Business View Civil and Municipal | April 2021

19 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL APRIL 2021 Matt Karow, General Manager Hyatt Centric Old Town Alexandria, Virginia: “I would say communication. I think every business, hotels included, is going to have to work a little harder for every customer they have in the next year. It’s been a humbling experience – we’ve seen a lot of people out of work in the hospitality sector. A lot of hotels permanently closed. And we have to value every person a little bit more. Whether it’s a colleague or a customer. We’re going to have to communicate with them at an extra high level, or they’re going to find someone who is fitting that need. And they’ll either go work for them or stay with them.” Corey Hillard, GM Hampton Inn Odessa Trinity, Florida: “I believe business travel may not ever come back to where it was. A lot of businesses have learned from this pandemic that in-person meetings and costly corporate gatherings can now be replaced with inexpensive Zoom meetings. With that said, we’re putting more focus toward leisure. And I’m looking forward to increasing our market share by potentially opening up to be a pet-friendly hotel, focusing on more of the leisure travel than the corporate, because I believe that is what will keep us going.” Power Question What is the most impactful lesson you’ve learned in the last year and how will that influence 2021?