The Trevor Project Partnership continues Kimpton’s longtime support of the LGBT community
SAN FRANCISCO, April 30, 2014 — A longtime supporter of the LGBT community, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is proud to announce a new partnership with The Trevor Project, a leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth ages 13-24. Kimpton is the first national hotel sponsor for The Trevor Project.
Since Kimpton’s inception, the company has been deeply committed to an overall philosophy of inclusion and diversity that celebrates the unique differences of guests and employees. Continuing a legacy of employee-driven philanthropy, Kimpton’s engagement with The Trevor Project originated in 2013 through employees who have a passion for Trevor’s commitment to saving lives of LGBT youth in crisis, and the organization’s message of empowerment, pride, bravery and acceptance. It became clear when the relationship kicked off in January 2013 as a pilot partnership that the two organizations are strongly aligned on culture, beliefs and goals. This year, Kimpton will evolve its commitment to include a mix of marketing, social media, events and employee volunteer opportunities that will help The Trevor Project expand into new markets and raise funds to support its mission.
“One of the many reasons guests and employees love Kimpton is our philosophy of inclusiveness and the belief that everyone deserves to be appreciated for who they are,” said Kimpton Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations Barry Pollard, who has supported The Trevor Project personally and is currently an active member on Kimpton’s internal LGBT committee. “Our organizations share similar values. We both believe that inclusivity and diversity of thought, beliefs, backgrounds, gender and sexual orientation make our communities stronger. The Trevor Project provides a serious and much-needed service to the LGBT community and we’re honored to help the organization support this mission and raise awareness for this important issue.”
“The LGBT youth who turn to The Trevor Project for support often lack a sense of acceptance, just because of who they are. That is why engaging with organizations like Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, where diversity and acceptance are valued, is important,” said Abbe Land, Executive Director and CEO of The Trevor Project. “The Trevor Project is proud to partner with Kimpton.”
As part of the partnership, Kimpton will become the presenting sponsor of The Trevor Project’s Ambassador program. Trevor Ambassadors are volunteer groups in major U.S. cities that work to expand Trevor’s programs, communications and fundraising efforts, helping to ensure LGBT youth have the support they need locally when faced with a suicide crisis. Additionally, Kimpton’s active LGBT Employee Resource group, KPRIDE, which coordinates LGBT activities across the company, will work with existing Trevor Ambassadors at the local level to help with community outreach and regional fundraising events. Markets where Kimpton has a significant hotel and restaurant presence that are also locations for Trevor Ambassadors include Chicago, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
Kimpton also will work closely with the organization on TrevorLIVE, a semi-annual fundraising event that brings together top entertainers and corporate leaders to support The Trevor Project’s life-saving, life-affirming work for LGBT youth in crisis. As part of this partnership, Kimpton hosted the TrevorLIVE kick-off party on April 23 at the Eventi, a Kimpton Hotel, in NYC where more than 200 guests celebrated and posted #lovethyselfie photos in support of LGBT youth.
Kimpton’s guests can also become involved and help support The Trevor Project by using a designated rate code when booking their rooms directly through Kimpton. By entering in the code “TRPR” when booking, guests will receive 10 percent off of their total room cost and Kimpton will donate $5 for every room reserved using this code.
Over the last 33 years, Kimpton has developed strong working relationships with pro-LGBT groups such as the Mautner Project, National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, The National Center for Lesbian Rights, The Transgender Law Center and The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. All Kimpton hotels are members of IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association), and TAG approved, a certification that assures gay-friendly hotel practices. Since 2004, Kimpton has also maintained a perfect rating on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index.
To learn more about Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and its LGBT initiatives, please visit www.KimptonHotels.com/lgbt, www.KimptonHotels.com, www.LifeisSuite.com, www.Facebook.com/Kimpton or www.Twitter.com/Kimpton.
ABOUT KIMPTON HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is the leading collection of boutique hotels and restaurants in the United States and the acknowledged industry pioneer that first introduced the boutique hotel concept to America. In 1981, Bill Kimpton founded the company that today is renowned for making travelers feel genuinely cared for while away from home through thoughtful perks and amenities, distinctive design that tells a story and inspires a sense of fun at each hotel and a sincerely personal style of guest service. Out to help people live full, balanced lives, Kimpton aims to inspire with touches like yoga mats in every room, complimentary coffee and tea to start the day, hosted evening Wine Hour, in-room fitness programming and complimentary bike rentals. The award-winning restaurants and bars are led by talented chefs and bartenders that offer guests a chance to dine like a local. Kimpton also leads the hospitality industry in eco-friendly practices that span all hotels and restaurants, and is consistently ranked as one of the top companies in the Market Metrix Hospitality Index, Upper Upscale Segment, for Customer Satisfaction. The company is highly-regarded for its innovative employee culture and benefits and has been named a Fortune magazine “Best Place to Work” four times since 2009. Kimpton is continuously growing and currently operates 60 hotels and nearly 70 restaurants, bars and lounges in 26 cities. For more information, visit www.KimptonHotels.com and www.KimptonRestaurants.com.
ABOUT THE TREVOR PROJECT
Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its accredited, free and confidential phone, instant message and text messaging crisis intervention services. A leader and innovator in suicide prevention, The Trevor Project offers the largest safe social networking community for LGBTQ youth, best practice suicide prevention trainings, resources for youth and adults, and advocacy initiatives. Learn more at TheTrevorProject.org.
