Chicago, IL (August 2018) –SMASHotels is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mark Shouger as General Manager of Hotel EMC2. With over three decades of experience working in the hospitality industry, most recently as Managing Director of Ronald McDonald House, Shouger will lead the operation of the 195-room property located in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. As the first property of its kind to celebrate the convergence of art and science, Hotel EMC2 strives to provide an experience for its guests that is exactly like nothing else and Shouger’s addition to the executive team plays an integral role in this.

“We are elated to welcome Mark back into the SMASHotels’ family as General Manager of Hotel EMC2,” says Scott Greenberg, President and CEO of SMASHotels and founder of Hotel EMC2. “Given his impressive resume of experience in both the lifestyle and not-for-profit hospitality industries, Mark serves as the quintessential candidate for this position.”

As the Managing Director of Ronald McDonald House Near Lurie Children’s Hospital, Shouger led all operational accountabilities for what opened as the world’s largest Ronald McDonald House. During his time in this position, Shouger refined practices and employed various changes to support over 10,000 families. Prior to his work at Ronald McDonald House, Shouger oversaw theWit Hotel, an award-winning SMASHotel’s property located in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood, as the opening General Manager. Under Shouger’s direction, theWit was established as a REVPAR leader and achieved the hotel brand’s award status within its first years of development.

Additionally, Shouger served as Director of Rooms and Operations for The Madison, a Loews Hotel in Washington DC, General Manager of Hotel Indigo, Rooms Division Director and interim General Manager of the Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando, and Director of Services for the Marriott Vacation Club International.

“I have always loved lifestyle hospitality and am honored to be making my return to this industry at such a trendsetting property,” says Shouger. “With my intense focus on high touch service, I will work hard to ensure that all guests receive the best experience at Hotel EMC2.”

Celebrating the convergence of art and science through its design, cuisine and guest experience, Hotel EMC2, part of Autograph Collection Hotels, is “exactly like nothing else.” The downtown Chicago property, a vision and passion of Scott Greenberg, President and CEO of SMASHotels, embraces art and science throughout the entire 21-story, 195-room property, beginning with the words of legendary Renaissance man Leonardo da Vinci, “Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses – learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else,” that greet guests upon arrival. The hotel is also home to the 120-seat contemporary American restaurant, the Albert, a nod to the extraordinary scientist, which features a signature, yet innovative menu from Executive Chef Larry Feldmeier.

Hotel EMC2 is located at 228 E. Ontario Street. For details on reservations, please visit www.hotelemc2.com or call 884-205-3939. For further information about Hotel EMC2, follow @HotelEMC2 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.