By now you’ve probably heard about the passing of George W. “Bob” Gill Jr. who died on Wednesday of this week. Called the father of Broward tourism, Bob was a uniquely colorful individual, sometimes more aptly called the “godfather” of the local hospitality industry. In the community, he was most widely known as originally having built a number of the smaller hotels in the Birch area (between Las Olas and Sunrise boulevards) graduating in size to owning and operating both the Sheraton Yankee Clipper and the Yankee Trader Hotels. He was a strong supporter of the general managers of the former Fort Lauderdale Hotel Association through good times and bad – providing moral support, fiscal support, and even lending his lawyers to them when they needed legal advice or direction.
A number of my former colleagues had the experience of working for him. Bob was a hands-on boss and even after the selling of the hotels in 2005, he still went in to his office to keeping busy with various projects.
I first had the opportunity to meet Bob when I was being considered for the position of Executive Director of the Fort Lauderdale Hotel Association back in 1978. I had been warned not to be shocked by his salty language or scared of his gruff manner. In essence, I had been hired, but it wasn’t official until Bob gave his approval. The “interview” (if you can call it that) consisted of him telling me how he saw the future of Fort Lauderdale. My portion of the meeting consisted of smiling sweetly, not flinching at his off-color expressions, and saying how nice it was to meet him!
To his family, and especially to his daughter Linda Gill Morgan, go our heartfelt sympathy and condolences. Bob was a true, irreplaceable pioneer.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Around Town - 2-09
Jungle Island is running a special promotion for Florida residents – pay for one day get a year free. You have to go there before February 28th to qualify for the free annual pass. So hurry over and get your great deal!
The Ninth Annual Riverwalk Tribute is honoring Dr. George Hanbury this year in celebration of its 20 year history. The event will be on Thursday, March 5th, at the River House Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, check out their website www.goriverwalk.com
The Dania Beach Tourism Council reports that a Historic Heritage Marker was placed on a five-mile strand of beach now known as John U. Lloyd Beach State Park honoring what was once one of the few beaches open to African-Americans. The event coincidentally fell during Black History Month. In other Dania news, the area is looking to the addition of 8 to 10 new properties -- either nearing completion or under development-- to add more rooms to their current 25 hotel/motel properties. According to Joe Van Eron, President of their Tourism Council, Dania has approximately 2200 rooms and expects to approach over 3000 rooms or 6% of the County total by the end of 2009. They are hoping this will then surpass both Deerfield Beach and Plantation to put them in the third position (after Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood) in Broward County for bed tax collections.
Find more information about the Dania Beach Tourism Council at their website www.visitdaniabeach.com
And for those shoppers among us, don’t miss out at the Neiman Marcus Last Call Clearance Center at Sawgrass Mills. Their Presidents Day storewide sale is still on – now through March 2 and offering deals of 20 to 50% off.
Marriott’s Beachplace Towers on Fort Lauderdale beach is offering a special promotion on 4 and 5-night romance packages including a one night’s dinner for two at Charlie’s Crab Restaurant. Guess they’re thinking Valentine’s Day year round! The promotion is valid through November 6th, 2009. For more info, restrictions, etc, check out their website at www.marriott.com
Want to be included in the blog? Just send your latest information, updates, etc., to hsmaisouthflorida@gmail.com
The Ninth Annual Riverwalk Tribute is honoring Dr. George Hanbury this year in celebration of its 20 year history. The event will be on Thursday, March 5th, at the River House Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, check out their website www.goriverwalk.com
The Dania Beach Tourism Council reports that a Historic Heritage Marker was placed on a five-mile strand of beach now known as John U. Lloyd Beach State Park honoring what was once one of the few beaches open to African-Americans. The event coincidentally fell during Black History Month. In other Dania news, the area is looking to the addition of 8 to 10 new properties -- either nearing completion or under development-- to add more rooms to their current 25 hotel/motel properties. According to Joe Van Eron, President of their Tourism Council, Dania has approximately 2200 rooms and expects to approach over 3000 rooms or 6% of the County total by the end of 2009. They are hoping this will then surpass both Deerfield Beach and Plantation to put them in the third position (after Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood) in Broward County for bed tax collections.
Find more information about the Dania Beach Tourism Council at their website www.visitdaniabeach.com
And for those shoppers among us, don’t miss out at the Neiman Marcus Last Call Clearance Center at Sawgrass Mills. Their Presidents Day storewide sale is still on – now through March 2 and offering deals of 20 to 50% off.
