USA
 

Kimpton Hotels Is First 'Hospitality' Company with HRC Perfect Score

GLBT-Specific Ad Campaign and 100% on Corporate Equality Index Position Kimpton as Travel Industry Leader
 

SAN FRANCISCO - Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants today announced their perfect score of 100% on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. This makes Kimpton Hotels the only hospitality company to achieve this prestigious honour from the 56 companies achieving the "perfect score".

The HRC Corporate Equality Index is a systematic review of how America's largest companies treat their lesbian gay, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors. (see also HRC Reveals ‘Best and Worst’ Companies for Gay Employees)

"Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants is proud of our perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, and we are even more proud to be the only hotel company to rise to the top," said Niki Leondakis, Chief Operationg Officer at Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants.

"When Bill Kimpton founded our company in 1981, he did so with the intention of creating a warm and welcoming environment for all our staff and guests - twenty-three years later, we continue to deliver that promise as our company grows across the U.S. and Canada.

"Our 100% score is a testament to our strong family culture at Kimpton, and we salute the Human Rights Campaign for raising the bar so that all employers understand the importance of treating everyone fairly," she added.

Andrew Freeman, the company's Vice President of Public Relations and Strategic Partnerships commented:  "As an openly gay man I know first hand what a difference it makes to work for a company with policies that respect and support all employees.

"We recognize there are a number of other hospitality companies who are seeking the business of GLBT consumers. This is why we're even more proud to be the only hotel company to achieve a perfect score of 100%. Beyond our custom marketing and advertising campaigns within the GLBT community is a solid foundation of GLBT-friendly policies and culture of acceptance. We strongly feel this is one of many reasons Kimpton Hotels is distinguished from our competitors," he said.

"We're proud to announce Kimpton Hotels as one of 56 companies to achieve a perfect score on the Corporate Equality Index," said Cheryl Jacques, Human Rights Campaign President. "Kimpton Hotels clearly is a leader when it comes to the equal treatment of its gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees and customers. The largest, most successful companies understand that it pays to treat their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees with respect."

The announcement of Kimpton's 100% follows a recently launched GLBT-specific marketing and advertising campaign called "Business FUNction" geared to GLBT consumers, specifically business travelers. Stylish ads featuring GLBT couples and a unique loyalty rate have been running in GLBT publications such as Out Traveler, Out & About and Genre. Earlier in the year Kimpton developed unique GLBT Honeymoon and Pride Packages tailored to each Kimpton hotel and region. For more information on Kimpton's GLBT initiatives visit www.kimptonhotels.com/glbt.

See also:

Full report by HRC (Adobe Acrobat required) - This contains the links to reports from 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Human Rights Campaign website
Kimpton Hotels website

28 September, 2004