Shane Allor worked his way up from front desk agent at a Hampton Inn to vice president and general manager at JW Marriott in Las Vegas, joining the resort’s team March 9 — “You can imagine how my first weeks went,” he said.
Holding different positions in the hospitality industry — he moved from the front desk to sales and marketing, helped him develop a well-rounded career in a profession he immediately fell in love with. It gave him “insight into all areas of a property.”
How has the pandemic affected the hotel?
Since I started at the beginning of what we now know was the pandemic and months of lockdown, it was quite a challenge. I found myself in a new position and in the middle of a situation none of us have ever experienced. COVID-19 immediately affected the hotel — both front of house and our associates. Once we were able to reopen, we had our safety protocols in place, but shortly after we wanted to take it even further and we began a partnership with Intermountain Healthcare. The team came in to help guide us through best practices to keep everyone at the property as safe as possible. We have Intermountain doctors available for our guests via telemedicine and, since the doctors are local, they can even refer someone to their clinic if they feel they need to see them in person. It’s helped our guests feel safer knowing they can travel and not have to worry about what to do if they should need to talk to a doctor. Our intent is to provide the safest environment while preserving the true JW Marriott Las Vegas experience.
What additional safety measures has the company implemented?
For both guests and associates, we are requiring temperature checks upon each arrival into our resort, as well as following the state’s face-covering mandate. We also have social distancing measures in place and have increased cleaning and sanitizing protocols. Hand sanitizers can also be found throughout the property.
What is your overall view on the hospitality sector now?
The industry changed overnight. Travel came to a halt, and so we all found ourselves reacting in every area of our business. The comfort we have all found during this is that we were all in it together. It wasn’t one property closing because of something they did, but our entire city just stopped. I think now, we are starting to slowly reopen with restrictions in place and adapting to that new lifestyle. At JW, we are still booking things like weddings, but they look a little different now with more intimate settings, socially distanced ceremonies and micro-receptions. We are all looking for ways to maintain what we do, but adjusted for the times.
Has “normal” forever changed, or will you aim to get back to what normalcy was pre-pandemic?
Like in the past, the hospitality industry will recover. It may be later into 2021, but we will see things like group and convention business return as we have after other difficult times. There also is a need for people to want to get out and travel, so especially for our property which is close to leisure activities, we are starting to see those bookings rise.
Describe your management style.
My style has always been one of collaboration and surrounding myself with the best of the best. I want my team, who are the experts in their respective fields, to tell me what we should do to make their areas successful.
What is the best business advice you’ve received?
Being a part of the Marriott culture for such a long time, you learn a very simple piece of advice: Treat your associates well and they are happy, which leads to treating our customers well so they are happy and then return. Pretty simple, but effective advice.
Did you develop any new habits during the quarantine?
I started hiking more and have really enjoyed spending time in Red Rock Canyon, exploring the many trails. It’s literally in our city’s backyard.
What are you reading right now?
“Discover Your True North” by Bill George. It’s about becoming a leader, and more importantly, the leader you want to be. Seems appropriate for our current climate.
If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be and why?
I would live in Boise, Idaho. Great climate, outdoor lifestyle, little big city feel, nice downtown, cool live music scene and great restaurants.
Whom do you admire?
Phil Knight, the founder of Nike. I love how he started and built one of the most iconic companies in the world.
What is something that people might not know about you?
I play the drums and have played in a few cover bands, even playing at some bars and Marriott events. I still sit in on the drums with various bands when I can.