When you work for Hilton, the opportunities are endless. Rebecca Shindler, Senior Catering Manager at the Hilton Americas—Houston, was able to travel to India to experience and work on one of her favorite type of events: a South Asian wedding. Keep reading to learn about the trip that changed Rebecca’s outlook and sparked a newfound creativity for her events!
What is the most unique experience you have participated in as a Hilton Catering & Events Team Member?
At my hotel, Hilton Americas-Houston, we host many South Asian weddings every year. Many couples and families I work with want the full experience of a South Asian Wedding, but it is more convenient and cost effective to have the wedding locally in Houston.
I frequently partner with wedding planner, Therese Cole-Hubbs , on Indian weddings and social events held at the hotel. So, when she came to me with a proposal to accompany her on an educational trip to India to learn more about the country and culture, while also working on a traditional Indian wedding— I knew I had to make it happen!
I immediately took the proposal to my hotel leadership team for consideration, and they fully encouraged and supported the opportunity. My hotel funded the trip, knowing that the experiences and knowledge I brought back from India would be invaluable for myself and our entire Catering & Events team.
Tell us about your experiences at the wedding. Did you have any additional time to travel around India?
The wedding took place over the course of several days, and was comprised of many different events, including the Mehndi, where the couple and their loved ones received henna tattoos, the Sangeet, a pre-wedding celebration featuring food, music, and dance, the reception, and finally the ceremony. I worked tirelessly but happily at each event, setting up and supervising the food and beverage stations, assisting with photography, and encouraging guests to participate in the available games and activities. The ceremony was so large that setup required two cranes and 20 acres of land to adequately accommodate the stage, food stations, and décor for the number of expected guests. Each day was more amazing than the next!
We bookended our trip with a few additional days reserved for exploration, learning, and most importantly, fun! We visited the village of Lucknow to meet with residents and learn more about a local nonprofit called Save the Mother. We also spent an educational day visiting different markets and temples, learning about the food and culture, and met with a photographer that taught us about the hospitality of India and common client expectations for South Asian weddings and social events.
What was the key takeaway that you learned from this trip?
I learned so much about how hospitality is incredibly important in Indian culture.
Our signature warm and welcoming Hilton hospitality is what clients connect with when they choose to work with us on their special events. You truly become part of the family when you work with a couple on their South Asian wedding, and they become part of our Hilton family as well.
What was one memorable highlight from your trip?
The Taj Mahal was the most memorable experience – it’s such an exquisite place! During my visit, I learned about the story of the beautiful temple and the culture of the people, and I was also able to try many different delicious cuisines and foods throughout the day.
How have you implemented what you learned through your travels into your current position?
I have gained so much knowledge on the different events and verbiage associated with South Asian weddings, and many couples are surprised and excited when I know a lot about their culture and traditions. I always start our site visits and planning meetings by offering chai tea service, and I have even invested in South Asian party attire to wear when I attend the wedding ceremonies and events. I find this is a much appreciated and meaningful gesture to my couples—it shows the effort that my team and I put in to embrace their culture thoughtfully and respectfully.
The fact I have traveled to India to work onsite at a wedding gives our clients assurance that I will do everything possible to give them their dream wedding as if it were in their own hometown!
What advice do you have for current and potential Catering & Events Team Members looking to build their career at Hilton?
If you are a motivated and determined person in the catering & events industry, set your goals and don’t look back! Make sure your leadership team and fellow team members know your aspirations and where you want to go in your career. Everyone within the Hilton family is always doing what they can to help others grow and succeed. The opportunities with education and development are endless! Stay motivated, always have an open mind, and keep pushing towards your goals.
