Welcome to the Hilton Family of Hotels
be hospitable® Traveler Experts Page
In developing the curriculum for the be hospitable® Traveler program, The Hilton Family of Hotels pulled together its hotel team members and a select group of outside experts with backgrounds in travel, cultural awareness and character development. Each of our experts provided their unique perspectives on hospitality and gave personal insights into the dos and don'ts of international travel to promote cultural understanding and hospitable behavior among both Team USA and business and leisure travelers.
James Wm. Blauvelt
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James Wm. Blauvelt has served at the Executive Director of Catering at The Waldorf=Astoria in New York City since 1998, overseeing one of the country's largest hotel catering operations. His staff of ten catering managers plans and executes more than 12,000 events every year, ranging from small executive board meetings to social and charity galas for 2,000. Blauvelt fell in love with hotels at an early age, traveling with his father and calling some of the world's finest hotels his home. He would spend hours in hotel lobbies – helping operate elevators, checking-in guests or greeting them at the front door. Blauvelt recalls doing anything the hotel would let him until one of his parents came to retrieve him. It was apparent that Blauvelt's childhood traveling experiences would one day lead to a successful career in hospitality and service. James Wm. Blauvelt on Awareness: When traveling abroad, be straightforward in your confusion. Locals in even the most bustling of cities are willing to help if they have a clear understanding of what you're asking. |
