Phillip Griffitts Tapped to Lead Visit Panama City Beach
By Jonathan Trager
The Bay County Tourist Development Council has selected state Rep. Phillip “Griff” Griffitts as the next President & CEO of Florida’s Visit Panama City Beach, placing a longtime local business and political leader at the helm of the embattled tourism organization.
The council voted unanimously last week to hire Griffitts following a national search. His contract and appointment must still be finalized
and approved by the Bay County Board of County Commissioners before he formally assumes the role. He said he’d hoped to start in his new position on March 16.
Griffitts said restoring confidence in the organization will be among his top priorities.
“There had been some hiccups over the last few months, so this is something that is easily fixed,” he said, according to local news outlet WJHG.
“We are going to make sure we bring this organization back to the shining
Rosewood Hotel Group Now Offers Gender-Neutral
Parental Leave
By Jordan Bradley
Rosewood Hotel Group is now offering qualified employees a standard 16 weeks of gender-neutral parental leave in an effort to support long-term business success and resilience.
The policy went into effect on January 1, and has been made available to the company’s associates “across its international portfolio,” Rosewood said.
The Honk Kong-based hospitality group operates
59 luxury and lifestyle hotels across 26 countries. The updates to it parental leave policy were made as a “longterm commitment to associated wellbeing, personal development, and workplace equity,” the company said.
Rosewood’s CEO Sonia Cheng noted that people are central to the hospitality industry. Supporting associates as they transition into parenthood is a good business decision, she added.
“Hospitality is a peo -
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star it was.”
Earlier this year, two CVB employees were arrested for grand theft and fraud, racking up thousands of dollars in unauthorized expenses on their organization-issued credit cards. An investigation by the county sheriff’s office led to the resignation of the former head of Visit Panama City Beach, Dan Rowe, who stepped down after 18 years.
Griffitts currently represents Florida House District 6 in the state Legislature
U.S. Travel Association Promotes Ellen Davis to COO/EVP
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Industry Movers
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Hyatt Launches Second “Camp Unwritten” Program
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USAEats: Welcoming Wellness with Caesars’ Eric Vaughn
Publishers Association Supporting Members’
Lawsuit
By Todd McElwee
The Association of American Publishers (AAP) is backing a major infringement lawsuit brought by 13 publishing companies across the trade, educational, professional and scientific publishing sectors against Anna’s Archive, which AAP labeled a “notorious pirate site.”
The publishers seek a judgment against Anna’s Archive for willful copyright infringement as well as injunctive relief to help stop the damage. The plaintiffs also ask the court to direct third-party internet registries, domain name registrars, data centers, and hosting and service providers to assist in ceasing hosting services for the various domain names under which the defendants operate.
The filing noted Anna’s Archive hosts more than 63 million books and 95 million papers.
“Anna’s Archive is a brazen pirate operation that steals and distributes millions of literary works while outra-
Charitable Irish Society Continues Working for Immigrants
Society Founded on St. Patrick’s Day 1737
By Todd McElwee
On March 17, 1737, the Charitable Irish Society (Society) was founded in Boston, marking the first known celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in North America, John Rattigan, Society Past President, Member Of The Board, told USAE. When founded, its stated mission was assisting Irish immigrants in need.
Two-hundred-eighty-nine years later, the Society has
expanded its mission to provide aid and advocate for all immigrants in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including filing an amicus brief against President Trump in a citizenship case set to be argued in front of the Supreme Court on April 1.
Volunteer driven, the Society, a 501(c)3, currently has about 350 members. Since its establishment, Please turn to page 4
The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago hosted a private boat charter on March 14 to offer guests “a front row seat” to the Chicago River’s transformation in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. The hotel also treated guests to a St. Patrick’s Day-themed menu at its Adorn Bar & Restaurant, including house-made Wagyu corned beef served with charred cabbage, Red Bliss potatoes, horseradish cream, and traditional Irish soda bread.
AHLA Hosts Summit Highlighting Sustainability &
By Jordan Bradley
The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) hosted its fourth annual Responsible Stay Summit on March 3–4 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner in Virginia to discuss best practices and trends and to recognize properties making strides in sustainability within the hospitality industry.
The summit is part of the association’s Responsible Stay initiative, which launched in 2022 and focuses on helping hotels reduce environmental impact and operating costs.
This year, the summit brought together members of AHLA’s Sustainability and Food & Beverage Committees, a first for the gathering.
“The combined event drew a broad cross-section of the industry to address shared operational and environmental opportunities and challenges—from responsible sourcing and food waste reduction to water conservation—through real-world case studies and peer exchange,” AHLA said.
