Wednesday, October 26, 2011

HSMAI-SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER’S 28TH ANNUAL GALA – 2011 -- PART 2

(Editor’s Note: Here’s some additional info regarding the Annual Gala. Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider.)

As previously mentioned, Mike Hampton, Dean of the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management , FIU, received the 2011 Hospitality Legend of the Year” Award.
Other awards included:
General Manager of the Year: Heiko Dobrikow, Riverside Hotel;
Sales & Marketing Professional of the Year: Mari Garcia, Hilton Worldwide;
Revenue Manager of the Year: Denease Butt, Riverside Hotel;
HSMAI South Florida Rising Star on the Board: Alicia McCrae, SpringHill Suites Boca Raton; and the HSMAI South Florida Lifetime Achievement on the Board: Stacie Faulds, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

A new award, this year, the President’s Award, was given to Silvia Camarota, Senior Market Manager, Expedia – Miami.

We’d like to thank this year’s Event Sponsors:
Expedia
Hyatt Pier 66
Florida Atlantic University
MDG Advertising
Antares Wine

And a special “thank you” to the Chapter’s “Year-Round” Sponsors who were also honored at the event. These include:
Canmark Printing Solutions
FotoArkitekt
PSAV

Congratulations, Thanks for your support, and Best wishes to all!

Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider.
Reminder: To send info for the “Around Town” column, please forward to jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Please use same the contact info if you are interested in participating in the “An Interview with..." column.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

A Conversation With….Carlos Molinet

(This is a new occasional feature of our Chapter’s blog, spotlighting key members of our hospitality industry. If you are interested in participating, please contact Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider, at jwfranklin1@gmail.com)

Name: Carlos M. Molinet, CHA
Title: General Manager
Company: Hilton Worldwide – based at Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina

HSMAInsider: How Long Have You Been at Your Current Job at This Location?
Carlos: 5 years and 2 months

HSMAInsider: Where Were You Before?
Carlos: Area GM for Hyatt Pier 66 and Bahia Mar

HSMAInsider: How Did you Get Started in the Industry?
Carlos: I started as a Front Office Cashier in NYC

HSMAInsider: What is your Favorite Thing about your job?
Carlos: The ability to mentor and develop the future leaders of our industry as well as the interaction with our guests and creating memories for their stays.

HSMAInsider: What advice, if any, would you have for someone starting out in the Hospitality Industry?
Carlos: Engage your guests daily and always look for opportunities to seek out mentors to help guide your career. Additionally, involve yourself with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, as this will help you network and build your base of contacts for future success. Finally, I would say live up to a mantra of some kind, mine is from Conrad Hilton “To fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality”

HSMAInsider: When guests/friends visit and ask you what not to miss in South Florida, you tell them not to miss:
Carlos: The Water Taxi, The beach, The Everglades, Sawgrass Mills, and a show at either the Broward Center for the Performing Arts or in Miami at the Arsht Center.

HSMAInsider: Anything else you’d like to tell our readers?
Carlos: The hospitality business is richly rewarding especially if you adopt the servant leadership model and truly serve your hotel and community. My philosophy of life is based on the Success Poem – “To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or redeemed social condition: To know that one life has breathed easier because you have lived – this is to have succeeded” - Additionally, you have the key to unlock your possibilities in life and choose to do anything that you want with this.

HSMAI-SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER RECOGNIZES MIKE HAMPTON AT 28TH ANNUAL GALA

In a 28-year tradition, the South Florida chapter of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) welcomed South Florida tourism industry members for its annual Gala and auction, this year benefiting hospitality student scholarships.

A highlight of the event, held at Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, was the presentation of the
2011 “Hospitality Legend of the Year” Award to Mike Hampton, Dean of the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University.

Dr. Hampton was appointed Dean at FIU in January 2011. He previously was the Dean of the College of Hospitality Management for Lynn University from 2005 to 2011. With over 20 years of direct experience in the hospitality industry, he has served as a professional speaker, trainer and educator. He founded HSA International, a global training and education management organization specializing in the hospitality industry in 1986. Through his experience and educational pursuits he has become recognized as an expert in human resources development, strategic planning and sales development.

