Joe's Tales from the Road

Saying it Right
July 31, 2009

I made my way to New York City on Monday to meet with the Venture Board for the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show and discuss its new marketing initiatives.  With the help of Eric Mower Associates ad agency, we’re launching an ad campaign that is very new and different for us, and it’s sure to generate some buzz.  In addition to print ads, there will also be a fun interactive component that will certainly provide entertainment when you’re looking for an afternoon distraction, so be on the look out!  

On Tuesday and Wednesday, I was back in the office and working on forecasting for AH&LA for the remainder of the year.  Tuesday evening was one of those nights that it felt good to be a D.C. resident.  Ruth and I met Tom and Kathy Hewitt at D’Aqua for dinner, a very nice restaurant halfway in between the Capitol and the White House, and right next to the Navy Memorial.  We sat outside to eat, and enjoyed the serenade by the Navy band and choir, who performs every week during the summer at that location.  

By Thursday it was time to talk legislation.  Congress is about ready to recess, so I went with Marlene Colucci, AH&LA executive vice president, public policy, and Lisa Costello, AH&LA vice president, governmental affairs, to meet with Senator Michael Bennett (D-CO).  Senator Bennett is also the head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Commission, and we wanted to extend our appreciation for all his efforts. 

Today I am far away from forecasts and legislation, and relaxing in Saugatuck, Michigan.  Well, sort of relaxing – it’s a family reunion with my brothers and sisters, their children, and their children’s children, so there’s a lot of catching up to do and fun to be had! I love coming here, as it’s right on Lake Michigan and I remember coming here with my family back in the 1940s. 

But there are folks working hard at the office while I’m away.  Today the association is sending a letter to all the cabinet secretaries of the various government departments asking them to revise their policies discouraging government meetings and conferences in cities known to attract conventioneers or vacationers.  Similar to the conversations around TARP, AH&LA lobbyists will ensure these departments are educated about how their comments and decisions impact our vital industry.  

Now it’s time for me to kick up my feet and get some sun!

Spotlighting Strategy and Security
July 24, 2009

I feel as though I was able to catch my breath this week.  Following last week’s strategic planning meeting with our board, officers, and senior staff, we had a lot to catch up on as we plan for the association’s future in 2010 and beyond.

The AH&LA staff and I worked on responses to questions raised during the board’s Issues Forum, and Joori Jeon, AH&LA chief financial officer, and I continued our planning with a trip to the Educational Institute in Orlando.  During our brief visit there, we met with EI President/COO Robert Steele and worked on their business plan, budget, and other initiatives going forward. 

Flying back into D.C. was the least enjoyable part of the trip, as the heavy rain and lightning storms in the district caused some delays.  We were both grateful for not having checked bags on this short flight though, as those who did had to wait hours for the lightning to cease before the ground crew could unload the plane.

Also this week, we had a visit from Ginny Kozlowski, executive director of the Connecticut Lodging Association, our newest partner state association.  In addition to some very productive meetings, several senior staff and I welcomed her into the AH&LA family like we do with most new partners – with a delicious dinner at an Italian restaurant in downtown D.C.  This time we sampled the cuisine at Ponteza, a restaurant near our office.

While I guess you could say that this week was “slow” in terms of industry events, it was not a slow week for negative media coverage of hotels.  Three important stories hit the airwaves, each exposing hotel security breaches in the areas of guest privacy, room key security, and the safety of guest possessions.  Two of the stories – one on the peeping Tom who spied on ESPN reporter Erin Andrews and the other with a Good Morning America segment where an undercover expert implemented schemes to enter and rob two hotel rooms – garnered major national attention.  We are appalled by these security breaches and have encouraged our members to reevaluate the effectiveness of their current security procedures and staff which enforce them.

On another note, this week while I was finishing up business plan revisions, Kathryn Potter, senior vice president of marketing & communications, was in Miami for AH&LA’s Multicultural & Diversity Advisory Committee meeting, held during the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators, and Developers (NABHOOD) annual conference.   We are pleased to offer continued support of this organization, which had some positive discussions on the economy and future diversification of hoteliers.

It’s with that optimism that I close this week and look forward to a beautiful weekend in Washington.

July 17, 2009
 It’s All About Being Strategic

My week got off to a busy start as we hosted the AH&LA Strategic Planning Committee, comprised of about 20 members and staff.  The AH&LA 2010-2012 Strategic Plan meeting started with dinner Monday evening at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza, where the hotel staff did an outstanding job in both the presentation of the room and the food.  And we enjoyed a special dessert of birthday cake as we sang to Kimberly Miles, AH&LA senior vice president of industry relations, and Robert Steele, president/COO of our Educational Institute.

