Leadership Conference Sails Into Hard Work, Good Times

September 15, 2013

ANDERSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – It’s been said that a ship is safe at harbor, but that’s not what ships are for – and ships don’t build themselves, they require teams to build them and to sail them.

That’s why Paragon Hotel Company’s top leadership teamed up in a boat-building challenge as part of the company’s “Refresh, Renew, Recharge” conference in September 2013 in the company’s Upstate hometown.

And boats weren’t the only part of the splashy four-day event. PHC’s General Managers also sailed through intensive sessions about insurance and workplace safety; time and attendance tracking; and maintenance and accounting – as well as other team-building challenges.

The general sessions and working lunches, which were spread throughout four of the company’s Anderson properties, were detailed in the event program that quoted renowned Dutch writer Henri Nouwen: “Hospitality Is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place.”

For all of their hard work, participants were rewarded with great food and fun, including an Italian dinner, a make-your-own fajita bar and Paragon Gala Night, which was held at a downtown Anderson restaurant reserved only for PHC guests. To top it all off, the company CEO Ricky Patel served up real ho`okipa (that’s Hawaiian for “hospitality”) with a Luau Party at his personal residence.

“We try to treat our associates the way they treat their guests,” Patel says. “Yes, we all do a lot of work during our leadership conferences, but it’s not really work when you’re also having a lot of fun. That’s why this event was such a success – because that’s exactly what happened for all of us!”

For more information about Paragon Hotel Company, visit http://www.phc-hotels.com.

About Paragon Hotel Company

Founded in 1995, PHC is a hospitality real estate management and development company based in Anderson, SC. The company’s vision, “constantly challenging the status quo,” complements its mission to acquire, develop and manage a portfolio of unique properties and lifestyle experiences for the enjoyment of our guests, while delivering exceptional financial results to investors and positively impacting the surrounding communities. The company’s portfolio of more than 2,100 rooms in South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee includes hotels within Hilton, Marriott, Intercontinental, Best Western, Choice, Carlson Hotels Worldwide and Wyndham Worldwide franchises.