The Responsible Stay initiative focuses on four key areas: energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing.
“Hotels are anchors in their communities and their success ripples through local economies. Helping our members operate more efficiently isn’t just good for the environment, it’s good for their bottom line and for the communities they serve,” said Lauren Pravlik, Vice President for Committees and Member Engagement at AHLA. “The tools and resources we’ve built through our Responsible Stay initiative are designed to meet hoteliers where they are, whether they’re just getting started or looking to go further, and events like this are where that work comes to life.”
The summit also honored properties doing good work in the Responsible Stay initiatives’ core areas with awards and recognition, including a new award, the Sustainable Hospitality and Leadership in Design Awards. The recognition was given to hotels for “hospitality projects that pair out-
Efficiency
standing design with measurable sustainability performance,” AHLA said.
Award winners included Hotel Verdant in Racine, Wisconsin; Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa in Tucson, Ari-
zona; Inn at Celebration in Kissimmee, Florida; and Renaissance Boston Seaport District in Boston, Massachusetts. Find more information on AHLA’s Responsible Stay initiative here
L.A. Hotels Decrease Jobs Due to Ordinance, Report Claims
By Jordan Bradley
Hotels in Los Angeles have or expect to reduce jobs by 6% following the September 2025 enactment of the Minimum Wage Ordinance, according to an industry report.
The survey was conducted by the Hospitality Education and Research Organization (HERO), a project of the Hotel Association of Los Angeles (HALA).
The report referenced survey results from 92 L.A. hotel participants, and it found that hotels across the city cut around 6% of their workforce in the less than six months the ordinance has been in effect, 14 hotel restaurants are expected to close within the next year, and 58% of respondent hotels “expect to be unprofitable by the end of 2026.”
“Early evidence shows significant workforce, operational, and financial impacts from the Citywide Hotel Worker Minimum Wage Ordinance (HWMWO), implemented during a period of weak demand and heightened competitive pressure,” the report said.
According to the HERO findings, participating hotels reported “the elimination or expected loss of approximately 6% of current positions. Losses are concentrated in labor-intensive departments, including food and beverage (160 jobs), housekeeping (76 jobs), and parking (8% of the parking workforce eliminated).”
The wage ordinance has received significant pushback from Los Angeles hoteliers. It has received strong support from Los Angeles City Council, local hotel workers and local hotel worker union Unite Here Local 11.
The ordinance increases the minimum wage for hotel workers and airport employees incrementally through 2028. It was passed by the Los Angeles City Council and signed into law by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in 2025.
Initially, it was meant to go into effect last July, raising the minimum wage to $22.50, with wage increases scheduled each following year through 2028, leading to an industry minimum wage of $30.
industry citywide and sought to bring it to a city vote.
“It’s clear that the ordinance will jeopardize jobs, push hotels to the brink of closure, severely cut tax revenue the city desperately needs, and leave the city grossly unprepared for the 2028 Olympic Games,” the group said in a September statement provided to the Los Angeles Times
The alliance was unable to gather all the signatures it needed to get the measure on the ballot, falling about 9,000 signatures short, the Times reported.
However, the L.A. Alliance for Tourism, Jobs and Progress, a coalition of local hospitality businesses and tourism groups, launched an unsuccessful attempt to repeal the wage ordinance, which paused the implementation of the ordinance for two months. According to the Times, the tourism alliance was heavily funded by Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and the American Hotel and Lodging Association.
The alliance claimed the wage ordinance would have a negative impact on an already struggling-to-recover
The alliance was unable to gather all the signatures it needed to get the measure on the ballot, falling about 9,000 signatures short, the Times reported. In an interview with Capital News Service (CNS), HALA President and CEO Jackie Filla said the report indicates that hotel owners are experiencing a “financial burden” from the ordinance and is urging Bass and the L.A. City Council to repeal or amend it.
In another interview with Fox News Digital, Filla said: “The bottom line is the city of Los Angeles has forced a wage and benefits package on hotels that is utterly unaffordable at a time when Californians and Americans are laser focused on affordability.”
Filla did not return USAE request for comment by press deadline.
Kurt Petersen, Co-President of Unite
Here Local 11, the hotel worker union representing Los Angeles workers, told USAE via emailed statement that claims that paying hotel workers $22.50 an hour—which amounts to approximately $46,800 a year—“is ‘destroying’ the industry is absurd.”
