With the roll-out of the new Hilton CleanStay program happening right now and the worldwide launch of EventReady with CleanStay Hilton program to take place simultaneously at every property over the next few weeks, we reached out to Frank Passanante, senior vice president, Hilton Worldwide Sales - Americas, to learn more about what this means for meeting professionals and guests.

How will the Hilton CleanStay program be visible or apparent to guests?

• Passanante: Hilton CleanStay, which is already live, globally, across our portfolio of brands, will be apparent in several ways to guests.
  Online: Even before they travel, guests will find a new landing page detailing what they can expect during their stay. In addition, property websites will be updated to indicate that the new cleaning protocols and procedures have been implemented.

•  The Lobby: Guests who desire a contactless arrival experience can check-in, choose their room, unlock their door with a digital key and check-out using their mobile devices through the free Hilton Honors mobile app. This option is available at more than 4,700 participating Hilton properties worldwide for guests who book direct via the Honors app or at Hilton.com. For guests who prefer a traditional check-in, physical distancing measures will be in place directing guests on how to move through the in-person check-in and check-out process in a safe way.

• The Guest Room: The first point of contact with the guest room will be with the Hilton CleanStay room seal, placed on the door upon being thoroughly cleaned. The room will have extra disinfection of the most frequently touched guests room areas—light switches, door handles, TV remotes, thermostats and more. It will be de-cluttered, with items like pens and paper removed. Disinfecting wipes will be provided in every room for guest use. Additional amenities such as linens and toiletries will be available upon request, delivered in protective packaging and placed at the guest room door.

• The Public Spaces: There will be increased frequency of cleaning public areas. For instance, fitness centers may be closed for cleaning multiple times daily. Equipment will be properly adjusted and placed to enable physical distancing, and the number of guests in the center may be limited. Pool and pool areas will be cleaned frequently throughout the day, and physical distancing measures will be in place. Stations with hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes will be available throughout the property at primary entrances and in key high traffic areas.

• Food and Beverage: In hotel restaurants, tables and chairs will be spaced to ensure proper physical distancing. Biodegradable, disposable dishes/utensils will be available upon request. During breakfast, restaurants will offer a range of options including grab-and-go, pre-plated covered items, à la carte and assisted service. When ordering room service, guests will experience contactless delivery, with orders and single-use serviceware placed outside their guestroom door.

• Meetings & Events: Hilton EventReady with CleanStay takes the cleanliness standards set in place with Hilton CleanStay and applies it to the meeting experience. Guests will notice the increased signage, sanitation stations and creative, yet physically distant, room sets.

What elements will specifically benefit meeting/event participants?

Passanante: Hilton EventReady with CleanStay was created based on research and customer feedback and delivers cleanliness, flexibility, safe and socially responsible solutions to our customers and their event participants. Event planners had been asking us for innovative solutions for the entire event experience, from flexibility in planning and physical distancing protocols to transparency in cleanliness policies—and this program is a direct response to those requests.

What, if anything, will be different from the meeting/event planner perspective when working with Hilton?

Passanante: Event planners will notice a difference in how they work with our hotel teams. Hilton EventReady with CleanStay not only ensures an elevated cleanliness standard for meetings and events, it also is about the customer and hotel teams working hand-in-hand to align and deliver on and shared objectives. Let me walk you through the specifics.

First, in the planning stages, we understand the importance of being flexible right now. For us, that means:

• Flexibility in pricing, space options and contract terms;

• Responsive offers to meet the needs of customers, like simplified agreements for small meetings;

• And our proprietary Hilton EventReady Playbook, which will deliver expert guidance and curated resources for solutions, such as hybrid meetings that seamlessly combine on-site attendees with those in remote locations, room sets and creative networking.

Also, as the planner is working through meeting logistics, we’re partnering closely with them to offer safe and socially responsible solutions. This includes:

• Presenting creative physical distancing meeting sets and meal service;

• Developing inspiring, locally sourced food & beverage offerings;

• And sharing environmental impact solutions measured by LightStay, our award-winning corporate responsibility measurement platform.

Finally, the day of the event, there are changes in how we prep and sanitize the room.

• 30-minutes before the meeting or event starts, the event planner has the chance to review and approve the cleanliness of the space. This involves breaking the EventReady with CleanStay seal on the door, indicating the room has been cleaned to standards, and utilizing the EventReady Room Checklist, which can help guide the room inspection.

• 30-minutes before the meeting or event starts, the event planner has the chance to review and approve the cleanliness of the space. This involves breaking the EventReady with CleanStay seal on the door, indicating the room has been cleaned to standards, and utilizing the EventReady Room Checklist, which can help guide the room inspection.

• The checklist specifically hones-in on the 10 most high-touch points of the meeting room, which include tables, chairs, door pulls, thermostat and lighting controls, window shade and drape controls, room phones, stationary room furniture, podium and stage items, AV equipment and sanitizing stations.