Andrew Casperson: Transforming Upscale Hospitality with Authenticity
As the newly appointed president of Coury Hospitality, **Andrew Casperson** is on a mission to redefine the essence of upscale hospitality. Recently, he sat down for an insightful conversation with LODGING in Bentonville, Arkansas, where he explored his remarkable career, the influence of key mentors, and the evolving landscape of hospitality. With plans underway for the upcoming AC Hotel Bentonville, slated to open in spring 2025, Casperson shared his vision for cultivating unique guest experiences and attracting the right talent for his dynamic brand.
From Humble Beginnings to Hospitality Leadership
**A Foundation Built in the 80s**
Andrew Casperson’s journey into the world of hospitality began in the mid-’80s, right in the hallways of a Holiday Inn in Burlington, Massachusetts. His first task was as simple as it was pivotal: setting up banquet tables for a baseball card show. Convinced by the allure of **skiing discounts**, he embraced every role offered during college, diligently working while pursuing a finance degree. It was this commitment and love for the industry that led him to stay on the path of hospitality, eventually stepping into the role of assistant front office manager after graduation.
**Skyrocketing Career Trajectory**
Casperson’s finance background equipped him with essential skills, from budgeting to forecasting. **”I knew how to use spreadsheets,”** he explains, which played a crucial role in accelerating his career. By the age of 25, he had already risen to the position of general manager of a 100-room hotel near Boston, leaping over traditional career milestones.
Dynamic Career Shifts and Mentorship
**Launching into New Horizons**
With the support of his wife, whose career allowed them to move, Casperson embraced a role at Wyndham International. Under the mentorship of Dave Johnson, he opened a bustling 260-room hotel near Newark Airport, later relocating for more demanding GM positions in Miami and Atlanta. Each step propelled him further into hospitality excellence.
**Discovering Lifestyle Hotels**
Transitioning to W Hotels in Chicago under the guidance of another mentor, Tina Edmundson, Casperson was introduced to lifestyle branding. **”The lifestyle hotels changed my entire skill set,”** he reflects, highlighting a newfound freedom to embrace creativity and innovation in service. He developed a passion for transforming overlooked spaces into engaging environments, activating every inch of the hotel to create an inviting atmosphere.
The Impact of Lifestyle on Hospitality
**Creating Memorable Experiences**
Casperson emphasizes the importance of **activating each space**, aiming to offer an experience that extends beyond the confines of guest rooms. By transforming otherwise unused storage areas into vibrant social hubs and providing diverse food and beverage options, he encourages guests to immerse themselves in the hotel’s community. **”We want to get our guests out of their rooms,”** he asserts—a philosophy he believes boosts profitability.
**A New Era at Coury Hospitality**
Taking the helm at Coury in 2023, Casperson has seen impressive growth. **”When I started, we had 11 hotels and about 25 food and beverage outlets,”** he notes, forecasting that those numbers could double by 2025. His strategic vision includes venturing into more traditional hospitality with a new entity, **Concert Hospitality**, aiming to blend lifestyle concepts with established brands, driving revenue while enhancing guest experiences.
Empowering Team Members as “Curators”
**Challenges in Talent Acquisition**
Casperson identifies hiring and retaining the right team as one of his biggest challenges. He emphasizes the concept of **“experience curators”**, individuals eager to create unforgettable moments for guests. His commitment to training and professional development guarantees that the learning process never truly ends, resulting in fantastic retention rates. **”Nothing makes me happier than when I get a text from one of our curators saying, ‘I just got promoted,’”** he beams.
**The Human Element of Hospitality**
For Casperson, the excitement of designing new hotels pales in comparison to the emotional rewards derived from making meaningful differences in lives—both for guests celebrating special occasions and staff members achieving personal growth. He reminisces about the joy of playing a role in life’s significant milestones
, illustrating the emotional heart that drives his brand of hospitality.
Honoring Influential Mentors
In acknowledging his success, Casperson gives credit to his three mentors: **Tina, Dave, and Mike**. Their collective influence shaped his approach and perspective within the hospitality space:
- Dave Johnson: Instilled the importance of driving revenue and focusing on the top line.
- Tina Edmundson: Encouraged a nuanced view of hotel management, emphasizing guest engagement and the activation of spaces.
- Mike Deitemeyer: Shared invaluable knowledge about food, beverage, and luxury hospitality management.
In a world where hospitality often blurs into uniformity, Andrew Casperson stands out by embracing **authenticity, creativity, and a commitment to human connection**. His vision for Coury Hospitality not only seeks to uplift the brand but also to inspire a new generation of hospitality professionals dedicated to making every moment memorable. As he moves forward, his journey in this sector reflects a dynamic landscape where innovation meets tradition, creating hospitality experiences that resonate deeply with every guest.
