WCI Hosts Unique Hospitality Function

Portland, Oregon – October 28, 2009

 

The northwest hospitality industry received a breath of fresh air on September 24th as local interior design firm WCI hosted an event at the University Club in downtown Portland. Hospitality professionals ranging from interior designers, architects, hotel managers, developers, builders, vendors, and manufacturers’ representatives gathered to discuss the industry.

 

With the current economic climate casting a bleak shadow over the lodging industry, WCI’s focus during the event was an attitude of optimism. “We were tired of the negativity surrounding the industry,” says Jennifer Hatfield, principal and owner of WCI. “We felt it was time to join forces with other professionals to put a positive spin on things and move forward together.”

 

WCI hosted the event to promote not only the hospitality industry, but the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality (NEWH). While Portland is considered part of NEWH’s Northwest Chapter, the number of members is minimal.

 

“We love attending Seattle’s NEWH chapter meetings and events, but it’s difficult for our office to travel to attend each one,” notes Amy Summers, Director of Marketing for WCI and Event Coordinator for the function. “Portland hospitality professionals would benefit greatly from a more interactive relationship with our colleagues. NEWH is a wonderful medium for members to get together and keep the momentum going.”

 

The evening began with attendees mingling over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. For many, the event served to introduce fellow hospitality associates to one another. Others enjoyed reconnecting with associates. According to Larissa Burden, Lead Interior Designer at WCI, “It was great to put faces to names; so often in the industry we’ll work closely with someone we’ve never met in person. There were definitely a lot of familiar faces, but we also love to communicate firsthand with those we haven’t met.”

 

The evening then moved into a Roundtable session; with a panelist at each of the tables in the University Club’s dining room, guests all took their seats to begin the discussions. The eleven panelists ranged from hotel owners, architects, interior designers, and contractors, as well as other industry leaders. In ten-minute increments, each panelist lead a lively, interactive discussion of varying aspects of the hospitality industry, including his or her plan to stay busy and optimistic during this trying economic period.

 

Many attendees left feeling upbeat and re-energized following the discussions. “With so much negative press, it’s easy to lose sight of what this slow economy can do for businesses,” says Summers. “This is a unique opportunity to re-think how a company is run, and to become more creative in one’s approach to marketing, sales, and new business ventures. We were pleased to see each panelist embrace that opportunistic mentality and find uplifting ways to approach the Roundtable discussions.”

 

WCI was pleased with the turnout of 150 guests, and is looking forward to future gatherings. “We feel so honored by the number of hospitality professionals that attended our function, both Oregon residents as well as the Seattle members that came to show support. The event as a whole really exceeded our expectations, and the positive feedback we have since received has been sincere and gratifying,” states Hatfield. “The time had come to bring everyone together to reaffirm our passion for the industry and turn the focus toward the positive. We understand the reality of the economy, but we also know that it won’t be this way forever, and we want to be ready when it turns around.”


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About WCI, Inc.

WCI, Inc., founded in 1991 by Jennifer Hatfield, was created to offer a unique one-stop resource for the hospitality industry including interior design, purchasing and installation services. The company is one of the top 35 hospitality design firms in the US*.

*Hotel Design 2008 list of Top Hotel Design Firms.

For more information: www.wci-inc.net


Tiffany Weber - WCI, Larissa Burden - WCI
Sabrina Speary, Julia Davis,Jennifer Hatfield, Erin Broadhead, Zoe Perpich

Tracee Heyman - WCI, Tracy Thompson - WCI
Gary Golla of Sera Architects

Attendees
Attendees

Melissa Bailey - Momentum, Amy Summers - WCI
Greg Holroyd - MTS, Debbie Kroodsma - Source Direct

Jim Staicoff, Andrea Dawson, Belle Ampoan, Judy Kieffer 		 

 

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