LBA INN CROWD LBA INN CROWD LBA INN

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LBA Inn Crowd
PRST FCM
U.S. POSTAGE
The LBA Inn Crowd is the quarterly newsletter of Larry Blumberg & Associates, Inc.,
developers and managers of hotels and other commercial property for over 35 years.
Newsletter submissions are welcome; Email stories and pictures to susank@lbaproperties.com
DOTHAN, AL
Permit No. 440
June 2008 / July 2008 • Issue 2
PAID
Larry Blumberg and Associates, Inc.
2733 Ross Clark Circle (36301)
P. O. Box 5566
Dothan, Alabama 36302
Phone: 334-793-6855
Fax: 334-793-1707
E-mail: lbahq@lbaproperties.com
LBA INN CROWD
Springhill Suites, Clearwater, FL Receives
Stars of the Industry Award
Chairman/CEO
Larry Blumberg
The SpringHill Suites-Clearwater, FL won the national Stars of the Industry
Award for Community Service. The American Hotel and Lodging Association
(AH&LA) presented the award to the SpringHill Suites, Clearwater, FL, in the
150-rooms-or-less category, at the awards ceremony held in Oklahoma on June
11, 2008.
President
Barry Kraselsky
Thank you to all who
contributed to the
LBA Inn Crowd.
Heather Robinson, General Manager, and her team won this award based on
their active and meaningful C.A.R.E.S. initiatives, which continue to make a positive difference in the lives of children and families in the St. PetersburgClearwater area. “In accepting this award, the hotel represents all of you who
embrace C.A.R.E.S. in your own communities. Please join me in congratulating
the team at SpringHill Suites Clearwater,” says Barry Kraselsky, LBA President.
Check us out on the web at www.lbaproperties.com
Water: The Forgotten Nutrient
Elizabeth Blumberg RD, LN, CPT
Try this on for size. Water will help you to lose weight! How do
you think all of those fatty acids are going to get removed from
your body? Not through osmosis! The truth is that water is necessary for flushing out unwanted fats and toxins which results in
faster weight loss! So what else does water do? Read on to find
out…
Water is a major energy booster. If your energy levels need
improvement, water is your quickest solution. In fact, more often
than not, our bodies are fatigued as a result of not drinking
enough water. So, say goodbye to caffeine for that pick me up.
The benefits of water are far greater!
Water helps to reduce stress. When we are under stress, our system uses water as an energy source to cope. In my nutritional
practice, I test hydration on a regular basis to monitor this
process. It is amazing to see how much lower hydration is when
a person’s stress levels are high. When water is replenished, you
can actually feel a physical relaxation response occur throughout
your body!
Water will curb your hunger. You have probably heard that thirst
is often mistaken for hunger. As a result, this may lead to excessive eating of the wrong foods for a quick fix. By simply drinking
water regularly, you can reduce your hunger. It’s that easy! With
water, you have the healthiest and most cost-effective appetite
suppressant on the market at your disposal!
Water helps you look good. By flushing out toxins and impurities, water can make your skin clearer, smoother and younger
looking.
How much water should you drink? Unless you have a medical
condition that advises otherwise, you may start with eight, 8 oz
glasses spread evenly throughout the day. For every 30 min of
regular exercise, add another 8-16 oz of water to replace fluids
you lose during perspiration. Lastly, if you drink caffeine, be sure
to consume another 8 oz glass of water for every 8 oz of caffeinecontaining beverage. This may seem like a lot of water, but
remember that most of us need more fluids due to common factors that decrease hydration such as stress, poor sleep and being
overweight.
If you do not like the taste of water, try adding lemon, lime,
cucumber or even a small amount of a fruit juice to enhance the
flavor. After a few weeks, you will get so accustomed to drinking
water that your body will begin to crave it. Also, don’t let those
extra bathroom trips deter your efforts. This will subside after a
few weeks as your body becomes more efficient at absorbing fluids!
So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead, drink up!
Nutritionally Yours,
Elizabeth
Fairfield Inn, Jacksonville, NC
Receives Chamber of Commerce
Service Award
Congratulations Lisa
Butler, Housekeeping
Manager at LBA’s
Newest TownePlace
Suites, Jacksonville, NC
Lisa Butler started in Laundry
as a Room Attendant at the
Fairfield Inn & Suites,
Jacksonville, NC. She eventually became Assistant Director of Housekeeping under
Jean Graham’s supervision.
After two years in Housekeeping, Lisa wanted to try
the front desk, so Jean moved
her. Now, being the “driven”
employee that she is, she has
been promoted to the Housekeeping Manager’s position
at our new TownePlace
Suites, Jacksonville, NC. “I
am so very proud of her,” says
Anette Houle, General Manager, Fairfield Inn & Suites,
Jacksonville, NC.
Congratulations Lisa!
Candice Forbes, Assistant General Manager,
receives the Stars of the Industry Award on behalf of
Springhill Suites, Clearwater, FL
Anette Houle, General Manager,
Fairfield Inn & Suites, Jacksonville,
NC, and Lisa Butler, Housekeeping
Manager, TownePlace Suites.
Darryl Thomas
Guest Service Manager
Darryl Thomas, Guest Service Manager at the
Fairfield Inn, Jacksonville, NC, was recently
recognized by the local Chamber of
Commerce for his outstanding service. The
Service Award announcement was printed in
the Chamber Voice, Volume 8, June 2008 issue.
