Michael Smith has been a part of the hospitality and tourism industry for over four decades as an executive while demonstrating effective leadership through his performance. He is an excellent communicator who is good at team building and has implemented many business and corporate strategies. Michael has also actively supported various social, cultural and educational initiatives.
Michael Smith was featured in an article published by Hotel & Motel Management, titled ‘In harm’s way’, where the article talks in detail about how Michael dealt with the crisis during Hurricane Katrina through his leadership and management skills over a span of 13 days.
Here are a few excerpts from the article:
“He was about to implement a Hyatt strategy that he began to learn 27 years ago when he started busing tables for the company while going to college.”
“Smith and his team of employees began the two-hour vertical evacuation of guests at 10 p.m. on Sunday, Aug.28. He had 3,800 people in three meeting space areas that totaled about 62,000 square feet.”
“Together with the fire department, the hotel staff spent 90 minutes evacuating 38 people down the stairwells. Smith said he never let those people forget how lucky they were to be rescued.”
“Despite having many law-enforcement officials in the hotel, Smith and Banks took a stand: They refused to allow a plan to evacuate the first 25,000 people in the Superdome through their hotel until there was more security.”
“Smith said that following Hyatt’s emergency procedures, being prepared and being organized were his saving graces. But there were some moments that Smith needed support, and he got that from his wife, Yolanda, who was back at the couple’s home in Charlottesville, Va.”
You can read the original article here.
