Joe's Tales from the Road

A Little of This, a Little of That
September 25, 2009

Monday started off with good news – the doctor said I don’t need surgery on my rotator cuff.  It’s such a relief and I’m glad all those exercises have paid off! With that out of the way, I was able to concentrate on following up from all the meetings in Iowa last week, as well as finalizing changes made to our strategic business plan as agreed upon during last week’s call.

Early Tuesday morning, I attempted to hail a cab to take me to a breakfast fundraiser with House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), and co-hosted by AH&LA, American Resort Development Association, International Council of Shopping Centers, and the National Association of Home Builders.  I say ‘attempted’ because D.C. taxi drivers were on strike that day, unbeknownst to me!  A non-striker finally gave me a ride, and I was able to enjoy the breakfast and discuss key issues impacting the real estate and hotel community.

My focus on Wednesday was the Hall of Honors program at the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College, a committee I’m actively involved in.  I discussed the program over lunch with the college’s dean, Dr. Bowen. I love doing anything I can to help engage students in our industry.

Later on Wednesday, we sent an advisory to our members on the terrorism threats in Denver and New York.  Luckily, nothing ever came of those threats, but we’re still advocating that everyone takes extra precautions.

I spent Thursday in Orlando at the Educational Institute (EI) being interviewed for a video we’re producing to commemorate AH&LA’s centennial anniversary, along with Robert Steele, president, EI, and past AH&LA chair, and Thomas Staed, AH&LA past chair.  The video will debut at the AH&LA Centennial Celebration and Inaugural Gala honoring Incoming Chair David Kong, president and CEO, Best Western International, on November 8.  David was also interviewed in Phoenix, Arizona, on Wednesday, as well as John Russell, CEO, NYLO Hotels, LLC, and AH&LA past chair.   If you can’t wait until November, take a look at another video we produced that will run in over one million guestrooms, courtesy of LodgeNet, in honor of our centennial.

Thursday was also a big day in Memphis, Tennessee.  The local Women In Lodging members joined with national partner Dress for Success to host more than 100 disadvantaged women in a hospitality career day.  Of the six events just like this held across the country, this was the most successful turnout, and those members should be very proud.  A special thank you to Merilyn Mangum at The Peabody for being a gracious host.

I’ve been pleased with how well-received our H1N1 Influenza Management in Hotels has been.  Many organizations have already called me, asking if they could distribute it to their members.  The answer is always yes!  We want everyone to be prepared for H1N1, which is why we’re also offering a Webinar on the matter next week.  Over 200 people have registered, and we’ll make a recorded version available for members who missed it.

Originally I was going to take today off, because my daughter, Susan, and her husband, Ken, and their children, Westen and Calla, were supposed to have arrived last night, but as it turns out, they’ll be coming in later today.  So I’m in the office today and taking advantage of this unexpected time to catch up on a few things. 

Stay healthy and have a great weekend!

Combining Forces
September 18

This is my first blog entry for September, as I caught a bug last week while in New York for the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show Venture board meeting and spent the majority of Wednesday through Saturday in bed.  It was a good meeting though, and our number of exhibitors for November is right on target with last year, they’re just taking less floor space.  The board also announced a new venture for 2010 with Boutique Design Magazine, who will partner with us to host a boutique design show within our show.

Sunday Ruth and I made our way to two street fairs; one in Alexandria, VA, and one in the Adams Morgan district of D.C.  Both had a completely different feel and they were a lot of fun to walk around.  We topped it off with dinner at one of my favorite spots - the rooftop at Perry’s overlooking Adams Morgan, which serves an unexpected combination of sushi and Spanish tapas.

Monday I was back in the office and preparing for a busy week ahead.  Tuesday was packed with meetings, starting at breakfast with Jim May, president, Air Transport Association; Michael Gehrisch, president, Destination Marketing Association International; Dawn Sweeney, president, National Restaurant Association; and Roger Dow, president, U.S. Travel Association, to discuss issues affecting our industries and how we could support one another.  Then for lunch, Marlene Colucci, executive vice president, AH&LA, and I met with the National Real Estate Organization to discuss real estate and tax issues affecting the real estate market, which we are an integral part of, and ways to work together to educate members of Congress on the importance of commercial real estate.

Back in the office that afternoon I had our monthly call with the AH&LA officers and Jan Chesterton, vice president, New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association and the chair of the International Society of Hospitality Association Executives (ISHAE), to discuss issues and obtain their advice.  This year we added the chair of ISHAE to get the perspective of the partner state associations.  I really value these calls, because they act as sounding board for prioritizing the issues facing our industry that AH&LA needs to address.

That night, continuing the theme of meetings-over-meals, Marlene and I had dinner with Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chair, Carlson Companies, and Leslie Kupchela, senior director of external  communications, Carlson Companies, to discuss legislative and business issues facing the industry.

