Mereté Hotel Management Offers Support to Fire Evacuees
The company and its hotels partnered with the Eugene Emeralds, Bloodworks Northwest, and other local organizations to support fire evacuees throughout Oregon, including Mereté employees
(Springfield, OR) Mereté Hotel Management continues to offer support to its associates and the communities where it operates hotels during the ongoing wildfire crisis in Oregon. In the Eugene/Springfield area, Mereté worked with the Eugene Emeralds, the Hope Project, and Kendall Auto Group to provide lunch to evacuees staying at the Holiday Inn Express Eugene/Springfield and the Courtyard by Marriott Eugene/Springfield. The organizations also worked together to set up a donation center in the Holiday Inn Express’ conference center, providing toys, food, clothing, pet supplies, and other necessities to anyone affected by the wildfires. Efforts continued over the weekend, with the hotel working with the Em’s and Erin’s Table to provide dinner to evacuees.
The Holiday Inn Express Eugene/Springfield offered complimentary meeting space for Urban Search and Rescue. Additional activities include a Princess and Superhero Pizza Night, working with local massage therapists and acupuncturists to offer complimentary stress relief activities each day, and securing PTSD training dogs to offer relief to those affected. Mereté has partnered with Lane Bloodworks to establish a blood donation center in the hotel’s large event space. This was planned to end in August but was extended until end of October. Donors must wear a face covering (not provided by pop up location) and appointments to donate must be made online. There is an especially high need for Type O Negative blood; however, donations from individuals with all blood types are needed.
At the Residence Inn by Marriott Eugene, an anonymous hotel guest donated $2,000 to help pay for the accommodations at the hotel for evacuees. Hotel staff has also been working with local donation centers to secure clothing, toys, and other necessities for evacuees staying at the hotel. One family with small children lost their house and several animals to the fires, so the staff bought the children a stuffed sheep and stuffed bunny to offer comfort Similarly, the staff at the Hyatt Place Eugene at Oakway Center helped secure clothes, baby supplies, gift cards, and other items for guests affected by the fires.
“Mereté has had a longstanding commitment to the community, one of our company pillars is we are community which means we help each other internally and support the communities in which our hotels operate. We are amazed by the outpouring of support from the local community during this difficult time,” said Liz Dahlager, Vice President of Market Intelligence for Mereté Hotel Management.
We are amazed by the outpouring of support from the local community during this difficult time.
In Medford, all five hotels managed by Mereté were evacuated at different times. Evacuation orders for the hotels were lifted within hours of the orders and all hotels are fully operational. The emotional toll on the hotel associates has been tremendous, and Mereté offers an Employee Assistance Program that includes access to mental health counseling and other resources to help during this ongoing crisis. The company is also offering complimentary lodging accommodations to any associate displaced by the fires. Mereté has worked with the national Red Cross and Intercontinental Hotel Group to offer accommodations and assistance as needed.
Mereté associates have even contributed directly to the front-line firefighting efforts. A manager with previous experience and training as a nurse is a certified E.M.T. After working full time at the hotels, the associate volunteered as an E.M.T. for the firefighters working the Beachie Creek fire. Mereté is deeply grateful for our associates, guests, and community partners who continue to offer support to those impacted by the ongoing wildfires across the state.
About: Mereté Hotel Management is an award-winning hotel management and consulting company based in the Northwest, with hotels located throughout Oregon and Washington. Mereté, in conjunction with Sycan B Development, is as a trusted investment partner offering hotel owners and those looking to diversify their investments a strategic hotel operating partner. Mereté operates award-winning brand franchises for Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, InterContinental Hotels Group, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, and Choice Hotels International. For additional information regarding Mereté Hotel Management services, please contact Liz Dahlager, Vice President of Market Intelligence, at (541) 746-8444.