Announcement follows:
Service Rewards
A community is only as good as the citizens that
live and work within its borders. This month we
celebrate Swansboro, Sneads, Ferry, Richlands, and
Jacksonville and many of the frontline employees
that go the extra mile to make your visits an above
average experience! The five individuals representing five area businesses in Onslow County surrounding this story have performed their duties
with a positive outlook, a kind word, and valued
information for our visitors and citizens. They went
the extra mile! Onslow County Tourism,
Jacksonville, Onslow Chamber of Commerce,
Economic Development, Onslow County, and the
City of Jacksonville want to thank them for their
efforts and encourage you to do the same. Good
service is good Business!
AWA R D S
Congratulations Employees
of the Month
Residence Inn, Greensboro, NC, proudly
announces that Kimberly Crite, Room Attendant,
was named April Employee of the Month.
“Kimberly has amazed us with how many guest
comments she has gotten. Guests will actually ask
for the floor that she is cleaning. She goes above and
beyond, leaving notes for the guests and extra
amenities when asked,” says Assistant General
Manager, Aaron Simerlink.
Aaron is also delighted to announce that Mel
Ramsey, Night Auditor was named the May
Employee of the Month for Greensboro Residence
Inn. He states that “Mel has wowed our guests over
the morning hours, which is very impressive for a
night auditor who must stay awake and be cheerful
no matter the time. Mel has actually sent a fellow
associate to Wal-Mart because we were short an iron
and ironing board for a guest at 11pm. We empower our associates to make decisions, and Mel has
stepped up to the plate on many occasions, satisfying the guests with her excellent Residence Inn
Attitude - We are Residence Inn and We Believe.”
Congratulations
Bontu Abitew Employee of the
Quarter
Residence Inn,
Columbus, GA
Kimberly Crite
The Holiday Inn, Dothan, AL is pleased to
announce that Hilda Carte, Kitchen Manager,
won the Dothan Convention and Visitors Bureau
Employee Service Award for 2008. This is the
second year in a row that an LBA property was
honored with this award; last year, Brandy Paul,
front desk associate at the Dothan Fairfield Inn,
won the award. Congratulations Hilda - we are
proud to have you on our team!
1st Quarter Awards
Based on growth over last year results and increase over current budget
Occupancy to Last Year
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Mel Ramsey
Derek LaTouche, AGM; Hilda Carte, Kitchen Manager;
Dan Myers, General Manager; and Shawn Gue,
Banquet & Meeting Coordinator.
Fairfield Inn and Suites, Jacksonville, NC
Congratulates Employees of the Month
EiThe Payne was named Employee of the Month in January 2008.
February’s Employee of the Month was Rose Godette, and the
March Employee of the Month was Kenny Newton. Fairfield Inn
and Suites Jacksonville, NC also received the distinctive award The
Mayor’s Committee For Persons With Disabilities for employing
Kenny from the Rehabilitation Office.
1st Place Fairfield Inn, Orange Park, FL
2nd Place Tie Homewood Suites, Huntsville, AL
2nd Place Tie Hilton Garden Inn, Macon, GA
A Very Special Delivery
A Wedding in Paradise
Justin (Vice President
of Operations) and
Stephanie
Shelton
announce the arrival of
Justin David Shelton,
Jr. ("JD"). JD was born
on April 11, 2008 at
7:52 a.m. He weighed 7
pounds and 9 ounces
and was 21 inches long.
Please join us in congratulating Justin and
Stephanie on their new
bundle of joy!
Stephanie and Michael
Goldsmith
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Congratulations to LBA’s Corporate Director of Community Affairs,
Rob Goldsmith, on the marriage of
his eldest son Michael to Stephanie
Resnick. The wedding took place in
Hawaii on March 30, 2008. The ceremony was officiated by Rob’s wife
and Michael’s mom, Rabbi Lynne
Goldsmith of Dothan’s Temple
Emanu-El. After a honeymoon
cruise, Mike and Steph started their
lives together in Flemington, New
Jersey. Please join us in wishing the
Goldsmiths mazel t’ov.
5.93%
15% above prior period
25.8%
1st Place Tie
1st Place Tie
2nd Place Tie
2nd Place Tie
8.8%
Homewood Suites, Montgomery, AL
Hampton Inn & Suites, Dothan, AL
Courtyard, Valdosta, GA
Courtyard, Dothan, AL
GSS Variance to Brand Overall Satisfaction
9.1%
21.3% above brand avg.
