COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Year after year, the staff gives their time to All Faith’s Food Bank, participates in the SE Guide Dog Walks and hosts the Turkey Trot to benefit ALSO each year—donating food, space and staff support. The hotel also donates a number of gift certificates to help non profits raise funds for their causes. Additionally, every Friday marks “Jeans Day,” when staff wear jeans and donate money to local charities. Currently, they are collecting for the Bahamas Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund. Hyatt Sarasota also takes part in the Chamber of Commerce—working closely with a number of community partners and non profit organizations to host events ranging from 20 guests for a youth group to 800 guests for a corporate function.
THE GLASSER-SCHOENBAUM HUMAN SERVICES CENTER
SUNCOAST CHARITIES FOR CHILDREN At Suncoast Charities for Children, who have had a relationship with Hyatt Sarasota for 35 years— serving as a host hotel and a major sponsor for the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival since it began in 1985. “They not only provide us room rebates, but have also organized employee fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for Suncoast Charities for Children,” says Executive Director Lucy V. Nicandri. It’s their “continued loyalty as a sponsor,” despite changes in ownership and management staff over the years, that has made a real difference to the organization, she says. “This means so much to our charity and clearly illustrates how much they truly care about giving back to the community and their commitment to corporate values.”
NAACP SARASOTA CHAPTER NAACP Sarasota Chapter has been working with Hyatt Sarasota for over 15 years, partnering on its annual Freedom Fund Dinner, which recognizes local heroes and heroines that make Sarasota the community it is today. Trevor D. Harvey, President of the Sarasota County branch, describes the lifelong friendship that has been developed with NAACP and the hotel. “The Hyatt has opened its doors to us and made us a part of their family,” he says. “Sarp Kaya and this team are the reasons we choose to continue to partner with the Hyatt year in and year out. The hospitality is world class.”
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA Meanwhile, University of South Florida- Sarasota Manatee (USFSM) has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the hotel also for 10 years. This past year, the organization increased their engagement with the hotel in the past year—taking advantage of Hyatt’s hospitality professionalism and event space. In June of this year, USFSM reserved the ‘Tropics’ room for a gathering of nearly 40 attendees. “The view was one of the best in Sarasota, the food was exceptional and the service was impeccable,” says Lee Williams, Regional Vice Chancellor for Advancement. “Our guests left with an excellent impression of our organization and the Hyatt’s careful and dedicated attention to detail.” Williams feels the Hyatt has served the university’s interests as more than simply a venue for an event. “They are as concerned as we are with the details, purpose and outcomes of our event,” she says.
And for 10 years, the Glasser-Schoenbaum Human Services Center has also developed a significant relationship. When Mrs. Shoenbaum passed, cookies, an orchid and a card signed by all of the staff were delivered. “They were one of the few people who sent condolences,” recalls CEO and Executive Director Kameron Hodgens, Ph.D. “It meant so much.” For the kind of non-profit Glasser-Schoenbaum is, Hodgens believes the Hyatt is exactly the right fit when it comes to customer service style and feel. “We’re a human services organization, and the Hyatt has that great combination of being really dialed in for locals and showing stellar customer service,” she says. Over the years, she has watched the transformation in the look and feel of their events, with Hyatt stepping it up every time—yet the strength in personalized service continues, including Executive Chef Ryan Ward, who carefully accommodates various dietary needs and mindfully sources locally when possible. “So much about being a non-profit is about wining and dining people, it’s something you have to do,” explains Hodgens. “In this town, it has to be above the bar every time. And that’s what the Hyatt delivers.”
