Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1476179
B M & T ••• July/August 2022 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 9 environmental programs, policies, and performance. Accelerating those efforts, the Company announced that hotels across the world will be required, as part of their brand standard compliance, to attain level 1 in the Wyndham Green Program by April 2023. The Wyndham Green Program is a five-level certification program that helps reduce a hotel's environmental footprint, includes a proprietary environmental management tool that tracks data to help hotels improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, conserve water, and reduce waste while helping drive the owner's bottom line. Wyndham's work has been recognized through its participation in CDP's climate change and water security responses, where it achieved the management band for sustainability per- formance and disclosure. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts was recognized as one of America's Most Responsible Companies for 2022 by Newsweek, which honors those with superior environ- mental and social responsibility practices. The Company remains committed to reducing the energy and carbon footprint of all Wyndham hotels, and continuously evalu- ates opportunities to increase efficiencies and the usage of renewable energy where feasible. By 2025, the Company has committed to reducing absolute carbon emissions in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 15%, compared to the 2019 baseline, and achieving 100% renewable energy at corporate headquarters, and North American offices. The Company's corporate headquarters has a Gold LEED EBOM and Energy Star Certification and provides team members with complimentary access to electric vehicle charging stations to encourage more sus- tainable commuting and increase adoption of zero-emis- sion vehicles. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts prepared its ESG report in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, integrating the recommendations of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). The company obtained third-party assurance over selected data disclosed in this report, as indicated by the 2021 Assurance Statement included in the report. The report covers the performance of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc for the 2021 calendar year and includes the Company's owned and managed operations, unless otherwise stated, as well as enhanced disclosure around risk management. All financial figures indicated in the report are in U.S. dollars, unless other- wise noted. Derek Douglass Drew has been named as the area hotel manager for the soon to debut Caption by Hyatt Beale Street Memphis and the neigh- boring Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis, bringing more than 22 years of progressive hos- pitality experience to the position. The appoint- ment comes as Hyatt debuted its new Caption by Hyatt brand with this opening on June 22nd. Derek's hospitality career began in Arizona, where after graduating from the University of Illinois, he moved and took on various assistant managerial positions at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale. He then joined the Hyatt Regency Reston, where he was awarded Manager of the Quarter for two consecutive years while managing the newly renovated events and convention spaces. He moved on to become the property's assistant director of operations, earning the Manager of the Year award in 2018. In 2020, he headed to the west coast, where he demonstrat- ed exemplary leadership while directing operations and lead- ing the team through the pandemic at the 1,628-room Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. In 2020, he also helped open the first North America-based Alila Hotels & Resorts property in Big Sur before returning to his roots at Virginia's Hyatt Regency Reston. "Derek is no stranger to Hyatt, to opening hotels or to intro- ducing a new brand – which checks all of the boxes for us here in Memphis," said Sarah Titus, area general manager. "He has considerable experience through all aspects of hospitality and his strong background will help in delivering outstanding south- ern hospitality at the inaugural Caption by Hyatt and the award- winning Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis." As the new area hotel manager for the two properties, Derek will oversee daily operations to create seamless guest experiences. Tasked with leading the hospitality and opera- tions teams, Derek will help in curating a purpose-driven and immersive community for the modern traveler. "I get to move to an amazing new city, help launch a new brand, collaborate with an incredible team and work in one of the most exciting entertainment districts in the nation," said Derek Douglass Drew. "To say I'm excited is an understate- ment. I will be working hard to bring our guests the kind of hotel experience that only Beale Street can offer - one that lives in the hearts of travelers along with the legendary stories born here." DEREK DOUGLASS DREW HAS BEEN APPOINTED AREA HOTEL MANAGER ACROSS MULTIPLE HYATT HOTELS IN MEMPHIS