Around Town – February/March 2011

(Editor’s Note: Here’s a collection of newsworthy items from our industry members and the South Florida community. HSMAInsider, Julie Wernick)

Southeast Florida:

Congratulations to Anna Russo, who became Director of Sales and Marketing at the Ocean Skye Hotel and Resort (Fort Lauderdale) in December 2010

Welcome to Valerie Burgess, Business Development Manager, Embassy Suites (Fort Lauderdale – 17th Street) who is “new” in town from the Northeast. Valerie started working for Embassy Suites late December prior to the New Year. Before that, she worked for GWL Resorts a full-service franchise resort located in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, servicing the tri-state area NY/NJ and PA as Sr. Sales Manager.

Congrats to Joe Van Eron and Jack Zimmerman. For the fourth year in a row, their property, Liberty Suites, was the recipient of a “Pink Choice Award”. They are one of 22 gay and lesbian hotels worldwide chosen as the 2010 winners by reviews from the group’s 9000 members. Just announced, the awards also included from South Florida for the first time, the Alcazar Resort in Fort Lauderdale, as well as Pineapple Point and the Villa Venice.

Congrats to the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel & Golf Club who ranked #10 out of 329 Marriott hotels on their Event Satisfaction Survey.

Congrats to the Village at Gulfstream Park for being honored by the prestigious Shop America Alliance at its ONE Travel Conference last month with a SASI-ONE (Shop America Salutes Innovation) 2011 Merit Award for their Gulfstream Park Visitor Outreach Program. The Village at Gulfstream Park was the sole shopping destination in Florida to receive a SASI-ONE Award which recognizes prominent leaders and destinations in the tourism industry for their vision and commitment to developing shopping and cultural tourism.

John U. Lloyd Beach Park at Dania Beach was named one of the “Top 25 Most Popular Florida Parks in 2010” by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Biz Bash listed their “South Florida’s 10 Most Anticipated New Venues”. Number 3 on the list was the “new” B Ocean Hotel (Fort Lauderdale).

Speaking of events, during their Florida Expo, Biz Bash is holding their “Event Style Awards” on April 12th at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center. The Awards recognize talent in 16 categories ranging from event concepts, designs, sets, marketing to technology, etc.

The Village at Gulfstream Park has introduced “Wine Walk Wednesdays” on the first Wednesday of every month from 7 to 10 pm. The next two dates are: March 2nd and April 6th. Cost is $10 and includes a commemorative wine glass and chance to sample wines and cheeses at 15 different shops throughout the Village. A different charity will benefit from the fee each month. There’s more info at thevillageatgulfstreampark.com

The Betsy Hotel in South Beach (1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach) is hosting a new industry night in B Bar beginning on Wednesdays. No cover at 10 pm; plus “complimentary spirits” between 10 and 11 pm. Call for more info.

Urgo Hotels, based in Maryland, recently purchased the Ocean Point Hotel (Pompano Beach). Plans are to renovate the property and reopen under a new “flag” (full service or select service) in the late fall of 2011.

Vision Airlines, based in Atlanta (but with an office in Miami) announced that it was launching service between Fort Lauderdale and Louisville, Ky., starting March 25, with rates starting at $99 one way. They will operate nonstop flights four days a week from Fort Lauderdale to Louisville International Airport.

Amazon ranked Miami number 4 out of its top 20th “Most Romantic Cities in America” based on book orders; and it’s “Sexiest” City in America for the second year in a row.

Port Everglades reported that cruise traffic in the last quarter of 2010 was up 25 percent, to 1.17 million passengers. In other cruise news, the Port of Miami reported a 20 percent increase, to 1.14 million passengers.

The Water Taxi celebrated the grand opening of their new service in Hollywood. They have 16 stops in Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, and service 5 days per week to South Beach.

Sun Trolley expanded their current A1A and Las Olas service on Fort Lauderdale Beach. They operate 9:30am–6:30pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and (now) Monday. Sun Trolley’s A1A route is from 17th Street Causeway/Cordova Road to The Galleria Mall. Their Las Olas route runs from Marriott’s Beach Place to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Southwest Florida:

Congrats! WeddingWire announced the Hilton Naples Florida Hotel was selected to receive the annual WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards 2011 for Best Ceremony and Reception Venue in Naples.