Courtyard, Lakeland, FL
Homewood Suites, Huntsville, AL
Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn, AL
1st Place Hampton Inn & Suites, Pensacola, FL
2nd Place Hampton Inn & Suites, Dothan, AL
3rd Place SpringHill Suites, Clearwater, FL
10.3%
GSS Variance to Brand Maintenance
Fairfield Inn & Suites, Jacksonville, FL
TownePlace Suites, Huntsville, AL
Hilton Garden Inn, Macon, GA
1st Place Courtyard, Prattville, AL
2nd Place Courtyard, Hattiesburg, MS
3rd Place Hampton Inn & Suites, Pensacola, FL
439.5%
Fairfield Inn, Dothan, AL
Fairfield Inn, Huntsville, AL
Hampton Inn, Tupelo, MS
Flex
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Most Improved GSS Staff Service
Flow
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
2nd Place Fairfield Inn, Pensacola, FL
3rd Place Fairfield Inn, Orange Park, FL
Fairfield Inn & Suites, Jacksonville, NC
House Profit POR to Budget
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Most Improved GSS Cleanliness
SpringHill Suites, Clearwater, FL
House Profit POR to Last Year
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
13% above prior period - 3 Way Tie
RevPar to Budget
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Fairfield Inn, Orange Park, FL
Fairfield Inn, Tallahassee, FL
Most Improved GSS Maintenance
10.7%
RevPar to Last Year
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
1st Place Tie
1st Place Tie
1st Place Tie
2nd Place Tie
2nd Place Tie
9.5%
ADR to Budget
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Hilton Garden Inn, Huntsville AL
ADR to Last Year
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Most Improved GSS Overall Satisfaction
19.8%
Homewood Suites by Hilton, Huntsville, AL
Hilton Garden Inn, Huntsville, AL
Occupancy to Budget
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Stephanie, Justin & J.D.
Congratulations to our
Dothan Convention and Visitors
Bureau Honors Hilda Carte
GSS Variance to Brand Cleanliness
2nd Place Hilton Garden Inn, Macon, GA
3rd Place Courtyard, Tuscaloosa, AL
157.2%
Courtyard, Prattville, AL
Fairfield Inn, Pensacola, FL
Turnover
GSS Variance to Brand Staff Service
19%
3rd Place Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn, AL
1st Place Tie Hampton Inn, Tupelo, MS
1st Place Tie Homewood Suites, Chattanooga, TN
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PROMOTIONS
Here We Grow Again
49th Property
51st Property
52nd Property
News from Residence Inn Airport, Greensboro, NC
Melanie Ramsey, Night Auditor, announces that her sister, LTC Robin Ramsey, has been promoted to Colonel in the Army. A big congratulations to her and her family, and a big thank you
to her and all the men and women that are protecting our country!!
Property Happenings
TownePlace Suites, Jacksonville,
NC opened their doors on April 14,
2008, becoming LBA’s 49th property. Let’s all welcome TownePlace
Suites, Jacksonville team members
to the LBA family.
The Holiday Inn, Louisville, KY officially opened their doors on May 15, 2008 and
had already received reservations! Please
join us in welcoming our 51st property to
the LBA family. A warm welcome to Eric
Sherrard, General Manager, and his team
members to the LBA family.
Homewood Field Day
The Courtyard by Marriott, Orange
Park, FL (115 rooms) became LBA’s
52nd property on May 15, 2008 also.
They welcomed their first guest that
very day! A warm welcome to
Richard Lowe, General Manager, and
his team to the LBA family.
LBA Welcomes 50th Property!
53rd Property
In the spirit of Employee Appreciation Week, Homewood Suites,
Chattanooga, TN focused on interdepartmental team work. They
designed daily activities, including a field day, where they mixed the
departments into teams; the teams had to work together to solve customer service questions, finger paint the hotel mascot and design
uniforms out of toilet paper to gain clues to find the missing mystery
guest. “It was loads of fun and brought our departments closer
together,” says Jessica Parker, General Manager.
Suellen Sparks, DOS, Hilton
Garden Inn Tallahassee Attends
FSU Football VIP Event
Our very own Suellen Sparks, Director of Sales
for the Hilton Garden Inn Tallahassee, FL had
the privilege of attending a VIP event at Florida
State University conducted by ISP Sports. The
event included an exclusive back of house tour
of the athletic facility as well as a walk-on at the
FSU Spring Football game.
The Homewood Suites, Chattanooga, TN concluded their Employee
Appreciation Week ceremonies with a luau party and award ceremony. On June 6, 2008 the winners and participants were recognized
during the ceremony and party. (Photo below right)
Celebrating Luau
The highlight of the afternoon came when
Suellen had the rare opportunity to be pictured with Osceola and Renegade, the FSU
mascots. Go Seminoles!
Above: Neal, Ms. Ernie, Shawntray and
Nikki. Team 2 working on the Finger painting portion of the relay race. They were also
the winners of the race!
Please welcome our newest addition to the LBA family. The new
TownePlace Suites, Columbus, GA
became our 53rd hotel on May 22,
2008. The TownePlace Suites features 86 beautifully designed rooms
with all the amenities needed for
extended stay. Please welcome
Fyzal Ishahak, General Manager,
and his associates to LBA.
Residence Inn, Dothan, AL opened
on April 22, 2008, becoming LBA’s
50th property. Please join us in welcoming Monica Sadhwani, General
Manager, and her team to the LBA
family. See page 8 for Dothan’s
Residence Inn Opening Celebration!
12
Above: Vena, Shnakia, Albert and Louise.
Participating in the relay. This event had
them making a uniform out of Toilet paper.
Above: Jean Scott, Evening Reception Hostess - Relay Race Winner;
Jesse McCants, Weekend GSR Participant; Shawntray Orr, Room
Attendant - Relay Race Winner;
Beverly Smith, Breakfast Hostess Employee of the month; Denesia
Hughes, Room Attendant - WhoDunit
Mystery winner; Nikki Pointer, Room
Shnakia Daniels, Room Attendant –
Participant.
