The September luncheon meeting held at the St. Regis Resort on A1A in Fort Lauderdale had a record sold-out crowd in attendance.
The presentation by Expedia focused on online travel/lodging trends, consumer segments coming to south Florida, and the selling of air/hotel packages. We were surprised to learn that 82% of households in the U.S. have internet access. (Our table guessed a lot lower number.) In lodging trends for our area, they showed occupancies down, but total package sales (air/hotel) up, and average daily rates on the rise. Prior to the presentation, we were treated to white glove service (literally) and a wonderful meal featuring lobster.
Loved meeting all new-to-me people at my table: Ana Schwager (Southwest Airlines) is based in Nashville but covers the Dade, Broward and Palm Beach areas and is in town quite frequently; Carolyn Solomon (Florida Travel Saver) is the local rep for her Ocala company; Fernando Rojas (Blooming Design and Events) is originally from Ecuador and provides flowers for events; Michael Broderick (Riverside Hotel) heads up revenue management; and Jennifer Weaver (Smart Source) reps computer and AV rentals for her company; General Manager Harry Hogan (Best Western, Oakland Park Inn) told some great stories from when he was in Fort Myers Beach and in the Cayman Islands.
Was delighted to welcome back Alice Parkman now in sales at the Embassy Suites Hotel on SE 17th Street; Visited with Alexander Worthington (Smith Office Supplies) and got caught up on industry personnel changes; Spoke with Melissa Milroy (The Galleria) about the local chamber of commerce; Met Gretchen Daley (Enterprise) and Gabriele Gannaway (Neiman Marcus), et al. As always, the value of networking at an HSMAI meeting is priceless.
Afterwards, I stopped by to chat with Catherine Cumings, St Regis Director of Sales and Marketing. The boutique property has only 166 rooms but lots of meeting space. One of the things she is most excited about is the newly opened spa. She told me to let everyone know that the spa facilities (on the seventh floor of the hotel) are open to the public. And their restaurant, “Cero” offers a menu that is sixty percent seafood and everything is organic. I took a walk over to check out the airy, ocean view restaurant room. Don’t know which you’ll want to do first -- run over to the spa or have a seaside gourmet meal on your lunch hour…See you next month
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