If you want to see everything, be sure to click on the link that says "Older Posts" on the bottom of each big page. There are over 40 posts for this conference alone, so don't miss a thing by just stopping at the bottom of the page.
Juli
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
The REAL Top Ten Reasons . . .
Earlier in this blog I posted the 'funny' top ten list that was presented to us by the General Manager of the Greenbrier regarding why we should look forward to going to this resort next year for the annual conference.
Following is the 'serious' list. I wish I could show you their beautiful photography, but I cannot, so I guess you will just have to trust me when I say "I'm not missing this one, and neither should you!"
#10 No ducks. . . but falcons (they have a school of falconry there)
#9 Over 50 activities on the property
#8 The Spring House
#7 The Spa
#6 Prime 44 West
#5 The Bunker
#4 The Casino at the Greenbrier
#3 Golf (The GM says no charge to resort guests to golf after October, so let's pray for another mild November!)
#2 The Greenbrier
#1 The Ladies and Gentlemen of the Greenbrier
I hope to see you there.
Juli
Following is the 'serious' list. I wish I could show you their beautiful photography, but I cannot, so I guess you will just have to trust me when I say "I'm not missing this one, and neither should you!"
#10 No ducks. . . but falcons (they have a school of falconry there)
#9 Over 50 activities on the property
#8 The Spring House
#7 The Spa
#6 Prime 44 West
#5 The Bunker
#4 The Casino at the Greenbrier
#3 Golf (The GM says no charge to resort guests to golf after October, so let's pray for another mild November!)
#2 The Greenbrier
#1 The Ladies and Gentlemen of the Greenbrier
I hope to see you there.
Juli
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Interesting Things I Saw at the Peabody Memphis Hotel
I loved the faux painting on the elevator doors on the skyway level. I think it is a great way to make something ordinary a bit extraordinary.
This piano was built for Francis Scott Key (the author of The Star Spangled Banner, our national anthem.) According to the history book of the Peabody, it seems the piano was owned by Ivers and Pond, a piano company that owed the Peabody owners a great deal of money, so the piano was part of that settlement.
If you are interested in knowing more about the history of this elegant 'grande dame' hotel, you can purchase a book called "The Peabody, A history of the South's grand hotel" by contacting The Peabody at 901-529-4000. It is a lovely book, full of history, photos, and recipes.
Juli
20th Anniversary Celebrates Charter Members of HHA
Left to right in this photo are some of the charter member hotels' representatives, along with a representative of the National Trust and of Historic Hotels of America:
Ø Greg Sligh, Managing Director, The Hermitage, Nashville, TN. (representing The Jefferson, Richmond, VA; founding member -- same ownership group)
Ø Kathleen Flowers: Director of Sales, La Valencia, La Jolla, CA
Ø Greg Coble of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
Ø Christopher Lowe, General Manager, Martha Washington Hotel & Spa, Abingdon, VA
Ø Thierry Roch, Executive Director, Historic Hotels of America
Ø Rick Widman, Principal, Kings Courtyard & John Rutledge House, Charleston, SC
Ø Monte Hansen, GM, The Greenbrier, W. Sulphur Springs, WV
Congratulations to all charter members of HHA -- we are so happy to still have your company.
Juli Lederhaus
General Manager
Hawthorne Hotel
Salem, MA
(we are an 'almost' charter member, having joined the year after HHA was formed)
Friday, November 20, 2009
Our Second Duck Master, Bill Ott
Why was it NO SURPRISE when Bill Ott, of the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa, was chosen to be the second of two honorary duck masters from HHA this week at our annual convention? If you don't know Bill, then you will have a hard time with this question. And if you don't know Bill, it is only because you haven't attended these conventions! So next year you best be planning to come.
Here are the photos of Bill's turn at the job of herding the ducks from their lobby fountain, along the red carpet, and up to the roof to their new palace.
With what The Greenbrier appears to already have planned for us, I can hardly wait.
I hope to see you there.
