Seventh Annual Hospitality Heroes Reception Recognizes Leading Hotel Executive for National Addiction Crisis Advocacy
NORWALK, CT — Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the U.S., will host its seventh annual Hospitality Heroes Reception at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) on January 23, 2024, from 6:30 - 7:45 p.m. at the J.W. Marriott in Los Angeles.
The reception will honor Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, who has been integral in uniting hospitality leaders to raise awareness and shatter the stigma surrounding addiction. The event will raise vital funds to support Shatterproof’s efforts to transform how addiction is treated in America. Hoplamazian and Hyatt have been longtime supporters of Shatterproof and its mission to end the addiction crisis. Most recently, Hyatt was the Exclusive Presenting Sponsor for Shatterproof’s annual walk in Chicago, where Hyatt is headquartered.
In 2023, Hyatt and more than 60 hospitality companies joined together to sponsor the event in support of Shatterproof’s mission and its founder and CEO, Gary Mendell, a former hotelier who served as the chairman of HEI Hotels & Resorts. The event raised more than $2 million to drive solutions to addiction and this public health crisis in the U.S.
The involvement of Hyatt will be critical to creating scalable solutions to help families recover from addiction. Studies have shown the hospitality industry is impacted by substance use disorders at two times the rate of other industries, which makes Shatterproof’s mission particularly relevant to Hoplamazian and Hyatt’s purpose – to care for people so they can be their best.
"I am so pleased to honor Mark Hoplamazian this year. I could not be more grateful for his commitment to end the devastation caused by the disease of addiction and save more lives,” said Mendell. “His leadership is making a profound impact toward reducing the stigma of addiction and bringing much-needed changes that will lower the high rates of addiction within the hospitality industry. Having Hyatt as a leader in supporting this cause will bring change, and we hope it will encourage other companies to join forces with us.”
Mendell founded Shatterproof ten years ago after losing his son to the stigma of addiction. His goal was to ensure that other families didn’t have to experience the same pain and heartbreak he went through. Since its founding, more than 100 hotel companies and 500 employees have raised more than $5 million to help advance Shatterproof’s mission.
“I am humbled and honored to receive the Shatterproof Hospitality Hero Award and recognize the tremendous opportunity for the hospitality industry to bring awareness to such an important cause,” said Hoplamazian. “True to our purpose of care, Hyatt is proud to support this work, especially in consideration of how significantly the hospitality industry at large is impacted by substance use disorders.”
Tickets to ALIS and sponsorships are available at: www.shatterproofalis.org
The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.
The 2024 Shatterproof Hospitality Heroes Committee includes Robert Alter, Geoff Ballotti, Mike Barnello, James Burba, Patrick Campbell, Thomas Corcoran, Ted Darnall, Joel Eisemann, Clark Hanrattie, Tim Hodes, Merrick Kleeman, Dan Lesser, Gary Mendell, Chris Nassetta, Bill Reynolds, Anthony Rutledge, Stacy Silver, Paul Whetsell, and Mark Woodworth.
Media contacts:
Lauren Lawson-Zilai
Senior Director, Media and Public Relations
Shatterproof
press@shatterproof.org
Stacy Silver
Founder and President
Silver Hospitality Group
ssilver@silverhospitalitygroup.com
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About Shatterproof:
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the U.S. Shatterproof is focused on guiding communities, removing systematic barriers to recovery, mobilizing the country to advocate for change, and ending addiction stigma in the U.S. Find Shatterproof on Facebook, X and YouTube: @ShatterproofHQ or follow them on Instagram at @weareshatterproof. To learn more, visit www.Shatterproof.org. If you are experiencing anxiety, depression or a substance use disorder, text SHATTERPROOF TO 741741 for help.
About Hyatt Hotels Corporation:
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose – to care for people so they can be their best. As of September 30, 2023, the Company’s portfolio included more than 1,300 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 76 countries across six continents. The Company's offering includes brands in the Timeless Collection, including Park Hyatt®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt®, Hyatt Vacation Club®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Studios, and UrCove; the Boundless Collection, including Miraval®, Alila®, Andaz®, Thompson Hotels®, Dream® Hotels, Hyatt Centric®, and Caption by Hyatt®; the Independent Collection, including The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®, Destination by Hyatt®, and JdV by Hyatt®; and the Inclusive Collection, including Impression by Secrets, Hyatt Ziva®, Hyatt Zilara®, Zoëtry® Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas®, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid Hotels & Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts®, and Sunscape® Resorts & Spas. Subsidiaries of the Company operate the World of Hyatt® loyalty program, ALG Vacations®, Mr & Mrs Smith™, Unlimited Vacation Club®, Amstar DMC destination management services, and Trisept Solutions® technology services. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.