He continued: “What’s truly out of whack is that CEOs of Delta Air Lines, Marriott, Hyatt Hotels, and Hilton each earn more than $30 million a year—over 500 times a hotel worker’s pay. If there’s pressure in this industry, it isn’t coming from housekeepers and cooks. It’s coming from runaway executive compensation and boardroom decisions made far from Los Angeles.”
According to Local 11’s membership data, Petersen said, “more workers are working more hours.”
The report also claims “many hotels” expect to significantly reduce hours “as a cost-control strategy,” with 62% of survey respondents expecting to decrease staff hours this year.
Petersen and Local 11 disagree with that assessment.
“Paying a living wage doesn’t close hotels. It stabilizes the workforce and strengthens our local economy. If overpaid CEOs choose to close properties instead of investing ahead of the biggest tourism surge in modern history, that’s a business decision—not a wage problem,” Petersen said.
Find the full report here
AHLA held its fourth annual Responsible Stay Summit on March 3-4 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner in Virginia. Pictured from left to right: Amy Bourne, Hilton Supply Management; Jordan Davis, Senior Director of Sourcing & Culinary Strategy, Davidson Hospitality; Christine Petersen, Field Support & Customer Relations, Avendra International; and Kirsten van Zandwijk, Senior Director of Customer & Commercial Sustainability, The Coca-Cola Company.
HOTS Waterfall for Sale… The state of Oregon may soon be the proud new owner of a waterfall, according to the Associated Press. The Abiqua Falls located around 30 miles east of Salem are known for a 92-foot vertical drop and have been privately owned for over a century. The waterfall’s owner, a nonprofit supporting a community of Benedictine, listed the site on Redfin. According to AP, the waterfall was open to the public and its listing worried locals so much that at the end of a state legislative session, a bipar-
E
Publisher & Executive Editor 1982 – 2021 Anne Daly Heller
Publisher-Emeritus Ross E. Heller ross@usaenews.com
tisan group of lawmakers approved $2.1 million to buy Abiqua and the land surrounding it. “It’s not every day where you see a waterfall come up for sale on Redfin or Realtor.com with no price,” said Travis Williams, president of the Willamette River Preservation Trust, a conservation nonprofit, in an interview with AP. “The public was really confused and fearful that the site would be closed off.” Republican state Senator Fred Girod—whose district includes the waterfall—said in a statement that the state will ensure that the waterfall “will continue to be protected and accessible for genera-
tions to come.” HOTS is gushing at this news!
HOTS Unexpected Growth Spurt… Residents and passersby in a busy Osaka, Japan, neighborhood discovered an underground pipe had unexpectedly rise more than 32 feet above ground at a construction site overnight, the Associated Press reports. According to the outlet, there were no witnesses to the event, but police received reports on the morning of March 11 when people began traversing the street on their way to and
fro. The unexpected pipe was “baffling people passing by and causing traffic congestion,” AP reports. According to local authorities, the pipe was being used as a retaining structure on a sewer construction project to keep the surrounding soil from collapsing during construction. They said shortly before the pipe rose out of the ground that workers had drained water from the pipe, potentially causing it to rise. At one point, the pipe reached 42 feet in the air, AP reports. HOTS wonders how many passersby considered cosplaying Mario Brothers when passing the exposed pipe.
New Orleans Officials Approve Razing Warehouses
for Omni
Will Serve as Morial Convention Center Headquarters Hotel
By Jonathan Trager
New Orleans regulators on March 11 endorsed a plan to demolish a pair of aging warehouses to make way for a new Omni hotel for the Morial Convention Center, a project officials say will strengthen the city’s tourism and convention economy.
Members of the city’s Central Business District Historic District Landmark Commission voted 6-2 to recommend approval of the proposal, clearing a key preliminary regulatory step for the project.
The recommendation is non-binding
on the New Orleans City Council, which must approve the $800 million endeavor. Nevertheless, the commission’s vote “marks an important step forward for the redevelopment of the site,” according to Tammy Austin, spokesperson for the Morial Convention Center.
“We thank the commissioners and staff for their thoughtful review and appreciate the substantial input from neighbors and community stakeholders throughout this process,” said Austin.
Under the plan, two industrial warehouse buildings on property near the convention center—known as The
Sugar Mill—would be torn down to allow construction of a large convention center headquarters hotel operated by Omni Hotels & Resorts. The deal was finalized last fall for the hotel adjacent to the convention center, which would be the first new high-rise hotel in the city since the 1980s.
City planners said the warehouses, which have been used for storage and light industrial operations for decades, are no longer considered essential to the area’s long-term development plans.