Dr. Hampton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Florida State University; a Master of Science degree in hospitality management, and an Educational Doctorate (Ed.D.) degree in adult education and human resources development from Florida International University. He has also received the designation of Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) as granted by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

Dr. Hampton has been active in industry associations, including the American Resort Development Association; the American Society for Training and Development; the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers, where he has served as president and a member of the association’s Board of Directors; the American Hotel & Lodging Association; the Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association; and the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI). He has also been involved in the Institute of Food Technologists and the American Statistical Association.

The Chapter’s “Hospitality Legend of the Year” Award is given for outstanding contributions to the local tourism/hospitality industry.

Other awards presented:

General Manager of the Year: Heiko Dobrikow, Riverside Hotel

Sales & Marketing Professional of the Year: Mari Garcia, Hilton Worldwide

Revenue Manager of the Year: Denease Butt, Riverside Hotel

HSMAI South Florida Rising Star on the Board: Alicia McCrae, SpringHill Suites Boca Raton

HSMAI South Florida Lifetime Achievement on the Board: Stacie Faulds, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Congratulations and Best wishes to all!

Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider.
Reminder: To send info for the “Around Town” column, please forward to jwfranklin1@gmail.com



Monday, October 17, 2011

Around Town – September/October 2011

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

Southeast Florida:

Congrats to Melody Dixon, CHSP, on her new position as Group Sales Manager at the Comfort Inn Ft. Lauderdale Airport Cruise Port on Stirling Road in Hollywood. Best wishes!

Congrats to Rod Kukurudz, the new Vice President of Event Sales, at ME Productions.
Prior to immigrating to the US, Rod was co-owner for 18 years of a marketing and event agency in France, creating and producing events with up to a half-million spectators.

Bahia Mar Beach Resort & Yachting Center, which recently gained approval for a Waldorf Astoria hotel, is in the middle of a multimillion-dollar upgrade of the existing landmark hotel building. The renovated hotel will be gaining the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel brand. In addition to the rooms, the resort’s 8,200 square-foot Commodore Ballroom will also be updated, including lighting, sound and internet connectivity.

The Atlantic Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale soon will be home to a new French bistro. Executive Chef Steve Zobel is opening East End Brasserie in the former Trina space on Oct. 27. The restaurant is being designed to reflect an authentic Parisian bistro.

Greater “Fork” Lauderdale celebrates its fifth consecutive year of Dine Out Lauderdale, a six-week culinary event promoting the area’s gourmet restaurants and renowned chefs. From October 1 through November 10, three-course meals are available at a $35 prix fixe at more than 35+ restaurants.

Fort Lauderdale-based IBC Travel has launched scheduled air service between West Palm Beach and Marsh Harbour, Bahamas. The flights are scheduled to operate year-round on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays with roundtrip fares from $359, including taxes and fees.

JetBlue Airways announced new nonstop service between West Palm Beach and Hartford, Connecticut. Beginning January 12, travelers can fly direct between West Palm Beach International Airport and Bradley International Airport in Hartford. JetBlue will offer a 2:30 p.m. flight from West Palm Beach that arrives in Hartford at 5:15 p.m., and a flight departing Hartford at 6 p.m. and arriving in West Palm Beach at 9:10 p.m.

The Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell Downtown opened in late September with more than 3,800 square feet of meeting space, comprised of five rooms, each of which is named after types of birds. When combined, the meeting space can accommodate 300 people in their joint space of 2,300 square feet. All rooms feature audiovisual equipment and complimentary Internet access.

Starwood’s eco-friendly Element brand opens at the Miami International Airport in December. Traveler-friendly amenities at Element Miami International Airport will include a 24-hour grab-and-go gourmet pantry, a laundry room, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms have work spaces and kitchens. There will also be a palm-lined pool outside.

The recently renovated Shelborne South Beach now has the Starlight Ballroom and three other event areas that offer flexible meeting space accommodations. Designed by ADD Inc., the 3,500-square-foot ballroom has an Art Deco theme and can hold 370 guests.

A multi-million dollar renovation is currently underway at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center, which boasts more than 155,000 square feet of meeting space.

The Regent Seven Seas is moving from Port Everglades to the Port of Miami in Fall 2012 to join its sister company, Oceania Cruises to berth at the Port’s newly renovated Cruise Terminal J. Both companies are owned by Prestige Cruise Holdings. The move to Miami was cited due to the popularity of Miami as a homeport for cruise passengers globally and the increased international airlift offered at MIA.

