By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
The Hilton Garden Inn & Convention Center, 221 W 43rd, opened with a bang last Friday bringing a much-needed facility to the region.
Along with a convention on opening day, almost all of the hotel's 100 rooms were filled.
“We had state cross country that next day, so we had six different teams stay with us in addition to the Kansas Sheep Symposium in the convention center as well," said Leigh Purdy, director of sales and marketing. “It was a good opening night.”
In fact, it would have been hard to have been any busier.
“On our opening day, we sold all but six of our rooms,” she said. “We did an opening night with an event at the same time."
The center fulfills a longtime need in the region.
“There is just not quite the space for events (in Hays),” Purdy said. “So we haven’t been able to get that stuff out here in western Kansas, so I’m fielding all kinds of requests for the space and I’m really excited to start bringing business here.”
Already, interest is growing.
“Now that word is out, it is really starting to heat up my phone line,” she said. “We are filling up fast.”
She said among those interested are locals hunting for an event space for birthdays, weddings and other family events, along with conventions that travel around the state year to year.
“We can do it all here,” she said.
She said opening a property rarely starts off with so much activity.
“Our owners have built upwards of 18 different properties and the most they have ever had before this opening was 30 rooms for the night,” Purdy said. “It was very busy.”
Despite the unexpected opening, the first day went generally well, she said.
The opening went well, in part due to the center finding the staff needed.
With low unemployment rates in Ellis County, Purdy said staffing can be a challenge, but they are generally staffed, outside a few employees to help create a “well-padded” roster.
And the facility has all the features of a modern event center.
“We have all of the amenities,” Purdy said.
The facility has a business center, an indoor heated saltwater pool, a 24-hour fitness center and onsite laundry.
“The biggest thing that sets us apart of course is the convention center,” she said. “That’s 7,800 square feet of space.”
She estimates for a large event like a wedding, they could accommodate up to 400 people, with the dance floor and up to 500 people without.
That space can be split into four sections.
A board room that can accommodate eight to 10 people is located nearby and the facility also features a bar, and on-site catering.
A full-service restaurant is also open on-site for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with room service available.
“This is not a typical hotel breakfast,” she said. “It’s a paid breakfast, but everything is made to order.”
“This new property offers guests convenient and inviting accommodations, whether traveling for business or leisure,” said Elinda Mages, general manager, in a recent press release. “Our team members strive to make each guest’s stay better and brighter through heartfelt interactions and thoughtful service.”
For more information about the facility, read the opening announcement by clicking here.