The Lee County Port Authority announced that nonstop service between Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Denmark will begin on June 14, 2011. The flights will be operated twice weekly by the Scandinavian tour operator, Comefly, between Fort Myers and Copenhagen (CPH) and Aalborg (AAL), Denmark. This will be the first time RSW has offered nonstop service to Scandinavia.

The Paradise Coast recently announced its 2011 “Paradise Priced Perfectly” campaign. The campaign offers the best hotel deals along with extra savings on dining, shopping, spas, golf, attractions, etc., to visitors of Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades. Throughout the year, visitors can take advantage of deals and savings to plan the perfect Paradise Coast vacation. An extension of the former Values in Paradise (VIP) card, the Preferred Pass offers the best hotel deals along with extra savings.

The Paradise Coast has (once again) been recognized for communication excellence by the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA), this time with one silver and one bronze award. Destination Video - Marketing Budget Greater than $400,000
Silver: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau, Paradise Coast Destination Video; Visitors' Guide - Marketing Budget Greater than $400,000
Bronze: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau, Paradise Coast Visitors' Guide

The LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort has brought back its "Frostbite Relief," where guests earn valuable credits the longer they stay, and can use those credits towards spa treatments, dining or golf at the resort's luxurious course. Packages start at $409 per night.

The Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa is offering its “Escape! Golf Package”, beginning at $419 per person per night. Included is a deluxe tropical view room, two rounds of golf including cart at The Rookery at Marco, bag storage, bag tags, range balls, a golf gift item and 10 percent off at the Golf Pro Shop.

Statewide:

Florida Tourism Day 2011 will be held on Tuesday, March 22. The purpose of Tourism Day is to educate the legislature, media and Floridians about the importance of Florida’s tourism industry and the rationale for the public funding request to increase tourism marketing efforts. It’s the perfect day to let your lawmakers know just how vital tourism is to our state and how crucial it is for them to support Florida’s No. 1 industry.
To reserve your spot on this important day, you will need to register by March 7th. For more information, please contact dia@visitflorida.org

An estimated 82.6 million visitors came to the Sunshine State last year, up 2.1 percent from 2009, according to Visit Florida. Domestic visits increased by 0.5 percent, year-over-year, while Canadian travel to Florida increased by 16.2 percent and overseas travel to Florida increased by 13.6 percent.
(NOTE: Outpacing the rest of Florida, Greater Fort Lauderdale recorded a 2.6 percent increase in total visitors in 2010, according to year-end estimates. Spending in the local economy by the 10.84 million visitors also rose from $8.47 billion to $8.69 billion.)
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To submit items for future blog editions, send to jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider

Job Opportunity – February 2011

(Editor’s Note:
Here’s a local job opportunity that we were asked to pass along.
Important: Please make sure if you apply that you mention HSMAI-South Florida Chapter.
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider.)

The Clevelander is still looking for a suitable candidate for Director of Sales and Marketing. If anyone has any questions, they can call Karlene Palmer-McLeod, Marketing Manager. Here’s her info:

CLEVELANDER
1020 OCEAN DRIVE
MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139
T 786 276 1417
C 305 467 6556 F 305 531 3953
kpmcleod@clevelander.com
W CLEVELANDER.COM
--------------------------------------------
Director of Sales and Marketing

Date Revised:
December 1, 2010
Department:
Sales and Marketing
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Reports to:
General Manager

Summary:
Responsible for all Sales & Marketing strategies and revenue reporting for the hotel.

