RESPONSIBLE HOSPITALITY INSTITUTE INC

Raleigh, NC: Sociable City Assessment The Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI) contracted with the City of Raleighs Office of Special Events in 2024 to conduct a Sociable City Assessment. This report is the culmination of the analysis and recommendations for Raleighs social economy. The study primarily focused on the Glenwood South district and Fayetteville Street district, yet some findings may address systemic Citywide challenges. RHI staff conducted a total of 26 meetings: 7 virtual interviews to gather background and 19 on-site meetings. Three on-site visits occurred between July and October 2024. The final presentation is scheduled for March 2025. Nearly 100 participants from 32 organizations represented key stakeholders: 42 City government employees representing 12 City departments; 30+ dining and entertainment venues were represented by 11 hospitality industry business owners/operators; 18 residents within the study areas, including board members of the Glenwood South Neighborhood Collaborative; Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA); State government representatives of North Carolinas Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, Department of Public Safety; NC Harm Reduction Coalition. PHASE 1: EngagementPurpose: Orientation of project leaders and collection of preliminary background (May July 2024)RHI oriented the project leader and coordination team to the process and stakeholder engagement strategy. The Transformation Team (project steering group) was selected and interviewed virtually to provide big picture insights on the Citys social economy. Fieldwork included tours both day and night in the study areas until closing time. A walking tour of Glenwood South district with police and tours inside social venues provided insights on district management and safety operations. Preliminary findings and a trends analysis of the social economy were presented to the Transformation Team for feedback and discussion. PHASE 2: EvaluationPurpose: Community engagement to glean strengths, challenges and opportunities (July September 2024)RHI dived deep by engaging a broad swath of stakeholders to understand their perspective on the social economy. Three Listening Sessions (Planning, Safety, and Vibrancy) were held to evaluate the strengths, challenges and opportunities for improvement through the lens of RHIs Six Core Measures of a Sociable City. A womens focus group explored social preferences and concerns about mobility and personal safety from a womans point of view. Venue operators were convened to discuss the hospitality industrys priorities and challenges. Information-gathering meetings were also held with Downtown Alliance staff and Raleigh Police Department (RPD)s Hospitality Unit.PHASE 3: Strategy DevelopmentPurpose: Prioritization of challenges and facilitation of consensus on an action plan (September October 2024)Challenges identified during Listening Sessions were prioritized in advance via survey. RHI then facilitated six Action Roundtables to develop consensus to refine or create new strategies to address the top challenges in the social economy. Additional meetings were held about the alcohol license review process, the noise ordinance and outdoor amplified sound ordinance. RHI compiled findings from the process into this summary report. Action plans are organized by RHIs Six Core Measures of a Sociable City: Mobility, Quality of Life, Public Safety, Venue Safety, Public Space and Social Venues. Overall systemic changes to address gaps in processes and systems identified by RHI were organized in the Governance section of this report. PHASE 4: Action PresentationsPurpose: Public presentations to achieve buy-in for the recommended action plan (October 2024 February 2025)The report was finalized after review from the coordinating team and Transformation Team. Findings will be presented to City Council and project participants for buy-in and support. The final report will serve as a blueprint for working groups to move forward with the recommended Action Plan.PAYMENT: Project total was $100,000, which was paid between May and December 2024. The contract signing retainer was $20,000; Phase 1 Engagement was $20,000; Phase 2 Evaluation was $20,000; Phase 3 Action Plan Roundtables was $20,000; and Phase 4 Implementation was $20,000. Rachel BainOffice of Special EventsCity of RaleighCity Managers Office222 West Hargett Street, Suite 307Raleigh, NC 27601(p) 919-996-2246; (m) 931-309-6327Whitney SchoenfeldOffice of Special EventsCity of RaleighCity Managers Office222 West Hargett Street, Suite 307Raleigh, NC 27601(p) 919-996-2204; (m) 919-675-8855El Paso, TX Sociable City Assessment The Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI) contracted with the City of El Paso in 2023 to conduct a Sociable City Assessment. This report is the culmination of the analysis and recommendations for El Pasos social economy. The study primarily focused on the Cincinnati area and Downtown Management District.RHI staff conducted a total of 29 meetings: ten virtual interviews to gather background and 19 on-site meetings during four on-site visits between October 2023 and May 2024. Nearly 100 participants from 29 organizations represented key stakeholders: Forty-four city government employees of twelve city departments; County attorneys office; Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission; US Army at Fort Bliss Texas; Restaurant Association; Business Improvement District (Downtown Management District); Neighborhood Association (Kern Place Association); Hospitality industry staff; music and culture advocates Realtors, property owner and many more.PHASE 3: Strategy Development: Prioritization of challenges and facilitation of consensus on an action plan (January-February 2024)Challenges identified during Listening Sessions were prioritized in advance via survey. RHI then facilitated six Action Roundtables to develop consensus to refine or create new strategies to address the top challenges in the social economy. Additional meetings were held about the alcohol license review process, the noise ordinance and outdoor amplified sound ordinance. RHI compiled findings from the process into this summary report. Action plans are organized by RHIs Six Core Measures of a Sociable City: Mobility, Quality of Life, Public Safety, Venue Safety, Public Space and Social Venues. Overall systemic changes to address gaps in processes and systems identified by RHI were organized in the Governance section of this report.PHASE 4: Action Presentations: Public presentations to achieve buy-in for the recommended action plan (March-May 2024)Findings will be presented to City Council and project participants for buy-in and support. The final report serves as a blueprint for working groups to move forward with the recommended Action Plan.PAYMENTProject total was $95,000. ($40,000 was paid in 2023 for contract signing and Phase 1 Engagement.)$55,000 was paid in 2024 for Phase 2 Evaluation ($20,000), Phase 3 Action Plan Roundtables ($20,000), and Phase 4 Implementation Report Presentation ($15,000).Steve AlvaradoCode Enforcement Director, El Paso Police Department, Code Enforcement Bureau915-212-6026 | alvaradoa@elpasotexas.govHuntington Beach, CA Sociable City AssessmentThe Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI) contracted with the City of Huntington Beach Community Development Department in 2023 to conduct a Sociable City Assessment. This report is the culmination of the analysis and recommendations for Huntington Beach's social economy. The study primarily focused on Downtown, yet some findings may address systemic citywide challenges.RHI staff conducted a total of 21 meetings: seven virtual interviews to gather background and 14 on-site meetings during three on-site visits between September 2023 and January 2024. Nearly 90 participants represented a diverse cross-section of public, private and government stakeholders: Forty-three total organizations/companies; Twenty employees of six City departments, including the Police, Fire, Public Works, Community Development, and Community and Library Services departments; Downtown Business Improvement District (BID); Visit Huntington Beach (VHB); and Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce; Residents and community members; Twenty two owners, managers and staff of restaurants and social venues. PHASE 3: Strategy Development: Prioritization of challenges and facilitation of consensus on an action plan (Nov 2023 - Jan 2024)Challenges identified during Listening Sessions were prioritized in advance via survey. RHI then facilitated six Action Roundtables to develop consensus to refine or create new strategies to address the top challenges in the social economy. A womens focus group explored social preferences and concerns about mobility and personal safety from a womans point of view. RHI compiled findings from the process into this summary report. Action plans are organized by RHIs Six Core Measures of a Sociable City: Mobility, Quality of Life, Public Safety, Venue