Author: Alfredo Casuso

Hilton San Francisco Union Square Welcomes
Four New Executive Team Members

MEDIA CONTACT:

David Perry For Hilton Union Square San Francisco/Parc 55
+1 415 676-7007 news@davidperry.com 

Peter Hart Promoted to Complex General Manager
20 + years of experience in San Francisco Bay Area hotels and hospitality community now put to use at California’s largest hotel complex comprised of Hilton Union Square and Parc 55.

Brennan Foley Promoted to Complex Hotel Manager of the Hilton Union Square and Parc 55 Hilton
18 year career has included multiple roles with San Francisco’s hospitality and tourism community.

Samir Roonwal as Executive Chef
Chef Roonwal brings more than 30 years of international and luxury gastronomic experience to Hilton Hotels & Resorts’ largest West Coast hotel.

Nick Graham-Wells Returns to San Francisco as
Complex Director of Marketing
22 years of marketing, branding, and operational expertise brought to bear as Hilton Union Square Approaches 60^th Anniversary in 2024.

17 January 2024 – San Francisco, CA:  – Hilton San Francisco Union Square and Parc 55 – a Hilton Hotel, announces four new members of its executive leadership team: Peter Hart, promoted to Complex General Manager for Hilton and Parc55; Brennan Foley Complex Hotel Manager; Samir Roonwal as executive chef at Hilton and Nick Graham-Wells as Complex Director of Marketing.  

Chef Samir will oversee culinary operations for the property’s 130,000 square feet of meeting and event space as well as its four food and beverage outlets, including Poached, The Lobby Bar, Herb’n Kitchen, and Cityscape Lounge: San Francisco’s highest sky bar perched on the 46th floor with 360-degree views of San Francisco.   

Graham-Wells, a San Francisco “Hilton Veteran”, returns to the City in which worked for seven years, immediately charged with readying the historic complex for the holidays and its 60^th anniversary in 2024.

“Having long been a part of San Francisco’s Hilton family, it is truly a privilege to now lead this incredible team,” said Hart. “As we prepare to celebrate six decades of iconic service to San Francisco, I couldn’t be more proud of our team, and our city.”

In this new position, Peter will be responsible for overseeing the operations of the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, which has 1,900 rooms and over 150,000 square feet of meeting space, as well as the Parc 55, which has more than 1,000 rooms and over 30,000 square feet of meeting space. Peter brings with him a wealth of industry experience, having held important roles in various hotels across the Bay Area since joining Hilton in 2003. In his most recent position as complex hotel manager at the San Francisco hotels, Peter demonstrated his ability to achieve positive outcomes, enhance the guest experience, and maintain high levels of Team Member satisfaction.  Peter holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

“Please join me in welcoming Brennan Foley on his new role as Complex Hotel Manager of the Hilton Union Square and Parc 55 Hilton, capping 18 years of  hospitality leadership,” said Hart. “Brennan has done an excellent job driving results, elevating the guest experience, and providing guidance for team members. I look forward to many more accomplishments to come in 2024.”

Prior to his new position, Brennan held various leadership roles at the Westin Market Street before rejoining Hilton in 2015.  He was the Assistant Director of Housekeeping at Parc 55 and quickly moved into a Director of Rooms capacity.  After a few years, Brennan transferred across Mason Street to lead the Rooms Division at Hilton Union Square.  Returning after the pandemic closures, Brennan was instrumental in reopening the Parc 55 in 2022.  Since, he has supported the Parc 55 team in his role as Director of Operations.  

“Also, I am thrilled to welcome our new Executive Chef Samir Roonwal to San Francisco,” said Hart. “With over 30 years of accomplished experience and a remarkable track record of opening hotels and restaurants worldwide, his expertise is a true asset to our Food and Beverage team. Samir’s international experience and collaboration with renowned chefs have shaped a unique cooking style that embraces diverse cuisines and cultural backgrounds. His ability to set and lead market trends is evident in his history of improving revenues and guest satisfaction. We are confident that Samir’s hands-on approach and commitment to quality will elevate our dining experiences and bring fresh creativity to our menus. We look forward to a successful journey together in delivering exceptional cuisine and service.”

Roonwal has led the Culinary and Food and Beverage operations for numerous luxury and full-service brands. He has reimagined concepts and executed activations in iconic properties across Asia, the Middle East, Canada, and the USA. With a tenure of over 30 years in the industry, Samir brings a proven track record of delivering success across all facets of food and beverage including operations, customer satisfaction, strategic expansion, and marketing. 