Supporters of the proposal say
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Historic Hotels Where Women Made History
By Jordan Bradley
In honor of Women’s History Month, Historic Hotels of America (HHA)—a project of the National Trust for Historic Preservation— shared a collection of historic properties with ties to significant women throughout history.
music she heard during a review of the troops. She wrote the lyrics in her Willard hotel room.
“It was an overnight sensation, becoming one of the most frequently sung tunes by Union soldiers during the American Civil War,” HHA said.
“Called by the promise of adventure and decent wages, young women from the East and Midwest made their way westward to restaurants and hotels like La Fonda on the Plaza,” HHA said.
To
Marketing & Circulation Director Christy Pumphrey christy@usaenews.com usaenews.com
Neighboring the White House, the Willard InterContinental, Washington, D.C. “has hosted an impressive roster of notable women over the past two centuries,” HHA said. The hotel first opened in 1818, and was one of the few hotels at the time to have a Ladies’ Lounge.
dept. at christy@usaenews.com.
The Willard also hosted famous author, poet, and activist Julia Ward Howe while she wrote the lyrics to “Battle Hymn of the Republic” in 1861, according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
According to HHA, Howe was inspired to write the lyrics while she and her husband were in Washington, D.C. to meet President Abraham Lincoln, and was inspired by the
In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the interiors of the La Fonda on the Plaza, a former Fred Harvey Company establishment, were designed by famed architect and interior designer, Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter.
Colter was “one of the most visionary architects and designers of her time,” and “a trailblazer in what was traditionally a male-dominated industry,” HHA said.
Reports of an inn on the site of La Fonda in other iterations can be traced back to as early as the 1600s, the HHA website says, though the current iteration was officially opened in 1922. The site was also well-known for employing unmarried young women between the ages of 18-22 – dubbed “Harvey Girls” – in hospitality roles beginning in the late 1800s.
Built in 1871, the Palmer House, A Hilton Hotel, in Chicago was built as a wedding present for “a great patron of the arts,” Bertha Honoré Palmer from her husband Potter. Palmer was sure to fill the hotel with curated selections of Impressionist artwork to display inside the Palmer House at the time. Many of the works displayed in the hotel are now part The Art Institute of Chicago’s collection of Impressionist art.
The Palmer House is also known for its glamour, including garnet-draped chandeliers, a 1.25 ton, 24-karat gold winged-angel Tiffany candelabra, and 21 ceiling frescoes created by French painter Louis Pierre Rigal – all credited to Palmer, who had a hand in the hotel’s interior design.
Irish Society
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the Society has hosted an annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner, to celebrate and promoted fellowship and its good works. It noted speakers at the dinner have ranged from U.S. presidents to authors and playwrights.
Silver Key Awards
Instituted in 1996, its Silver Key Award is conferred upon individuals who have shown outstanding dedication and persistence in assisting new immigrants to meet their potential and to contribute to the “rich fabric” of American life.
The Silver Key Awards Reception is the organization’s main fundraising event with monies raised going to individuals sponsored by the Silver Key Advisory Board. Examples listed on the Society’s website include assistance with renewing citizenship applications, loans to pay rent, medical bills, funds for a young family after the death a father and airfare to Ireland for a mother’s funeral.
This year, the Silver Key Reception will be held at the Fairmont Copley
continued from page 1 geously offering access to AI developers in exchange for crypto payments,” said Maria A. Pallante, President & CEO, AAP. “To fight back, we must use all available tools and believe this action in U.S. court will make a difference. The unfortunate reality is that creators face a level of digital piracy today that is so staggering it is almost unbelievable—it is an affront to the public interest.”
AAP noted the complaint said the operators of Anna’s Archive explicitly describe themselves as “pirates” who “deliberately violate the copyright law in most countries,” boldly threatening “to take all the books in the world.” The online entity mirrors the pirate repositories of Library Genesis and Z-Library, which are the subject of court orders in several jurisdictions and included in the U.S. Trade Representative’s “Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy.” The complaint cites evidence, including the defendants’ blog posts, indicating Anna’s Archive has been soliciting substantial cryptocurrency payments from large language model developers and data brokers in exchange for high-speed access to its repository of “data,” comprising stolen works of authorship.
“The scale of Defendants’ infringement is staggering,” the suit said. “Anna’s Archive was created with the express goal ‘to take all the books in the world,’ and it continues its illegal conduct in pursuit of this unlawful aim.”
Plaza in Boston on September 18.