3
Courtyard by Marriott’s
Housekeeping Manager
Elected to Habitat Board of
Directors
Willie Mixon, Housekeeping Manager,
Courtyard by Marriott, Prattville, AL
has been elected to serve on the "State of
Alabama" board of directors for Habitat
for Humanity. His orientation was
Thursday, June 19, 2008 in Huntsville.
Congratulations Willie!
Property Happenings
Highlighted Guest Experiences
Saint Patrick’s Day Sales Blitz!
Volunteers
The sales team for Residence Inn, Greensboro, NC, getting
fired-up for a day on the town during their Saint Patrick’s
Day sales blitz!
Debra
Matthews,
General
Manager, Courtyard by Marriott,
Prattville, AL, would like to give
a special "Thank You" to the associates that were working during
the tornado on Sunday, February
17, 2008. All of the employees that
were working took immediate
Karen Harding
action and followed all safety procedures to insure that all associates and guests were safe.
Once the tornado warning went off, the associates
directed all guests to the board room where they
remained for 15 minutes. Victoria gathered bottled
water and snacks for all guests to have during the storm.
Thank you for your dedication. I am so proud of each
and every one of you!
In Memoriam
In Memory of
To:
Lorene "Granny" Wright
Courtyard by Marriott, Dothan, AL
General Manager
August 23, 1928 – May 21, 2008
From: Colonel Dave Leppelmeier
Commanding Officer
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejueune, NC
Subj:
Associate of Holiday Inn, Dothan, AL from 1991-2008
Staff Members’ Letters of Appreciation
Colonel Dave Leppelmeier, Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Base
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, showed his appreciation recently by
acknowledging staff members of the Courtyard by Marriott, Dothan,
AL.
Melladee York (GM at RGN), Scott Reid, BDO, Shannon StewartHill (DOS RGN), Aaron Simerlink (AGM RGN), Amy Shinkle
(DOS TJN), Matt Barlett (DOS TCS), Dijuana Hale (DOS
Fairfield Inn Greensboro, NC)
In his “letters of appreciation,” Colonel Leppelmeier individually recognized the staff at the Courtyard Dothan for their “outstanding performance, exemplary work ethic, hospitality, gracious spirit and outgoing and friendly personalities.”
Courtyard Dothan has a staff to be proud of, and we commend them
for their recognition and outstanding customer service!
Soccer Tournament
The Courtyard by Marriott, Lake Mary, FL had a “successful Memorial Day on a weekend that otherwise could been
very slow,” says Glenn Aycock, General Manager. Several
soccer groups stayed at the hotel that weekend, thanks to
Greg Teagarden, DOS, who booked the group and John
Gibney, AGM, who, along with the entire staff, helped
deliver and exceed the groups’ expectations.
Diane Smith, Latoya Smith, Stephanie Jones, Victoria Hines (back
right), Virginia Kirksey (right end), Earnestine Lawson (right front)
They provided giveaways, ice for the coolers and
Gatorade and lemonade which were available throughout
the weekend for the teams. The result was a positive experience for the teams, with well behaved team members
and coaches who could not say enough good things about
the hotel and staff.
Hilton Garden Inn
Auburn, AL
Dear Terrie McConnell:
“…The standard used to be “Customer Always Comes First”, but
you would be hard pressed to find that type of attitude nowadays….Well, Hilton Garden Inn doesn’t have to brag that you put
customers first because the actions say it for you.
I want to commend you on hiring such exceptional employees as Jo.
You must treat your employees with respect and kindness because
both qualities are definitely passed on to the customer. Because of
this experience, I am not only excited about this weekend, but I am
looking forward to staying with you during the football season.
There is no other hotel I will stay at in Auburn except the Hilton
Garden Inn.
Thank you for a relaxing two-hour drive now that I know where I
will be staying!!”
See You Soon,
Mrs. Jill Jones
Birmingham, AL
Johnny Sewell (on ladder) and Tim Peterman (on roof) finish construction of
the gazebo on the grounds of Larry Blumberg & Associates' corporate office in
Dothan, AL. The gazebo took about three days to construct and was finished
on May 1st. Thank you Johnny and Tim for the added shade and beauty!
4
Caroline Barron and Nicole Peters, Front Desk Associates, in
their soccer t-shirts and whistles, ready to set the stage for the
groups’ welcome.
Jo Frinak, Front Desk Associate,
11
The Dash Poem
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning… to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
And he spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
by Linda Ellis
Property Happenings
Courtyard Orange Park Celebrates
10th Birthday!
New Opening
To the Residence Inn Team, Greensboro, NC
Terrie McConnell
General Manager
Hilton Garden Inn
Auburn, AL
Judy and I want to personally thank you and the entire staff of the
Residence Inn for all the help and attention given to our entire wedding party on May 22-24.
…We were treated royally by you during our initial survey tour
when we were looking for a location to host us and our out-of-town
guests. You seemed generally interested in us and your pride in
the facility was evident. We knew we wanted a Marriott property
and we know we made the best decision in selecting your location.
The variety of hotel rooms suited the needs of all the guests who
stayed with us. I cannot tell you how many times we have been
complimented by friends and relatives for selecting your facility.
We were thrilled to be able to have a choice of two bedroom units.
Close family members were able to stay together without having
the feeling of being crowded.
