Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce the launch of a global partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN). As the first exclusive hospitality partner for GEN, select Crowne Plaza properties around the world will be the new hubs of Startup Huddle monthly meetups, a program designed to help entrepreneurs while strengthening the local ecosystem, providing easier access to spaces for entrepreneurs to collaborate, problem solve and inspire one another.
One of the largest upscale brands in the world, the Crowne Plaza brand is in the midst of a global evolution and expansion, with six new flagship hotels opening in the US, Europe and China by early 2020. Designed to meet the changing needs of modern travelers, the Crowne Plaza brand’s new hallmark design innovations include Plaza Workspace, a co-working lobby design concept featuring flexible workspaces, breakout areas and The Studio, a bookable-by-the-hour meeting space. GEN has more than 15,000 members in 170 countries and through this partnership, select Crowne Plaza hotels will offer them discounted or complimentary access to these spaces for collaboration.
The Crowne Plaza brand’s flexible lobby design provides the perfect environment for entrepreneurs to meet face to face. Connecting in-person is more important than ever before for entrepreneurs and startups, according to the 2019 Global Startup Ecosystem Report by Startup Genome and GEN. The report recently revealed that higher scores for “local connectedness” translated to more successful startups and to stronger entrepreneurship ecosystems. Specifically, those entrepreneurs who had high levels of “local connectedness” grow their revenue two times as fast as those with low local connectedness.
Libby Escolme, Global Vice President, Crowne Plaza, commented: “We are proud to partner with GEN to support and provide a home for the next generation of entrepreneurs around the world. This partnership comes at the perfect time for the Crowne Plaza brand as we expand our new flexible lobby and room designs in flagship properties around the world. From our lobby concepts to our patented WorkLife guest rooms, our hotels are truly serving the modern business traveler and local business communities.”
The Crowne Plaza brand’s sponsorship of Startup Huddle kicked off on 19 November 2019 during Global Entrepreneurship Week with an event at the brand’s newly transformed Americas flagship, the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter hotel at Ravinia. Jonathan Ortmans, founder and president of GEN, and Meredith Latham, VP of Crowne Plaza, Americas, hosted the event which took a close look at the startup scene in Atlanta and how great design fuels creativity and collaboration. Several events at Crowne Plaza properties around the world are also being planned for 2020.
Ortmans commented: “We are thrilled to partner with the Crowne Plaza brand in helping foster healthier ecosystems for entrepreneurs from all backgrounds to thrive. Local startup ecosystems need connectivity and density – the vibrant atmosphere of the new Crowne Plaza lobby concept offers a home for entrepreneurs to collaborate and build community. The Crowne Plaza brand is an early adaptor in recognizing the important role they can play, and we look forward to seeing more of our programs and communities leveraging their local Crowne Plaza hotel as a hub for community innovation and growth.”