Juli
The Memorabilia Room at the Peabody Hotel
The photos here are of the Peabody Memphis' memorabilia room which is just terrific, and for some of us with smaller hotels, the room itself is an absolute dream -- something many of us can only hope to achieve. I hope you enjoy getting a look, in case you could not make it here to Memphis for the 20th annual HHA conference.
Jim Waldrop of the Wort Hotel and Nina Smiley of the Mohonk Mountain House were enjoying the display when I walked in to photograph it, so I paid their huge modeling fees to get them to pose for my photos.
Nice job, Doug Browne!
Juli
Jim Waldrop of the Wort Hotel and Nina Smiley of the Mohonk Mountain House were enjoying the display when I walked in to photograph it, so I paid their huge modeling fees to get them to pose for my photos.
Nice job, Doug Browne!
Juli
Photos from the Conference, Link (including Graceland)
Here is a link to all of the photos I took during the conference, including a complete look at all we saw at Graceland. I hope you enjoy seeing this photo album. You can use any of the photos with my compliments. Just right-click on the individual photo to save, print, or email right out of Picasa.
http://picasaweb.google.com/HHAHotels/HistoricHotelsOfAmericaVisitMemphisTNAndGraceland#
Just fyi, Picasa is the photo editor and organizer that I use for all my blogging. You can blog right out of Picasa, and you can download Picasa for free at http://www.picasa.com/
Have fun, and y'all come back now, hear?
Juli
http://picasaweb.google.com/HHAHotels/HistoricHotelsOfAmericaVisitMemphisTNAndGraceland#
Just fyi, Picasa is the photo editor and organizer that I use for all my blogging. You can blog right out of Picasa, and you can download Picasa for free at http://www.picasa.com/
Have fun, and y'all come back now, hear?
Juli
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Media Game -- Winning Strategy and the Media Panel
Thom Nulty, Senior VP of Preferred was our after-lunch speaker today. His topic was very helpful to many of us. It was how to play the media game to win it.
1. You are the expert.
2. Work it. They have probably already written the story. You'll know if they ask you to spell your name.
3. Adopt a reporter (become friends)
Pitch a story that might be more general. Use the business reporters.
4. Broadcast Media Reads. They are always talking about things they have read in the newspapers and on the Internet.
5. Be available. Give out your cellphone number. Leave your phone on 24-hours a day. Let the reporter (friend) know they can always call you.
6. Give them ideas on ANY TOPIC (read the trades, then funnel it to your local reporter)
7. Trade papers are loaded with ideas. The story might not even include you, because the local reporter will quote you if there is local relevance.
8. Scratch my back, and I will scratch yours.
Be a media hog. Get out there.
Media Panel
Stephanie Oswald, Travelgirl Magazine
Multi-media
13 years at CNN as their travel correspondent -- focus was cultural destinations, cuisine, until 9-11 happened. CNN did away with travel programming. Decided to create their own travel magazine targeted at women. Debuted in summer 2003. 75% of travel decisions made by women, so they targeted women in their magazine, and used Stephanie's expertise.
Glenn Haussman of Hotel Interactive
He was humorous, silly and fun!
Nicole DiBenedetto had worked with Stephanie for years but they had never met until today. Nicole has been doing travel public relations for 12 years.
Questions for the panel:
Solicited ideas from the panel for ways to pitch the media:
Nicole suggested using the amazing stories from your property, and then target the media outlet with a specific story. Do your homework. Read the magazines. Learn about the writers. Flatter the reporters.
Reporters want you to look good too. They won't bite! Stephanie took issue with Thom's idea that the story is already written.
What can we do about the AIG effect?
Glenn thought that people just take things at face value. Thinks that reporters are sometimes saying things that don't make sense. He thinks people will come back around. Thinks that Obama has backed down a bit, but we need to continue to work on this issue, which is important.
Nicole thinks we should find ways to invite meeting magazine reporters to our hotel to see any upgrades, new story idea. She thinks trends start in the travel trades.
