We live in unprecedented times.
Our hearts go out to everyone affected by COVID-19. We all at Hospitality Design recognize the pandemic’s personal toll above all else, and are thinking about and concerned for the wellbeing of all of you and your families during this very difficult time.
We are also painfully aware how much this evolving crisis affects the hospitality industry at large. In mere weeks, travel bans, restaurant and hotel closings, furloughing in businesses, and shelter-in-place have forever changed the way we work and live. In fact, a recent report for the U.S. Travel Association by Tourism Economics indicates that the reduction in travel due to the pandemic will have an $809 billion toll on the U.S. economy, eliminating some 4.6 million travel-related American jobs this year. Globally, the World Travel and Tourism Council has warned the COVID-19 pandemic could cut 50 million travel and tourism jobs worldwide. It is heartbreaking.
It’s an industry we all love. A creative, resilient sector.
Given the current economic situation and the mandates for physical distancing (because we all need social connection more than ever), we know this pandemic is greatly impacting all of your businesses and teams—there is no business as usual. As I sit here on my couch with three kids an arm’s distance away, I am quite aware of the new reality we all face.
The hospitality industry is confronted with staggering impact from uncertainty and disruption, and it faces an economic fight to reboot a global industry that delivers vital services and much-needed enjoyment to everyone, everywhere, every day. While we have been compelled to cancel our largest event of the year, HD Expo + Conference 2020 (a tough decision, and a first in my almost two decades at this brand, but a necessary one in these uncertain times), our goal is to help get our industry booming again. We remain steadfast in our commitment to gather our community by moving many of our other events to the fall. As you can imagine, it is a juggle to find the perfect dates in a compressed window of time, but we hope you will be ready and willing to join us so we can bring our great industry back together again.
This pandemic will change how we do business, and the next few months will be beyond challenging. I am encouraging my team to think about how we can think outside the box and how we can continue to improve, and I know many of you are doing the same. This industry is based on innovation and resilience, and I am confident new ideas will emerge, showcasing the power of good design and the importance of human connection. In fact, we are already hearing and writing about many inspiring stories of adaptation and survival—please continue to share those with us. I am convinced we will come out stronger, more grateful, and more energized to do what we all love.
We’re here to help.
HD is and always has been the industry connector and our No. 1 goal is to keep you connected—in the pages of our magazine, online, and digitally—especially in this isolating time. This is something none of us expected, and we want to support and be here for you more than ever.
Our amazing, now-remote team is working diligently to continue to celebrate your creativity—and your resiliency—as well as provide you the latest information, insights, ideas, and education. Here at hospitalitydesign.com, you’ll find a landing page updated daily with industry news tied to COVID-19 and a range of related wellness topics. Check your inbox for details on upcoming webinars and webcasts delivering educational sessions originally slated for HD Expo. Follow us on social media, sign up for our newsletters, and listen to our podcast to stay connected and for daily inspiration. We hope you find HD your go-to source and partner in this new normal.
Our team is here to listen. Please email me at [email protected] and let me know how you’re doing.
The good news is some of the basics we all need—conversations, relationships, self-care, and hope—will not be cancelled and will become more important than ever. May we all find this time to reconnect with ourselves, our families, our friends, and our industry in a new way. We look forward to when social undistancing is back to being common practice.
Until then, stay safe and healthy.
#hospitalitystrong
Stacy Shoemaker Rauen
Editor in chief, Hospitality Design magazine
Senior Vice President, Emerald