“My goal is to ensure that the departing guests leave with a great and unique impression of their stay, including the food, whether a la carte or from one of our large-scale events,” says Samir with a smile noting that his creations will “speak” about his own travel experiences. “San Francisco truly is a celebration of cuisines from all over the globe, making it truly one of the world’s great food towns. I hope to share with all our guests an authentic taste of the authentic influences of San Francisco and beyond.”

Returning to San Francisco where he worked for seven years is new Director of Marketing for the Hilton Union Square and Parc55 complex, Nick Graham-Wells. A born story teller, Graham-Wells brings over 22 years of marketing, branding, and operational expertise to the role. 

“We are so excited to have Nick join the team.” Said Cindy Ramesh, Director of Sales and Marketing.  “We already worked closely with Nick in his previous role where he consulted on and guided many of our marketing strategies.  We’ve seen the amazing work he’s done with hotels all across the continent, now we’re so happy to have him all to ourselves!” 

Most recently Nick spent four years as a leader on the Americas Marketing team at Hilton where he supported full-service and luxury hotels all across the Americas.  He specialized in branding activations, strategic storytelling, content creation, and growth marketing. 

“My passion is about bringing special hotel experiences to life. both online and on property, for guests, meeting planners, and team members,” says Graham-Wells. “San Francisco has always been a city that’s close to my heart so it’s a joy to return, and to help shine a light on all the incredible opportunities, experiences, and events you can’t find anywhere else.  I’m incredibly optimistic for the future of our city.  Our hotels will be a big part of that story.”

“I’m especially looking forward to unveiling new experiences for the 60^th anniversary of the Hilton San Francisco Union Square in 2024,” he says. “In a competitive and ever-morphing hospitality industry, where guests expect and demand the best, celebrating such a milestone is an opportunity to look back, and forward. I can’t wait.”    

For reservations, visit Hilton San Francisco Union Square or call +1 415-771-1400. Read more about Hilton Hotels & Resorts at hilton.com/en/hilton/ and newsroom.hilton.com/hilton.

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About Hilton San Francisco Union Square

A bustling convention hotel minutes from San Francisco’s Union Square and Moscone Convention Center, Hilton San Francisco Union Square is the premier meetings & events hotel in San Francisco. The hotel is the largest on the West Coast and is widely considered an industry leader for its inventive catering and customized event offerings. Property highlights include Cityscape Lounge, a sky bar located on the 46th floor; a heated outdoor pool and whirlpool, and a large fitness center. Dozens of unique rooms and suite types are available, including skyline view rooms and rooms with balconies facing the downtown skyline.  

About Hilton Hotels & Resorts

For over a century, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has set the benchmark for hospitality around the world, providing new product innovations and services to meet guests’ evolving needs. With more than 575 hotels across six continents, Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties are located in the world’s most sought-after destinations for guests who know that where they stay matters. Experience a positive stay at Hilton Hotels & Resorts by booking at hiltonhotels.com or through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about the brand at newsroom.hilton.com/hhr, and follow Hilton Hotels & Resorts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising more than 6,600 properties and more than 1 million rooms, in 119 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on the 2020 World’s Best Workplaces list, and was named the 2020 Global Industry Leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 118 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. 

NONPROFIT OWNER OF AMERICA’S FLAGSHIP – THE SS UNITED STATES – HEADS TO TRIAL IN EFFORT TO SAVE SYMBOL OF THE NATION
Litigation will proceed this week in federal court that could determine the fate of the famed vessel

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The SS United States Conservancy, the national nonprofit organization that owns and safeguards America’s Flagship, the SS United States, is in litigation over a rent dispute with the vessel’s landlord, Penn Warehousing. A bench trial is set to begin tomorrow in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, and today the Conservancy released the following statement:

“The Conservancy regrets that its rent dispute with Penn Warehousing is going to trial. Our first priority is the safety and security of this irreplaceable symbol of America. The SS United States was designed by Philadelphia native William Francis Gibbs to be the fastest and safest ocean liner ever to sail. On her maiden voyage, she reached record-breaking speeds that have never been surpassed in scheduled passenger travel. She served as an American ambassador to the world, and we will continue to defend the ship and the public interest in protecting a key part of our nation’s history from destruction.”

“As an organization we will continue to work tirelessly to advance the preservation and redevelopment of the SS United States as a world-class destination and museum. At a time when Philadelphia plans to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday and draw people from around the world for the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the loss of the SS United States should be unimaginable.”

“The Conservancy recently released a transformational redevelopment plan for America’s Flagship that would create thousands of new jobs, attract visitors from across the country and around the globe, and potentially generate millions in annual tax revenue. It is a visionary project, commercially viable and capable of substantially benefiting Philadelphia, New York or other port cities.”

