Aimbridge Hospitality announced this week several steps it is taking to support hotel owners and their properties, reduce costs and maintain the well-being of associates and guests during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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These actions include:
- Launching a series of cost-containment initiatives last month including wage reductions at the corporate level across the board and providing relief to hotel properties.
- Partnering with major brands and vendors to suspend, postpone and eliminate costs.
- Representing hotel owners through constant communications with the American Hotel & Lodging Association and corresponding government agencies.
- Fortifying government involvement proactively through the recent appointment of Erica Hageman, former general counsel for Interstate Hotels & Resorts, as chief government affairs officer to update our owners on all policies, ensure they are fully informed on new government legislation and maintain an active voice within the industry.
- Driving revenue among the specialized groups that are traveling to address the current situations such as first responders, traveling nurses, government employees and others.
- Implementing Aimbridge Aid, a nonprofit entity that will provide financial aid for internal associates who have been impacted during this time of crisis. The charitable fund was developed as a vehicle for Aimbridge Hospitality employees to help their fellow associates through a one-time donation or ongoing voluntary donations via payroll deduction. It is currently accepting contributions in California and Texas; will be coming online in Florida, New York and Virginia within a few weeks; and will then begin registering in other high-volume states.
“As we leverage our scale to add value for our owners during these unprecedented times, Aimbridge Hospitality is maintaining property support and activating resources,” Dave Johnson, CEO of Aimbridge Hospitality, said in a statement. “We’re preparing for the long term, and reducing costs immediately starting with the corporate office and providing relief at the property level. Ensuring our owner’s priorities are top of mind, both [Global President] Mike Deitemeyer and I remain active as AHLA board members and, as an additional resource, have appointed Erica Hageman as our new chief government affairs officer to advocate for our owners as government policies continue to evolve.”