Stephanie says make sure you do your homework so that you don't pitch a story they have just written about.
Glenn reminded us to keep in touch with people to whom we can be helpful. Then they will call you when they need a resource.
Thom gave us an idea about pitching business reporters to talk to them about holiday travel as well. Tell him how many people are buying weekend stays, spa packages, and related. That way you can be part of a local article that is relevant to current events.
Stephanie added in the idea about places that would have space due to the recession, that would normally be sold out for the holidays, tell the press.
Don't have a knee-jerk reaction to things you hear in the press. Stay focused and calm, give the value-relationship, the whys, the facts that help to keep reporters more grounded.
You have a lot of experience in the business, and so you are a perfect person to be an expert
Regarding social media, Stephanie strongly suggested having a blog and using Twitter and Facebook. She said make sure you are doing your part to be reached, and to be part of the global conversation.
Travelgirlsteph if you want to follow Stephanie on Twitter.
Thom asked if the traditional newspaper is dead.
Glenn says he is not convinced. He says "when everyone says something" he automatically does not believe it.
Stephanie thinks there needs to be a balance of traditional media to social media.
Thom asked about how HHA hotels can capitalize on the very niche magazines? The panel thought that was absolutely a terrific idea.
What can small hotel managers who wear lots of hats do to get PR?
The panel suggested to make an appointment to have lunch or coffee with a reporter once a week or so, to create a relationship.
Nicole suggested finding a "sister" hotel within HHA and link yourselves together, and share that with media folks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Juli
1. You are the expert.
2. Work it. They have probably already written the story. You'll know if they ask you to spell your name.
3. Adopt a reporter (become friends)
Pitch a story that might be more general. Use the business reporters.
4. Broadcast Media Reads. They are always talking about things they have read in the newspapers and on the Internet.
5. Be available. Give out your cellphone number. Leave your phone on 24-hours a day. Let the reporter (friend) know they can always call you.
6. Give them ideas on ANY TOPIC (read the trades, then funnel it to your local reporter)
7. Trade papers are loaded with ideas. The story might not even include you, because the local reporter will quote you if there is local relevance.
8. Scratch my back, and I will scratch yours.
Be a media hog. Get out there.
Media Panel
Stephanie Oswald, Travelgirl Magazine
Multi-media
13 years at CNN as their travel correspondent -- focus was cultural destinations, cuisine, until 9-11 happened. CNN did away with travel programming. Decided to create their own travel magazine targeted at women. Debuted in summer 2003. 75% of travel decisions made by women, so they targeted women in their magazine, and used Stephanie's expertise.
Glenn Haussman of Hotel Interactive
He was humorous, silly and fun!
Nicole DiBenedetto had worked with Stephanie for years but they had never met until today. Nicole has been doing travel public relations for 12 years.
Questions for the panel:
Solicited ideas from the panel for ways to pitch the media:
Nicole suggested using the amazing stories from your property, and then target the media outlet with a specific story. Do your homework. Read the magazines. Learn about the writers. Flatter the reporters.
Reporters want you to look good too. They won't bite! Stephanie took issue with Thom's idea that the story is already written.
What can we do about the AIG effect?
Glenn thought that people just take things at face value. Thinks that reporters are sometimes saying things that don't make sense. He thinks people will come back around. Thinks that Obama has backed down a bit, but we need to continue to work on this issue, which is important.
Nicole thinks we should find ways to invite meeting magazine reporters to our hotel to see any upgrades, new story idea. She thinks trends start in the travel trades.
Stephanie says make sure you do your homework so that you don't pitch a story they have just written about.
Glenn reminded us to keep in touch with people to whom we can be helpful. Then they will call you when they need a resource.
Thom gave us an idea about pitching business reporters to talk to them about holiday travel as well. Tell him how many people are buying weekend stays, spa packages, and related. That way you can be part of a local article that is relevant to current events.
Stephanie added in the idea about places that would have space due to the recession, that would normally be sold out for the holidays, tell the press.
