Name: Emily Snyder
Title: Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Company, city: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group; New York City, N.Y.
Number of employees: 13,000 worldwide
Recent project: Opening properties in Shanghai and Paris, and taking over the Rosewood in Atlanta
First job: Selling Girl Scout cookies door to door
Little-known fact about you: I met and kissed Bruce Springsteen in 1980.
Your Business
Essential business philosophy: Encourage open, collaborative communication. Listen, listen, listen, and then listen some more.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Stay informed by reading widely, maintain close relationships with clients, understand how their businesses intersect with yours, and mentor younger colleagues.
Yardstick of success: Mandarin Oriental’s hallmark is the legendary service delivered by our dedicated colleagues. We prioritize personalized attention for every guest, every day, and we value the sincerity of the people who deliver that service. Colleagues are encouraged to know our guests and to anticipate their needs in order to surprise and delight them. Passion, enthusiasm and attention to detail are essential so guests feel genuinely cared for. Our company culture inspires team members to provide the extra level of service that makes a stay exceptional.
Emily Snyder as a Traveler
What is the most important item you take when traveling? Earplugs.
How do you spend your time on board? Reading and thinking, while trying to resist the cookies.
What is your favorite restaurant in the world? Two favorites: Benoit in Paris for Sunday lunch, and Mandarin Grill + Bar at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, for the Dover sole.
What is your favorite destination in the world? Manhattan Beach, California, to visit my brother and his family.
About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Mandarin Oriental seems focused on introducing new, upscale dining concepts at various properties. Can you tell our readers a bit more about this?
Cuisine is a core focus for the brand. Nearly half of our hotels — 11 in total — hold Michelin stars, and across those properties Mandarin Oriental has 16 Michelin stars, more than any other hotel group. Our Hong Kong hotel holds the most stars, and our Las Vegas property is also known for exceptional dining. Elevating culinary experiences continues to be a priority across the portfolio.
What are the most unique and attractive amenities across the brand to entice luxury business travelers?
Business travelers can create an online profile to capture preferences—small details like a humidifier or green tea in the room are automatically arranged when noted. We also offer spa treatments designed specifically for corporate guests. Our five-star spas around the world incorporate local practices and ingredients—for example, Atlanta features peach-based treatments. Physical fitness is another focus: we invest more per square foot in fitness facilities than many other hotel groups.
What’s coming in the next year for Mandarin Oriental?
We recently integrated TripAdvisor functionality into the Mandarin Oriental website so travelers can view real-time reviews while booking. In 2015 we will welcome new properties in Milan and Beijing, with continued emphasis on expansion in China.