March 3, 2008
The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held at the newlyopened TownePlace Suites, Huntsville, AL on
February 26, 2008.
“What were you doing on June 11, 1998,” asks Michael Kurak,
General Manager at the Fairfield Inn, Orange Park, FL. Mike
posed that very question at the morning huddle; the trip down
memory lane let everyone reflect on how far they had come in
their own lives. Well, LBA was opening the Fairfield Inn Orange
Park. The staff took the opportunity on
Wednesday, June 11th, to celebrate the birthday of their hotel. Obviously, the hotel has
undergone many changes as well. Many
faces have changed amongst the staff and the
hotel has undergone a renovation, so it looks
very different from its initial appearance.
But overall, they have kept the smiling, welcoming presence that has guests returning
Clive Walters, First year after year as evidence by our returning
Customer, Fairfield guests. “The very first guest to check into the
Inn Orange Park
hotel still stays here,” states Mike. “With as
well maintained the property is, it is hard to believe it has been
ten years since the first time I stayed here,” commented Cline
Walters, the property’s first guest. Like any precocious ten year
old, cake and ice cream were served at the party.
Terrie:
I wanted to extend my thanks to you and your staff for the wonderful treatment I received over the past 2 years that I have
stayed at your hotel. I have finished my job assignment in
Auburn, but wanted to let you know that the professionalism
and courteousness of your team helped make my experience in
Auburn a pleasant one.
Thanks again.
...The morning breakfasts were a big hit with all of us. The variety
and freshness each day was very welcome. The morning staff
there was so friendly, even though they were extremely busy. We
enjoyed the variety that allowed for special diets. We also were
appreciative of the menu changes each day. So many times hotels
serve the same thing each day, no matter how long the visit.
Pictured (left to right): Convonta Stone, Director of Sales &
Marketing; Michelle Kelsoe, previous GSM, Eugene
Richardson, Chief Maintenance Technician; Cindy Simpson,
GM; Tomeka Burwell, previous Guest Service Rep; Chris
Clements, GM, Residence Inn, Huntsville, AL; and Robin
Powell, Housekeeping Manager.
Regards,
Doreen D
Principal Functional Consultant
…We look forward to returning to your hotel for a quiet weekend
soon so we can enjoy some of the evening social time that we
missed due to wedding activities.
Manager & Staff
SpringHill Suites Marriott
Savannah, GA
Please share our comments with all concerned staff. Your hotel
staff and facility helped make beautiful memories of a beautiful
wedding.
April 10, 2008
Dear Friends:
Our family recently stayed at your suites, due to the illness of our father who was in the hospital at St. Joseph’s
for a while, and then transferred to Candler Hospital
until he was released on the 18th of March.
Sincerely,
Robert & Judy Erhardt
To: Scott Reid, Regional Director of Operations
Subject: Staff at the Residence Inn, Greensboro, NC
…We just wanted to thank the Management and the
Staff for all that they did for us during that time. They
went beyond the usual services that you expect at your
establishment, knowing our father was dying of cancer,
with a very short time to live.
I live in Raleigh, NC and this past week I stayed
at your Residence Inn in Greensboro. I write
because travel is my hobby and I travel because
of my work; also, I have had the responsibility of
teaching customer service to our employees. I
have stayed at many nice places and have had
good service, but I don't ever remember staying
anywhere where all staff had such wonderful attitudes. They all were very professional and went
out of their way to be helpful. There are three persons I would like to mention by name because I
seldom ever see anyone who scores as high as
they do in customer service. They truly are outstanding employees. They are Melladee York,
Shannon Stewart-Hill and Aaron Simerlink. I
salute you in training your staff so well.
Elected to Habitat Board of Directors
Willie Mixon, Housekeeping Manager, Courtyard by
Marriott, Prattville, AL has been elected to serve on the
"State of Alabama" board of directors for Habitat for
Humanity. His orientation was Thursday, June 19, 2008
in Huntsville. Congratulations Willie!
Staff at Fairfield Inn Orange Park
Residence Inn, Columbus, GA Celebrates RIsolution Day
On May 9, 2008, Residence Inn hotels across the continent celebrated a year of recommitment to the brand's culture by making the first
RIsolution Day a memorable one! The celebrations commemorated
the opening of the first Residence Inn in Wichita, Kansas in 1975.
One of my daughters had just had surgery, and Tracy
and the Staff took extra special care of her. We could not
have asked for better service e anywhere!
RIsolution Day is: a fun and spirited annual ritual that celebrates our
Residence Inn Culture; a time to reflect on the unique elements of the
Residence Inn Blueprint; and a time for hotel teams across North
America to unite and commit to fostering our unique culture
throughout the year.
Please let Marriott know what an exceptional group of
people you have there, by sending them a copy of this
letter!
Thank you again, for your kindness and service beyond
requirements!
Linda J. Stipe
Baxley, GA
Respectfully
Douglas Harris
Staff celebrating RIsolution Day
Residence Inn, Columbus, GA
10
The Residence Inn, Columbus, GA celebrated RIsolution Day with
such events as RIsolution Reading, Learning and singing the new
mission song, announcing and Celebrating the Employee of the
Quarter, Bontu Abitew, an employee appreciation luncheon, playing
team-building games, reviewing and signing of the Residence Inn
values and mission, and picture-taking.
