NEWH - Winter 2011 - (Page 14)

Q&A helen reed A chat with outgoing NEWH, Inc. president, Helen Reed of HL Reed Design Why did you want to become involved in NEWH? The networking and educational opportunities first got me interested in NEWH. After I became involved with the formation of the Virginia Chapter and then attended one of the first Leadership Conferences, I had the opportunity to hear several scholarship recipients speak; their enthusiasm and joy of how our scholarships changed their lives really made an impact on me to become involved. NEWH was changing lives on so many levels and I couldn’t think of any other organization that was really doing this and that I would want to be a part of. What has it done for you? NEWH has and will continue to teach me about business, people, and our industry. It has opened so many doors for me that would not have been there if I had not become involved as much as I chose to in the beginning. Mostly it has enabled me to make friends and business contacts that will remain with me for life. What have been some of the highlights of your presidency? There have been so many but here are a few: • Witnessing the lines of communication open up between the chapters, board of directors, executive committee, and NEWH, Inc. • The 2011 Leadership Conference was amazing; the committee that put this together did a fantastic job with the entire event • The increase in the number of our corporate partners and their continued enthusiasm regarding NEWH • The anniversary gala in LA in 2010 • NEWH receiving the first Visionary Award from Hospitality Design magazine • Awarding several scholarships to students, meeting them and learning how the scholarship was going to help them in so many ways • Being a part of the judging of Durkan D*scover Design competition and meeting the winners • Witnessing our brand development grow and become more recognized throughout the industry. Trisha Poole has done an amazing job with these changes and development. Any new initiatives that you are proud of? The first NEWH Sustainable Hospitality Forum and Tradeshow in DC on December 9th, will bring together some incredible speakers as well as exhibitors that are leaders in our industry and in sustainability. Where is NEWH headed? NEWH will continue to head upward. We are the hospitality industry network and we are continually adding 14 winter 2011 www.newh.org tel 800.593.NEWH more advantages to all of our members to become involved on so many levels. Our membership continues to thrive and grow. Chapter locations and regional groups are increasing, and in the next few years, I believe that more international chapters will be started. I am excited to remain involved under [incoming president] Julia Davis-Marks’ leadership; she will be a true inspiration and leader for NEWH forward. Our scholarship dollars will increase and before we know it we will hit the $3,000,000 level. What are some exciting things on the calendar for next year? • Six regional tradeshows in 2012, as well as the second NEWH Sustainable Hospitality tradeshow • The 2013 Leadership Conference in San Francisco will be an amazing event that everyone should put on their calendars now Finish this statement, 2011 will be known for…Our Leadership Conference and the visionaries that were brought together at this event as well as the continued success of our regional tradeshows. How did you get in the hospitality industry? During college I worked in several restaurants and fell in love with the dynamics of how a restaurant worked in both the front and back of the house. In addition, I interned with a local hospitality design firm and learned about all the design aspects of hotels and restaurants. I was immediately hooked and knew that this was going to be my design passion. What do you love about it? The people in our industry are amazing— this is definitely one thing that sets our industry aside from any other. In addition, through design, we are really able to be more creative and set future trends that the other industries follow. What are some of the biggest challenges in the industry today? Financing and fulfilling people’s visions on tight budgets. I, like everyone else, am ready for this economy to change. What’s next for you? I will continue to stay very involved with NEWH, but I am also working on a new start-up business as well as launching my photography business and two blogs. This winter/early spring I also plan to start a children’s book that was inspired by my nephew. http://www.newh.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Winter 2011

NEWH - Winter 2011
Contents
NEWH and chapter updates
Who’s Who
Sustainability: Point of View
Interview: Lisa Homan
Interview: Helen Reed
Conference
Cover Story
Have You Seen?
Product Know How
On the Scene
Project: Padre Hotel
Project: Hyatt Regency Rochester
Partner Profiles
Save the Date
New Members
Ad Index

NEWH - Winter 2011