Recap: HSMAI-South Florida Meeting at Lynn University-November 20,’08

So, what’s new in Revenue Management? Our presentation by Dr. Jim Downey who teaches the subject at Lynn University in Boca Raton provided a recap on a recent conference he attended. It seems that our Rooms Managers, who used to do our predictions manually, didn’t have a bad handle on knowing their properties and making rate projections. Even those of us still in the dark ages – that is, those still using Excel programs to forecast – are not doing that bad. The big “however” is that we need to be even more accurate in our predictions to beat our competition and have longer foresight to stay viable in the marketplace. Therefore, all pundits are telling us (even a 90-room Hampton Inn) that we MUST invest in the new computer programs for revenue management. And, the sooner the better.

Revenue Management has now become an intrinsic part of our entire companies. No longer is revenue management limited to just predicting what room rate we should charge next season. It has been integrated into all parts of hotel operations. The message to learn here is that even if revenue management is not your specific job, you should know how it will affect your responsibilities and how it fits into the overall goals of your hotel/company. Interested in knowing more? Don’t miss the resources section of national HSMAI’s website – there are many articles and items of information to assist you. Sign up for the Revenue Management Special Interest Group (SIG) and tap into useful tools and an online community of your peers. There’s even a certification program available.

Besides the evening’s program, our group was treated to a fantastic meal and a plethora of various wines – during the passed hors d’oeuvres and a different wine for each course of our meal – from the starter salad, middle course of lobster risotto, and to the main course of chicken francaise -- and ending with a Port wine and chocolate chip cookies. At each wine presentation, we were educated about the type of wine, its origins, its background, and why it was chosen to complement the food being served. How wonderful that Lynn University has a sommelier on their hospitality school staff to educate the students about wines and food.

We thank Mike Hampton, Dean of Lynn’s Hospitality School, along with all the rest of the staff – and the students, too – who went into making this an evening to savor and remember. Enjoyable AND educational, too!

HSMAI-South Florida Chapter Community Service Activities – Nov. 2008

Susan Stern, 2008 Board Member in charge of Community Service sent along the following report:

“On Saturday, November 8, 2008, the HSMAI Community Service Division took twenty homeless children and their parents from the Broward Outreach Center to Wannado City. What an afternoon it was -- These kids and adults had never seen anything like it. Quite frankly, some of the HSMAI members that came along had not either.

There was action everywhere, excitement in the air. Fire trucks with sirens on to save burning houses; Clowns and dinosaurs in the streets; Children covered with chocolate as they ate the creations they’d made; and Children dressed up as police officers keeping the streets of Wannado City safe.

As soon as we entered the facility, the kids scattered all over the place and were not to be found until we gathered them up for dinner in our private room. They ate fast so that they could go back to the many fun activities and do what they “wanna do”. The joy on their faces was incredible. They are still talking about it.

It was a very rewarding day that touched all of our hearts. Who knows, maybe there is a doctor, banker, lawyer or hairstylist in the future of these kids. . We made it possible for those less fortunate who could not afford to go to such an attraction to learn about various careers. It was truly one of the best Community Service projects we have ever done.

Thank you to Sandy Edwards from Jungle Island who made all the initial arrangements at Wannado City and to Richard Gonzalez, with American Coach, who provided complimentary transportation for the Broward Outreach Center residents. Also thank you our members who attended including Stacy Faulds, Marcus Michaud and Kirsten Larrain.

I am proud to be a part of this organization and to be in the presence of such generous human beings. Wishing everyone a very Happy and Joyous Holiday Season -- And don't forget those less fortunate during this season of giving.”

Special Interest Groups – Director of Hotel Sales and Marketing

I’m still educating myself about all the wonderful things that national HSMAI can assist you with in planning and preparing for business, in getting that edge on your competition by staying up with various trends, and in constantly learning about ways to sell in this challenging economy.

HSMAI offers a wealth of resources on their website. One of the areas to take advantage of is called “Special Interest Groups” or SIGS. You can sign up for any one of the (current) five SIGS that relates to your job duties. In fact, you can sign up for as many of them as you want. There is no additional charge or fees to do so. Being a member of HSMAI allows you into a “members only” area to download relevant articles and templates. One of the SIGS is called the Director of Hotel Sales and Marketing.