5
Property Happenings
Want more info or help with C.A.R.E.S.? - Please refer to the LBA C.A.R.E.S. Tool Kit on
innovations, or feel free to contact Dee Dee Dochen at ddd@lbaproperties.com or 713-432-7575.
Need more C.A.R.E.S. candy? - Contact Susan Kirkland at LBA, at susank@lbaproperties.com
Homewood Suites, Montgomery Hosts Going-Away Party After Family’s Stay
Kerry and Julie Callow, and their four daughters, Erin, Gracie,
Ami and Layne, had lived at the Homewood Suites,
Montgomery, AL for seven months when they checked out on
April 18, 2008. They became a part of the “family” during their
time there.
In fact, when it was time for them to leave, the hotel threw them
a going-away party at the manager's reception, and all of the
night’s guests helped give the Callow’s family a standing ovation
as they came down for dinner. During their stay at the hotel,
they attended associate parties and celebrations, including the
Christmas party, and joined the staff in the huddles on occasion.
Julie home-schooled the girls from the hotel, so all the associates
Callow Family and the Staff at Homewood Suites
heard about the daughters’ daily progress. The Callows will still
be in Montgomery for a while longer, so the staff at the Montgomery Homewood Suites has invited them to come for dinner when
they can, and inform them of where they might move to next. “We are all very sad to see them go, but have loved having them as
a part of our family,” says General Manager, Emily Funkhouser.
New TownePlace Suites by Marriott
Opens Doors and Hearts with $3,000
in C.A.R.E.-ing Gifts for Three
Jacksonville Organizations
TownePlace Suites, Jacksonville, NC Celebrates
Opening in a Grand Way!
TownePlace Suites, Jacksonville, NC celebrated their April 14th
opening in a bizarre way; from pirates to funny glasses, the day
was filled with excitement and fun!
or extension 247.
LBA Properties Lend Support to Pensacola Teenagers
Raising Awareness About Hepatitis B
Christian Awagbade and his staff at the Courtyard by Marriott, Valdosta, GA welcomed some very special guests in
June. They donated rooms to two remarkable young men and their families; John Ellis, Jamaal Warren and their families are part of the ‘Believe in the Cure Cycling Tour’ team that traveled through Valdosta, GA on June 5, 2008.
Christian, General Manager, states “In addition to having a welcome banner, we also held a reception for them. They
spent some time with us in the morning before they departed, and some of the guests were even able to get involved.”
Continuing their tour, John, Jamaal, and crew stopped at their second LBA
Property, SpringHill Suites, Savannah, GA, on Sunday, June 8.
And finally, the Fairfield Inn, Jacksonville, NC was the third, and last LBA
Property located on the tour’s route. Anette Houle, General Manager, and
her staff donated rooms to John, Jamaal and family/team members when
they toured through Jacksonville, NC; John and his family arrived at the
Fairfield Inn on Saturday, June 14th, stayed one night, and departed on June
15th.
John Ellis was a thriving, healthy 16-year-old when a routine blood test
revealed that he had hepatitis B. John turned to the Hepatitis B Foundation
(the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure
and improving the quality of life for those affected with hepatitis B worldwide) to learn more about his diagnosis.
Christian Awogbade, General Manager; Jamaal
Warren, Tour Participant-Best Friend; John Ellis,
Tour Participant-Tour Founder
Instead of being discouraged, the 16-year-old Pensacola, FL native turned the
devastating revelation into an opportunity to raise awareness about hepatitis
B and help find a cure. John says, “…after flying up with my mom to
Pennsylvania to meet them personally, I decided to embark on a cycling tour
from my hometown of Pensacola, FL., to Philadelphia, PA., where the
Foundation is located.”
To celebrate the official Grand Opening, and as
part of the LBA C.A.R.E.S initiative, the new
TownePlace Suites, Jacksonville, NC presented a check of $1,000.00 each to three different
organizations on June 18, 2008. TownePlace
Suites, Jacksonville not only opened their
doors, but they opened their hearts as well.
The organizations receiving the donations
were: Jacksonville/Onslow Habitat for
Humanity, Wounded Warriors, and the
Montford Point Marine Association. Pictured
at ribbon cutting (left to right) are: Rowland
Parish, investor; Hank Thomas, owner; Mrs.
Hank Thomas; and Hayes Farrell, investor.
Pictured: Associates of TownePlace Suites, Jacksonville, NC, Scott Reid, Regional
Director of Operations (far left-middle row); Hank Thomas, Owner (far right-standing); and Rob Deitrich, Senior Director of Operations (far right-sitting)
In addition to John’s best friend, Jamaal Warren, cycling the tour by his side,
John’s and Jamaal’s families have also been actively involved in the ‘Believe
in the Cure Cycling Tour’; Pat Morrow-Johnson, John’s grandmother has
followed the tour in the chase van the entire tour; Renzi Warren, (Jamaal’s
mom), Tammy Morrow, (John’s mom), John’s cousin and her two-year-old
son and his aunt have also participated in the tour by following in the chase
van.
The ‘Believe in the Cure Cycling Tour’ started at Tate High School,
Pensacola, FL (John’s high school), followed the 1,100-plus mile Atlantic
Coast Trail and ended in Philadelphia, PA, home to the Hepatitis B
Foundation, on June 23rd - John’s 18th birthday!
