Discover Our Economic Vision

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A Conversation with… Kimberly Walker

October 19, 2021 @ 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

| $15 – $25
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The revitalization of the Granada Hotel has impressed visitors and locals alike in San Luis Obispo. While preservationists rejoiced at how the project captured the building’s history, the next generation celebrated the presence of an upscale, but uniquely SLO, boutique hotel & bistro opening downtown.

 

On Tuesday, October 19, Kimberly Walker, the creative mastermind behind the Granada Hotel and founder/managing partner of Nomada Hotel Group, will sit down with us for our first in-person Insight Studio Conversation in nearly 20 months. Guided by SLOMA’s Executive Director, Leann Standish, Kimberly will share insight on:
  • Navigating COVID-related labor shortages and operating issues while growing a flourishing business
  • How they have been able to communicate effectively in a noisy landscape
  • The importance of working with local vendors and people, in line with Nomada’s “Close to the Source” ethos

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to grab a glass of Skyview Rose, enjoy appetizers from the Granada Hotel at the sprawling Flying Caballos Ranch, and learn what drives this inimitable local businesswoman.

 

*The SLO Chamber is currently following State and County COVID guidelines, masks are required indoors for both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons and are optional outdoors.

Featuring:

Born and raised in Southern California, Kimberly Walker’s open worldview drives her passion for repurposing historical spaces on the Central Coast. After working in independent film and volunteering for women’s rights and HIV education in East Africa, she moved to San Luis Obispo and fell in love with the Central Coast wine country. While running her venture making amenities for modern travelers and renting office space in an old 1920’s building, then Hotel Granada, the idea for revitalizing the property was born. 

Since opening Granada Hotel & Bistro, Walker’s success in travel and hospitality has grown into the boutique hotel collection, Nomada Hotel Group. The portfolio of hotels includes Granada Hotel & Bistro in San Luis Obispo, Skyview Los Alamos, Hotel Ynez in Solvang and River Lodge in Paso Robles (currently in development).  

Moderated by:

Leann Standish began her museum profession in the Central Valley where she served as Deputy Director of the Fresno Metropolitan Museum of Art, History and Science at the age of 23. Standish joined the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art in October of 2020 after serving as the Executive Director for the San Luis Obispo Foundation for the Performing Arts Center for nearly four years. With a reputation for attendance boosting and capital campaign management, she has worked all over the United States in museum management for institutions including the Perez Art Museum in Miami, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Details

Venue

  • 1150 Farmhouse Lane, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
  • 1150 Farmhouse Lane
    San Luis Obispo, CA 93401     + Google Map

The revitalization of the Granada Hotel has impressed visitors and locals alike in San Luis Obispo. While preservationists rejoiced at how the project captured the building’s history, the next generation celebrated the presence of an upscale, but uniquely SLO, boutique hotel & bistro opening downtown.

 

On Tuesday, October 19, Kimberly Walker, the creative mastermind behind the Granada Hotel and founder/managing partner of Nomada Hotel Group, will sit down with us for our first in-person Insight Studio Conversation in nearly 20 months. Guided by SLOMA’s Executive Director, Leann Standish, Kimberly will share insight on:
  • Navigating COVID-related labor shortages and operating issues while growing a flourishing business
  • How they have been able to communicate effectively in a noisy landscape
  • The importance of working with local vendors and people, in line with Nomada’s “Close to the Source” ethos

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to grab a glass of Skyview Rose, enjoy appetizers from the Granada Hotel at the sprawling Flying Caballos Ranch, and learn what drives this inimitable local businesswoman.

 

*The SLO Chamber is currently following State and County COVID guidelines, masks are required indoors for both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons and are optional outdoors.

Featuring:

Born and raised in Southern California, Kimberly Walker’s open worldview drives her passion for repurposing historical spaces on the Central Coast. After working in independent film and volunteering for women’s rights and HIV education in East Africa, she moved to San Luis Obispo and fell in love with the Central Coast wine country. While running her venture making amenities for modern travelers and renting office space in an old 1920’s building, then Hotel Granada, the idea for revitalizing the property was born. 

Since opening Granada Hotel & Bistro, Walker’s success in travel and hospitality has grown into the boutique hotel collection, Nomada Hotel Group. The portfolio of hotels includes Granada Hotel & Bistro in San Luis Obispo, Skyview Los Alamos, Hotel Ynez in Solvang and River Lodge in Paso Robles (currently in development).  

Moderated by:

Leann Standish began her museum profession in the Central Valley where she served as Deputy Director of the Fresno Metropolitan Museum of Art, History and Science at the age of 23. Standish joined the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art in October of 2020 after serving as the Executive Director for the San Luis Obispo Foundation for the Performing Arts Center for nearly four years. With a reputation for attendance boosting and capital campaign management, she has worked all over the United States in museum management for institutions including the Perez Art Museum in Miami, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art.