Marriott’s Beachplace Towers on Fort Lauderdale beach is offering a special promotion on 4 and 5-night romance packages including a one night’s dinner for two at Charlie’s Crab Restaurant. Guess they’re thinking Valentine’s Day year round! The promotion is valid through November 6th, 2009. For more info, restrictions, etc, check out their website at www.marriott.com
Want to be included in the blog? Just send your latest information, updates, etc., to hsmaisouthflorida@gmail.com
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Around The Travel Websites - February 2009
The 2009 Travelers’ Choice Awards were recently released by Trip Advisor.
Survey results include the best bargains, the best for families, and the best services. Results are listed overall then separated by geographic areas. Sorry to say that South Florida wasn’t very well represented. In all the categories, the only one that a South Florida property appeared in was the “Top Best Bargains – U.S.” Cocobelle Resort in Fort Lauderdale was listed as number nine out of the ten selections. From Vero Beach, South Beach Place made the list of “Top 100 Best Bargains” (worldwide/overall) placing at number 57. (As expected, a few hotels from Orlando were listed in the “Best for Families” categories.)
In the Trip Watch section for Fort Lauderdale/Broward County of Trip Advisor, a number of various properties have been reviewed lately – with both positives and negatives. The last few weeks we’ve seen: The Fort Lauderdale Grande, La Quinta Inn, Gallery One, Inverarry Hotel, Hyatt Pier 66, the Hampton Inn Cypress Creek, the Rodeway Inn, et al. If you haven’t checked out this portion of their website you might want to do so to see what their customers (and yours) are saying.
Concierge.com (from Conde Nast Traveler) followed the Valentine’s theme and talked this month about romantic getaways, as well as easy weekend winter getaways. Nice to see Florida listed number one – specifically Islamorada -- as one of the eight getaways. And it’s still staying with the theme as in the last few months of short, easy to get to places either by car or a quick plane flight.
The Fodors “Show Us Your Florida” Photo Contest has recently ended. The winner should be announced the first week of March, but you can see entries on their site now. Fodors introduced a new column this month called the “No Nonsense Traveler”. The author is focusing on being frugal by making the right choices, being selective, seizing opportunities, and getting the most value for his dollar. Seems like a good addition to their lineup and a perfect match for their readers. One of his first “articles” talked about choosing a hotel – knowing your price points and what’s important to you will help you make your selection regardless of the ratings (that is, stars) that the property may have. Another article told consumers how to deal with setbacks using effective complaining.
In Fodors “Hot List” mid-month, they featured the Canyon Ranch Resort in Miami Beach. As you know, they always give the pros and cons of their listings…interesting reading. I also liked their article on trips with Grandparents. Have you explored this niche market yet? Another trend in the making…
By now, you know which sites I follow to see what consumers are reading. Which ones do you like South Florida?
Survey results include the best bargains, the best for families, and the best services. Results are listed overall then separated by geographic areas. Sorry to say that South Florida wasn’t very well represented. In all the categories, the only one that a South Florida property appeared in was the “Top Best Bargains – U.S.” Cocobelle Resort in Fort Lauderdale was listed as number nine out of the ten selections. From Vero Beach, South Beach Place made the list of “Top 100 Best Bargains” (worldwide/overall) placing at number 57. (As expected, a few hotels from Orlando were listed in the “Best for Families” categories.)
In the Trip Watch section for Fort Lauderdale/Broward County of Trip Advisor, a number of various properties have been reviewed lately – with both positives and negatives. The last few weeks we’ve seen: The Fort Lauderdale Grande, La Quinta Inn, Gallery One, Inverarry Hotel, Hyatt Pier 66, the Hampton Inn Cypress Creek, the Rodeway Inn, et al. If you haven’t checked out this portion of their website you might want to do so to see what their customers (and yours) are saying.
Concierge.com (from Conde Nast Traveler) followed the Valentine’s theme and talked this month about romantic getaways, as well as easy weekend winter getaways. Nice to see Florida listed number one – specifically Islamorada -- as one of the eight getaways. And it’s still staying with the theme as in the last few months of short, easy to get to places either by car or a quick plane flight.
The Fodors “Show Us Your Florida” Photo Contest has recently ended. The winner should be announced the first week of March, but you can see entries on their site now. Fodors introduced a new column this month called the “No Nonsense Traveler”. The author is focusing on being frugal by making the right choices, being selective, seizing opportunities, and getting the most value for his dollar. Seems like a good addition to their lineup and a perfect match for their readers. One of his first “articles” talked about choosing a hotel – knowing your price points and what’s important to you will help you make your selection regardless of the ratings (that is, stars) that the property may have. Another article told consumers how to deal with setbacks using effective complaining.