“With this 1,100-plus mile cycling trip, I hope to raise awareness about hepatitis B. But more personally, I hope to prove to myself that I can overcome the
obstacles placed in my path. So, even though there is still no complete cure
for hepatitis B, if I believe in my heart that things will work out for the best,
then who’s to say I’m not cured?” says John.
Anette Houle, General Manager
6
Scott Reid, Regional Director
of Operations
John and Jamaal during their Fairfield Inn,
Greensboro, NC stop
For more information about hepatitis B or John’s cycling tour, go to
www.hepb.org or contact the Hepatitis B Foundation at (215) 489-4900.
9
John Ellis and Jamaal Warren in front of the “chase
van”
or extension 247.
14th Annual Blue Ribbon Campaign
The Southeast Alabama Child Advocacy Center coordinated
their 14th Annual Blue Ribbon Campaign on April 25, 2008,
and “it was by far our most successful,” says Sherri Davis,
CAC Community Development Coordinator.
On that day, volunteers were asked to wear their purchased
Blue Ribbon T-Shirt, lapel pin or Sparkle the Safety Bunny
to show support for the program and for the treasured children who greatly need The Advocacy’s help, love and guidance.
“Please express our appreciation to all your employees for
their support of the campaign. Their hard work helped us
exceed our $100,000 goal. Every dollar given to our program
is truly an investment in a better future for abused children in
our area! We would not be as successful without your help.
Again, thank you for your continuous support for the chilPictured: Larry Blumberg and Associates’ corporate office personnel.
dren,” stated Sherri.
Auburn/Opelika’s
Most Wanted
Sent to the Slammer!
Dianne Lowe, Director of
Sales, Hilton Garden Inn,
Auburn, AL, and local businesses and community leaders
went to jail on Thursday, April
24th, to help the Muscular
Dystrophy Association raise
funds for families in the
Auburn/Opelika area with one
of 43 neuromuscular diseases.
Over 60 “jailbirds” were "put
in the slammer" for MDA's
Auburn/Opelika Executive lockup. The event, which was held
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the
Outback Steakhouse, generated over $72,000. While in the
"slammer”, the “jailbirds" were
booked, had their mug shots
taken and given gourmet bread
and water from the Outback
Steakhouse.
Dianne, who raised $1,067, was
among the top bail raisers and
helped enable one child go to
camp. Thanks to Dianne, the
Hilton Garden Inn/Auburn was
the only hotel to be included in
the top bail raisers for MDA.
Prattville, AL Courtyard by Marriott Fully Engaged in
Local Habitat for Humanity
In March, Debra “Deb” Matthews, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott,
Prattville, AL, and her team presented
$485 to Habitat for Humanity. The money
was raised from their property C.A.R.E.S.
candy sales. Deb, Willie Mixon, Housekeeping Manager, and Sandy Curry,
Director of Sales, are members of the
local Habitat for Humanity’s Board of
Directors. The board hosts their monthly
Habitat meetings at the property.
Sandy, Deb, Brenda Herbaugh, VP Habitat for Humanity, and Willie,
who is also the proud Past President of
the local Habitat.
Jacksonville, NC Employees
Arrested for “Good Cause”
Darryl Thomas,
7
Anette Houle, General Manager, Fairfield Inn &
Suites, NC, and Darryl Thomas, Guest Service
Manager, were arrested, fingerprinted, and had
their mug shots taken after being arrested by the
Muscular Dystrophy "police." The “police” came
to the hotel and hauled them away to a fundraising lock-up. Accused of having a big heart, the
judge found them guilty of C.A.R.E.-ing. Their
bail was set, and the two raised almost $400 for
Muscular Dystrophy. We should also mention
that the judge released them early because the
hotel's fire alarm went off and the two "prisoners"
had to skedaddle back to the property. "It really
was a hoot," says Anette.
or extension 247.
Residence Inn, Greensboro, NC Honored to Have Habitat for Humanity's
Volunteer Coordinator as Guest Speaker
During the February All Associate Meeting, the Residence Inn, Greensboro, NC was delighted to have Lynn Wells, Volunteer Coordinator
for Habitat for Humanity as their guest speaker. Lynn discussed the various volunteer opportunities that are available to the staff – working
at the ReStore, volunteering on site, serving as host at a job site and speaking to groups to promote Habitat – just to name a few. Lynn also
gave a brief history of Habitat for Humanity and the positive effects of the Habitat projects; she cited that they often learn of a child performing better at school, a child having their very own room for the first time and homeowners believing in themselves and finding hope for them
and their families. The Residence Inn Greensboro Airport presented Lynn with a donation from the proceeds of their C.A.R.E.S. candy sales.
“We are proud to be associated with such a wonderful organization,” says MellaDee York, General Manager.
MellaDee stated that “each month we have a great time with our 50/50 Drawing during our All Associate Meetings.” Associates purchase raffle tickets in the amount of $1.00 each. One raffle ticket is drawn at the end of the meeting and the lucky person receives 50% of the amount
collected with the other 50% going to the Victory Junction Gang Camp. “We are delighted with the money raised each month and the lucky
associate is very happy! During the January meeting we raised $32.00 for Victory Junction and $23.50 during the February meeting. Every
dollar raised is one more step in sending a kid to camp!”
