Meet HALA Board Member Steve Choe
STEVE CHOE
Dual General Manager at Moxy + AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles
HALA Board of Directors Member
Can you talk a little bit about your career journey and current position as Dual General Manager at Moxy + AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles?
Grew up in the business, as my parents owned a bed and breakfast lodge in Monterey, CA. Started my hotel career with Marriott at the Long Beach Marriott at the Front Desk. Got my first Management position in Front Office at the Warner Center Marriott. Got an opportunity with IHG at the InterContinental Century City in 2008, was able to get promoted to Hotel Manager in 2010 and eventually, got my first GM role in 2011. See LA Times Article. Came back to Marriott in 2018 at the Renaissance Newport Beach, then Sheraton Grand in 2019. In 2022 had the great opportunity to be part of one of LA’s largest hotel openings with the Moxy + AC Hotel as Dual GM.
How has the hospitality industry evolved during your career, and what challenges and opportunities have you encountered along the way?
Rising inflation, and living costs have created the LA labor market to be more aggressive and have made it much more difficult to drive a equitable profit model. Especially as ADR growth in today’s market hasn’t been able to support the rising costs. Seeing hotel have to do more with less. Seeing some parts of our business become obsolete, such as Room Service; being replaced with Grab and go markets, AI has reduced need for call centers, phone operators, etc. Additionally, with the advancement of technology and prominence of Social Media platforms, workforce and expectations on career growth have significantly changed with the younger workforce.
Can you talk about growing up in CA and how it helps you in your current role? Did your family owning a hotel make an impact?
Loved growing up in CA and especially after having traveled quite a bit around the world, makes me appreciate LA and California even more. Being local and in market has helped me in my career as have developed some great long-term relationships and friendships that have helped in my current role. Additionally, LA is a very fickle place, especially in the hospitality industry, having experience and knowledge in a difficult labor market and knowing the ebbs and flows of business have helped me tremendously in strategizing.
Can you talk about the current landscape/future of sustainable practices in hospitality?
We are in a difficult labor and legislative environment in a down hotel market, which will make the next few years very challenging. The use of technology, staying proactive (on the offensive to stay innovative), pivoting and having grit to get through the challenging times will lead to finding sustainable practices.
Could you talk about your Board Member roles –HALA and any others?
HALA and LA Tourism for now; have reduced as been quite busy opening these 2 hotels. Plan to get on some more boards as the hotel stabilizes.
Can you talk about the importance of HALA as an advocate for the industry?
HALA is a critical vehicle to address advocacy issues for our industry. LA hotels and ownership groups tend to work in silos and one of the few associations that helps bridge the gaps is HALA.
What advice would you give to aspiring hospitality professionals who aim to reach leadership positions in the industry and make an impact?
In our industry, do it because you love it. Our business is a business of passion. We are not an industry that one can sustain a career chasing $$ or titles. Passion and love for hospitality as a “hotelier” will lead you to be a great leader and make an impact in people’s lives.
Looking ahead, what do you envision for the future of the hospitality industry in Los Angeles?
Challenged by legislation and will be difficult to deliver bottom line dollars to developers/owners, however, LA is a beautiful/amazing city and through much patience and grit, we will continue to thrive!