In Fodors “Hot List” mid-month, they featured the Canyon Ranch Resort in Miami Beach. As you know, they always give the pros and cons of their listings…interesting reading. I also liked their article on trips with Grandparents. Have you explored this niche market yet? Another trend in the making…
By now, you know which sites I follow to see what consumers are reading. Which ones do you like South Florida?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
HSMAI's Hotel Sales Strategy Conference
HSMAI's Hotel Sales Strategy Conference, organized by HSMAI's Hotel Director of Sales & Marketing Advisory Board, is being held on March 31, 2009 at the Swissôtel in Chicago. The Conference is designed to deliver hard hitting sessions that address the leadership skills needed in times like these, insights from customers, tactics for setting sales strategies and meeting sales targets, and deliver ROI on your attendance.
Being held in conjunction with HSMAI's Affordable Meetings Mid-America, April 1-2, at Chicago's Navy Pier, some of the Conference agenda highlights include:
The Passion of Leadership: help others identify opportunities to grow as leaders, while building commitment to continuous learning; Making Tough Business Decisions in Tough Times: Making tough decisions easier by having a guiding framework; One-on-One with Smith Travel Research: an exclusive up-to-the minute snapshot of where the industry stands and where it's headed; The Voice of the Customer: a spirited discussion with customers representing the association, government, corporate, and leisure sectors; Driving Online Reservations through Internet Marketing: the latest Internet Marketing tools and technology that will drive more traffic to your website to confirmed reservations; Make Yourself Indispensable and Unforgettable: how to develop and nurture your personal brand image.
To make attendance even more appealing, conference registrants receive a complimentary registration to one HSMAI University webinar of your choice in the second quarter of 2009. That’s a $99 value for HSMAI members. Sounds like a great opportunity!
Also, companies who exhibit at HSMAI's Affordable Meetings will receive a special registration rate for the Hotel Sales Strategy Conference -- 25% off of the early member registration rate (which equals $295 per person). Registration and additional information is available under events at national’s website: www.hsmai.org
Being held in conjunction with HSMAI's Affordable Meetings Mid-America, April 1-2, at Chicago's Navy Pier, some of the Conference agenda highlights include:
The Passion of Leadership: help others identify opportunities to grow as leaders, while building commitment to continuous learning; Making Tough Business Decisions in Tough Times: Making tough decisions easier by having a guiding framework; One-on-One with Smith Travel Research: an exclusive up-to-the minute snapshot of where the industry stands and where it's headed; The Voice of the Customer: a spirited discussion with customers representing the association, government, corporate, and leisure sectors; Driving Online Reservations through Internet Marketing: the latest Internet Marketing tools and technology that will drive more traffic to your website to confirmed reservations; Make Yourself Indispensable and Unforgettable: how to develop and nurture your personal brand image.
To make attendance even more appealing, conference registrants receive a complimentary registration to one HSMAI University webinar of your choice in the second quarter of 2009. That’s a $99 value for HSMAI members. Sounds like a great opportunity!
Also, companies who exhibit at HSMAI's Affordable Meetings will receive a special registration rate for the Hotel Sales Strategy Conference -- 25% off of the early member registration rate (which equals $295 per person). Registration and additional information is available under events at national’s website: www.hsmai.org
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monthly Member Benefit: Economic News – January 2009
A new feature of HSMAI is to feature a special member benefit each month to be promoted on our websites, newsletters, and in our programs.
This month’s feature deals with economic news. The HSMAI Foundation has introduced a special section of its online resource center, eConnect, to offer members a centralized place to access real-time economic news focused on the hospitality industry. The special section is a resource where you can go to find relevant and up to date news on how the very-changing economy is impacting business in the hospitality industry. It offers special reports, information on market trends and highlights different marketing activities that can help make a difference in your business results.
This special section of eConnect helps save time by consolidating the latest news and columns in one place. A series of articles/resources are available on the site. Just sign onto www.hsmai.org and click eConnect Industry News (one of the top boxes – white type on a blue background). Some portions are “member only” so you will need your id number. There are five basic areas along with a search function. Each includes a wealth of information to assist you in planning, getting leads, and turning them into sales.
This month’s feature deals with economic news. The HSMAI Foundation has introduced a special section of its online resource center, eConnect, to offer members a centralized place to access real-time economic news focused on the hospitality industry. The special section is a resource where you can go to find relevant and up to date news on how the very-changing economy is impacting business in the hospitality industry. It offers special reports, information on market trends and highlights different marketing activities that can help make a difference in your business results.
This special section of eConnect helps save time by consolidating the latest news and columns in one place. A series of articles/resources are available on the site. Just sign onto www.hsmai.org and click eConnect Industry News (one of the top boxes – white type on a blue background). Some portions are “member only” so you will need your id number. There are five basic areas along with a search function. Each includes a wealth of information to assist you in planning, getting leads, and turning them into sales.
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