Current Immigration Advocacy
Christopher A. Duggan, Esquire, Smith Duggan Cornell & Gollub, LLP. is a Society Past President. In a website post, dated this month, he outlined the argument against the White House’s immigration policy in which, children of undocumented immigrants, even those with one parent whose visa may have expired, were not American citizens, even if they were born in this country. He wrote: “Section one of the 14th Amendment states in clear, direct terms, ‘All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and the State wherein they reside.’”
Duggan told USAE the Society got involved due to principles of human equality and the rule of the law.
Duggan added: “On January 20, 2025, the day he took office, the current President issued an Executive Order attempting to change by executive fiat what The People enshrined by Constitutional Amendment,” he wrote. “Under the EO, the Executive, not The People, would decide who can be an American citizen. Children of
Plaintiffs include Apress Media LLC; Cengage Group; Elsevier Inc.; Hachette Book Group, Inc.; HarperCollins LLC; John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; Bedford, Freeman, & Worth Publishing Group, LLC d/b/a Macmillan Learning; Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC; McGraw Hill LLC; Pearson Education, Inc.; Penguin Random House LLC; Simon & Schuster, LLC; Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
The complaint said Defendants Does 1-10 are individuals who own and/or operate Anna’s Archive and who are responsible for the alleged illegal conduct. Plaintiffs currently are unaware of the true names or addresses of the defendants so they are suing by these designations.
Warehouses
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the hotel will make the city more competitive when bidding for large conventions that typically require a nearby full-service hotel with significant meeting capacity. The proposed hotel would be developed through a partnership between the city and Omni Hotels & Resorts,
Some nearby property owners raised questions about traffic, construction disruptions and the loss of industrial space in the area. City staff said transportation studies and site planning requirements will address those concerns as the project moves forward.
The hotel’s next hearing is expected to come before the City Planning Commission as soon as April 14.
undocumented immigrants, or even of one parent whose visa may have expired, were not American citizens even if born in America. The EO would leave these children stateless, a condition the Supreme Court described as ‘the total destruction of an individual’s status in organized society.’ Trop v. Dulles, 356 U.S. 86, 100 (1958).”
A U.S. district court in New Hampshire ruled the Administration’ s attempted EO violated both Section One of the 14th Amendment and a federal statute passed to enforce the Constitutional mandate.
“Using what can only be described, generously, as twisted logic, the Administration argues that children born to undocumented immigrants are not ‘subject to the jurisdiction’ of the United States, a contention that is stunning in light of what ICE is doing at the Administration’s behest in places like Minnesota, Chicago, and even to college students in New York and in Medford Massachusetts,” Duggan wrote.
The Society’s amicus brief said: “The text of the Citizenship Clause is clear and unambiguous. It guarantees citizenship to all people born on American soil and subject to the country’s
laws. Citizenship is not dependent, limited or restricted by the child’s parents, nor does citizenship depend on the blessing of any politician.”
“The Charitable Irish Society was founded in 1737 to aid immigrants seeking a new life on this soil, and, after Independence, has worked to assist those who wish become citizens of this country governed by a rule of law not of a dictator,” Duggan wrote. “The Society felt compelled to add its voice to those who, like the Respondents, believe the Constitution means what it says and that the fundamental law applies evenly to everyone in America.”
Find more information here
U.S. Travel Association Promotes Ellen Davis to COO/EVP
By Todd McElwee
Ellen Davis has been promoted to COO and Executive Vice President at U.S. Travel Association, a move the organization says recognizes her contributions to the association and leadership in driving organizational growth.
Davis joined U.S. Travel as executive vice president of business strategy and industry engagement in 2023.
“I’m excited to keep building on the momentum we’ve created together in the last few years— continuing to grow, strengthening how we operate and finding new ways to deliver even greater value for our members,” Davis told USAE
In her previous role, Davis launched a new membership model, evolved U.S. Travel’s event portfolio, built new industry networks, restructured the association’s operations and grew revenue by 37%. Now, she will lead operational strategy, growth and performance, while continuing to oversee membership, industry engagement and events functions— ensuring these core areas remain closely aligned with U.S. Travel’s broader strategy and priorities, the organization said.
“Ellen has been an exceptional lead-
er since joining U.S. Travel, and this promotion reflects the impact she has had on our organization and industry,” said Geoff Freeman, President & CEO, U.S. Travel Association. “Her ability to unite key stakeholders, strengthen our member value proposition and drive meaningful growth makes her promotion to this expanded role a natural step as we pursue greater value for U.S. Travel and our industry.”
Prior to U.S. Travel, Davis occupied senior roles at the National Retail Federation and Consumer Brands Association.
