

My mission is to take the stress out of hotel sourcing and venue decisions—for organizations, event planners, and retreat leaders.
Through The Hotel Whisperer, and as an independent licensee within a global hotel sourcing network, I help clients find the right hotels, negotiate smart contracts, and feel confident every step of the way.
I also support coaches and leaders who want to host retreats—sharing practical guidance so their retreats are thoughtful, well-run, and impactful.
Hi, I’m Kristen—founder of Down-to-Earth Insights and known to many as The Hotel Whisperer. After 30 years leading events for a Fortune 50 company, I now help organizations, associations, and retreat leaders find and negotiate the right hotel venues—making the process easier from start to finish.
I believe hotel sourcing should feel smart and straightforward, not overwhelming. With decades of experience and trusted hotel relationships, I help clients make confident venue decisions and secure well-negotiated agreements that support their goals.

The Hotel Whisperer
Need help finding the perfect venue? Whether you’re planning a small team retreat for 10 or a major conference for 60,000, I’ll source and negotiate your hotel contracts anywhere in the world.
🖋️ I handle venue research, proposal collection, and cost analysis.
🖋️ I negotiate concessions, upgrades, and flexible terms on your behalf.
🖋️ You get expert insights, side-by-side comparisons, and peace of mind—without adding to your payroll.
Best of all, my services are provided at no cost to you—the hotel pays my fee, not you.
Retreat Coaching
Dreaming of hosting your own retreat—but not sure where to start? My coaching helps retreat leaders move from idea to execution with clarity and confidence. Together, we’ll:
🖋️ Clarify your retreat’s purpose and desired outcomes
🖋️ Identify the right format, destination, and timing
🖋️ Create realistic budgets and pricing
🖋️ Build your attendee experience and marketing strategy
🖋️ Prepare you to negotiate, contract, and deliver with ease
Part inspiration, part execution—100 % clarity.
Kristen made the entire process incredibly easy. From sourcing the hotel to negotiating the contract, she handled everything with clarity and confidence—and even walked us through applying for a VAT exemption, saving us 16% in taxes. I’ll never plan another event without her.
Jess
Kristen helped us find the perfect venue—in a city I never would have considered. Her recommendation saved us close to $20,000, and she also connected us with support from the local Convention & Visitor Bureau. Our attendees loved the location, and I loved being able to hand off all the sourcing and contracting to her.
Not only did Kristen find the ideal hotel for our event, she also connected us with an outstanding destination management company. From décor and transportation to offsite dinners, every detail was handled beautifully. Having her guide the entire process was a game-changer.

But it’s in those moments of loss—whether it’s the loss of a relationship, a job,or simply the way things once were—that I’ve found the most significant growth.
Why is choosing yourself so hard? From a young age, we’re taught to put others first, be nice, and not be selfish. By the time we reach adulthood, choosing ourselves feels like a betrayal. What if it’s the most important decision we can make? For years, Kristen Chimack calculated the cost of leaving. Still, she never considered the cost of staying—the toll on her authenticity, peace of mind, joy, and health until she finally decided to walk away from it.
Maybe you’re standing at a crossroads, feeling trapped in a toxic job or relationship. You wonder if it’s just you—why does everyone else seem fine while you feel lost? You’re exhausted from pretending, scared of starting over, and confused. In The Cost of Staying, Chimack will guide you to trusting yourself, setting healthy boundaries, and building a life that aligns with who you truly are. Written like a conversation with a friend, this book is here to remind you: Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is admit that the life you’ve worked so hard to build might not be the one you’re meant to live.