Black Meetings & Tourism - DEREK DOUGLASS DREW HAS BEEN APPOINTED AREA HOTEL MANAGER ACROSS MULTIPLE HYATT HOTELS IN MEMPHIS

Industry Briefs
DEREK DOUGLASS DREW HAS BEEN APPOINTED AREA HOTEL MANAGER ACROSS MULTIPLE HYATT HOTELS IN MEMPHIS
Derek Douglass Drew has been named as the area hotel manager for the soon to debut Caption by Hyatt Beale Street Memphis and the neighboring Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis , bringing more than 22 years of progressive hospitality experience to the position. The appointment comes as Hyatt prepares to debut its new Caption by Hyatt brand with this opening on June 22nd. Derek's hospitality career began in Arizona, where after graduating from the University of Illinois, he moved and took on various assistant managerial positions at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale. He then joined the Hyatt Regency Reston, where he was awarded Manager of the Quarter for two consecutive years while managing the newly renovated events and convention spaces. He moved on to become the property's assistant director of operations, earning the Manager of the Year award in 2018. In 2020, he headed to the west coast, where he demonstrated exemplary leadership while directing operations and leading the team through the pandemic at the 1,628-room Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. In 2020, he also helped open the first North America-based Alila Hotels & Resorts property in Big Sur before returning to his roots at Virginia's Hyatt Regency Reston. "Derek is no stranger to Hyatt, to opening hotels or to introducing a new brand - which checks all of the boxes for us here in Memphis," said Sarah Titus, area general manager. "He has considerable experience through all aspects of hospitality and his strong background will help in delivering outstanding southern hospitality at the inaugural Caption by Hyatt and the award-winning Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis." As the new area hotel manager for the two properties, Derek will oversee daily operations to create seamless guest experiences. Tasked with leading the hospitality and operations teams, Derek will help in curating a purpose-driven and immersive community for the modern traveler. "I get to move to an amazing new city, help launch a new brand, collaborate with an incredible team and work in one of the most exciting entertainment districts in the nation," said Derek Douglass Drew. "To say I'm excited is an understatement. I will be working hard to bring our guests the kind of hotel experience that only Beale Street can offer - one that lives in the hearts of travelers along with the legendary stories born here." About Caption by Hyatt Beale Street Memphis Located in the heart of the Home of the Blues, Caption by Hyatt Beale Street Memphis will be the newest hotel in the Beale Street Entertainment District, serving as a local hub for travelers to experience one of America's most famous streets the way Memphians do. Designed to be truly of the community-not just in it-the property will seamlessly integrate into the South Main Arts District with a neighborhood entry, unpretentious comforts and thoughtful use of design and upcycled materials. Centered around Talk Shop, a space to eat, drink, hang, work or chill and focused on highlighting Memphian small businesses, Caption by Hyatt Beale Street Memphis will blend work with play and casual with intentional. The hotel is integrated into the historic main building of Wm. C Ellis & Sons Ironworks and Machine Shop, one of the earliest and longest-running businesses in the city and will be enhanced with a new 136-guestroom tower offering spectacular views of the Mississippi River and Memphis skyline. http://captionbyhyattmemphis.com/ ABOUT HYATT CENTRIC BEALE STREET MEMPHIS Located in the heart of the Home of the Blues, Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis is the only hotel with a Beale Street address, serving as a launchpad for savvy travelers seeking to explore the culture and nightlife that fills one of America's most famous streets. Opened April 2021, the 227-room, full-service hotel boasts unparalleled views of the city and Mississippi River with upscale features including an expansive pool deck, private cabanas, and a modern lobby lounge serving well-crafted cocktails. The hotel is also home to Beck & Call, the city's premier riverfront rooftop bar. Rounding out the hotel's offerings, the property is home to CIMAS, a Latin-American inspired eatery with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the "M Bridge" and decor touches influenced by the area's love for music. Promising shareworthy experiences, the hotel includes approximately 9,000 sq. ft. of unique meeting space created through the conversion of the historic William C. Ellis and Sons Ironworks and Machine Shop, originally constructed in 1879. Follow Hyatt Centric Beale Street on Instagram and Facebook at @HyattCentricBealeStreet. www.hyattcentricbealestreetmemphis.com

Industry Briefs

DEREK DOUGLASS DREW HAS BEEN APPOINTED AREA HOTEL MANAGER ACROSS MULTIPLE HYATT HOTELS IN MEMPHIS

Derek Douglass Drew has been named as the area hotel manager for the soon to debut Caption by Hyatt Beale Street Memphis and the neighboring Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis , bringing more than 22 years of progressive hospitality experience to the position. The appointment comes as Hyatt prepares to debut its new Caption by Hyatt brand with this opening on June 22nd.