Duties and Responsibilities:
· Create and oversee the Hotel business and marketing plans to maximize hotel revenue among market segments to include retail, corporate and tour and travel groups.
· Responsible for the management of hotel room inventory and pricing strategies for all distribution channels.
· Responsible to develop and successfully manage the Sales and Marketing departmental budget and forecasts.
· Review and develop advertising strategies including placement, social media direct mail/email campaigns.
· Develop/Drive market share revenue performance through implementation of effective transient and group pricing strategy.
· Develop and implement promotional programs and packages as needed to impact occupancy and revenue results.
· Monitors weekly sales backlogs and adjusts selling strategies to maximize short and long term goals.
· Review all group contracts and monitors all room contracts i.e., confirmation, deposits, cut off dates, arrival and production.
· Conduct rate negotiations and coordinates contracting for consortia and handle a portfolio of key accounts in defined territory.
· Conduct /monitor competitive market rates in order to develop sales strategies and campaigns to gain occupancy and maximize revenue.
· Conduct sales and prospecting activity and defines local corporate accounts for small groups.
· Organize and coordinate FAM trips and hotel site inspections for prospective clients/business.
· Produce weekly/monthly reports, i.e., call productivity reports, corporate account production (GRC).
· Develop and monitor trace system for existing and new accounts.
· Maintain accurate database of corporate accounts and travel agents.
· Ensures PMS profiles are regularly monitored, updated and accurately recorded i.e., Rockstar Loyalty program.
· Conduct weekly Sales and Marketing meetings to review existing business as to develop new strategies and promote growth.
· Conducts weekly revenue strategy and events meetings and disseminates information to ensure optimal revenue and operational success.
· Responsible for the development, revisions and compliance of the Sales and Marketing Standard Operating Procedures.
· Coaches and mentors management staff and establishes short and long-term development plans.
· Conducts reviews for direct reports on a monthly and quarterly basis to discuss performance and observations.
· Develops, manages and measures performance of the the Sales and Marketing direct reports including sales action plans, volume goals, tactical implementation and assigned deliverables.

Other Functions:
· Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of Director level experience in Sales and Marketing.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:
· Strong working knowledge of Word, Excel programs.
· Strong financial and analytical skills.
· Strong knowledge of Hotel, Entertainment and Marketing Industries.
· Strong interpersonal, managerial and leadership skills required
· Strong organizational and time management skills required

Working Conditions:
· Work is not performed in an office environment and requires evening and weekend hours. Uses personal computer and other standard office equipment

Around The (Travel) Websites: What Consumers Are Reading…

(Editor’s Note: A collection of items from various sources. Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider.)

In a Trip Advisor’s “Your Guide to Choosing the Right City Escape” article, Miami Beach was featured as one of the “shopping mecca” cities under “Best for Shopping” designation.

In a Trip Advisor’s “Supreme Hotel Splurges” article on the world’s most expensive hotels, The Setai (South Beach) was featured for their $10,800 a night, 2-bedroom loft suite.

Trip Advisor featured the following Lauderdale area hotels in recent Member updates:
The Premiere Hotel: "WHAT A DEAL!”
Lago Mar Resort and Club: "Great for tropical relaxation"; “nice, very nice”
The Atlantic Hotel: “Great Hotel”
Westin Beach Resort: “Relaxation…Great location”
Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort: “Excellent service and absolute cleanliness”
Pelican Grande Beach Hotel: “Best beach hotel in Fort Lauderdale hands down”
Hyatt Place –Fort Lauderdale Airport North: “Convenient location. Good value for the money”; “pleasantly surprised”;

Conde Nast Traveler’s 2011 Gold List of the “best places to stay in the world” from their survey of readers just came out in January. Here are the South Florida properties that were included:
Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Miami (Score: 88.3)
The Setai, Miami Beach (93.4)
Brazilian Court, Palm Beach (89.5)
The Breakers, Palm Beach (90)
Omphoy Ocean Resort, Palm Beach (91.1)
Sundy House, Delray (88.2)
Ritz Carlton, Naples (90.9)
Ritz Carlton Golf Resort, Naples (90.6)

Concierge.com World Beat(Conde Nast Traveler’s online newsletter) featured the October opening of the Soho Beach House, a private club, hotel, and spa on 43rd and Collins in Miami Beach.

In Fodor’s Choice 2010 Gold List category, Best Design Hotels -- U.S. properties that boast the most stunning architecture and décor – the following South Florida properties were featured: The Delano Hotel, Miami Beach and The Fontainebleau, Miami Beach.

In a Fodor’s Newsletter article entitled “10 Totally Over-The-Top Romantic Getaways”, one of the places featured was The Villa by Barton G, Miami, FL, for its “Fantasy Versace Weekend”.

Reminder: Send your hospitality news, updates, etc to HSMAInsider, Julie Wernick, at jwfranklin1@gmail.com