Industry Movers
Dan Briks has been named General Manager of the Hilton New York Times Square. A hospitality veteran with more than 20 years of leadership experience in New York City, Briks joins Hilton New York Times Square from Martinique New York on Broadway, Curio Collection by Hilton, where he served as General Manager since 2021. Briks also was General Manager of Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza.
Phillip Griffitts
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and has deep ties to the local tourism industry. His family owned and operated beachfront hotels for more than four decades, giving him firsthand experience with the hospitality sector that underpins the region’s economy.
Though he hasn’t yet decided whether to run again for office in November, Griffitts said he’s been assured his position doesn’t qualify as conflict of interest.
Officials with the Tourist Development Council said Griffitts’ combination of public service and industry knowledge made him a strong choice to lead the organization during a period of rebuilding.
Alison Powell has been named as RX’s Global’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), a newly created executive role. She’ll be responsible for the company’s global marketing strategy. She brings more than two decades of senior global marketing leadership experience across organizations including Elsevier, BP, AstraZeneca, and Kellogg’s. She joins RX from Elsevier Health. As CMO she led a global organization of more than 190 marketers across international markets.
Phillip Griffitts
Other finalists for the job had included Jennifer Vigil, President & CEO, Destination Panama City; Jay Tusa, Tourism Director, Naples, Marco Island, and Everglades CVB; Mark Adams, former president, Gatlinburg Tourism Authority; Zac Craig, President & CEO, Visit Oklahoma; and Devin Heath, President & CEO, Destinctly Fayettville.
Elise Fennig has been appointed President & CEO of the Pet Food Institute. Fennig served as Chief of Staff and as Sr. Vice President of industry engagement at the National Confectioners Association, where she oversaw organizational operations, strategic initiatives, and cross-functional teams supporting membership and events, industry affairs, and global engagement. Previously, she held leadership roles at the Consumer Brands Association and at The Kraft Heinz Company.
Parental Leave
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ple-driven business,” said Cheng. “This policy reflects our commitment to move from intent to action. Supporting our associates and their paths to parenthood is essential to advancing equity and family wellbeing, while strengthening the long-term resilience of our business. As we continue to grow globally, our standards for supporting our people must grow with us.”
The gender-neutral parental leave applies equally to mothers, fathers, non-birth partners, “and diverse family structures,” Rosewood said. The policy also covers a comprehensive range of circumstances, including birth, adoption, surrogacy, “and other medically supported pathways to parenthood,” the company said.
Mary-Catherine Moore is now the Executive Director of Food & Beverage and Managing Partner for the Shinola Hotel in Detroit. Moore brings more than two decades of experience at a variety of hospitality groups. A Nashvillian, she built her career at establishments nationwide before joining NoHo Hospitality Group in New York City. Moore served as the private events coordinator for Robert DeNiro’s Greenwich Hotel and Locanda Verde.
Rosewood is in the process of expanding its portfolio, with more than 30 properties currently under development, and the adoption of the parental leave policy is an effort to strengthen the company’s workforce.
“Our associates are the heart of everything we do. Across hospitality, parenting responsibilities can make it challenging for people to stay and grow in their careers,” said Keno Lung, Vice President of Global Talent and Culture at Rosewood.
“By addressing this in a meaningful way, we are investing in our people and in the long-term strength of our teams. Supporting associates through important life moments helps us attract, retain, and develop exceptional talent – and reflects the kind of culture we are committed to building together.”
ABA Foundation Launches Scholarship to Support Human Trafficking Survivors
By Todd McElwee
The American Bus Association Foundation (ABAF) has created a Survivor Scholarship—one $5,000 offering developed to provide practical, flexible financial support to a survivor of human trafficking as they build stability and work towards independence. Both American Bus Association (ABA) members and non-members can apply.
“Survivors deserve support that’s practical, meaningful, and centered
on their choices,” said Lew Myers, Director of Government Relations & Research (ABA) “This scholarship is intended to reduce barriers and connect survivors with resources that strengthen safety, stability, and opportunity. We’re honored to stand with partners working to end human trafficking—and we’re taking action today.”
The Survivor Scholarship may be used to support an applicant’s livelihood—including, but not limited
to—education and training expenses, housing, food assistance, daycare, treatment/recovery and rehabilitation support. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, submit a statement how monies will be spent and complete additional steps.
