Michael Smith, General Manager of the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, has used his position to make a difference in the Crescent City, a famously accepting metropolis for the LGBTQ traveler. Smith is invested in being a true difference maker and he is committed to the greater responsibility of advancing the community.

Smith has championed an array of causes to support sustainability, civil rights, diversity and education, including the award-winning restoration of the Bloch Cancer Survivor Plaza; NOLA for Life, a strategic effort led by the city of New Orleans that provides mentorship, housing, employment and reentry for young African-American males with the critical objective of reducing and preventing violent crime in the area.

Most recently he has turned his focus to LGBTQ guests and the Human Rights Campaign. We spoke with him to find out more about his—and his property’s—efforts.

TP: New Orleans is one of the most popular destinations for queer travelers. How important is reaching this demographic to the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, and why?

MS: As a hotel, it’s critical to reach a diverse group of travelers and be inclusive of all those looking to enjoy a city or property. The LGBTQ community has one of the highest, if not the highest, spend per guest than any other segmentation and it would be detrimental to exclude such an important segment. We are hospitality professionals and it is our duty and desire to be hospitable to all. Our HyPride diverse business resource group (DRBG) is very active within the community demonstrating several examples to illustrate our commitment.

TP: How do you make your property stand out to the LGBTQ traveler in a city with a multitude of hotel options, large and small?

MS: We like to partner with both local and national organizations who serve the greater purpose of diversity, inclusion and human rights. These partnerships turn to long-term relationships and begin to transcend that of a typical hotel. Good word travels fast and I believe the LGBTQ community is fully aware of our everlasting support.

TP: Can you talk a little about HyPride—what it is and what it means specifically to your hotel?

MS: HyPride is a diverse business resource group (DBRG) within the Hyatt Corporation. At Hyatt Regency New Orleans, we have a total of five DBRGs, including HyPride, which is an organization in which all associates are invited to participate in support of the LGBTQ community. Having this group be an integral part of Hyatt Regency New Orleans illustrates how serious we are about promoting diversity and acceptance. It allows us to be the hotel of choice for careers, performance and economic development. More importantly, it gives a segment of our workforce a sense of “HyPride.”

TP: How did you first get involved with the HRC chapter, and what led to your underwriting the organization's gala the last couple of years?

MS: I took draw off of the HRC Gala Dinner in 2001 while serving as general manager in Washington D.C. I’ve always bought a table [at their gala dinner] and attended the event with my LGBTQ staff. When I saw attendance slipping here in New Orleans, I thought I could help HRC Louisiana by bringing in corporate America as additional allies. I made a commitment the first and the second year, their 25th Anniversary, to show my associates the importance of practicing what you preach.

TP: How do you approach staff sensitivity training with respect to hosting these types of LGBTQ events, not to mention interacting with the everyday queer traveler staying at the Hyatt Regency?

MS: It is necessary for our associates to have the proper training in order to understand, value and appreciate the culture of diversity. Through acts of kindness and recognition, I want to ensure proper communication on the importance of equal treatment—both horizontally and vertically. Whether this includes e adding gender-neutral restrooms to a groups’ meeting or integrating LGBTQ goals and initiatives with family and business, I always give my opinion through my actions. I “walk the walk and talk the talk,” as should all associates here at the hotel.

TP: The LGBTQ community has long had a large presence within hospitality. Do you have any sort of employment initiatives or outreach that focuses on hiring from the local LGBTQ community?

MS: As a general manager for the last 30 years, I have made a concerted effort to be in the forefront as an ally with the LGBTQ community in every city in which I live. My track record shows that. Hyatt Regency New Orleans attracts the most talented individuals because of the freedom we stand for.

TP: Your property held a fundraiser for the Pulse victims in Orlando and their families after that tragic event. Can you tell us about what it entailed, and what was the driving force behind the idea?

MS: Members of the staff as well as our HyPride chapter took this devastation to heart. We were determined to show the LGBTQ community our commitment to care. Not only to care for the victims and their families but to care for what we deem as human rights. To do this, we sold wristbands for a small fee and used monies from the staff cafeteria to donate directly to Pulse victims’ families. This tragic event happened just a week before the HRC Gala dinner here in New Orleans and led to a powerful 15-minute speech, which I gave to the LGBTQ community here in Louisiana.

TP: What advice would you give to a new hotel property shaping itself to become known as a queer-friendly destination?

MS: I would stress the importance of making sure that from top to bottom, the overall demographics of your associates are reflective of your commitment to the LGBTQ community, and especially with the senior officials. Those in positions of higher responsibility are reflective of the power of the associates.