Jan 06, 2025
Every budget season is a busy time that requires a lot of travel, and this year was no exception. In fact, it involved even more travel than usual as we worked to open a brand-new hotel in Salt Lake City: the Asher Adams, part of the Autograph Collection.
The trip I am sharing with you was my last one before our opening day, during which we welcomed our first guest and held a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony with our owners and city dignitaries. Throughout the year, I visited the property several times at different stages of construction, and I was very excited to finally see the final product that the team had been working so hard to deliver.
We attended an all-team luncheon to thank everyone for their hard work, where we also recognized and awarded those who had distinguished themselves. Niels was presented with the Key to the City. This event allowed us to express our gratitude to the entire team and discuss the Davidson DNA and our core values. We were all determined to “hit it out of the park” on day one! Every team member had undergone extensive training in the weeks leading up to the opening, and the chefs had been rehearsing their dishes, inviting friends and family to try the food. Many team members even had the opportunity to visit the restaurant with their families and sample the menu. We were fortunate to enjoy the menu ourselves at Rouser and provide feedback alongside Chef Graham and Toby Moser from DRG, who had been on-site for several days supporting the culinary and service teams in their preparations. It was delicious, and we knew it would be a hit on day one!
On opening day, our goal was to keep everyone composed, relaxed, and inspired. We started with the morning stand-up meeting, called the “Daily Gather,” where we focused on the core value of the day: “Be passionate about what you do and serve others with love.” We reminded everyone of the operating hours for all of our restaurants and bars: Rouser, Bar at Asher Adams, N0 119, and Counterpart. We wanted to ensure everyone was aware that all venues were opening that day. We then discussed our important in-house event in detail and reviewed the list of dignitaries attending it, along with the expectations of our owners. We aimed to ensure everyone felt comfortable with the timing and understood how the event would work while staying focused on their own operations. We also reviewed our arrival list and “notable guests” (VIPs), and most importantly, we discussed how we would celebrate our first guest and welcome our Bonvoy elite guests, highlighting their benefits.
During check-in, we had a photo opportunity with our first guest, during which Niels took a picture with the guest and upgraded them to one of our historical suites. Throughout the rest of the day, we inspected the guest rooms, prepared for the ribbon-cutting event, had a photograph with all team members who received and Ashar Adams T-shirt, and ensured that the property was ready. The ribbon-cutting ceremony went without a hitch, and we all felt proud that this hotel was finally open and welcoming guests. And as they say at the Asher Adams, THE REST IS HISTORY!
Named after John R. Asher and George H. Adams, the first cartographers to depict railroad routes, the property is designed as the embodiment of the people, experiences, and meaningful moments behind the past, present, and future of Salt Lake City. Situated Downtown, the hotel touts striking views of the surrounding city and Wasatch Mountain Range and is within proximity of world-class entertainment venues and countless outdoor attractions. From its historic guest suites to its grand lobby, thoughtful design elements throughout the hotel pay homage to the rich history of Salt Lake City.
The 225-room hotel features its signature restaurant, Rouser, Counterpart Coffee and Marketplace, No 119-signature bar, and the Bar at Asher Adams in the grand hall. Asher Adams, an Autograph Collection, offers open-air gathering areas, generous meeting and function spaces, and a state-of-the-art fitness facility. Located in central Salt Lake City, Asher Adams is just steps from the TRAX Light Rail, Salt Palace Convention Center, and Delta Center, with kick access to Temple Square and SLC International Airport.
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