“The Penn Warehousing trial places the ship in grave danger. We hope that Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro, Philadelphia Mayor Parker, PhilaPort officials, and other leaders throughout this country will recognize the economic potential and national historic significance of the SS United States. Joined by our thousands of proud supporters across the nation and around the globe, we look to government leaders to assist with our ongoing efforts to relocate the ship to a different temporary or permanent location.”

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Tuesday, January 16, 2024 

Contact: Mayor’s Press Office, mayorspressoffice@sfgov.org

SAN FRANCISCO POLICE RECRUITING EFFORTS YIELD PROGRESS: POLICE ACADEMY AT HIGHEST LEVELS SINCE PRE-PANDEMIC

New Police Academy class starting today joins two other classes currently training at SFPD Academy – higher cadet levels reflective of efforts to strengthen recruitment through increased pay, expanded outreach, and streamlined hiring

San Francisco, CA – Today Mayor London N. Breed and Police Chief William Scott announced that the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) has welcomed its latest Academy Class, bringing the total of three Police Academy classes currently training. The presence of these three SFPD Police Academy classes is the highest number of cadets training at any one time since before the pandemic. This puts SFPD on track to graduate more recruits in 2024 than any year since the pandemic began. 

Current classes at SFPD Police Academy: 

• Academy Class 282 starts today, January 16th, with 19 new candidates.  
• Another 41 recruits are currently training in Academy Classes 280 (started in July) and 281 (started in September).   
• Class 280 is scheduled to graduate in February and Class 281 is set to graduate in May.   

These three Academy Classes reflect the increase in applications the Department began to experience at the end of 2022, when applications to join SFPD began to increase back to 2018 levels after years of being down during the pandemic. Mayor Breed and SFPD have improved recruitment efforts by increasing pay, streamlining testing and hiring, and expanding outreach, including: 

• Increasing starting pay for SFPD officers to be among the highest of any large Bay Area City. SFPD officers are paid more than officers in almost any other major city in the nation. 
• Shifting to a dynamic academy class model to quickly start classes once they hit a certain level instead of waiting long periods of time between Academy classes, and losing out on recruits.  
• Expanding outreach nationwide, including with a focus on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 
• Reducing the hiring process by up to three months by conducting Physical Ability Test (PAT), Oral Interview, and Written Test in one day. 
• Expanding free one-day testing events to college campuses around Northern and Southern California and offering test preparation resources and practice sessions for potential recruits. 
• Streamlining of the Lateral Hiring Process by immediately hiring lateral candidates as soon as they complete the hiring process rather than waiting to fill a class. 
• Participating in the 30 x 30 Initiative to increase the representation of women in SFPD with the goal of 30% women recruits by 2030.  

These recruitment efforts, as well as key retention efforts have helped SFPD stabilize staffing and start building up again. While SFPD is about 500 officers short of its citywide staffing goal, police staffing has recently stopped declining. Now the efforts are focused on retaining the current officers, while bringing in new recruits to see police staffing in San Francisco begin to rise again. 

“Our work to strengthen recruiting and retaining officers and to build the support to have the best police force in the country is leading to results,” said Mayor London Breed. “A lot of this work has been happening behind the scenes for a long time, and now we are starting to see a real change in our Academy.  I’m thankful for everyone who is signing up to put on a uniform and serve our residents, our businesses, and our city. This is how we create a safer, more just San Francisco.”  

“Efforts to boost recruiting in San Francisco are paying off,” said Chief Bill Scott. “The SFPD is moving in the right direction, and I’m overjoyed to see so many applicants wanting to join our department. They have begun their journey to be part of one of the most historic police forces in the nation that stands as a model for how reform and public safety go hand-in-hand.” 

Despite staffing challenges, SFPD’s efforts have made San Francisco safer over the last year. Most recently during the 2023 holiday season: 

• Larceny theft (car break-ins and retail theft) decreased by 48%  
• Motor vehicle theft decreased by 17% 
• Burglaries decreased by 26% 

Violent crime rates in San Francisco remain lower than other cities and both violent and property crime remain below pre-pandemic levels. SFPD’s homicide clearance rate is consistently far above the national average.   

The next Police Academy class will begin later this spring and applications continue to come in at a high level. For more information and to view career opportunities with the SFPD, visit this page.  

