The Practice.
Genuine hospitality promotes presence, creates space for inspiration, and returns us to the world ready to contribute something meaningful.
The Blackfjord is the practice we built from that understanding. Our lifestyle, work, and writings are the expression of what we believe, and our philosophy personified. Understanding that we owe to ourselves to embrace this existence, and live and gather in ways that earnestly add value to our lives and the lives of others.
Nikki Blackford
Studied at The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) ‘12 – Communication Arts, Advertising.
Creative communications and marketing management for major brands. Notable campaigns and projects:
The Georgia Theatre re-opening | Caren West PR, 2012
The Third Space opening and Spice to Table launch | James Beard-nominee, Chef Asha Gomez, 2013
NYT-best selling cookbook, Heritage, release and Minero Charleston opening | James Beard Award-winner, Chef Sean Brock, 2014
Root Bound Symposium | Relais & Châteaux - Old Edwards Inn & Spa, 2017/2018
B-Liner Restaurant opening with James Beard Award-winner, Chef Mike Lata | Platinum Clubs of America, AAA Five Diamond - Kiawah Island Club, 2019
Host and partner for PGA Championship, PGA Ambassador and 8-time James Beard Award-winner, Chef Tom Colicchio, along with NetJets, Peter Millar, and Worth Magazine | Kiawah Island Master Developer - Kiawah Partners, 2020/2021
Nordic Growth Summit launch in Copenhagen, Denmark in partnership with former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, Alan Levanthal + DNB Carnegie strategic partnership launch | BBLSA, 2022/2023
Metropoulos Institute for Technology and Entrepreneurship launch, Babson Social Innovation Fund launch, and Babson Connect Worldwide Global Family Entrepreneurship Award Ceremony (Tuscany, Italy) in partnership with Maison Camus Cognac | Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership - Babson College, 2024/2025
Caleb Blackford
Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Mississippi State University.
SHRM-CP, Certified Hospitality Trainer.
15+ years in hospitality operations management and HR leadership for leading groups in the industry. Project execution includes:
Lead on $2.5M, three-venue dining concept. Implemented $50k new service training development program. Managed Staff: ~50, Overall Annual Revenue: $12M, Operations: Up to 1,200 attendees | Platinum Clubs of America - Capital City Country Club (501c), 2012-14
Member of principal team on Destination Hotels Task Force for AAA Five Diamond - La Cantera Resort & Spa’s (San Antonio, TX) $28M renovation. Managed Banquet Staff: ~110, Events Annual Revenue: $16M, Operations: Up to 5,000 attendees. | Destination Hotels, 2014-17
Director, Clubhouse Operations—across club’s four primary departments, along with H-2B and J-1 Visa recruitment and relations for six-month seasonal operations. Managed Staff: ~50, Overall Annual Revenue: $5M, Operations: Up to 550 attendees. Lead crisis management and restoration as a result of large-scale fire (2017) damaging 65% of clubhouse | Platinum Clubs of America - Country Club of Sapphire Valley (501c), 2017-19
Events leader for AAA Five
Diamond - Wild Dunes Resort’s (Charleston, SC) multi-million-dollar expansion. Managed Banquet Staff: ~80, Events Annual Revenue: $8.5M, Operations: Up to 750 attendees | Destination Hotels, 2019/2020
Director, Global Talent Acquisition—following senior project management across HR Department (including: TA, HR Tech, Training & Development, Comp & Benefits, and Compliance) leading 40+ projects upwards of $3.5M+—Lead CRM/ATS & career site design implementation and enterprise rollout, training 250+ HR Directors and Hiring Managers. Managed key HRIS upgrades & integrations for 10,000+ employees | Sonesta International Hotel Corp., 2021-25