Joe's Tales from the Road

Eking out the Last of December
December 18, 2009

My week started with the 7 am shuttle to NYC with AH&LA Senior Vice President, Industry Relations Kimberly Miles for a meeting of the Venture Board to discuss plans for the 2010 IH/M&RS.  This show is owned by AH&LA, the Hotel Association of New York City, and the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, so we rotate chairmen.  For 2010, the chair falls to AH&LA and board member Pedro Mandoki, 2005 chair of AH&LA.  On our return flight later that day Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was seated near us.  And I made it back in plenty of time to attend The Choral Arts Society of Washington: Joyeux Noël A Christmas Celebration with a French Twist! at the Kennedy Center with my wife, Ruth.

Tuesday and Wednesday, we hosted incoming AH&LA Treasurer/Secretary Nancy Johnson, executive vice president, full service hotels for Carlson Hotels Worldwide.  A long-time active member of AH&LA, after meeting with our various departments, she was surprised to realize she was only aware of a small percentage of all of the work we do.  Of course Pam Inman, AH&LA executive vice president and COO, and I had the fun part – taking her to dinner at Potenza.  We had another visitor to our offices – Joe Simonetta, executive director of the New Jersey Hotel & Lodging Association, who met with Pam and me to discuss some outstanding issues.  Joe has always been very supportive of AH&LA.

Later that day, several staff got to meet a local celebrity when Melanie Alnwick, an anchor for our Fox affiliate, stopped by to interview me about hotel deals during the holidays.  My comments were included in the piece they aired that evening on their 10pm and next morning’s 6 am segments!

Thursday, Ruth and I continued celebrating the holidays when we were fortunate to be invited to the White House Christmas Tour.  It was a self-guided tour for a small group of us of both the downstairs and upstairs.  Although I can’t speak to a favorite room because the overall experience is so impressive and inspiring, I can certainly see that visiting foreign dignitaries would be intimidated walking thru that front entrance.  We finished off the evening with cocktails at the Hay Adams Hotel and dinner with neighbors at Sirocco. 

Today, I’m finishing up loose ends since it’ll be quiet in the office for the next two weeks with the holidays and staff using up their vacation time.  We’re expecting a big snowstorm this weekend here in D.C., so Ruth and I will be sure to get outside and enjoy the snow. 

I wish you all a great holiday weekend.