Steve Pinetti

Co-Founder, Senior Vice President, Inspiration & Creativity
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

How does one hold the unique title of Senior Vice President of Inspiration & Creativity for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants? It all starts with my friendship and a shared vision with my Co-Founder and mentor, Bill Kimpton. Bill believed in a boutique hotel concept where guests felt genuinely cared for by empowered employees with a passion for authentic, heartfelt hospitality. Since the company’s earliest days, I have channeled the spirit of Bill’s original philosophy to boost employee growth and morale through regular in-person road shows, training and workshops across the country. I love my job! 

When Bill and I launched our first Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant in 1981, my title was Director of Sales and it was a crowning achievement, but it didn’t happen by accident. Prior to starting Kimpton I had a lot of experience under my belt. I began my hospitality career with Hilton and Hyatt where I held a number of positions in hotel sales and marketing. I worked incredibly hard and hustled to be recognized as a “Top Producer” for both organizations. I helped develop corporate incentive travel programs as well as breakthrough industry software that provided the foundation for most PMS systems today. Throughout my career, I have been responsible for the strategic planning and openings of more than 100 hotels and restaurants throughout the country and have worked as an independent consultant in hotel management and marketing.

In addition to my workshops and training courses, I teach various classes in sales, marketing, operations and management in the hospitality programs at the University of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, San Francisco City College and Golden Gate University. I also participate in branding classes through the executive management programs at Stanford University and U.C. Berkeley along with other classes like The Creative Transition Retreat. I live in San Francisco and make it a priority to run on the beach and enjoy the local scene whenever I can.