Case Studies Hospitality

When Jeff Hansen first entered the construction industry, hospitality development was nowhere on his radar. He envisioned a future in commercial projects, either as a general contractor or on the ownership side of major developments. But like many careers shaped by timing and opportunity, his took a turn he hadn’t anticipated. After eight years with […]

When Jeffrey Bennett joined Dutch Bros Coffee in September 2020, the company was already beloved in the western United States for its handcrafted drinks, vibrant culture, and energetic drive-thru model. But Dutch Bros had ambitious plans: expand east of Texas, grow consistently year after year, and do it without losing the heart of what made […]

In luxury hospitality, five-star ratings, guest reviews, and impeccable service often measure success. But behind every perfectly fluffed pillow and climate-controlled room is a team of engineers quietly making it all possible. At Hyatt Regency Chicago—one of the largest Hyatt-branded hotels in the world with over 2,000 guest rooms—that effort is led by Jonathan Golem, […]

At Fernbank Museum in the vibrant city of Atlanta, the connection between science, nature, and cultural history captivates visitors of all ages. Known for its dynamic exhibitions and immersive learning experiences, Fernbank is not just a museum but a gateway to understanding the natural world. Spanning 160,000 square feet and set on a beautiful 75-acre […]

In 1987, Johnny Morris, who founded Bass Pro Shops, purchased a small parcel of lakeside property to create a “fish camp” getaway for his outfitters. Thirty-seven years later, that initial vision has evolved to become a luxury wilderness resort known as Big Cedar Lodge. The award-winning destination sits on 4,600 acres across the Missouri portion […]

Owners of Choice Hotels Int. brands along the Gulf Coast should expect to see a lot of Jim Alty—although he may never be staying in one of the new rooms. “I like to joke with owners that the day they see their first guest is when I vaporize,” says Alty, the company’s project manager, construction […]

Jim Slagle has made a career out of helping to sustain quite the legacy. As vice president of facility asset management at Disneyland Resort, he feels like he is on hallowed ground. “Walt Disney’s legacy is visible throughout Disneyland park,” Slagle tells Blueprint in September 2021 from Anaheim, California, where he’s spent the second half […]

John Eloe has always liked making people smile. When he was nineteen and deciding what he wanted to study in college, his mom encouraged him to pursue his love of cooking. He had never considered being a chef before, but soon realized he could bring people joy through good food. Eloe worked as a chef […]

When Jaime Palmer Walliker joined Spanish-based RIU Hotels & Resorts in 2001 as a mechanical engineer working at the company’s Caribbean properties, he saw it as the logical next step in his career—a way to ready himself for the opportunities ahead. Little did he know, they’d all come under the same roof. Nearly 20 years later, Palmer has become an […]

The call came into the New Orleans Sheraton on a Thursday afternoon from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—and it was not to book a reservation in one of the French Quarter’s hot spots. The hotel on 555 Canal St., was now a hot spot for a very different reason. More than 5,000 COVID-19 cases […]