Hotel lobby with tables and chairs

Boutique and independent properties have a unique opportunity to design brand standards that resonate with their guests. Incorporating local flair, from locally sourced produce or regional suppliers, can elevate the guest experience and differentiate the property. Collaborating with a group purchasing organization (GPO), such as Avendra International, allows these properties to benefit from enhanced purchasing power and a network of vetted suppliers.

Since 2021, Avendra International has worked with Curator Hotel & Resort Collection to offer boutique and independent properties access to quality supplier contracts and procurement services. Curator aims to drive scale into the independent hotel segment, aligning with Avendra International’s mission of providing innovative procurement solutions and personalized local service. In working with Curator, members not only benefit from Avendra’s purchasing power but also gain additional value through the combined volume generated by Curator members.

We sat down with Jennifer Barnwell, President of Curator Hotel & Resort Collection to discuss the distinct benefits of this collaboration at the above-property level.

Headshot of Jennifer Barnwell

Above-property support

“Our point of view is that a GPO collaboration is critical to have in place for every kind of hotel operation, small or large. Every property is purchasing for rooms, and many also have food and beverage and events—but in all cases, a GPO is a critical connection to have in place,” says Jennifer.

Curator conducted a rigorous RFP process and found Avendra International provided the nationwide service their members needed with a breadth of offerings no other GPO could match.

Here are a few highlights that made Avendra stand out:

  • Broad supplier network provides independent and boutique hotels with the ability to do exactly what they wish for products and services, allowing them to create their own story and differentiation.
  • Members can go off-contract to build a unique, local flavor that defines their independent hotel
  • Best-in-class pricing for purchases

Curator has 85% of their members choosing to enroll with the Avendra International program. “That’s a great assurance that we picked the right GPO,” says Jennifer.

Pool deck at South Congress Hotel

Property level support

South Congress Hotel in Austin, Texas, has found significant savings in cost and time through its relationship with Curator and Avendra International. The boutique property features 83 rooms and a range of amenities, including a fitness center, rooftop pool and bar, electric vehicle charging stations, multiple onsite retail options and dog-friendly services. The hotel is also home to five restaurants, one of which, Maie Day, was named a MICHELIN Recommended restaurant in 2024.

To learn more about how Avendra and Curator are supporting the South Congress Hotel at the property level, we spoke with Mindi Marshall, Area Managing Director for New Waterloo Hotel Management Group and South Congress Hotel General Manager.

South Congress Hotel

“The Avendra International reps save us so much time by doing deep-dive research into specific products, services and contracts, and making recommendations that ultimately help us save money. The cost savings are critical, but the time savings in having them do all the research is a huge benefit to us,” explains Mindi.

Since switching to Avendra, the hotel has seen:

  • Cost savings of 5-15% in many departments
  • Lower engineering service contract pricing
  • Reduced Cost Per Occupied Room due to savings in housekeeping supplies
  • Savings of nearly 40% on high-quality salmon

Mindi was particularly impressed with the number of current suppliers already part of the Avendra program, which made the transition easier for her team. Mindi and her team have an annual goal to bring in new local vendors to the property, and Avendra’s broad supplier network made this easier.

“Our chef is excited to be working with one of the newer partners Avendra has connected us with—Austin-based tartlet company, Folie Pops—helping us enhance our guest amenity program with some local flavor,” says Mindi.

South Congress Hotel

The team has also made progress on its sustainability goals by eliminating plastic bottles at the property.

“Everybody Water is a sustainably-focused company we have been interested in a larger partnership with for a couple of years, but we were struggling to source through current vendors at an acceptable price point. Once we were on the Avendra program, we were connected with a supplier that carried Everybody Water, so we could now overcome the price barrier and achieve our goal of eliminating plastic bottles throughout our properties while working with a company that aligned with our values,” explains Mindi.

As an independent hotel, the South Congress Hotel has very specific needs, and Avendra International, along with Curator, has been able to help the New Waterloo Group meet their guests’ expectations at the South Congress Hotel and in several of their new properties that are coming online.

From global, branded hotels to clubs and independent properties, Avendra International has the knowledge and expertise to help you maximize savings in time and money while exceeding guest expectations.

We get it, and we can help.

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