A Conversation with HSM's Senior Manager of Strategic Accounts
To be competitive in today's modern travel industry, hospitality companies must be working towards diversity, inclusion and authenticity. With a wealth of experience in the hospitality sector, Lissette Landestoy brings a unique set of skills to HSM and its industry-leading focus on supplier diversity. Her strength in international supply management is built on years of success in numerous areas, including negotiation, F&B, capital projects, hotel opening and conversions, budgeting and hospitality management. At HSM, Landestoy is currently leveraging her talents to support operations in the Caribbean, Central America and South America.
Why is supporting Hispanic-owned businesses an important part of HSM's Supplier Diversity Program?
HSM's Supplier Diversity Program began a decade ago, and since then we have cultivated relationships with a number of enterprises that in the past may have been overlooked. This includes 4,900 women-, minority-, veteran-, LGBTQ-, disabled- and disadvantaged small businesses. We realize that while we've made great strides, with our supplier spend with these types of businesses reaching over $327 million, we still have farther to go. Supporting Hispanic-owned businesses is an important part of HSM's commitment to doubling our sourcing from diverse suppliers by 2030.
Why does supplier diversity matter?
Well, on one hand, it's just good business. When you consider a larger pool of suppliers, the bar gets raised across the board. Inclusion promotes innovation, drives competition and increases choice. And on the other hand, from a hospitality standpoint, supplier diversity can improve the travel experience. No one wants to travel halfway across the world and encounter the same exact types of products and services they did at home. To create authentic cultural experiences, we must seek out and support products and suppliers that are regionally representative.
How are you making this happen at HSM?
My primary focus is in providing support systems for the products and services supplied to our Hilton hotels in the Caribbean and Central and South America. Ensuring that these suppliers are identified, included and empowered helps us create a distinguished Hilton experience that is unique in the marketplace.
Do you have any advice for Hispanic suppliers wanting to partner with Hilton?
Suppliers interested in partnering with Hilton should have potential to present their uniqueness, quality and infrastructure to support the hotels in their region. It should also be evident when introducing their company's portfolio and capabilities that they have a diverse foundation at their organizations. Hilton is looking for its suppliers to be authentically diverse in order to be truly representative of the regions in which our properties are located. Ultimately, my advice is to be you and be proud of it!
Lissette Landestoy
Sr. Manager, Strategic Accounts - Caribbean, Central & South America
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