Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is hosting its second BOLD Symposium ahead of the official start of the 2023 National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD) Hotel Ownership & Investment Summit at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay in Miami. It will be followed by a BOLD Bootcamp, a part of its BOLD Incubator, later in the week. The events are part of Wyndham’s commitment to furthering diversity in hospitality, focused on providing tools and resources to Black entrepreneurs who are exploring the industry and qualified individuals looking to accelerate their path to hotel ownership.
Just over a year since Black Owners and Lodging Developers (BOLD) debuted, Wyndham has awarded 25 hotel deals to Black owners. In an industry where less than 2% of owners are Black, according to 2022 data from NABHOOD, BOLD by Wyndham was created to engage and advance Black hoteliers by addressing the unique challenges faced by Black entrepreneurs.
Last month, Wyndham appointed Galen Barrett to VP, strategic franchise initiatives. With nearly a decade of experience at the organization, he played an integral part in the initial launch of BOLD by Wyndham in his previous role as VP, strategic development. In his new, concentrated position, Barrett will now exclusively focus on the advancement of both BOLD and Wyndham’s Women Own the Room.
The BOLD Symposium, which takes place later today, will include an introduction to BOLD by Wyndham, an in-depth view of getting started in hotel ownership, step-by-step tips to help secure a deal and small group roundtable discussions on topics meant to give attendees tools and information to start and continue down their path to ownership. Attendees will also have the chance to network with industry experts who can advise on all aspects of hospitality.
“With our second BOLD Symposium, our goal is to enhance representation of the Black community in our industry by equipping aspiring hoteliers with tools to succeed,” said Barrett. “We seek to help today’s owners, and ensure our industry is welcoming for future generations—where Black youth see others like them succeeding in this business—that’s where BOLD can make a difference long-term.”
Later this week, Wyndham is also hosting select individuals at the BOLD Bootcamp, an event that is part of its BOLD Incubator initiative for qualified candidates with relevant business experience to accelerate their pursuit of hotel ownership. The bootcamp experience will take place at the MB Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham in Miami Beach on July 20 and offer an in-depth view of owning and operating a hotel. The evening will include a behind-the-scenes look at hotel ownership and management, from back-of-house operations to tips on building the right team and decisions that will help maximize owner profitability and bottom line. This group will also have one-on-one access to Wyndham executives and team members who will share years of industry expertise that support their endeavor to successful ownership.
