What’s the most magical hotel stay experience you’ve ever had?  Share your experiences of a hotel stay that was made memorable because of the hotel staff and you and your Story could be featured in an upcoming video.

Think about the most amazing hotel stay you’ve ever had. What made it stand out? What made it unique and highly personal? We’re talking beyond free yoga mat rentals and a glass of wine when you check in; when a hotel went from being a place to crash to being a second home; when a concierge or a bartender became a friend; when you were inspired to sit down and write a thank-you email to a hotel manager or chef. That, my friends, is the Kimpton experience.

See, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants are built around the concept of going above and beyond what you’d typically expect from a hotel experience to create those memorably magical stays we’re talking about. Instead of lobbies, they have living rooms where guests are always welcome. Every hotel is individually designed and locally inspired with unexpected elements that make you smile. All are highly fashionable and no two are the same from the robes in the closet to the artwork behind the front desk. Kimpton employees will pick up on an opportunity to make someone’s day, and go out of their “regular” duties to make it happen, completely unscripted and always authentic. Whether you’re traveling for work or vacation, attending a wedding or checking out a new city, your hotel experience should be as personal and unique as your trip is – and as you are.

And herein lies our question for you, the Tongal community: we’re looking for Stories of your best hotel stay ever, and the hotel staff who made it that way. Think beyond the amenities and share your Stories, large or small; what made your most memorable Kimpton Hotel stay experience so special?

Please read the remainder of the brief for all of the important details.

The goal of this project is to find five awesome Stories of unique, magical, and memorable hotel stay experiences to be brought to life in Videos – without filming literal reenactments.  Your Stories should tie into the Key Marketing Messages outlined below.

The winning Story submissions will receive $2000 each after the filming of their story is completed. 

In addition to your Story Title and Synopsis, your Story submissions MUST include: 

• Photo of the Story subject
• Subject’s contact info

Please Note:

• IF YOU ARE SUBMITTING A STORY ON YOUR OWN BEHALF, YOUR PAYMENT IS CONTINGENT UPON YOUR PARTICIPATION AND COOPERATION WITH TONGAL AND ANY FILMMAKER THAT MAY BE SELECTED TO TELL YOUR STORY IN A FEATURETTE FOR THE SPONSOR.  YOU WILL RECEIVE $2000 UPON COMPLETION OF THE FEATURETTE, AND YOUR COMPLETION OF THE WINNER’S AFFIDAVIT, IP ASSIGNMENT, AND (IF YOU ARE APPEARING ON SCREEN), THE TALENT RELEASE.
• IF YOU ARE SUBMITTING A STORY ON BEHALF OF SOMEONE ELSE, YOUR PAYMENT IS CONTINGENT UPON HIS/HER PARTICIPATION. YOU WILL RECEIVE $500 AND THE SUBJECT WILL RECEIVE $1,500 UPON COMPLETION OF THE VIDEO AND THE SUBJECT’S COMPLETION OF THE WINNER’S AFFIDAVIT, IP ASSIGNMENT, AND IF THE SUBJECT IS APPEARING ON SCREEN, THE TALENT RELEASE.

• There will be a separate Video project for the creation of the Videos based on the winning Stories. THE FILMMAKER IS NOT REQUIRED TO OFFER ANY COMPENSATION TO THE SUBJECT.

--Key Marketing Messages: 

• A Different Way to Stay

At Kimpton, we’ve thrown away the rulebook. We know that when it comes to your hotel experience, there’s no checklist that can make it heartfelt or inspiring. We celebrate our guests’ individuality and our spaces and people reflect our unique point-of-view. What binds us together are the intangibles and we love that it results in ridiculously personal experiences for our guests and one another.

• Kimpton has a unique perspective on the good life – it involves great people, good food, delicious wine, beautiful spaces, and the feeling that you can relax and just be yourself.

--Executional Mandatories: 

• Kimpton hotels, restaurants, and bars can and should be featured in the final Videos – so don’t shy away from calling out specific locations if they fit your Stories!

--Tone:   Lighthearted, warm, genuine, conversational with a wink, welcoming, witty/clever, lively, engaging, fashionable. Not slow-paced or overly emotional. Nothing silly or kitschy.

