The SCRLA hosted its 12th Annual Restaurant Week South Carolina with a Twist With the hope that 2021 will be a year of recovery for local restaurants, the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association hosted its 12th Annual Restaurant Week South Carolina January 7-17. Foodies from across the state joined us to celebrate their local restaurant communities. Restaurant Week South Carolina is a foodie-favorite that is the perfect time to take a culinary tour throughout the diverse and thriving food culture across our state.
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As in years past, participating restaurants offered special menus for dining in; however, new this year, some restaurants also offered takeout during the 11-day event. Diners who wished to stay home could take advantage of Restaurant Week specials via takeout and delivery at some of the restaurants. Amount raised through the SCRLA’s Hospitality Employee Relief Fund has opened four hotels in the Midlands, including the Residence Inn by Marriott and TownePlace Suites by Marriott pictured Solara Hospitality above. Cipkala and Briggs have plans to open two more hotels in the coming months.
How Solara Hospitality is Elevating Their Customers For Clancy Cipkala and Andy Briggs, the formula is pretty straight forward— create a hospitality atmosphere of light and warmth, and take care of the associates who are on the front lines delivering your brand’s mission to the people. Cipkala, Senior Managing Partner, President and CEO; and Briggs, Senior VP and Managing Partner, have established a formula that continues to manage award-winning properties defined by a team known for their expertise, compassion and commitment to excellence. By continually setting itself apart by providing delightful and memorable guest experiences, Solara Hospitality has become a go-to source for hospitality management, overseeing Marriott-branded properties, including Residence Inns, TownePlace Suites and Courtyard hotels in South Carolina. Under the leadership of Cipkala, Solara has developed more than 30 hotels in the Southeast, pulling in numerous brand and state awards, including the Hotelier of the Year in 2017 and Hotel of the Year within the Marriott and
A win-win for diners and the local economy, Restaurant Week gives consumers the opportunity to enjoy fantastic meals at great prices, while giving restaurants a much-needed boost. From casual to high-end restaurants, to dine-in and takeout options, there was truly something for everyone this year.
Choice brands. The Solara brand is a testament to the management duo. Cipkala began his career with Ryan Homes as a sales manager and then spent the next five years at Ford Motor Company as a Zone Manager and Product Marketing Manager. He was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for a hotel management company that handled 25 hotels in the Southeast, as well as a full-service, in-house advertising agency. His counterpart, Briggs, started his 26-year career in hospitality as a banquet waiter at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center in Boone, North Carolina. Certified by the American Hotel & Lodging Association as a Certified Hotel Administrator in 2006, 2011 and 2016, he has consistently served on boards as a director or an officer on the local and state level for tourism and lodging. For 15 years, Briggs has served as GM at several award-winning properties within Hampton Inn by Hilton (winning three consecutive Lighthouse awards), Courtyard by Marriott (Diamond, Platinum, and Gold) and Residence Inn by Marriott (Platinum) before becoming a General Partner.
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February 2021 • SCRLA.org
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