There is an online community tool through which you can share information with your peers in other parts of the country (the world, actually). Ask for advice, direction, and suggestions – whatever you might need.

In addition, there are resources that are grouped into various categories and discussion areas. Some of the items in the HDOSM area include: The How to’s of Advertising, Articles of interest, Capital Expenditure planning documents, Contract templates and resources, Group Booking Reports, Job Descriptions, Convention Services and Catering, Reservations, Revenue Management, Sales and Marketing, Public Relations, Resort Best Practices, and so on and so forth. Plus you can see input from previous Sales Strategy conferences that can give you ideas to use in your current sales and marketing efforts.

The first step is to sign up or sign in and update your profile. Once you’ve done that, you can save the link in your favorites and visit regularly. Are you taking full advantage of all that membership in HSMAI offers? Check it out.

HSMAI-South Florida Welcomes New Members-October 2008

Please join me in warmly welcoming the new members, listed below, who joined our Association during the month of October, 2008 taking the first step in getting an edge on their competition.

Alayna Alison – Vantage Hospitality Group
Rigaud Belcin – Elegant Limousine LLC
Stefanie Bennett – Florida International University
Laura Crawford – Vantage Hospitality
Beth Failer – DECO Productions
Liza Guzman – Florida International University
Gekeima Howard – Vantage Hospitality Goru[
Sam Kaluf -- Trade Reps Hotel Marketing Group
Caroline Karlberg – Florida International University
Jenna Mocci – Florida International University
Ketie Moore – Expedia
Ryan Parker – Florida International University
Rachel Reppert – Florida International University
Mark Rode – Vantage Hospitality
Eva Scott – Expedia, Inc.
Claire-Helen Sutton – Expedia
Patricia Sweeney – Lago Mar Resort & Club

"Industry's Hospitable Spirit Should Reach Out to Others"

Jason Smith, Vice President Communications for HSMAI (national), wrote the following article which appeared on October 6, 2008 in Hotel & Motel Management which we are happy to share with our readers:

Volunteering and the hospitality industry long have enjoyed a special relationship, one that has strengthened recently with the growth of "voluntourism," the trend among travelers to volunteer during their vacations. We often laud our guests for "doing the right thing" while visiting our cities. However, keep in mind that those of us in the hospitality industry are also naturally inclined to volunteer—from pitching in after hurricanes to giving time within our own communities to raise funds for local causes.

In fact, one in four Americans age 16 or older volunteered last year, totaling over 60 million people doing unpaid work for a non-profit organization, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service. Anecdotally, I'd venture to guess the numbers are even higher within our own industry. And why not? Volunteering is a natural extension of our willingness to help, to reach out to others and to leverage our hospitable spirit.

And we all know the benefits of volunteering, both on a personal level and on a professional level. Personally, giving back to the community gives us the satisfaction of being a part of something larger than ourselves. It also allows us to have a positive effect on someone else's life or career path.

Professionally, volunteering is a great way to network, learn or develop new skills and communicate to others that you are ambitious, enthusiastic and care about the community.

Studies also show that morale soars when employees are given the opportunity and the time to volunteer within the community. That is something that is always important in any organization. So, as we bring the next generation of hospitality professionals into our industry, it's important to keep in mind additional ways that we can all give back:

Volunteer within your local HSMAI chapter. This could be by serving on a chapter board or a special interest group advisory board that guides programming or membership.
Or, try leading community-facing events, such as fundraising for local schools, police and fire departments or parks and beaches in your city.

Volunteer to be a guest lecturer at the local community college.
You could even offer to be a mentor to students and young professionals entering the hospitality industry. There are scores of young people entering our industry looking for direction and insights. Volunteering will give you a way to serve as a role model for future hospitality leaders.

Check into virtual volunteering—something that you can do from home and doesn't require a huge time commitment. Virtual volunteering can range from participating in association committees to writing and facilitating webinars as educational tools for young professionals.

However you decide to volunteer, keep in mind the most successful volunteer experiences are rooted in creating a meaningful opportunity for you to do something you love to do.