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media contact:  Perry (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

2022 Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play
A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
by Samuel D. Hunter is Dezart Performs’ third production of the season from March 1 – 10, 2024

9 January 2024 – Palm Springs, CA:  A philosopher once posited that “God is everywhere: sometimes you can even find him in church.” In playwright Samuel D. Hunter’s “must-see heartbreaker of a play” (The New York Times), A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, Divine compassion is found in a work-a-day back office in Idaho near the Canadian border where two broken men “find what connects us all and Holiness in humanity” (The Observer). The 2022 Drama Critics’ Circle Award Winner for Best Play is the third production in Dezart Performs’ landmark 16^th Season, running March 1 – 10 at the Pearl McManus Theater (at the historic Palm Springs Woman’s Club) 314 S Cahuilla Road, Downtown Palm Springs. The play runs 90 minutes without intermission.  Playwright Samuel D. Hunter is scheduled to attend the opening night performance and will hold a “talk back” following the first Saturday evening performance, March 2.

“Samuel D. Hunter is very much a playwright for this moment in our world,” says Dezart Performs’ founding artistic director Michael Shaw who directed Hunter’s A BRIGHT NEW BOISE last season for Dezart Performs as he is directing this year’s production. Hunter’s film, THE WHALE, garnered an Academy Award for actor Brendan Fraser. “In language both sparse but eloquent, he manages to convey the full range of human emotions, good and bad, from two people doing nothing but sit and talk in a small room.  It’s like a literary miracle what such passion in a confined space can produce.”

A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD unfolds in a cubicle where two seated people unexpectedly choose to bring one another into their fragile worlds. Keith (Dennis Renard), a mortgage broker and Ryan (Jacob Alden Roa), a yogurt plant worker seeking to buy a plot of land that belonged to his family many decades ago, realize they share a “specific kind of sadness.” At this desk in the middle of America, loan talk opens up into a discussion about the chokehold of financial insecurity and a bond over the precariousness of parenthood. With humor, empathy and wrenching honesty, Hunter commingles two lives and deftly bridges disparate experiences of marginality. As Keith sums up in one of the play’s most simple, yet wrenching moments: “Things happen every day that aren’t right.”

Renard was the winner last year of Desert Theatre League’s Award for his performance in CHOIR BOY and Roa, a nominee for his performance in THE GARBOLOGISTS.

All performances of A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD take place at the Pearl McManus Theater (at the historic Palm Springs Woman’s Club) 314 S Cahuilla Road, Downtown Palm Springs. Ticket prices are $48 – $55 and may be purchased online at www.dezartperforms.org , or by calling (760) 322-0179. Showtimes are Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm; Sundays at 2pm and 7pm.

Dezart Performs, one of the Coachella Valley’s preeminent theatre companies recognizes that the performing arts enrich the life and culture of a community, promote greater understanding and provoke insightful discussion. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company, its mission is to provide an artistic home for bold and cutting–edge plays, creating an atmosphere of artistic growth for actors, writers, and directors who uniquely contribute to the diverse theatrical environment in the Coachella Valley.

Last month, Dezart Performs announced plans for a new space to be called the Dezart Playhouse, located in Cathedral City. The new Dezart Playhouse will have versatile, movable seating for up to 125, including the flexibility for proscenium, thrust, theatre in-the-round, or cabaret-style formats. A modern, warm and inviting lobby with a full bar and patio area will be available for use both during performances, and for other non-theatrical events. Full expanded dressings rooms, backstage areas and a designated box office are all part of the design. Besides use by Dezart Performs, the venue will also welcome other businesses and non-profit organizations in the community to make use of the space. Based on the current plan, the Dezart Playhouse will be ready for the 2025 / 2026 Season. The campaign has been in the silent phase for over a year, with the goal to raise $ 2,200,000 to convert the former retail space into a state-of-the-art Equity Theater.  In addition, the campaign seeks another $200,000 per year over five years to help sustain program and operation costs.

16th Dezart Performs’ Season Listing

A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD 
A drama written by Samuel D. Hunter
Directed by Michael Shaw
March 1-3; 8-10
2022 Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play

A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD unfolds in a cubicle where two seated people unexpectedly choose to bring one another into their fragile worlds. Keith, a mortgage broker, and Ryan, a yogurt plant worker seeking to buy a plot of land that belonged to his family many decades ago, realize they share a “specific kind of sadness.” At this desk in the middle of America, loan talk opens up into a discussion about the chokehold of financial insecurity and a bond over the precariousness of parenthood. With humor, empathy and wrenching honesty, Hunter commingles two lives and deftly bridges disparate experiences of marginality.

