Recently, Virtus team members from across the U.S. celebrated the renovation of our office in Grind City. There was delicious food from local restaurants, treats from our favorite spot—Sweet Lala’s Bakery—and of course, a ribbon cutting to cement the momentous occasion.
But what won’t you see in the photos is our journey to get here, which starts in 2017 at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel—a historic monument in the Windy City where many deals were made over cocktails, banging billiard balls and firm handshakes.
It was in this hotel where I had a chance encounter with a member from the Wilson family and learned about this family’s rich heritage. Stories were shared about the family patriarch, Kemmons Wilson, and how he turned a moment of frustration into a legacy that transcends the iconic brand he built (Holiday Inn Hotels) and defines the hospitality industry as we know it today.
Perhaps it was the symbolic building we were in, or the energy of Chicago’s “can-do” attitude, or stories about Wilson’s grit and determination (or the Old Fashioned had gone to my head), but I knew this was the beginning of something special; a moment that would later grow into a relationship rooted in family, serendipity and shared values.
Months later, I would meet more members from the Wilson family, each one as hospitable and welcoming as the other. Years passed, our relationships were still strong, and no matter where I was in the U.S., hints of Kemmons Wilson’s legacy and his formative impact on the guest experience were always around.
Then one day while vacationing with my family, I saw a sign (literally – see below) and sent it by note to Spence Wilson, Jr. After all, Kemmons Wilson famously said, “Ready; Fire; Aim…we’ll figure it out later." So, I thought: "Why not go for it?"
Inspired by his grit, determination and entrepreneurial mindset, I'm proud to say that this one pivotal note turned our relationship into a family affair, and now we can officially say, “Memphis, Virtus is OPEN for business.”
It’s time to grind.