PARSIPPANY, N.J., Dec. 1,
2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Baymont Inn & Suites unites with The
Arc – a leading national advocate for people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities (I/DD) – to open more doors in
hospitality for individuals with I/DD, including autism and Down
syndrome, as the hotel brand redefines breakfast with its new
Hometown Host role.
Unveiled just before International Day of Persons with
Disabilities on December 3, 2016,
Baymont's new Hometown Host role is a symbol of the brand's
emphasis on neighborly service and dedication to community,
ensuring guests are feeling welcome and food is abundant throughout
daily breakfast service. Baymont franchisees recruiting for a
Hometown Host are encouraged to take advantage of The Arc's
resources in helping connect them with passionate local job
candidates within their neighborhoods.
In addition to serving as a service champion and breakfast
attendant, Hometown Hosts from Baymont hotels across the country
are invited to participate in a voluntary advisory council,
supported by The Arc, to help improve the brand's breakfast
offerings. The council will meet regularly to share insights and
best practices for perfecting the brand's free breakfast for
guests.
"No matter what's on the table, we believe breakfast is best
served and savored with good company. That's where our Hometown
Hosts come in: they're the first person greeting our guests in the
morning and ensuring they have a great start to the day," said
Greg Giordano, Baymont Inn &
Suites brand vice president. "Our collaboration with The Arc not
only connects our franchisees to a resource attracting associates
who embody our signature culture of neighborly hospitality for
guests, but also demonstrates to all communities of diversity they
have an advocate in Baymont."
Building Opportunities One Breakfast at a Time
Unemployment among people living with disabilities is a critical
issue. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the
unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities is higher than
11%, approximately double the nation's average. Of those employed,
only about 40% hold regular jobs in the community rather than
within sheltered workshops or other restricted settings. The Arc
serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a
population in which unemployment is much higher - 85% of families
report that their adult family members with I/DD are not
employed.
"Our collaboration with Baymont proactively creates
opportunities for both those with disabilities and hoteliers to
make positive and transformative contributions within their
communities," said Jonathan Lucus,
director, The Arc@Work. "Individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities are not only capable of excelling on the
job, but have experience, ideas and perspectives to continually
enrich businesses. We can't wait to see how our relationship with
Baymont shakes up the makeup of hotel breakfast."
The Arc@Work is leading the way in developing innovative
workforce solutions for the government and private sector by
connecting employers with talented employees with intellectual and
developmental disabilities and supporting the recruitment,
on-boarding, and retention process. The goal is to connect
organizations with people and services that increase the diversity,
productivity, and quality of their overall workforce.
Hotels including the Baymont Inn & Suites Augusta Riverwatch
in Georgia have already
experienced positive results employing individuals with
disabilities including longer tenure, strong enthusiasm and an
increase in guest engagement. Baymont hotels in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, one of the states with the lowest
workforce participation rates for people with disabilities, have
already pledged to work with The Arc as part of this
initiative.
"We've been employing individuals with disabilities for more
than 10 years at our hotel, and it's the best business decision
I've ever made," said Kanta Kondur,
owner of Baymont Inn & Suites August Riverwatch. "Our
associates, like William and Robert, quickly become part of the
Baymont family and show an extraordinary dedication to the hotel
and our guests. I have no doubt other Baymont owners will find
similar success working with The Arc."
About The Arc
The Arc advocates for and serves people
with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including
Down syndrome, Autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Cerebral
Palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of more than 650
chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human
rights of people with I/DD and actively supporting their full
inclusion and participation in the community throughout their
lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.
About Baymont Inn & Suites
Part of Wyndham Hotel
Group, the Baymont Inn & Suites® hotel brand is a
chain of more than 400 midscale hotels located throughout
the United States and in
Mexico that takes pride in
neighborly hospitality grounded in the ability to connect with
every guest. It's all about warm, inviting service, topped with
freshly baked cookies and a friendly smile. Many locations feature
free Wi-Fi, continental breakfast at the Baymont Breakfast
Corner®, swimming pools, fitness centers, airport
shuttle service and the opportunity to earn and redeem points
through Wyndham Rewards®, the brand's guest loyalty
program. Travelers can join the free program at
www.wyndhamrewards.com. Each Baymont Inn & Suites
hotel is independently owned and operated under a franchise
agreement with Baymont Franchise Systems, Inc. (BFS), or its
affiliate. BFS is a subsidiary of Wyndham Hotel Group, LLC and
parent company Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN).
Reservations and information are available by visiting
www.baymontinns.com.
Wyndham Hotel Group is the world's largest hotel company based
on number of hotels, encompassing nearly 8,000 hotels and
approximately 689,800 rooms in 75 countries. Additional
information is available at www.wyndhamworldwide.com. For more
information about hotel franchising opportunities
visit www.whgdevelopment.com.
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SOURCE Baymont Inn & Suites