Tuesday morning David Kong and I attended a meeting organized by Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee, and included Arne Sorenson, president and COO, Marriott, Chad Callaghan, vice president of enterprise loss prevention, Marriott, and Andy Ingraham, president of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers, Inc.  Chairman Thompson was eager to get industry input on a variety of issues and discuss how the committee could more effectively be of assistance. 

David and I hurried from that meeting back to the AH&LA offices to participate in the Strategic Planning Committee meeting, led by facilitator Judy King, Quality Management Services, who did an admirable job of keeping the committee members focused on the work of redefining the three AH&LA core objectives established a few years ago.  The members were in agreement on various refinements made to the mission statement, core objectives, and accompanying strategies.  Our revised core objectives are:  Ensure retention and growth in our diverse membership; Provide legislative and regulatory advocacy to strengthen, promote, and protect the industry, and; Provide and effectively communicate value added services to all members.

On Wednesday, Pam Inman, AH&LA EVP/COO, convened a quarterly meeting of the “West Wingers” (for their location in our offices), which includes meetings, communications/marketing, business development, and membership.  The sales team also came in for that meeting and held additional ones to discuss strategies and opportunities.  In spite of the challenging times, they all seem enthusiastic regarding laying the groundwork for the eventual turnaround of the economy. 

Thursday we hosted one of our bimonthly meetings of the Washington representatives and hotel lobbyists, which featured a presentation from Helen Marano, director of the Office of Travel & Tourism Industries in the Commerce Department, and members of her staff.  Additionally, I convened a meeting of our senior staff to review the recommendations of the Strategic Planning Committee and map out the work needed to be done to prepare for a follow-up conference call on August 19.

Today I’m in the office tying up loose ends before I head to NYC to celebrate our granddaughter, Calla’s second birthday.  Have a great weekend, everyone!

July 10, 2009
Fourth of July and Future Planning

It’s been a while since my last blog, and I do hope you have had just as good of a past two weeks as I have.  Last week I was on vacation with Ruth, my children, and grandchildren at the Gulf Shores Plantation Resort in Gulf Shores, Alabama.  Former AH&LA Chairman Pedro Mandoki owns this property, which I must say is one of the most family-friendly I’ve encountered in a while.  The only problem is that everyone was having such good time enjoying the pool and beach, we didn’t get a chance to play a round of golf.

While I was on vacation the AH&LA office was still a buzz of activity.  Last Wednesday, the Under 30 Gateway membership category celebrated its first birthday, and its distinction as our association’s fastest growing membership category with more than 400 members.  For the month of July, they’re extending the celebration to new members, offering a special $50 rate.  I’ve enjoyed watching some of our industry’s finest young talent earn recognition and grow as a community over the past year.

We were also pleased to announce the Connecticut Lodging Association (CLA) as a new partner state association.  We look forward to welcoming Executive Director Ginny Kozlowski when she comes to our office later this month.

When I returned to the office on Monday, it was only for a few hours before I headed to the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) strategic planning meeting and ALIS Summer Update.  The planning committee brainstormed some great session topics and tracks for the January 2010 event, and the Summer Update was well-attended both in person and via the live global Webcast.

STR Global’s revised forecast highlighted the Summer Update, which admittedly had a somber tone in general.  It does look like 2009 will close at an approximate 55% occupancy rate, with RevPAR down about 17% from year-end 2008.

Breaking free of some doom and gloom discussions, we all had dinner at one of my favorite small Italian restaurants in Beverly Hills, il Pastaio.  I also went on a tour of LA Live, which included the under-construction Marriott and Ritz-Carlton properties adjacent to the Staples Center in LA.  This area has had a major hand in revitalizing the LA area. 

At the same time I was touring this successful endeavor, our marketing team was busy publicizing some impressive accomplishments of our members despite today’s tough economy.  We launched the new 10 Signs of Success campaign, both on our Website and our newly-improved Facebook page, and encourage everyone to learn from their success and to share their own stories.

This morning, I had two interviews with the media.  First, I spoke set the record straight about hotels “walking” guests with Joe Madison of the Black Eagle morning talk show, which airs mornings on XM Radio 169 The Power.  Later, Chelsea Butler of Hotel Interactive and I discussed how hotels are offering great deals these days to consumers, even before the market bounces back.   

The next few days in the office were dedicated to planning for future successes, as we enact the new ideas for our 100^th year anniversary just discussed with our Centennial Task Force today, and get ready for the strategic planning meetings next week to develop our 2010 business plan and rolling three-year plan.

But first, it’s the weekend, and the weather looks fine.  I’m excited because we’ve got tickets to go see Elton John this Saturday.