Shatterproof Honors Mark Hoplamazian, President And CEO Of Hyatt

Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the U.S., will host its seventh annual Hospitality Heroes Reception at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) on January 23, 2024, from 6:30 - 7:45 p.m. at the J.W. Marriott in Los Angeles.

The reception will honor Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, who has been integral in uniting hospitality leaders to raise awareness and shatter the stigma surrounding addiction. The event will raise vital funds to support Shatterproof’s efforts to transform how addiction is treated in America. Hoplamazian and Hyatt have been longtime supporters of Shatterproof and its mission to end the addiction crisis. Most recently, Hyatt was the Exclusive Presenting Sponsor for Shatterproof’s annual walk in Chicago, where Hyatt is headquartered.

In 2023, Hyatt and more than 60 hospitality companies joined together to sponsor the event in support of Shatterproof’s mission and its founder and CEO, Gary Mendell, a former hotelier who served as the chairman of HEI Hotels & Resorts. The event raised more than $2 million to drive solutions to addiction and this public health crisis in the U.S.

The involvement of Hyatt will be critical to creating scalable solutions to help families recover from addiction. Studies have shown the hospitality industry is impacted by substance use disorders at two times the rate of other industries, which makes Shatterproof’s mission particularly relevant to Hoplamazian and Hyatt’s purpose – to care for people so they can be their best.

I am so pleased to honor Mark Hoplamazian this year. I could not be more grateful for his commitment to end the devastation caused by the disease of addiction and save more lives,” said Mendell. “His leadership is making a profound impact toward reducing the stigma of addiction and bringing much-needed changes that will lower the high rates of addiction within the hospitality industry. Having Hyatt as a leader in supporting this cause will bring change, and we hope it will encourage other companies to join forces with us.  Shatterproof founder and CEO, Gary Mendell

Mendell founded Shatterproof ten years ago after losing his son to the stigma of addiction. His goal was to ensure that other families didn’t have to experience the same pain and heartbreak he went through. Since its founding, more than 100 hotel companies and 500 employees have raised more than $5 million to help advance Shatterproof’s mission.

I am humbled and honored to receive the Shatterproof Hospitality Hero Award and recognize the tremendous opportunity for the hospitality industry to bring awareness to such an important cause. True to our purpose of care, Hyatt is proud to support this work, especially in consideration of how significantly the hospitality industry at large is impacted by substance use disorders. Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO, Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Tickets to ALIS and sponsorships are available at: www.shatterproofalis.org

The 2024 Shatterproof Hospitality Heroes Committee includes Robert Alter, Geoff Ballotti, Mike Barnello, James Burba, Patrick Campbell, Thomas Corcoran, Ted Darnall, Joel Eisemann, Clark Hanrattie, Tim Hodes, Merrick Kleeman, Dan Lesser, Gary Mendell, Chris Nassetta, Bill Reynolds, Anthony Rutledge, Stacy Silver, Paul Whetsell, and Mark Woodworth.

About Shatterproof

Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the course of the addiction crisis in America. Shatterproof is focused on ensuring treatment in America is based upon proven research and ending the stigma of addiction. The organization advocates for changes to federal and state policy, payer reform, treatment quality assessment, and provides public education through family and workplace programs.

About Gary Mendell

Gary Mendell is the founder and CEO of Shatterproof. He founded Shatterproof to spare others the tragedy his family suffered with the loss of his son Brian to addiction in 2011. He is a frequent speaker on how our society can end the stigma unjustly associated with addiction, has been honored numerous times for his leadership related to reversing opioid epidemic, testified in front of the President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis and is a frequent commentator in the media. Mr. Mendell also serves on the Executive Advisory Board of the University of Pennsylvania's Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (LDI). He is an experienced businessman and CEO who founded HEI Hotels & Resorts and is the former president of Starwood Lodging Trust.