"I thought I’d drop a note and let you know that I thought this year’s conference was fantastic!"
- Sara Brooks, General Manager, Napa River Inn (1884)
"The Conference was over the top. I heard a great number of very positive comments from those that attended."
- Joe Vezzoso, Vice President Resort Operations and Sales at French Lick Resort, French Lick Springs Hotel (1845) and West Baden Springs Hotel (1902)
"A special note of thanks to the Historic Hotels of American team for planning the 2017 Historic Hotels Annual Conference. The content and networking are key components for 'lifting all ships' within our niche of experiential travel. Looking forward to the 2018 Historic Hotels Annual Conference experience at The Broadmoor!"
- Joe Kurth, Former Senior Director, Morris Inn and Notre Dame Conference Center (1952)
“Wonderful conference! Your entire team and the Broadmoor team put on an excellent show. I look forward to next year at Pinehurst.”
- Bill Hendrix, General Manager, The Hotel Hershey (1933)
“I absolutely always come away from the Historic Hotels Annual Conference with some idea or materials or future event that will benefit our resort. One year it was as simple as creating a package involving our history tours, and another was to meet a new vendor that offered a substantial savings compared to the vendor we had been using. Plus, the networking among other historic hotels that may be dealing with the same issues you are is priceless.”
- Patty Henning, Director of Sales and Marketing, Jekyll Island Club Resort (1887)
“I can’t say enough about the Historic Hotels Annual Conference, and believe that it is the most significant industry conference that smaller, independent historic hotels can participate in! Nowhere else do we consistently receive the kind of targeted insights into the business of historic hospitality for the price of admission than the annual conference.”
- Lorry Mulhern, General Manager, Green Park Inn (1891)
"Last week, while attending the annual conference of Historic Hotels of America, the spirit of what it means to be a hotelier grabbed me and left me inspired. Recently arriving back among historic bricks, mortar, and lots of gilt ceilings at the HOTEL DU PONT, the timing was such that I could attend this meeting within my first month. I was excited to The Broadmoor, where as a young general manager with a small and growing hotel management company, our group had an off-site dinner there 25 years ago. I was inspired by a late night arrival that was still genuine and sincere as it might have been when the property opened in 1918. I was inspired the next morning as I began a day-long course on “Heritage Marketing,” and eager to take notes on ideas both practical and aspirational. I stayed inspired throughout this conference:
Inspired by meeting new contacts in some really great properties. The directory has photos of iconic and legendary hotels. The meeting had the men and women who actually run them!
Inspired by a trade show where every vendor was relevant, and had the potential to do business from a standpoint of current experience in historic hotels.
Inspired by the agenda which included great speakers including Lea Berman, former White House Social Secretary; Lee Cockerell, former Disney World Executive Vice President of Operations; Luke Barr, author of “Ritz & Escoffier,” one of the 8 books I lugged home in my over-limit baggage.
Inspired by break-out sessions that are known as “academies,” where electives included everything from human resources to social media; from photography to bourbon and chocolate. Something relevant at every turn.
Inspired by an awards evening that started with a continuation of the silent auction that went live for a trip to Alaska, and raised $36,000 for The Hope Crew Project – the National Trust for Historic Preservation work bringing diversity and work experience to many learning a trade while helping save places.
Inspired as the recipients of recognition were honored by their peers; especially Herbert V. Kohler, Jr., who had a vision to transform a dormitory for immigrant factory workers for the Kohler Company in 1918 into a Forbes Five-Star hotel. The story of the American Club, as told that evening was truly wonderful.
Throughout the week, but especially at the awards banquet, I was reinvigorated with a spirit of wanting to be among the best like I was that night! As I read the story of Cesar Ritz, and think of new friendships made, I can only hope to impart some of this feeling back here at the HOTEL DU PONT."
- Greg Kavanagh, Managing Director, HOTEL DU PONT (1913)