This week’s Partner News is highlighted by CleanBrands launching the CleanRest PLATINUM Encasing Mattress Pad; Hotel Equities being honored at the Marriott CONNECT 2022 Franchise Awards with the Best Opening Hotel award; and IHG Hotels & Resorts presenting its Spirit of True Hospitality Awards. Read about all that and more below.
CleanBrands launches PLATINUM Encasing Mattress Pad
CleanBrands, a manufacturer of technologically advanced mattress encasements and bedding protection products, has launched the CleanRest PLATINUM Encasing Mattress Pad.
CleanRest PLATINUM can replace three products currently used to protect your bedding: mattress encasement, waterproof mattress protector and mattress pad. PLATINUM is a six-sided fully encasing mattress pad made with patented MicronOne fabric technology and has a plush waterproof quilted replaceable top layer for easy laundering and replacement. PLATINUM is integrated with patented Zip-N-Click zipper enclosure technology to effectively block bed bugs and dust mites from entering your mattress.
CleanRest PLATINUM Encasing Mattress Pads effectively block liquids and stains, and act as a barrier against allergens, viruses and micro toxins from entering your mattress. The Ultrasonic Sewing technology results in no needle holes for secure surface protection.
Hotel Equities earns Best Opening Hotel at Marriott Owners Conference
Hotel owner, operator and developer Hotel Equities (HE) was recognized at the Marriott CONNECT 2022 Franchise Awards with the Best Opening Hotel award from Marriott International for the new Courtyard by Marriott Winston-Salem Downtown in North Carolina.
The award recognizes companies that opened that exceeded RevPAR index, guest satisfaction, occupancy, RevPAR and other key metrics.
The Courtyard Winston-Salem Downtown is a custom-designed hotel that opened on June 15, 2020, and was one of the first to open with Marriott’s latest modern lobby design. The 126-room property features an indoor swimming pool, fitness center and a courtyard area with a fire pit, as well as a rooftop bar called Top of Fourth-Courtyard Rooftop Lounge that features views from the West End and historic Winston-Salem skyline.
Hotel Equities provided development services throughout the hotel’s build, from collaborating with architects and contractors developing efficient design packages, to cost control and procurement.
IHG Hotels & Resorts presents Spirit of True Hospitality Awards
IHG Hotels & Resorts recently recognized nearly 400 hotels and their respective teams as Spirit of True Hospitality Awards recipients for their 2021 accomplishments. The annual awards program acknowledges hotels across the Americas—including the U.S., Canada and Latin America—for exceptional performance among several key customer criteria, including cleanliness and overall customer service and satisfaction.
Considered the most prestigious honor among IHG Hotels & Resorts properties, the Spirit of True Hospitality Awards winners received scores of 90 or higher (out of 100) in Guest Room Cleanliness and Guest Love (satisfaction) surveys. Selected as leaders among the organization’s nearly 4,300 mainstream, upscale and luxury hotels across the Americas, these 2021 top performers received commemorative plaques and lapel pins along with acknowledgment in IHG’s internal Hotel Bulletin and at the IHG Americas Investors and Leadership Conference earlier this month.
Elie Maalouf, CEO, Americas, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, “As our industry moves into the next phase of our recovery and guest expectations continue to evolve, our hotel teams have risen to the occasion to provide outstanding service and rekindle the joy of travel. On behalf of IHG Hotels & Resorts, I’m honored to congratulate and celebrate our nearly 400 award-winning hotels and the countless colleagues whose hard work and commitment defines our commitment to True Hospitality for Good.”
Innisfree sponsors Startups on the Blocks
Innisfree Hotels is sponsoring Startups on the Blocks, an entrepreneurial support program and pitch competition that empowers founders of color in Northwest Florida.
The competition, which will take place on June 23, invites Northwest Florida’s African-American and Latin founders to cultivate their ideas through mentorship and training. In doing so, Startups on the Blocks hopes to both broaden and diversify the area’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem.
Innisfree, which has partnered with the Kukua Institute on the Startups on the Blocks pitch competition twice before, will retain one seat on the judge’s panel as well as award $5,000 in cash prizes.
Five out of 10 finalists will receive cash prizes ranging from $500 to $2000. Additionally, all finalists will be invited to participate in Startups on the Blocks programs which include mentoring, startup playbooks, startup tools, weekly training, weekly networking and weekly opportunities newsletter. In addition to the $5,000 from Innisfree, in-kind prizes will be awarded by the Pensacola Chamber, the Gulf Coast Minority Chamber, Bantucola.com, Real Women Radio and the Kukua Institute and its partners.
UpStay appoints Dave Crory director of business development
UpStay, a provider of advanced ancillary upselling technology solutions for the hotel industry, has appointed Dave Crory as director of business development for the company’s North American market operations. Following UpStay’s official entry into the North American hospitality industry, Crory will be tasked with ensuring that the company continues to experience rapid and sustainable growth while ensuring that regional hotelier needs for advanced upselling technology are fully met.
Crory brings more than 30 years of dedicated expertise in working for hospitality-based organizations to his new role at UpStay. Prior to taking on his new position, he served as president of Comeback Hospitality Consulting LLC. He also served as VP, business development for Cendyn, where for 15 years, he successfully expanded the company’s market presence as a leading provider of cloud-based software and e-commerce services for hoteliers. Other notable positions he previously held include serving as corporate director of incentive sales for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, as well as director of sales & marketing for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).
