Get Involved

1. Host a Monthly "Hospitality Skills" Workshop for a Local Non-Profit

• Community Focus: Supporting job readiness programs, homeless shelters, or youth organizations.

• Employee Involvement: Hotel staff can volunteer to teach basic skills related to the hospitality industry (e.g., resume writing, professional interview skills, basic food safety, customer service etiquette, professional appearance).

  • Front Office/Guest Services: Lead a session on "Mastering the First Impression."

  • Food & Beverage: Demonstrate basic table setting and serving protocols.

  • HR/Management: Offer mock interview sessions.

• Networking Benefit: This positions the employee as a subject matter expert and the hotel as an employer of choice. They'll network directly with the non-profit's leadership, staff, and potential future employees.

• Company Website Blurb: “Share your expertise! Volunteer to host a two-hour workshop each month, helping local citizens gain valuable life and professional skills. Be a mentor and a professional resource in your community.”

2. Form a "Local Explorer" Team and Partner with the Chamber of Commerce

• Community Focus: Promoting local tourism, small businesses, and community events.

• Employee Involvement: Create a small, cross-departmental team to meet with local tourism bureaus or the Chamber of Commerce. Employees can volunteer to:

  • Staff a "Visitor Information" Table at a local farmers' market or festival (wearing hotel branding).

  • Write Quarterly Blog Posts for the Chamber's website highlighting "The Hotel's Top 5 Local Gems."

  • Conduct "FAM Tours" (Familiarization Tours) of the hotel for local business owners.

• Networking Benefit: Employees will directly interact with key local business owners, city council members, and community leaders, building relationships that can lead to corporate bookings, referrals, and professional advancement.

• Company Website Blurb: “Become a true Local Explorer! By partnering with the Chamber of Commerce, you’ll promote our town, connect with influential business leaders, and turn local connections into professional opportunities.”

3. Adopt-A-School or Local Community Garden Initiative

• Community Focus: Beautification, environmental sustainability, and supporting youth education.

• Employee Involvement: Organize quarterly volunteer days at a nearby elementary school or a community garden. Activities can include:

  • School: Reading to classes, helping with a school cleanup day, or sponsoring a school supply drive.

  • Garden: Planting, weeding, or building raised beds. The hotel kitchen could even commit to purchasing some produce.

• Networking Benefit: Employees connect with parents, teachers, and school administrators, who often hold influential positions in the community. It also demonstrates the hotel’s commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, which appeals to corporate clients.

• Company Website Blurb: “Get your hands dirty! Dedicate a few hours each quarter to our Adopt-A-School/Garden program. This visibility showcases our team’s dedication to a beautiful environment and our commitment to local families.”

4. Sponsor and Participate in a 5K Run/Walk for a Local Cause

• Community Focus: Fundraising for a local hospital, veteran organization, or youth sports league.

• Employee Involvement: The hotel sponsors a team, and employees volunteer to:

  • Participate in the race (run or walk) wearing custom hotel t-shirts.

  • Staff the Water Station or registration table.

  • Host the Post-Race Brunch/Reception at the hotel (if applicable).

• Networking Benefit: 5Ks are large public events attended by hundreds of local citizens and businesses. Employees network with sponsors from other local companies and receive direct exposure to a large cross-section of the community, all while promoting team-building within the hotel.

• Company Website Blurb: “Lace up for a cause! Join the Hotel Team for our next sponsored 5K. It’s a great way to meet local peers, show our support for vital community health initiatives, and build incredible team spirit.”

5. Establish a "Community Connect" Mixer Series

• Community Focus: Providing a relaxed space for local professionals and non-profit leaders to meet.

• Employee Involvement: Host a bi-monthly or quarterly low-cost/no-cost networking event in an underutilized space in the hotel (e.g., lobby bar, small meeting room). Employees volunteer to:

  • Serve as greeters and hosts for the event.

  • Invite a different local non-profit (like the local library foundation or arts council) to co-host and receive a small portion of any proceeds.

• Networking Benefit: The employee becomes a central figure in connecting influential people in the city. The event itself draws powerful contacts (event planners, corporate bookers, board members) directly to the hotel, generating potential leads and strong professional references for the employee.

• Company Website Blurb: “Be the face of hospitality! Help host our exclusive 'Community Connect' mixer, bringing influential local leaders to our hotel. You'll make powerful connections and demonstrate our commitment to being the city's premier social hub.”