Plum Debuts Webinars on May 28 and June 2
DANIA BEACH, FL – Attendees at last year’s HX TECHpitch may remember Plum, the top prize winner designed to solve the current shortcomings of wine by the glass in hotel rooms. Adam Hoydysh, vice president of Hotel Sales, made his case at the HX Stage and now two new webinars on May 28 and June 2 can demonstrate what all the excitement was about.
“If you look historically at how wine by the glass has been served in the hotel room, there have been two methods,” Hoydysh said at last year’s show (see YouTube video from the show). “One is a service-oriented method—room service, introduced in 1936 by the Waldorf Astoria. It’s a 45-minute wait for a lukewarm glass of red wine wrapped in plastic. It’s not a particularly luxurious experience.”
Plum overcomes the mini bar and room service shortcomings by engaging customers in meaningful ways. Hoydysh explained: “The virtual tasting room comes to life and introduces you to the wine, provides you the education with high definition audio and video that tells the story, the characteristics, the fruitiness, the acidities, and all the wine information is available at the touch of the button, including the vintage and the varietal…and the wine is available on demand, perfectly fresh, chilled, and at a fair price.”
Plum Webinar: Elevating Hospitality and Cleanliness Standards
Plum, the first contactless wine by the glass program was inspired by “social distancing.” Designed to seamlessly integrate into the hotel’s room product, Plum allows guests to indulge safely and comfortably.
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HX Community Survey – Looking for Hospitality Heroes
NEW YORK – The team at HX: The Hotel Experience Powered by AAHOA recognizes how COVID-19 has dramatically impacted the hospitality community. In light of the pandemic, we’ll be reporting on how companies are making a difference, innovating to protect their businesses and teams, and giving back to their communities. Do you have an inspiring story of perseverance or generosity amidst COVID-19 to share? Let us know by filling out this brief survey. Keep your eyes peeled for highlights of hospitality heroes on HX’s social media and website in coming weeks.
Marriott Launches Global Cleanliness Council
BETHESDA, MD – Marriott International will be rolling out a multi-pronged platform to elevate its cleanliness standards and hospitality norms and behaviors to meet the new health and safety challenges presented by the current pandemic environment.
“We are living in a new age, with COVID-19 front and center for our guests and our associates,” said Arne Sorenson, president and CEO, Marriott International. “We are grateful for the trust our guests have shown us through the years. We want our guests to understand what we are doing today and planning for in the near future in the areas of cleanliness, hygiene and social distancing so that when they walk through the doors of one of our hotels, they know our commitment to their health and safety is our priority. It’s equally important to us that our associates know the changes we are making to help safeguard their health as they serve our guests.”
Marriott’s new Global Cleanliness Council will tackle the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic at the hotel level and develop what a company press release calls, “the next level of global hospitality cleanliness standards, norms and behaviors that are designed to minimize risk and enhance safety for consumers and Marriott associates alike.”
Marriott is rolling out enhanced technologies over the next few months, including electrostatic sprayers with hospital-grade disinfectant (pictured) to sanitize surfaces throughout the hotel. Electrostatic spraying technology uses the highest classification of disinfectants recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) to treat known pathogens. The sprayers rapidly clean and disinfect entire areas and can be used in a hotel setting to clean and disinfect guest rooms, lobbies, gyms and other public areas. In addition, the company is testing ultraviolet light technology for sanitizing keys for guests and devices shared by associates.
Marriott’s food safety program includes enhanced sanitation guidelines and training videos for all operational associates that includes hygiene and disinfecting practices. Marriott’s food and beverage operations are required to conduct self-inspection using the company’s food safety standards as guidelines, and compliance is validated by independent audits. In addition, the company is modifying its operational practices for in-room dining and designing new approaches to buffets.
NYC & Company Forms Coalition For Hospitality & Tourism Recovery
NEW YORK – NYC & Company, a destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City, has formed The Coalition for NYC Hospitality & Tourism Recovery. The Coalition will focus on messaging, marketing and promotion to restore New York City’s brand locally and beyond once the city begins to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Coalition will support the work of Mayor de Blasio’s Arts, Culture & Tourism Sector Advisory Council and will work collaboratively with the New York Forward Re-Opening Advisory Board and the New York State Division of Tourism.
“Hospitality is the fabric of what makes New York City such an amazing place to live and visit,” said Danny Meyer, chief executive of the Union Square Hospitality Group. “Whether on the stage, in our cultural institutions, or our restaurants, New York has always attracted and welcomed the top performers and audiences in all that we do, and our collective resilience will once again remind New Yorkers and visitors alike why they fell in love with this amazing city.”
The Coalition will develop citywide marketing, communications and advertising programs to spur a sense of confidence and safety; drive sales and engagement; advocate for industry initiatives and inform funding and policy-making; and create public information campaigns to share facts, updates, and opportunities. It will also lead the way in helping to revitalize and reaffirm the City’s brand positioning around the world following this most challenging time.