“Must-see heartbreaker of a play!”
– The New York Times

“Another extraordinary play by Samuel D. Hunter!”
– New York Stage Review

“Easily one of the best of the year!”
– The Wall Street Journal

“…one of the most moving new plays of the year!”
– TheatreMania

“‘A Case for the Existence of God’ Finds What Connects Us All and Holiness in Humanity.”
– The Observer

*    *    *

MR. PARKER
A drama written by Michael McKeever
Directed by Randy Brenner
April 12 – 14; 19 — 21

At 54 years old, Terry Parker finds himself at a crossroads in his life. After the loss of his partner of 30 years, he finds himself suddenly single and unable to adjust to a world that has moved on without him. After a night of heavy drinking, he wakes up with a 28-year-old bartender-slash-Uber-driver. These two very different people begin a tentative relationship, and what starts out as a one-night stand becomes a journey of self-discovery for a man trying to let go of the past and move forward, while dealing with the pressures of being middle-aged, gay and alone in the ever-changing landscape of today’s America.

“A very intelligent, absorbing look at contemporary relationships and the conflicts that keep us all from aging with joy and peace of mind. This play is a real discovery!”
– Rex Reed

“The protagonist of this new play by Michael McKeever steps gingerly out of grief’s stasis and into the unknown.”
–The New York Times

media contacts:

Lori Lincoln
Vice President, Global PR & Media Relations
San Francisco Travel Association
lori@sftravel.com

Peter Kelley
California Media Relations
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
peter.kelley@jpmchase.com

San Francisco Welcomes the 42nd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

San Francisco (Jan. 8, 2024) – San Francisco welcomes the 42nd annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference today. Taking place at the Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square through Jan. 11, the annual invitation-only conference is the industry’s largest and most informative healthcare investment symposium. More than 8,000 attendees are expected.

The gathering addresses today’s health and wellness challenges, bringing together global leaders, emerging fast-growth companies, innovative technology creators and the investment community.

Last year, the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference attracted more than 8,000 attendees to San Francisco. According to estimates from the San Francisco Travel Association, the 2023 event generated $86.1 million in economic impact. Included in this estimate is the spending by attendees, event planners, exhibitors, B2B supply chain purchases, and wages paid to workers in the local economy. This cumulative spending during the event generated an estimated $8 million in tax revenue for the City.

“San Francisco is a world-class City and global destination, and we are proud to welcome the J.P.  Morgan Healthcare Conference again,” said Mayor London Breed. “Events like this play a crucial role in driving our economy, creating jobs, and bringing vitality to our city by supporting our small businesses, hotels, restaurants and nightlife, and tourism. We’re seeing more people returning in and around Union Square and Downtown, thanks to the City prioritizing investments in public safety and economic activations, and we’re continuing to build on this momentum. San Francisco is ready to welcome thousands of attendees for this conference to enjoy our beautiful City.”

Michael Gaito, JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s Global Head of Healthcare Investment Banking, said, “San Francisco and the Bay Area are dynamic and innovative business centers. That is why we’re so thrilled to be hosting the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference here for our 42nd year. We’re excited to be back and welcome the global healthcare industry and business community to our city.” 

Keynote speakers at this year’s J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference include Jamie Dimon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Rt. Hon. Tony Blair, executive chairman of the Institute for Global Change and Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1997–2007); Danielle Carnival, Ph.D., Deputy Assistant to the President for the Cancer Moonshot and Deputy Director of Health Outcomes for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; and Dr. Diana Thiara, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and medical director of the UCSF Weight Management program.

Union Square Alliance CEO Marisa Rodriguez said, “Union Square is the ideal backdrop for J.P. Morgan’s 42nd Annual Healthcare Conference. The Union Square Alliance is excited to welcome back this vital conference that provides such a boost to our economy. It is the perfect kick-off to an optimistic new year for our visitors and businesses. Attendees are in for a treat with two new cafes, Miller & Lux Provisions, curated by Food Network’s Tyler Florence, whose world-famous offerings are ideal for a quick break between meetings. In addition, conference-goers can catch the Fresh Start music showcase featuring local talent. The importance of J.P. Morgan’s commitment to The City cannot be overstated.”

San Francisco Travel:

The San Francisco Travel Association is the official destination marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco. The city is one of the top tourism and meetings destinations in the U.S. and received 21.9 million visitors in 2022. Total tourism spending in 2022 exceeded $7.7 billion. The tourism industry is the largest generator of outside revenue into San Francisco’s economy and supports over 53,000 jobs.

For information on reservations, activities and more in San Francisco, visit www.sftravel.com. 

Follow San Francisco Travel on Facebook (www.facebook.com/onlyinSF/), Instagram (www.instagram.com/onlyinsf/), and Twitter (www.twitter.com/onlyinsf). Hashtags are #sftravel and #AlwaysSF.

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