With the high volume of upscale meetings,
weddings, and other events New York
City’s famed Waldorf=Astoria hosts each
year, the hotel needs its 3,600 banquet
chairs to hold up—and that’s exactly what
chairs from Youngstown, Ohio-based Gasser
Chair Company do. “[Gasser chairs]
are all we have in our hotel,” says Donna
Kelly Williams, director of meetings and
banquet operations. “They’re very strong,
and we like the look,” she adds. “I love
the color; I’ve been to various hotels, and
nothing looks like what we have.”
The Park Avenue landmark luxury hotel
has been using the same set of chairs for
six years, with only occasional reupholstering,
though Williams is quick to point
out, “When we refurbish, it’s because of
wine or other spills, not because the chairs
wear out.”
Procurement and Sourcing Manager
Flynn Harris agrees. “There’s a bumper on
the side [of each chair]. They are the only
company that does that. The durability is
key.” Harris also finds the Gasser team a
pleasure to work with. “Being the purchasing
manager, the thing I like most about
Gasser is they are beyond responsive.
Roger Gasser is directly involved. I wish I
could say that about more vendors.” —JM
With the high volume of upscale meetings,
weddings, and other events New York
City’s famed Waldorf=Astoria hosts each
year, the hotel needs its 3,600 banquet
chairs to hold up—and that’s exactly what
chairs from Youngstown, Ohio-based 
