From Intern to Entrepreneur: Hilton BWI Honors Autism Awareness Month with Moore Crunch
- Kayla Burkholder
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Hilton BWI—a Procure Impact partner hotel managed by PM Hotel Group—hosted a heartfelt evening reception on April 22nd featuring Marcus Moore of Moore Crunch pretzels, a Procure Impact supplier and former Hilton employee.
Honoring a Hilton Alum
At the Hilton Baltimore BWI this April, something powerful happened. There was laughter, a few happy tears—and a whole lot of pretzels.
But the evening wasn’t about the food. It was about the man behind the food.
Marcus Moore, a young entrepreneur with autism, returned to Hilton BWI—not as a team member this time, but as the founder of Moore Crunch, a small-batch pretzel company with a big story.
Years ago, Marcus was an intern at Hilton BWI through Project SEARCH, a program that helps young adults with developmental disabilities gain real-world work experience. For Marcus, that internship wasn’t just a line on a résumé—it was a first chance. For this special event, he returned—this time as a supplier, with his pretzels proudly served at a reception in his honor.
“Marcus spent the day at the hotel, back in his old stomping grounds, the first place that gave him a chance,” shared Amanda Hoy, Director of Rooms at Hilton BWI. “It was amazing to witness his excitement and appreciation of it all.”
A Menu Built on Moore Crunch
The idea for the event originated from a single purchase: Hilton BWI placed an order for Moore Crunch pretzels through Procure Impact, a marketplace that connects businesses with social impact products. From there, the team knew they could do something more meaningful.
With full support from General Manager Keith Moses, and the creativity of Executive Chef Ron Pericone, the hotel built a menu around Marcus’s pretzels.
“Chef Ron used every pretzel flavor of Moore Crunch to curate the reception menu, which was incredible!” Amanda said.
Sharing Hope with the Next Generation
Marcus didn’t just show up for the food—he came to inspire. During his visit, he spent time with current Project SEARCH interns, offering advice and sharing his personal journey.
“He gave hope, encouragement, and great insight to the students about chasing your dreams and aspirations,” Amanda said. It wasn’t just a proud moment for Marcus—it was a powerful one for everyone watching.
“I’m so grateful. Remember, always be proud of you like to do and be happy what you like to do. It’s a good day to have a good day, and the world needs more crunch!” - Marcus Moore
Celebrating Community
Throughout the day, the hotel buzzed with energy and heartfelt moments. Marcus toured the property, reconnecting with the engineering team where he once worked, and sharing laughs with hotel leadership and guests alike.
The evening reception brought together community leaders, guests, and team members in celebration. WUSA9 covered the event, and Councilman Pete Smith joined in the festivities, offering his continued support.
Amanda also highlighted the presence of Abbey Ehn of Procure Impact, saying, “She does such an amazing job in her role, but on a personal level, she and I are kindred spirits. Our passion to make change and support causes are so similar.”
Hoteliers: Turn Your Purchasing Power Into Purpose
At Procure Impact, we believe your hotel can be more than a destination—it can be a catalyst for change. The Hilton BWI story reminds us that even a simple pretzel can represent a powerful journey when paired with intentional sourcing.
When you source through us, you're not just curating experiences—you’re creating employment, restoring dignity, and investing in brighter futures.
Because in hospitality, the smallest details—like a turndown chocolate, a smile behind the front desk, or a unique bag of pretzels—often carry the greatest impact.