chapter
and account executive - West Coast
gaming at Durkan Hospitality

How did you become involved with NEWH?
I was asked to be part of the NEWH team for Product Runway
in which I met and got to know a lot of the local chapter board
members. A few of us hit it off immediately, and they asked me
to join the board.
What has NEWH done for you personally and professionally? 
I joined the Northwest chapter not too long after moving to
Seattle and joining the industry. Personally, NEWH helped me
grow a friend base that extends past the 9 to 5 workday. Most of
my close friends today were (or are) on the board. Being involved
in our local chapter has given me the opportunity to meet a lot
of influential and inspiring people from all over the country.  
As chapter president, what do you have planned for the
rest of 2014?
My goal this year was to change what wasn't working and to
expand our membership base. We have quite a few new faces
on the board in 2014 and with that a newfound enthusiasm. We
have already seen an increased turnout and response to each
event. We held a successful membership drive bowling event as
well as the Walk for Sam, where we raised more than $7,000 for
the family of one of our chapter members whose daughter was
diagnosed with Leukemia at age 19. We are also really pushing
to hold more events in Portland as the design community there
is getting a lot more involved in NEWH. There have been many
innovative and beautiful projects opening as of late.
What were some of the chapter's highlights of 2013?
In October, we hosted the most successful Northwest NEWH
Regional Tradeshow to date at the Bell Harbor International
Convention Center. We had a great turnout and fantastic
feedback. At the end of the night, all attendees and vendors were
able to let loose upstairs at our nautically themed after party
overlooking the Puget Sound.  
You recently started a new position with Durkan. Why the switch?
I joined the Durkan Hospitality team at the end of June as their
West Coast gaming account executive. Making the switch
was not an easy decision, however after working as an interior
designer for the last nine years, I felt the need to change things
up a bit. I am looking forward to bringing my hospitality and

24 www.newh.org

tribal gaming experience to Durkan to help build their presence
in the West Coast gaming market.
What is your business outlook for the remainder of 2014?
From what I have seen to date, business in our industry is on
a steady rise. All aspects of the hospitality realm seem to be
slammed. After making it through the recession, it is really good
to see everyone so busy again. I believe we will see business
steadily soar for the remainder of 2014 and well into 2015.
What is the biggest challenge today in hospitality? The biggest
opportunity?
The answer to both of those questions is the same: to make your
customers' experiences unique. Most people remember how
a space makes them feel. You have to stand out as a business
not only with the atmosphere of the space created but also in
the attention to detail and the quality of service provided. It
is all of our jobs in this industry to make that experience an
unforgettable one.
Latest travel highlight?
Honestly, I have traveled so much for work in the last year
that my latest highlight would have to be visiting family and
old friends in Michigan for a long weekend this summer. It
was great being able to catch up with everyone and getting to
spend time on Lake Michigan. I even got lucky and watched a
few thunderstorms, which we don't see too often in the Pacific
Northwest.
What is the trend/movement you are paying attention to in the
industry?
I am very interested in the use of creativity to push the limits of
new technology. Technology has allowed us to create so many
new innovative products in our industry these last 10 years or
so. Just imagine what is around the corner.  
When you aren't working or at an NEWH event, where can we
find you?
Since moving to the Pacific Northwest nine years ago, my
husband and I love exploring all the PacNor has to offer. We
enjoy camping and hiking year-round with our dog and watching
the Seahawks in the fall of course.  ❙❘❚
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NEWH - Fall 2014

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