Generosity has always been at the heart of hospitality. And even amidst a global pandemic, the spirit of our industry remains strong. In the past few weeks, we’ve witnessed some incredible acts of generosity from our community as hotels and resorts pitch in to help their local communities in a time when it’s needed most.
Despite the extraordinary financial and operational disruption of the coronavirus pandemic, some NAVIS clients are boosting their support and community outreach efforts. We couldn’t be more proud to be part of a community that cares. While the industry challenges are painful, these examples of purpose-driven leadership and generosity are something we should all celebrate.
While times remain tough for our community, we hope these inspiring stories help you end the week in high spirits.
Vail Resorts Backs Food Banks and Social Services
Vail Resorts faces extraordinary financial losses estimated at upwards of $200 million from the coronavirus shutdown across its properties, but that hasn’t stopped CEO Rob Katz and his wife, Elana Amsterdam, from donating $2.5 million to support employees and communities impacted by the closings of the company’s 34 resorts. The donations are earmarked for local non-profit organizations that offer services ranging from a mobile food bank to emergency social and mental health services.
One of Vail’s largest properties, Northstar, recently provided a truckload of food to the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District to distribute between eight school kitchens. It’s exciting to see this level of commitment to local communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
Way to go, Rob, Elana and Vail Resorts!
Pinehurst Resorts Launches Relief Fund
Like most NAVIS customers, Pinehurst resorts have closed properties across its portfolio. The temporary closing of Pinehurst’s hotel and restaurants has impacted hundreds of employees. But that hasn’t kept them from getting creative and inventing new ways to support employees that are out of work. Last week, Pinehurst launched an online auction featuring a handful of “once-in-a-lifetime” golf experiences to raise funds for the Pinehurst Employee Relief Fund.
Items available for bid included:
• The Dornoch Cottage Ultimate Trip —Three rounds of golf plus two nights for a foursome in Donald Ross’ home off the third green at Pinehurst No. 2.
• Play all 10 Pinehurst Courses — Two players get a six-night stay in the Carolina Hotel.
• Play No. 4 with Gil Hanse —The man who redesigned the course will join your foursome.
• Set the pins and cup locations – on the famed Pinehurst No.2.
So far, the auction has raised nearly $300,000 for affected employees.
Thanks for setting a great example, Pinehurst!
Edgewood Tahoe Boosts Local Food Banks
With property closures and demand reaching an all-time low, Edgewood Tahoe’s team found themselves with a surplus of food on hand. They decided to put it to good use by making sure no locals go hungry. Chef Lonny recently donated the resort’s perishables to Bread & Broth, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization on a mission to ease hunger in the South Shore Community of Lake Tahoe.
So proud to partner with you, Edgewood!
Bennington Properties Provides Temporary Housing
Although Bennington Properties can’t welcome out-of-area visitors during the pandemic, they have opened its 200 homes to locals, providing temporary and affordable housing for Central Oregon communities in need. This act of generosity is helping traveling nurses and doctors, families who have been displaced, and other emergency medical professionals when they need it most.
Bennington, thanks for supporting those on the front lines of the pandemic!
Treetops Resort Fills Employee Pantries
At Treetops Resort in Michigan, a global pandemic is no excuse to waste food. Before the resort’s temporary closure last month, staff were invited to fill their cupboards and fridges with all the resort’s perishable food items. Given the state of shelves as most grocery stores, and the financial challenges so many now face, this small act of kindness has had a big impact on their daily lives.
Keep putting your team first Treetops! 
It’s easy for hospitality professionals to feel overwhelmed or even helpless right now. But these stories from the NAVIS community bring hope in a time when it’s scarce. It’s inspiring to see so many great companies step up, get creative, and find ways to make an impact at the local level. It’s examples like these that show how resilient our community can be – even when facing unparalleled hardship. We encourage all of our customers to ask themselves what they can do to help those in need right now, whether that’s your employees, the local community, or the medical professionals on the front line working to keep us all safe.
Need a little more inspiration? Here’s a list from Forbes of another 50 companies giving back around the world.
Have a story you’d like us to highlight?
[If your company is going the extra mile for the community, send us a note! We’d love to share on our blog or social media. Please email marketing@naviscrm.com]