Derek's hospitality career began in Arizona, where after graduating from the University of Illinois, he moved and took on various assistant managerial positions at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale. He then joined the Hyatt Regency Reston, where he was awarded Manager of the Quarter for two consecutive years while managing the newly renovated events and convention spaces. He moved on to become the property's assistant director of operations, earning the Manager of the Year award in 2018.

In 2020, he headed to the west coast, where he demonstrated exemplary leadership while directing operations and leading the team through the pandemic at the 1,628-room Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. In 2020, he also helped open the first North America-based Alila Hotels & Resorts property in Big Sur before returning to his roots at Virginia's Hyatt Regency Reston.

"Derek is no stranger to Hyatt, to opening hotels or to introducing a new brand - which checks all of the boxes for us here in Memphis," said Sarah Titus, area general manager. "He has considerable experience through all aspects of hospitality and his strong background will help in delivering outstanding southern hospitality at the inaugural Caption by Hyatt and the award-winning Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis."

As the new area hotel manager for the two properties, Derek will oversee daily operations to create seamless guest experiences. Tasked with leading the hospitality and operations teams, Derek will help in curating a purpose-driven and immersive community for the modern traveler.

"I get to move to an amazing new city, help launch a new brand, collaborate with an incredible team and work in one of the most exciting entertainment districts in the nation," said Derek Douglass Drew. "To say I'm excited is an understatement. I will be working hard to bring our guests the kind of hotel experience that only Beale Street can offer - one that lives in the hearts of travelers along with the legendary stories born here."

About Caption by Hyatt Beale Street Memphis

Located in the heart of the Home of the Blues, Caption by Hyatt Beale Street Memphis will be the newest hotel in the Beale Street Entertainment District, serving as a local hub for travelers to experience one of America's most famous streets the way Memphians do. Designed to be truly of the community-not just in it-the property will seamlessly integrate into the South Main Arts District with a neighborhood entry, unpretentious comforts and thoughtful use of design and upcycled materials. Centered around Talk Shop, a space to eat, drink, hang, work or chill and focused on highlighting Memphian small businesses, Caption by Hyatt Beale Street Memphis will blend work with play and casual with intentional. The hotel is integrated into the historic main building of Wm. C Ellis & Sons Ironworks and Machine Shop, one of the earliest and longest-running businesses in the city and will be enhanced with a new 136-guestroom tower offering spectacular views of the Mississippi River and Memphis skyline. http://captionbyhyattmemphis.com/

ABOUT HYATT CENTRIC BEALE STREET MEMPHIS

Located in the heart of the Home of the Blues, Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis is the only hotel with a Beale Street address, serving as a launchpad for savvy travelers seeking to explore the culture and nightlife that fills one of America's most famous streets. Opened April 2021, the 227-room, full-service hotel boasts unparalleled views of the city and Mississippi River with upscale features including an expansive pool deck, private cabanas, and a modern lobby lounge serving well-crafted cocktails. The hotel is also home to Beck & Call, the city's premier riverfront rooftop bar. Rounding out the hotel's offerings, the property is home to CIMAS, a Latin-American inspired eatery with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the "M Bridge" and decor touches influenced by the area's love for music. Promising shareworthy experiences, the hotel includes approximately 9,000 sq. ft. of unique meeting space created through the conversion of the historic William C. Ellis and Sons Ironworks and Machine Shop, originally constructed in 1879. Follow Hyatt Centric Beale Street on Instagram and Facebook at @HyattCentricBealeStreet. www.hyattcentricbealestreetmemphis.com