The Survivor Scholarship expands an organizational commitment to anti-human trafficking initiatives across the motorcoach and group travel industry. In recent years, ABA has been recognized for its anti-trafficking
education and awareness—including receiving the 2024 TAT Champion Award from TAT, an organization committed to educating, equipping, empowering, and mobilizing members of industries and agencies to combat human trafficking. Last year, ABA engaged in a partnership with Ho‘ōla Nā Pua, an organization focused on prevention and providing care for exploited children in Hawaii. Applicants can apply through May 1. Find more information here
Hyatt Launches Second “Camp Unwritten” Program
By Jordan Bradley
“The next chapter begins,” Hyatt declares with the launch of its second summer season of Camp Unwritten, curated stays designed for Hyatt loyalty program members that bring literature to life at upscale outdoor-centric properties.
Camp Unwritten stays are limited stays that invite “World of Hyatt members to trade notifications for one-of-a-kind, story-inspired upscale
outdoor escapes,” Hyatt said. This year, stays will be hosted at Under Canvas Yosemite and ULUM Moab glamping properties.
The limited-time stays feature talks with authors in the romance and thriller genres this year, Hyatt said, and the program is designed to purposefully bring guests out of the digital world and into nature and literature.
“In a culture shaped by an increasingly digital world, members have told us they are craving shared stories and meaningful IRL connections,” said Katie Casey, Assistant Vice President of Global Marketing at World of Hyatt, the company’s loyalty program. “We saw this firsthand at last year’s Camp Unwritten where new friendships sparked, old ones deepened, and outdoor rituals gave members more space to recharge.”
The stays are part of a collaboration with Reese’s Book Club, the national book club from celebrity Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine company. Hyatt partnered with the company last year to launch Camp Unwritten.
“At Hello Sunshine, we believe stories are meant to be experienced—not just read,” said Maureen Polo, CEO of Hello Sunshine. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with World of Hyatt for a
second year to bring Reese’s Book Club to life in unforgettable settings across the country, where book lovers can gather under the stars, connect with beloved authors, and celebrate the power of storytelling together.”
The stay at Under Canvas Yosemite in Groveland, California, outside Yosemite National Park runs May 4–6. Dubbed the “Love Stories Under the Stars,” the Under Canvas Yosemite program features romance literature and hosts bestselling author Rainbow Rowell—whose newest novel, Cherry Baby, will be released on April 14—and a surprise additional author from fea-
OBITUARY
tured in Reese’s Book Club. The stay “combines safari-inspired accommodations with upscale comforts, and nature-focused experiences,” Hyatt said.
The stay at the ULUM Moab in La Sal, Utah, near Looking Glass Arch and views of Canyonlands National Park runs June 8–10. Featuring authors “and real-life friends” Lauren Ling Brown and Andrea Bartz, the Plot Twists in the Desert Camp Unwritten experience “will bring thrilling suspense to life through twist-filled discussions” and “genre-inspired programming,” Hyatt said.
Find more information here
Lenay Gore, Former IAEE Board Member, Dies
By Todd McElwee
Lenay Gore, retired senior director of meetings and trade shows at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and a highly involved member of the meetings industry, passed away on March 2. PCMA reported she had been battling cancer and had lived in Daytona Beach.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Lenay Gore, former International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) board member and valued contributor to our community,” Marsha Flanagan, CEM, President & CEO, IAEE, posted on LinkedIn. “Lenay recently retired after many impactful years with the American Public Transportation Association and was the recipient of the IAEE Cathy Breden Woman of Achievement Award. She was also an engaged member of MATSO and a respected leader within our industry. As we just enter March and recognize Women’s History Month, I find myself reflecting on women and
leadership. Lenay immediately comes to mind. She exemplified professionalism, strength, and a deep commitment to service — always lifting others along the way. Her legacy will continue to inspire. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and colleagues.”
The more than 300 combined comments and emojis following Flanagan’s post illustrated the admiration and respect industry members had for Gore.
Paula Lerash, CEM, Director of Education and Exhibits, Texas Chemistry Council, wrote: “I’ve been reading so many beautiful tributes to her over the past few days. Seeing so many heartfelt messages is a true testament to how many lives she touched. I feel incredibly grateful and honored to have known her.”
As Flanagan noted, Gore was a recipient of the Cathy Breden Woman of Achievement Award, earning the accolade in 2022. Her APTA bio said she earned IAEE’s Distinguished Service Award in 2009 and was a member of the PCMA Foundation Legacy Society.
The association mentioned she led its all-staff mentoring group and was a founding staff member of the APTA Diversity and Inclusion Council.
“The APTA family is deeply saddened by the passing of Lenay Gore,” Paul P. Skoutelas, President and CEO of APTA, told USAE. “For more than 14 years, Lenay was the heart of our Meetings Department—someone whose warmth, dedication, and genuine care for people left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered, whether a colleague, member, or vendor partner. Lenay embodied the spirit of public transportation: service to others, connection to community, and a commitment that went far beyond the job. She will be missed, and her memory will live on in all who had the privilege of knowing and working with her. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Convention Corporation and also worked as a director of national sales for what is now Destination DC.
