“I am honored to receive this award, but more importantly, to help raise critical support for Shatterproof and the transformational work they are doing,” Hite said. “STR is proud to collaborate with Shatterproof as they lead the way in advocating for people with substance use disorder, their families and the communities this disease impacts.”
STR, a CoStar Group firm, tracks hotel performance metrics and helps industry leaders analyze market trends.
After the reception, Hite joined industry leaders, including Geoff Ballotti, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' president and CEO; Paul Daly, Hyatt Hotels Corp.'s global head of franchise and owner relations; Julienne Smith, IHG Hotels & Resorts' chief development officer; and Gary Mendell, Shatterproof's founder and CEO, for a panel on next steps for the industry.
Hite announced an annual partnership with Shatterproof, Ballotti named Shatterproof a featured charity at the 2025 Wyndham Global Conference, Daly reaffirmed Hyatt’s commitment to a safe environment for those recovering from addiction and Smith announced the rollout of Shatterproof’s Just Five educational platform later this year. Smith closed the panel with a personal donation.
Mendell, former HEI Hotels & Resorts chairman and co-founder, lost his son Brian to addiction in 2011 and said he is inspired by the hospitality industry's support.
“Substance use disorder is a largely preventable disease, and it is through the generous support and awareness efforts of the hospitality industry that we will be able to reduce stigma and increase the number of policy changes and treatment resources to end this crisis,” he said. “They are the first industry that has really moved the needle as an industry with regard to Shatterproof. Each year, they get more involved and are going beyond sponsoring the event—they are working to educate and provide resources to their employees, customers, and communities.”
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, restaurant and hotel employees have the highest substance use rates in the U.S. workforce. Substance use disorders impact not just employees and their families but also cost businesses billions annually in healthcare, absenteeism, and lost productivity.
Since 2016, the hospitality industry has raised more than $9.6 million for Shatterproof at ALIS events, the statement said. This year, top hospitality brands pledged to adopt Shatterproof’s Just Five employee education program. Industry partners also support Shatterproof’s Walks to End Addiction Stigma, the nation’s largest event series for substance use disorder.
The 2025 Shatterproof Hospitality Heroes Committee includes:
- James Burba and Jeff Higley, Burba Hotel Network
- Paul Whetsell, CapStar Hotel Company's chairman
- Clark Hanrattie, Anthony Rutledge, and Greg Mendell, HEI Hotels & Resorts' managing directors
- Chris Nassetta, Hilton's president and CEO
- Dan Lesser, LW Hospitality Advisors' president and CEO
- Bill Reynolds, Marcus Hotels' president
- Joel Eisemann, Noble Investment Group's chief investment officer
- Mark Woodworth, Woodworth Core Group's principal
- Robert Alter, Seaview Investors' president
- Stacy Silver, Silver Hospitality Group's president
- Gary Mendell, Shatterproof's founder and CEO
- Thomas Corcoran, TCOR Hotel Partners' founder
- Patrick Campbell, Tim Hodes, and Merrick Kleeman, Wheelock Street Capital's managing partners
- Geoff Ballotti, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' president and CEO
Last year, Shatterproof honored Hyatt's Hoplamazian at its seventh Hospitality Heroes Reception during ALIS in Los Angeles.
