The boutique hotel industry is a rapidly evolving space where creativity meets hospitality to provide guests with more than just a place to stay. For those passionate about this niche market, the upcoming Boutique Hotel Owners Conference on September 16 and 17 in Los Angeles offers a unique opportunity to gain insights, network with industry leaders and discover new strategies for success. To give you a taste of what to expect, we spoke with Kimberly Walker, Creative Director of Nomada Hotel Group and moderator of this year’s conference. Her journey and insights make a compelling case for why this event is not to be missed.
A journey full of creativity
Kimberly Walker’s path into boutique hospitality is as unique as the properties she manages. It all began 15 years ago when she opened the Granada Bistro in downtown San Luis Obispo. What began as a small culinary venture quickly grew into something much bigger. “The planned demolition and remodeling of the 1920s building fell through and four of us bought the building – and that’s how the Granada Hotel & Bistro was born,” she recalls. Ten years later, the Nomada Hotel Group now has five hotels, each with its own unique charm.
For Walker, the role of creative director is crucial to maintaining the individuality of each property while ensuring they all fit the Nomada brand. “We view Nomada as a creative endeavor for travelers, so it was really important for us to have clarity on this role with our operations teams – just as we do with finance, legal and OPS,” she explains. This balance between creativity and operational efficiency is a topic she hopes to explore further at the conference.
Navigating today’s boutique hotel landscape
In today’s competitive market, boutique hotels face unique challenges, the biggest of which is hiring and retaining the right talent. Hire and retain the right people for the brand’s goals
is one of the biggest hurdles Walker identifies. It’s a challenge that requires a thoughtful approach, and she believes it will be a key topic of discussion at the conference.
Maintaining a property’s unique identity while aligning it with a brand’s overall vision is another area where Walker excels. We have key “Nomada” identifiers that we run through all properties. Otherwise, development is guided by the history, architecture and local environment of the property.
she says. This method allows each hotel to tell its own story while contributing to the larger story of the Nomada brand.
The power of community and creativity
Nomada’s success is built on a strong sense of community and guest loyalty fostered by genuine engagement. At a time when automation and contactless services are on the rise, Walker stresses the importance of maintaining a personal touch. We place great importance on engaging with our guests through various communication channels and incorporating their perspectives into our daily and weekly operations meetings.
She explains: Other boutique hotel owners can learn from this focus on the guest experience and implement it in their own hotels.
Another important aspect of Walker’s role is balancing creative freedom with financial and operational demands. She believes that creativity and tight budgets can coexist harmoniously. As a designer, it is a great advantage to be part of the ongoing operations, because sometimes ideas that are right from a design perspective do not translate well to daily operations.
she states. This mix of creativity and practicality will surely appeal to many conference participants.
Why you should participate
Anyone considering attending the Boutique Hotel Owners Conference will be infected by Walker’s enthusiasm. This is my first time here and I’m looking forward to everything, especially the sessions.
“, she says. The sessions she is looking forward to include discussions on Aesthetic intelligence, Longevity in boutique hotelsand the construction of a Members Club– Topics that promise valuable insights for boutique hotel owners.
Walker also sees the conference as an excellent opportunity to network and gain industry insights. It is always a good investment of time to be in a room with others in the industry and listen to their experiences and expertise.
she claims. The opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and learn from their successes and challenges makes this event very special.
Final thoughts
Kimberly Walker’s journey with Nomada Hotel Group exemplifies the creativity, passion and strategic thinking required to succeed in the boutique hotel industry. Her insights provide an exciting preview of what attendees can expect at the Boutique Hotel Owners Conference. Whether you’re looking to refine your brand’s identity, overcome operational challenges or simply connect with other industry leaders, this conference is an opportunity not to be missed. Register today and join Walker and many other industry experts in shaping the future of boutique hospitality.
About BLLA
The official organization for the world’s independent boutique lifestyle hotels and leaders who are entrepreneurs themselves, fostering capital, resources, connections, education and advocacy. A pioneer in predicting the boutique movement, BLLA’s boutique community currently includes more than 10,000 vetted boutique and lifestyle hotels. BLLA is a catalyst for trends and the future of boutique lifestyle, exactly what today’s traveler is embracing. BLLA.org / Stay-Boutique.com. BLLA is also a capital/affiliate matchmaker through its Boutique Money Group division.
The company manifesto is: Experience the intention behind the brand.
Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA)
BLLA
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