Don't have a knee-jerk reaction to things you hear in the press. Stay focused and calm, give the value-relationship, the whys, the facts that help to keep reporters more grounded.
You have a lot of experience in the business, and so you are a perfect person to be an expert
Regarding social media, Stephanie strongly suggested having a blog and using Twitter and Facebook. She said make sure you are doing your part to be reached, and to be part of the global conversation.
Travelgirlsteph if you want to follow Stephanie on Twitter.
Thom asked if the traditional newspaper is dead.
Glenn says he is not convinced. He says "when everyone says something" he automatically does not believe it.
Stephanie thinks there needs to be a balance of traditional media to social media.
Thom asked about how HHA hotels can capitalize on the very niche magazines? The panel thought that was absolutely a terrific idea.
What can small hotel managers who wear lots of hats do to get PR?
The panel suggested to make an appointment to have lunch or coffee with a reporter once a week or so, to create a relationship.
Nicole suggested finding a "sister" hotel within HHA and link yourselves together, and share that with media folks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Juli
Mark Twain Comes for a Visit
At lunch today we had Mark Twain as a guest speaker. Here is a brief video that I shot with my iPhone. I love his dry sense of humor, and wish I could have recorded it all properly for you. I guess you had to be there. . . . and next year, if you weren't here this year, you really need to come to the conference.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELux08v5UpA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELux08v5UpA
I hope to see you there.
Juli
Next Year's Conference. . . .
will be at The Greenbrier!
The General Manager, Monte F. Hansen, came and made two presentations to us about why he believes that next year's conference will be better than this year's conference. This is the FUN ONE!
The top ten reasons why they believe they will whip the Peabody Memphis are:
#10 -- The Greenbrier's Falcon's can take the Peabody's Ducks any day
#9 -- 721 rooms beats 464
#8 -- Memphis has the FedEx hub, The Greenbrier has The FedEx Cup
#7 -- Coal Burns Better Than Cotton
#6 -- The Greenbrier has 91 more years of experience
#5 -- Justice Will Always Prevail
#4 -- Memphis has the Blues, The Greenbrier has The Blue Ridge Mountains
#3 -- In case of nuclear attack, we are covered
#2 -- Casino!
#1 -- At The Greenbrier, you can actually eat the ducks
After that kind of introduction, how can you not already be planning to attend??
See you there.
Juli
The General Manager, Monte F. Hansen, came and made two presentations to us about why he believes that next year's conference will be better than this year's conference. This is the FUN ONE!
The top ten reasons why they believe they will whip the Peabody Memphis are:
#10 -- The Greenbrier's Falcon's can take the Peabody's Ducks any day
#9 -- 721 rooms beats 464
#8 -- Memphis has the FedEx hub, The Greenbrier has The FedEx Cup
#7 -- Coal Burns Better Than Cotton
#6 -- The Greenbrier has 91 more years of experience
#5 -- Justice Will Always Prevail
#4 -- Memphis has the Blues, The Greenbrier has The Blue Ridge Mountains
#3 -- In case of nuclear attack, we are covered
#2 -- Casino!
#1 -- At The Greenbrier, you can actually eat the ducks
After that kind of introduction, how can you not already be planning to attend??
See you there.
Juli
Gala Was Delicious and Fun
Ginger and Bill Baxter, The Wort Hotel
Tracey Simmons and Jerry Fragnito
Life is too uncertain; eat dessert first.
Video of a certain PR person and friends dancing.
Morning Coffee Break
These were as delicious as they were darling. If you were here, you know it -- and if you weren't, you really missed a delicious break.
Juli
Client Show Was a Big Hit
Thierry Roch
Kevin Whitmire and Bruce Haines of The Hotel Bethlehem
Juli Lederhaus, Hawthorne Hotel, Salem, MA
Freida Welch Bafile and Chris Welch of The Smith House
Jim Waldrop of The Wort Hotel
Fran Levin, Nittany Lion Inn
This is a photo array from last night's client show here at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis.
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