Prevue November-December 2013 - (Page 18)

good business Hyatt, Hilton & Fairmont Hotels Unveil New CSR Initiatives Hotel groups are making a positive impact from California to Kenya Fairmont Hotels' Green Partnership H otel corporations are amping up their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and investing in community developments. In June, for example, Hyatt Hotels launched its "Ready to Thrive" program, which focuses on global literacy and career development. The company made a 2-year, $750,000 investment towards career training and development programs of low-income youth who live in the same community where the new Grand Hyatt Rio De Janeiro is scheduled to open in 2015. Earlier this year, Hyatt teamed up with two nonprofit organizations, We Give Books and Room to Read, committed to improving global literacy. Hyatt is donating 35,000 books to communities around the world. "Our focus on literacy and career development goes beyond charitable giving-it is a strategic investment of our resources to create a lasting impact for local communities and for our company," says Mark Hoplamazian, president/CEO. "We know that a solid education is essential for economic growth, job creation and income generation." Hilton Worldwide's "Travel with Purpose" has similar commitments to local communities, one of which involves fighting against child trafficking. In 2011, the corporation became the second U.S.-based hotel company to sign the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct. The company trained and educated team members on how to identify potentially illegal relationships involving children at the hotels. Since making the commitment, Hilton Worldwide has trained more than 1,000 general managers at hotels in 13 cities. "At Hilton Worldwide, we feel very fortunate to work in a business that presents us with so many opportunities to be part of millions of people's lives, invite them into our hotels and to be a good neighbor to thousands of communities around the world," says Christopher J. Nassetta, president/CEO. This past year, Hilton launched its first-ever Global Week of Service, which contributed more than 100,000 volunteer hours to more than 800 community service projects in 51 countries. Individual hotels such as the Hilton San Francisco Union Square even have a community projects manager (CPM) onsite. The CPM works with 10 to 12 nonprofit organizations on a daily basis, managing ongoing relationships with about 100 nonprofits every month. Staff members are also engaged in community service projects. How cool is that? "Hilton San Francisco Union Square regularly organizes events for its meeting and events attendees," says Jennifer Silberman, vice president, corporate responsibility for Hilton Worldwide. From volunteering at local soup kitchens to assembling packages for school children, our dedicated community manager can support the needs of any group." In April, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts launched its Green Partnership program. The program is based around four pillars of sustainability-responsible business, ecosystem, environment and engagement. The "engagement" aspect expands on the Fairmont Cares program that provides seed money for hotel-supported organizations in their local communities. The Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club in Kenya, for example, funds a microfarming project run by local women. In September, Fairmont launched a month-long initiative called Community Connections Month, when Fairmont staff and guests worked with local organizations in the properties' surrounding areas. Fairmont properties in the U.S. helped transform a food bank, hosted food drives, repaired a senior center and collected books for ESL classes.-Jessie Fetterling hyatt.com; hilton.com; fairmont.com "Our focus on literacy and career development goes beyond charitable giving" 18 | prevue magazine http://www.hyatt.com http://www.hilton.com http://www.fairmont.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue November-December 2013

Planner's Pick: Hartford
Fresh Meets: MGM Resorts
Bureau Buzz: Las Vegas
Good Business: Hyatt, Hilton, Fairmont
Sea Shores: Silversea Cruises
Cool, Cultured & Creative
Imex America
Special Section: Asia Pacific
Ireland
On Location: Hard Rock San Diego
Santa Fe
Cincinnati
On Location: InterContinental Costa Rica
On Location: Marriott Orlando
On Location: Hilton Orlando
South Walton, Florida
Check Out: Moon Palace Cancun

Prevue November-December 2013