“I am saddened to hear of Lenay’s passing,” said Sherrif Karamat, CAE, President & CEO, PCMA and CEMA. “She was a big part of PCMA and exemplified what it means to give back to the industry. We’ve lost an icon.”
PCMA highlighted that prior to her time at APTA, Gore was director of national accounts at the San Diego
No additional information concerning Gore’s age or memorial services was available.
Hyatt Property ULUM Moab will host Plot Twists in the Desert.
View from inside a Camp Unwritten tent
USAEats
Welcoming Wellness with Caesars’ Eric Vaughn
In October 2023, Eric Vaughn helped pilot the launch of Wellness for Meetings & Events across the entire Caesars Entertainment enterprise, which the firm said ensures planners have access to thoughtful, energizing menu options.
“The response has been incredible,” he said. “Attendees stay sharper, planners see stronger engagement, and they appreciate that wellness can be both exciting and scalable. That’s the standard we deliver every day.”
He connected with Todd McElwee, Associate Publisher, USAE, to discuss wellness, developing dishes, and incorporating the practice into his professional and personal lives.
McElwee: Please describe your philosophy in creating dishes with an emphasis on wellness.
Vaughn: My philosophy is simple, “Food should help attendees feel energized, focused, and ready to participate—not weighed down.”
That belief guides how I approach catering across Caesars Entertainment, where the team supports thousands of events each year and serves thousands of attendees at a time. When you’re cooking at this scale, wellness has to be engineered into the menu from the beginning—balanced ingredients, clean flavors, and dishes that hold their integrity no matter how many plates we serve.
McElwee: Have you found yourself incorporating wellness into your personal diet, and if so, how?
Vaughn: I have, actually. Working on the wellness program made me more mindful about balance in my own day-to-day. I’ve been leaning into cleaner proteins, more vegetables, and really focusing on freshness—simple things that make you feel good and stay sharp in the kitchen. I’ve also been paying more attention to how ingredients affect my energy throughout the day. At home, I’ll bring in more whole grains, use lighter touches where it makes sense, and just keep things clean and flavorful.
Launching wellness definitely encouraged me to carry those same principles into my personal routine.
McElwee: What type of feedback are you receiving from large groups experiencing the wellness menu for the first time?
Vaughn: The feedback from large groups has been really positive. Attendees are often surprised by how flavorful and satisfying the wellness
dishes are, and they appreciate the variety. They also tell us the menu helps them stay energized throughout long meeting days. What really stands out to them is the creativity—we’re able to do a lot within the wellness framework—and the presentation, which is a big part of delivering food that still feels elevated and true to our standards. Overall, attendees feel wellness isn’t a compromise; it’s a fresh, elevated experience.
McElwee: What’s the largest group you’ve provided a wellness menu for?
Vaughn: The largest group we’ve provided a wellness menu for has been several thousand attendees, and the great thing is that there’s truly no size limitation. We can integrate wellness into any programs: small meetings, large conventions, or full property buyouts.
Wellness doesn’t have to replace anything; it layers in seamlessly. Botanical beverages can be served right alongside traditional bar options. Breaks can feature nutritionally rich items—things like energy-boosting chia parfaits, fresh-cut fruit with infused honey, roasted vegetable hummus cups, or whole-grain snack bites. And plant-forward dishes continue to be a hit with attendees across the board.
Flexibility is what makes it work. We can scale it, customize it, and make sure wellness options enhance the experience without ever compromising quality, creativity, or presentation.
McElwee: Is there a dish/drink that
you’ve been surprised how much you enjoy?
Vaughn: Chia pudding has honestly been the biggest surprise for me. I’ve always appreciated clean, simple ingredients, but I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I do. What I love is how versatile it is—you can take the same base and turn it into completely different experiences. Sometimes I’ll keep it classic with almond milk, a little honey, and fresh berries. Other times we’ll layer it like a parfait with Greek yogurt, toasted nuts, and seasonal fruit. We’ve even played with versions using coconut milk and mango for a brighter, tropical flavor, or cacao and banana for something richer without feeling heavy. It’s one of those wellness items that checks every box—nutritious, customizable, and incredibly satisfying. And once you start experimenting, you realize how many directions you can take it.
Eric Vaughn, Executive Director of Culinary Operations, Banquets Las Vegas for Caesars Entertainment
