Baker Public Relations was selected to assist The Demond Hotel in Albany, New York, with a rebranding and relaunch of the well-known property while transitioning from a private brand to a Crown Plaza, IHG hotel.
Baker Public Relations worked alongside internal marketing and corporate IHG teams to maximize the exposure of the opening. Along with the brand transition, the hotel had undergone a full interior transformation, including all 323 guest rooms, Plaza Workspace, Crowne Plaza’s flexible work and meeting design, as well as nearly 25,000 square feet of meeting and ballroom space. The two iconic indoor courtyards were fully renovated and featured 30′ and 36′ high ceilings with large atrium skylights, a koi pond with fountains and guest room balconies overlooking year-round, park-like landscaping. The hotel’s indoor heated pool was modernized, and the 24-hour fitness center was completely redesigned and expanded to triple its previous size.
Baker Public Relations assisted with all regional media relations surrounding the opening, coordinated media preview walkthroughs and interviews, and organized industry panel and ribbon-cutting events. In partnership with the Capital Region Chamber and adhering to social distancing restrictions, the team at Baker Public Relations organized and managed the ribbon cutting by inviting and coordinating the speaking of several local dignitaries during the program. The team also managed media invites and interviews. The hotel’s announcement was featured in all major regional media publications, including, but not limited to, the Albany Business Review, Times Union, Capital Region Living, WRGB (CBS), WTEN (ABC), among others.
Since the relaunch of the property in April 2021, the Crowne Plaza Albany – The Desmond Hotel reengaged Baker Public Relations to help promote the installation of an industry-leading air purification system.
Installed by Shepherd Communication & Security, the clean air solution combines the industry-leading Air Scrubber with ActivePure technology. The hotel leadership learned that combining these technologies provides continuous air purification that proactively attacks COVID-19’s spread in the air and on surfaces. The ActivePure Technology goes beyond neutralizing the virus that causes COVID-19 and has proven its ability to safely control and neutralize many contaminants such as viruses, bacteria, mold, fungi and VOCs immediately and safely in real-time. To promote this unique and necessary investment, Baker Public Relations executed several marketing and media relations techniques, including the design and draft of a fact sheet on the system, the design and draft of a marketing banner, as well as all media relations surrounding the news.