This Project will be worth a total of $10,000 and consists of an Authentic Story Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: AUTHENTIC STORY – Tell us your Authentic Story for Your Authentic Best Stay Ever in 500 characters or less. Remember, an Authentic Story  (What is an Authentic Story Phase?) is not a detailed script; it is a spark of inspiration, or a distillation of what will happen in the Video. As always, Stories should be authentic and engaging. The FIVE winning Story creators will receive $2,000 each upon their participation and cooperation with Tongal and any filmmaker that may be selected to tell their Story in a featurette for the sponsor.  

Along with your Story Title and Synopsis, your Story submissions MUST include: 

• Photo of the story subject
• Subject’s contact info

Please Note:

• IF YOU ARE SUBMITTING A STORY ON YOUR OWN BEHALF, YOUR PAYMENT IS CONTINGENT UPON YOUR PARTICIPATION AND COOPERATION WITH TONGAL AND ANY FILMMAKER THAT MAY BE SELECTED TO TELL YOUR STORY IN A FEATURETTE FOR THE SPONSOR.  YOU WILL RECEIVE $2000 UPON COMPLETION OF THE FEATURETTE, AND YOUR COMPLETION OF THE WINNER’S AFFIDAVIT, IP ASSIGNMENT, AND (IF YOU ARE APPEARING ON SCREEN), THE TALENT RELEASE.
• IF YOU ARE SUBMITTING A STORY ON BEHALF OF SOMEONE ELSE, YOUR PAYMENT IS CONTINGENT UPON HIS/HER PARTICIPATION. YOU WILL RECEIVE $500 AND THE SUBJECT WILL RECEIVE $1,500 UPON COMPLETION OF THE VIDEO AND THE SUBJECT’S COMPLETION OF THE WINNER’S AFFIDAVIT, IP ASSIGNMENT, AND IF THE SUBJECT IS APPEARING ON SCREEN, THE TALENT RELEASE.

• If you are submitting your own Story and are selected as a finalist, you will be required to provide this Story Cooperation Agreement (Story Owner’s Submission). THIS IS NOT REQUIRED FOR INITIAL SUBMISSION. 
• If you are submitting on behalf of someone else and are selected as a finalist, you will be required to provide this Story Cooperation Agreement (Submission On Another’s Behalf). THIS IS NOT REQUIRED FOR INITIAL SUBMISSION. 

• There will be a separate Video project for the creation of the Videos based on the winning Stories. THE FILMMAKER IS NOT REQUIRED TO OFFER ANY COMPENSATION TO THE SUBJECT. 

1. The Authentic Story MUST not exceed 500 characters.

2. Unless provided otherwise, all work must be your own original creation and free of any copyrighted material. You shall provide detailed information of your work regarding the source, the creator and background information as requested by Tongal.

3. BY SUBMITTING AN AUTHENTIC STORY ENTRY, YOUR SUBMISSION IMMEDIATELY BECOMES THE SOLE PROPERTY OF TONGAL OR ITS ASSIGNEES – SEE OFFICIAL RULES FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OWNERSHIP OF ENTRIES. YOU MAY NOT PUBLICLY SHARE OR PUBLISH YOUR SUBMISSION IN ANY MANNER AND YOU MAY NOT POST OR UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION TO ANY WEBSITE OR VIDEO HOSTING SITE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE OR VIMEO), WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF TONGAL. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR ENTRY IN THE PROJECT.

5. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.

6. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.

7. By submitting to this project, you acknowledge that your work may become subject to public voting on the Tongal site. Public voting may be used to help the project sponsor determine the final rank order.

8. Stories must be in the English language or subtitled.

9. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.

10. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.

11. In the event that fewer than 20 Stories are received, the Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest for up to fourteen (14) days at their discretion.

12. Be sure to read the judging criteria stated in the OFFICIAL RULES..

13. In addition to the Story Cooperation Agreement, winners must fill out the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment to claim their prizes.

14. See OFFICIAL RULES for additional contest information, terms and conditions. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these requirements and the Official Rules, the terms and conditions of these requirements shall prevail.