Crescent Connections VOL 28 (English) (1)

We Know Hospitality. The Crescent Connection

Volume 28 - May 2017

“Keeping the Crescent Family Connected with
News and Events Throughout the Crescent Portfolio!”

Michael’s Message

The first quarter of a new year is often a time to look back on the past year and on the

quarter just completed and ask ourselves, “How did we do?” It is easy to dwell on the
past and see only mistakes that we’ve made or relaxing after achieving a success, rather
than looking ahead and charting a course for the future. While we do need to
acknowledge our weaknesses and be proud of our successes, it’s time to look to the fu-
ture. Crescent is once again in a growth phase and the efforts of each and everyone of
you are critical to our success. I ask you to set the bar high and achieve those results.
Look at yourself and ask, what is your reputation in your hotel? Look at your hotel, and
ask what is our reputation in our community? What are we doing to make ourselves
stand out from the competition, to make us the place our guests want to stay, and to
make us the place where our associates want to work? Understanding your role in the
hotel, ensuring you are well trained, and executing your responsibilities exceedingly well
will ensure the highest level of associate and guest satisfaction, and the success of your
hotel and Crescent. Thank you for being part of Team Crescent, for all you hard work in
the past, and all your efforts in the coming year!

- All My Very Best

Michael George, President & CEO

Hotel Heroes!

Two managers at the Hyatt Place Salt Lake City/Farmington sprang
into action to save the life a co-worker! When Kent Holsten, one of
the hotel’s maintenance associates, had a heart attack, Chief Engineer
Dave DeJong reacted quickly. With assistance from the Housekeeping
Manager Brian Harris, they performed CPR until the fire department ar-
rived. Kent was gone for over seven minutes, however, first responders
were able to revive him, due to the efforts of Dave and Brian. We’re
proud of these two heroes, who didn’t hesitate to help a colleague in
need, and we are happy to report that Kent is doing well!

Caring for our Communities

Every year, hotels in the Crescent portfolio demonstrate engagement in and concern for their communities by par-
ticipating in a wide variety of outreach activities. Some support well-known national charities, others are very
much local initiatives that have meaning in your neighbourhoods. During 2016, you showed your kind and caring
hearts by helping others more than ever. Here are some examples of the great work you have done!
The Sheraton Oklahoma City teams up with the Children's Hospital of OKC for monthly volunteer events! Each month
the Sheraton brings 10 volunteers, a mix between department managers and associates of the hotel, along with a ca-
tered meal for the children and their families. The Executive Chef creates a stellar meal – in December it was a beach
theme for a special patient, in February a Mardi Gras event, and in March they had a visit from the Easter Bunny!
These events have been extremely popular with the children, their families and the hospital staff! The children are full
of smiles and the volunteers’ hearts are full each and every time!
Along with their charitable activities, the team at the Holiday Inn Manhattan Financial District likes to have a little fun.
Last year, the hotel sponsored a toy and coat drive, and this year, they put their support behind a local food bank.
They collected over 500 pounds of food, and showed off their questionable taste in sweaters at the same time! The
team also showcased their interior design skills by decorating doors within the hotel.

Top Left and Right photos: Holiday Inn Manhattan associates.
Bottom Left and Right photos: Sheraton OKC associates.

Caring for our
Communities

The city of Columbus hosted its very first Annual

Columbus Hotel Games, which were hosted on February
8th at a downtown property. Eleven area hotels, includ-
ing the Hilton Columbus/Polaris participated in fun team
games, including several that were hotel-themed such
as “Lost and Found Dress Up!” The entry fee for each
participant was a canned food item, which was donated
to the local Mid-Ohio Food Bank. The first place team
took home a trophy, with the winner of each game re-
ceiving a certificate. The hotel with the best cheerlead-
ers claimed the Spirit Award for the event. The day was
a great success and will continue to be held in the com-
ing years. Hilton Columbus/Polaris is currently in posses-
sion of the champion trophy and will have to defend
their title next year!

Pink Shirt Day

In 2007, two high school boys in Nova Scotia decided to

take a stand against bullying. Another male student had
been the victim of bullying when he showed up for the
first day of school wearing a pink t-shirt. The other two
boys went out that night and bought 50 pink shirts and
stood in the school hallway the next morning handing
them out. Since then, Pink Shirt Day has grown across
Canada. The Hilton Vancouver Metrotown has supported
this initiative for several years, and the number of partici-
pants grows each year. Thank you to the associates for
taking a stand against bullying!

I T h e A w a r d G o e s t ot’s not only award season for Hollywood, it’s award season at Crescent! Across the continent, our associates and hotels are
being recognized for their hard work and high levels of hospitality.

Brenda Barragan of the Residence Inn Ft. Worth Alliance was honored by the Hotel Association of Tarrant County when
they awarded her the 2016 Heart of the House Award. Although officially a member of the Front Desk Team, Brenda helps
out wherever she is needed, including Housekeeping and Engineering. She has been named over fifty times on comment
cards and Trip Advisor. While working full-time at the hotel, Brenda is also a nursing student, is involved in numerous volun-
teer activities, and takes care of her mother who recently underwent surgery. Her infectious smile, warm heart and desire to
ensure that all guests are completely satisfied inspires every member of the team. Congratulations, Brenda, on this well-
deserved award!

Recognition also goes to Linda Burley, Sales Manager at the Westin Las Vegas. Linda was recently named as 2017 Hospitality
Chair for the Financial Insurance Conference Planners Association. Congratulations, Linda!

Stay tuned for the next issue of Crescent Connections, which will be filled with details from our Annual Awards Gala, including
our Brightest Stars and other award winners.

Lights...Camera...Action!

The Delta Saint John was one of the locations chosen by the New Brunswick Teen Apprenticeship Program for the filming

of their new student recruitment video. The program coordinator mentioned how welcoming the staff were, and how easy
they made it for the filming to be done. You can view the video here: https://www.nbtap.ca/videos. Thank you to the team
at the Delta Saint John for assisting with this worthwhile effort!

Welcome to the Crescent Family!

Crowne Plaza Commerce-LA Hilton Vancouver Metrotown DoubleTree Times Square West DoubleTree Newark Airport
Commerce, CA Newark, NJ
Burnaby, BC Canada New York, NY

Courtyard Cold Lake The Duke Newport Beach Marriott Jackson Hyatt Place Salt Lake City
Cold Lake, AB Canada Newport Beach, CA Jackson, MS Farmington, UT

The Crescent Connection · Volume 28 · May 2017