In November, Sun Air International Airlines will begin 18 weekly flights from MIA to five destinations in the Bahamas. In addition, Mexican low-cost carriers VivaAerobus and Interjet will also begin service in November. VivaAerobus will launch two weekly non-stop flights from Monterrey, Mexico every Monday and Friday. Interjet will offer daily non-stop service from Mexico City.

Southwest Florida:

MLT Vacations awarded Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa and Outrigger Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach 2011 Quality Assurance Awards at a special ceremony in St. Paul, Minn. The Quality Assurance Award recognizes a very select group of hotels that achieve a 99 percent customer satisfaction score and 99 percent delivery of product performance.

The American Bus Association (ABA) announced that Edison & Ford Holiday Nights, Dec. 2-31, 2011, has been designated as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2012 by an experienced expert tourism industry selection committee.

The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) earned a “Henry Award,” the highest award for imaginative destination marketing, along with three Silver Awards, at the 44th Annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism Flagler Awards Competition.

During the month of August 2011, The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel hosted 304,174 visitors, who spent about $157.4 million. Total visitation decreased 22.2 percent from August 2010, but calendar year-to-date 2011, paid accommodations visitation was almost 8 percent ahead of the same period last year. Total expenditures are up by 13.5 percent over the same period last year.

During August 2011, 420,105 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), a decrease of 5.5 percent compared to August 2010. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 3.3 percent from the same period last year.
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To submit items for future blog columns, please send info to jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider

Thursday, October 13, 2011

“12 Things to Do Before 2012” Per the GFLCVB

Today’s 2012 Marketing Plan Presentation by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau was attended by a who’s who of the area’s hospitality industry movers and shakers. In addition to presentations on public relations, highlights on destination sales, and an overview of advertising plans, handouts were distributed of their various printed guides and marketing plans.

One of the featured items was a little card entitled, “12 Things to Do Before 2012”.
Here is a summary of the items listed:

1. Nominate – The 2011 Sunsational Service Courtesy Awards will be held on December 1st. There will be 12 winners recognized at that time. Attendees were urged to nominate someone on their “frontline” staff for going above and beyond. The forms are on their website at www.sunny.org/nominate

2. Get Sporty – This year’s Broward County Sports Hall of Fame will take place on Tuesday, November 8th at the annual banquet. Tickets can be ordered by contacting Saskia at sfisher@broward.org

3. Collaborate – Special offers and deals as well as pre/prost cruise offers are listed on their site. To be included, send your “deals” info to Justin at jflippen@broward.org

4. Get Social – The CVB wants everyone to “like” them on Facebook (VisitLauderdale).

5. Say Cheese – In addition to liking them, they are soliciting photos to be posted on their Facebook page, too. These can be of staff or of visitors. Pictures also will appear on their site at the SunnysideUp page.

6. Retweet Us – They’d like us to retweet their posts on Twitter. (Everyone is following the CVB already, right?)

7. Check In on Foursquare – Make sure your business is listed as a venue, leave tips, engage with your mobile customers, update your descriptions, and add your specials. Foursquare.com/VisitLauderdale

8. Co-op With Us and Split the Cost: There are opportunities for shared advertising. See sunny.org/coop for details.

9. 'Tis the Season – Get included in various media stories by sending your holiday specials (Halloween too) and events to Jessica at jtaylor@broward.org

10. Freshen Up – If you haven’t done so recently, make sure your sunny.org listing is current. These listings also appear on their mobile site and iVisitLauderdale app. For a how-to-do-this guide, see sunny.org/PartnerLogin
11. Share the Sun – They are seeking to get donations for 3-night stays and for meals that can be used in promotions on Radio, TV, and online. They need certificates good through December 2012 (with any restrictions/black out dates). Contact Kim at kcanter@broward.org

12. Go MOBI – Promote to your friends and guests the new sunny.org mobi site which appears on Android, iPhone, Blackberry, and iPad. (Put this on YOUR cell phone if you haven’t already done so…)

Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider.
Reminder: Please send info for our “Around Town” column to jwfranklin1@gmail.com