I got off to an early start on Wednesday, hopping on a plane to Des Moines, Iowa, to prospect for new members in Iowa with Craig Walter, president, Iowa Hotel & Lodging Association, and Kellie Moser, director of membership sales, AH&LA.  We took part in wonderful morning and evening receptions, and a special thanks to Tom Murray, from Country Inns & Suites in Clives, Iowa, and chair, IH&LA; and Rick Funke, general manager, Sheraton Des Moines West, incoming chair of IH&LA; as well as Kurt Miller, Gateway Hotel; and Jeff Peller, general manager, Marriott, Coralville, for their hospitality and putting on exceptional events.

In between other meetings with hoteliers, the true highlight was teaming with Tom, Craig, and Kellie to take NASCAR by storm.  The Ramada Des Moines just remodeled their hotel to include a water park and a spectacular arcade.  So the four of us jumped into NASCAR simulators and began racing around the track.  Thankfully this was only a simulator, because I wiped out on the second turn and ended up in 18^th place.  Tom, on the other hand, took 1^st place, a feat that took the Ramada general manager months to achieve.  Tom definitely gets the gold star on his racing helmet!

After we stepped off the track, we headed to a reception in Coralville, which is a quaint suburb of Iowa City, where we heard an interesting story from Phil and Joyce Ropp of the Pullin Inn.   Apparently, the Chamber of Commerce of Kalona, Iowa, had arranged for the sheriff to “arrest” an out-of-town couple and sentenced them to 20 hours as tourists in Kalona.  It was a very creative publicity stunt that garnered considerable local media attention.

While I was away, invitations were sent to all AH&LA past chairs and presidents to attend our centennial celebration in New York.  We hope they will all attend, as they are integral to the association’s success.  Tara Allen, manager of board administration, AH&LA, also sent all board members a request to send their ideas for discussion topics at November’s issues forum.  We hope to get some excellent topics, which will then been thoroughly discussed and addressed by the group.

Today I am finishing a meeting with a multiunit operator and heading home.  It’s been a great week in the Midwest with beautiful weather, but I’m looking forward to a relaxing weekend at home.

Surprise Me
September 4

This has been a week of celebration!  Yours truly has been the focal point, but it all came as a surprise to me.  It started Friday, when Pam Inman, EVP & COO, kept me at the office until 7:15 p.m.  I did think it was a little odd she had so many items to go over when it had been such a quiet day in the office, but I had no idea she was detaining me so Ruth could throw me a surprise 70^th birthday.  And surprised I was!  I thought I was just coming home to have dinner at our neighbors, but my home was overflowing with friends ready to celebrate.  My shocked entrance was captured on video, and you can also watch me blowing out my candles. It was a grand party.

With all the festivities, the most important thing we celebrated was on August 30 – mine and Ruth’s 40^th wedding anniversary.  I feel lucky to have a most attractive, wonderful, and caring wife who has put up with me for all these years.

On Monday, I was still smiling from the weekend, and ready for a day of catching up – especially from Pam’s long list from Friday!  Of particular importance, we sent out an advisory to members encouraging them to contact their Senators regarding passage of the Tourism Promotion Act, as we believe this important bill will be up for a vote on September 8.

Joori Jeon, EVP & CFO, Marlene Colucci, EVP Public Policy, and Pam invited me to lunch at The Laughing Man Tavern on Monday for my birthday, and once again I was in for a surprise.  As I am walking downstairs to the dining room, I see nearly the entire AH&LA staff, along with Ruth, awaiting my arrival.  They all sang happy birthday and wore stickers in my honor reminiscent of our 100 year anniversary logo, and Ruth showed a video of photos throughout my life.

There were no surprises on Tuesday, which was good, because I needed to finish some things I promised would be completed by the end of the summer.  Now I can move into fall with a clear conscience!

Wednesday I flew to Colorado Springs for The Broadmoor HotelPAC Classic.  This golf event has raised over $200,000 the past two years for HotelPAC, accounting for 25% of all PAC contributions.  It’s a worthy event I look forward to every year. 

Wednesday night we had dinner with the HotelPAC Committee, the Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association staff, and The Broadmoor executives. This was my actual birthday, and, of course, they had a magnificent birthday cake with only seven candles to blow out.  The staff at the Broadmoor always does an exceptional job on everything they do for the association, and I really appreciate all the time they devote to ensure the HotelPAC event’s success.

On Thursday, 138 golfers played in a scramble format.  I was paired with Scott Bridges, Hertz; Doug Jonston, Kohler; and Paul Cerrett, Aspen Snowmass. We shot a 60, which was only good for 4th Place.  The winners were the Republic National Distributors team, comprised of Jeff Legg, Robert Hahn, and Mark Steron, who shot a 58. Everyone had a great time and they did sing happy birthday to me at the closing dinner, the official end to the longest running birthday. Next week I will report back how much money HotelPAC raised from the auctions.

Today at the office, we released a comprehensive guide on preparing for the flu influenza, which is available for free download.  It’s also a precursor to a Webinar we’re hosting on September 29.  I am on my way to D.C. to enjoy a nice long weekend and the last days of summer. I think it’s safe to say nothing will surprise me at this point!

Birthday celebrations are fun, and I have enjoyed it all and greatly appreciate all the hard work everyone did to make it happen, especially Ruth.  I am a very lucky man.

Have a great weekend.