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WINDY CITY TIMES Mar. 5, 2014
13
GAY in the
LIFE
Gregory Hyder
Text By ROSS FORMAN
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 AFC [and the World of
Chocolate every December],” Hyder said. “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.”
Age
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: elephantriding
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.”
WINDY CITY
TIMES
2014
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Candidate interviews
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guide
March 5 & 12
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