The 2023 Adrian Awards are now open! Take some inspiration from last year’s President Award Winner – Women Own the Room: Wyndham Gives the Keys to Hotel Ownership to Women. Submit your entry for the 2023 Adrian Awards by September 8, 2023.

In our Special Report, we profile all of the Platinum and President’s Award winners — including Wyndham, which was honored for their entry in the President’s Award – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Marketing.

PRESIDENT AWARD WINNER: WOMEN OWN THE ROOM: WYNDHAM GIVES THE KEYS TO HOTEL OWNERSHIP TO WOMEN

Background

As the world’s largest hotel franchise company and as a natural extension of Wyndham’s strong commitment to DE&I, the team felt it was time to make a similar positive influence on the travel industry. The tourism and hospitality workforce is comprised of 70% women, and yet women make up only 10% of development roles – a disconnect that comes in large part from inadequate mentorship, advocacy and access to capital. To help level the playing field, Wyndham launched “Women Own the Room” (WOTR), a comprehensive program designed to advance and empower women entrepreneurs.

Campaign

Women Own the Room delivers comprehensive financial solutions to members through enhanced capital support and reduced initial franchise fees, available for new construction and conversion projects. Members are privy to personalized operational guidance and support in the form of complimentary best-in-class training and services designed to help maximize revenue. Lastly, this initiative establishes an inclusive community for networking and education through Women Own the Room hosted events that generate financing knowledge, guidance of feasibility assessments and shared success stories from women in hotel development.

Results

Women Own the Room has gained significant interest with hundreds of thousands of media impressions and 400+ women expressing interest in the program. Exceeding their goal of 10 franchise agreements with women-owners in the program’s first year– they now have women owned hotels owned across the country, more than 15 signed and even more in the pipeline.

About HSMAI

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners and is the industry's leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals and their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as the Commercial Strategy Conference, Sales Leader Forum, and Adrian Awards. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is a membership organization comprising more than 5,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at hsmai.org.