Crowne Plaza Heightens Customer Engagement With “Bring Your Bestie” Package
Crowne Plaza by IHG is tapping into the evolving landscape of travel and work by introducing its new Bring Your Bestie package. As hybrid work continues to blur the lines between business and leisure travel, the initiative was designed to help professionals foster meaningful personal connections even while on the road. The offering, available at select U.S. locations, is inspired by Crowne Plaza’s white paper “Leading the Charge in Blended Travel,” highlighting how people increasingly use flexible work schedules to travel with companions, making space for both productivity and personal fulfillment.
A global survey conducted by YouGov for Crowne Plaza revealed that 40% of travelers in the United States combine work and leisure travel to spend time with loved ones. Moreover, 74% of U.S. travelers would consider bringing a friend or loved one on a work trip, with Gen Z and Millennials showing the most enthusiasm. The shift is driven by the desire to maintain relationships while traveling, reduce stress, and enjoy a more balanced and rejuvenating experience. Business travelers are now seeking environments that support both work and quality downtime with their companions, creating shared memories while staying productive. Yet challenges such as added costs, company policy clarity, and limited guest-friendly amenities still exist, showing a clear opportunity for hospitality brands to step in.
Responding to these needs, the “Bring Your Bestie” package includes perks like complimentary breakfast for two, a nightly signature drink, and 1,000 bonus IHG One Rewards points. Designed to enhance both professional and personal experiences, participating hotels also offer reimagined guest rooms with dedicated work and relaxation zones, vibrant social spaces, and soon-to-launch initiatives like Crowne Plaza Socials, FIIT fitness access, and BBC Maestro masterclasses. The package is available for booking until May 12 for stays through July 10.
View the entire whitepaper here: https://www.ihgplc.com/~/media/Files/I/Ihg-Plc/news/2025/Leading_the_charge_in_blended_travel_by_Crowne_Plaza.pdf
Texas A&M Partners With NASCAR & INDYCAR and Becomes Official Sponsor of Haas Factory Team
Texas A&M University is boldly returning to motorsports in 2025 with expanded partnerships with NASCAR and its debut with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Building on its 2024 collaboration, the university is again teaming up with the Haas Factory Team (HFT) as a full-season associate sponsor of the No. 41 Ford Mustang driven by Cole Custer. The Aggie brand will shine brightest during the Coca-Cola 600, where Texas A&M takes the primary sponsor spotlight in a race known for its military tributes. Simultaneously, the university is breaking into INDYCAR, partnering with top-tier driver Felix Rosenqvist. Texas A&M’s logo will be prominently featured on Rosenqvist’s helmet, gaining national visibility through television, the INDYCAR app, and social media platforms.
Texas A&M VP and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Ethan Braden said, “These partnerships with HFT, Cole and Felix present big, natural avenues to consistently communicate externally what Texas A&M stands for with great visibility, value, and shared values. Motorsports are especially well-positioned to deliver cost-effective and efficient national reach with millions, deep fan engagement and loyalty, and a values-aligned audience for Texas A&M University. In the end, you may only see the driver in the winner’s circle, but propelling every lap is a car, a team, a community of supporters, as well as strategy, innovation, and creativity at the highest levels. That’s Texas A&M University; that’s how Texas A&M Aggies think and act, and that’s the kind of country we are working to shape.”
From military livery during the Coca-Cola 600 to a heartfelt tribute to fallen Aggie Captain Ronald Forrester, Texas A&M is using its motorsports platform to pay tribute to veterans and military-affiliated families. The University has educated approximately 1,300 student veterans and has a legacy of military leadership. The Aggies are showcasing their mission to a national audience on May 25 during the “Greatest Day in Motorsports,” which includes the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend. Texas A&M is also investing in the future by turning the track into a learning lab. Through its partnership with HFT, the university will offer unique hands-on experiences for two students, including summer internships at the team’s headquarters and exclusive access to behind-the-scenes race day operations at Texas Motor Speedway.
Read more here: https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2025/04/16/tamu-announces-new-nascar-indycar-partnerships-not-simply-to-be-seen-but-to-stand-for-something-nationwide/
White Castle Launches New Merch Line for Spring 2025
White Castle is bringing the fun this spring with a bold new collection of branded merchandise designed to create memorable moments. At the heart of the launch is a playful centerpiece: an 8-foot-tall inflatable bouncy fun house modeled after a real White Castle. It measures 12 feet in both length and width and was created for fans of all ages.
White Castle Vice President Jamie Richardson said, “Our House of Crave merchandise team really outdid themselves for this spring 2025 collection. Looking ahead to the nicer weather, there is no more epic way to celebrate than with a Castle of your own!”
In addition to the bounce house, the collection features a range of quirky and nostalgic items that tap into the brand’s iconic style. Highlights include a retro-inspired tin lunchbox, perfect for storing snacks or collectibles, a pickleball paddle set, a deck of branded White Castle playing cards, a pint glass, a bucket hat, a “Follow Your Crave” horn, craver T-shirt, and a cheeky “Only Beef” T-shirt, all created with a sense of humor and a deep appreciation for White Castle’s fanbase. The new lineup is available exclusively through the House of Crave online store, with plans to release new items seasonally.
View the new merchandise here: https://houseofcrave.com/collections/new-arrivals
Original Article Links:
Pack Your Bags - and Your Plus One: Crowne Plaza launches new 'Bring Your Bestie' promotion, offering travelers a unique blend of work and play
Texas A&M University Announces New NASCAR, INDYCAR Partnerships Not Simply To Be Seen, But To Stand For Something Nationwide
White Castle Unveils a Bounce House (er, Castle) as Part of Its New Line of Branded Merchandise for Spring 2025