Hospitality Design - March/April 2013 - 116

hd expo

preview

lessons from
a legend
On Thursday, May 16th at 11 a.m., Trisha

Wilson, legendary founder of Wilson Associates,
and one of the hospitality industry’s pioneers, will
engage in a casual and lively conversation with
HD editor in chief, Michael Adams. Here is a
preview of their talk, as Wilson looks back on 40
years of creativity and philanthropy.

four
1 Looking back over athe pastthe
decades, what are few of
memories you most cherish?

In 1975, I just finished the Anatole [Hotel] project
[in Dallas]. I had six or seven employees, and I
needed more work if I was going to be able to

of the Lost City in Sun City, South Africa, in
1990, was a pivotal point for me. It was by far our
largest contract ever at that point and catapulted
Wilson Associates into a class all our own. It was
a huge project and incredibly challenging. We
were credited for ‘changing the face of design’ in
Africa. This introduced me to Africa, which then
led to years of giving back and saving lives not
only there, but the U.S. as well.
And in 2007, Oprah Winfrey asked me to
design the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy
for Girls outside of Johannesburg, South Africa. I
was so honored to create this dream for her. She
and I share a love and vision for the children of

Wilson
3 When you started thehave any idea it
Foundation, did you
would be so successful?

keep them, so I began cold-calling companies,
and when Sheraton executives told me our
operation wasn’t large enough to handle their
project, I persuaded them to stop by our offices.
But I had no offices! At that time, I had a small
space on Carlisle Street and the adjacent space
was vacant. The landlord let me use it for one day.
I had a painter make a sign with the company
name, and we hung it over the empty office. I
rented drafting tables and phones with cords
that went nowhere. Friends came over to sit at
the desks. The Sheraton group arrived, saw our
‘operation,’ and we’ve been doing business with
them ever since.
Also, securing the contract for the Palace

116

March/April 2013 hospitalitydesign.com

South Africa. Oprah’s vision was for a creative
environment that would inspire beauty within
each girl. While in South Africa, I invited Oprah
to stay at my game lodge, Izingwe. She showed
up with her entourage, and we had a great time
taking her on safari.

2 How did you ﬁrst fall in love with
South Africa?

Even as a little girl, I always wanted to visit South
Africa. I had a piggy bank that I fed once a week
with a dollar or two to save up to go someday. I
first fell in love with the country while designing
the Palace of the Lost City—with the people and
open terrain. It changed my life.

I had hopes that it would be this successful,
and was determined to change lives and make
a difference in the community of Vaalwater. I
decided to ‘adopt’ this village and work to provide
the children of this region with education and
healthcare services that can and have changed
their lives. Education is their way out—it is the
great equalizer! I’ve seen a young man, July
Letsebe, transition from his death bed to lead
one of our community outreach programs,
‘Boys2Men,’ which makes me trust that we are
doing something right.
Since its inception, the WF has built the
Waterberg Academy, an independent college
preparatory school that educates preschool
through high school students. We recently added
a new library, science, and technology center.
We also funded Waterberg Welfare Society, a
private clinic, which predominantly treats those
suffering from HIV/AIDS and other illnesses,
such as airborne TB.

at
4 Now that you are changing roles most
Wilson Associates, what are you
eager to do with a bit more extra time?

I can’t wait to see where the future takes me. I
look forward to this new chapter in my life and
my creative juices are already on overload! This
isn’t the end for me. hd
http://www.hospitalitydesign.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hospitality Design - March/April 2013
