Gregory Hyder was contacted 13 years ago when The Peninsula Chicago Hotel in downtown Chicago was under construction.
"I really had not planned on being in the hotel business; I had returned from teaching in Africa and needed a job while I was working on a second degree and started checking people in at the front desk … the rest is history," he said. "To be a part of the design and building aspect of the project has really made this a more personal work experience."
Hyder said he is "very fortunate" to have such an "interesting and fun job." His team handles all events at the hotel—weddings, fundraisers, corporate events, and more.
"There are so many amazing events and organizations I have been able to be a part of and work with, I can't even began to name a favorite," Hyder said. "I will say it is most gratifying to watch events go from inception to fruition; there is a great sense of pride in that process."
The Peninsula Chicago has, for years, been involved in the annual World of Chocolate, benefitting the AIDS Foundation of Chicago ( AFC ).
"Having always had the fortune to have such a stellar pastry team, the gang has always been on board to create something special for AIDS Foundation of Chicago. "I think many of the attendees look forward every year to see what we are going to come up with to top the previous year.
"World of Chocolate is one of my favorite events of the season. I really think it is a unique event in the sense I feel it is able to reach a younger demographic in the gay community and, let's face it, they are the future of fundraising."
THE STATSAge: 51
Neighborhood: Uptown
Job title: Director of style and community relations, director of catering and conference services
Hobbies: Gardening, cooking and music
Best part of your job: "The diversity of projects every day."
Worst part of your job: "The diversity of projects every day."
Gay weddings: "We here at The Peninsula are certainly looking forward to having many more gay weddings now that things are legal in the great state of Illinois."
Dream vacation destination: "I've [already] done both: elephant-riding in Thailand and [a] safari in South Africa."
Favorite TV shows: Downton Abbey and Saturday Night Live
Favorite color: Red
Favorite pizza topping: Pepperoni
Little-known fact: "I worked in South Africa, developing music programs for children during apartheid in the late 1980s."