LBA Celebrates Its 50th
April 22, 2008 was a red-letter day in
LBA's hometown as Mayor Pat Thomas
joined LBA Corporate leaders and
Monica Sadhwani, General Manager, to
officially open our 50th hotel, the
Residence Inn Dothan. As part of the
opening ceremony, Monica, Jatavius
Lockhart, Guest Service Manager, and
Ashley Newton, Director of Sales, presented 50 "LBA C.A.R.E.S." - engraved
door knockers to Habitat “The Door
Pat Thomas, Dothan Mayor; Liz Tiller, Habitat for Knockers” will be given to 50 new Habitat
Humanity, Executive Director; Monica Sadhwani, homeowners for their front doors.
General Manager; Jatavius Lockhart, Guest Service
Manager; Beau Benton, LBA Chief Operating Officer; In addition to the opening ceremony,
and Barry Kraselsky, LBA President.
Barry Kraselsky, LBA President, presented a check for $10,000 to the Wiregrass Habitat for Humanity on behalf of LBA. "While hotels
have changed a lot during our 30 years in the hospitality industry," says Barry, "one thing hasn't:
the superb service that all of our associates deliver to our guests and within their communities."
Fairfield Inn, Pensacola, FL Helps
“Stamp Out Hunger”
The ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ drive aids families in need by providing highquality and high-protein food. NALC (National Association of Letter
Carriers) members, local businesses, volunteers and the staff at Fairfield
Inn, Pensacola, FL showed their support by making and delivering
donations to local food banks during the 16th annual event held on
Saturday, May 10, 2008.
Brandy Short, Star Jones, Katarzyna Gora and Norval Plumb
The ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ drive is the largest one-day food drive in the
nation, having delivered over 70 million pounds of food to community
food banks, pantries and shelters and takes place in every U.S. state and
jurisdiction.
The drive has two national corporate supporters, Campbell Soup
Company and Valpak/Cox Target Media, plus many local and regional
backers, including food store chains such as Publix and Kroger, banks,
newspapers, radio and television stations, and health care organizations,
including Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Caremark.
8
Roy Adams, Peaches Crawford, GM, and Alicia Plumb
Property Happenings
Homewood Suites, Montgomery Hosts Going-Away Party After Family’s Stay
Kerry and Julie Callow, and their four daughters, Erin, Gracie,
Ami and Layne, had lived at the Homewood Suites,
Montgomery, AL for seven months when they checked out on
April 18, 2008. They became a part of the “family” during their
time there.
In fact, when it was time for them to leave, the hotel threw them
a going-away party at the manager's reception, and all of the
night’s guests helped give the Callow’s family a standing ovation
as they came down for dinner. During their stay at the hotel,
they attended associate parties and celebrations, including the
Christmas party, and joined the staff in the huddles on occasion.
Julie home-schooled the girls from the hotel, so all the associates
Callow Family and the Staff at Homewood Suites
heard about the daughters’ daily progress. The Callows will still
be in Montgomery for a while longer, so the staff at the Montgomery Homewood Suites has invited them to come for dinner when
they can, and inform them of where they might move to next. “We are all very sad to see them go, but have loved having them as
a part of our family,” says General Manager, Emily Funkhouser.
New TownePlace Suites by Marriott
Opens Doors and Hearts with $3,000
in C.A.R.E.-ing Gifts for Three
Jacksonville Organizations
TownePlace Suites, Jacksonville, NC Celebrates
Opening in a Grand Way!
TownePlace Suites, Jacksonville, NC celebrated their April 14th
opening in a bizarre way; from pirates to funny glasses, the day
was filled with excitement and fun!
or extension 247.
LBA Properties Lend Support to Pensacola Teenagers
Raising Awareness About Hepatitis B
Christian Awagbade and his staff at the Courtyard by Marriott, Valdosta, GA welcomed some very special guests in
June. They donated rooms to two remarkable young men and their families; John Ellis, Jamaal Warren and their families are part of the ‘Believe in the Cure Cycling Tour’ team that traveled through Valdosta, GA on June 5, 2008.
Christian, General Manager, states “In addition to having a welcome banner, we also held a reception for them. They
spent some time with us in the morning before they departed, and some of the guests were even able to get involved.”
Continuing their tour, John, Jamaal, and crew stopped at their second LBA
Property, SpringHill Suites, Savannah, GA, on Sunday, June 8.
And finally, the Fairfield Inn, Jacksonville, NC was the third, and last LBA
Property located on the tour’s route. Anette Houle, General Manager, and
her staff donated rooms to John, Jamaal and family/team members when
they toured through Jacksonville, NC; John and his family arrived at the
Fairfield Inn on Saturday, June 14th, stayed one night, and departed on June
15th.
John Ellis was a thriving, healthy 16-year-old when a routine blood test
revealed that he had hepatitis B. John turned to the Hepatitis B Foundation
(the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure
and improving the quality of life for those affected with hepatitis B worldwide) to learn more about his diagnosis.
Christian Awogbade, General Manager; Jamaal
Warren, Tour Participant-Best Friend; John Ellis,
Tour Participant-Tour Founder
Instead of being discouraged, the 16-year-old Pensacola, FL native turned the
devastating revelation into an opportunity to raise awareness about hepatitis
B and help find a cure. John says, “…after flying up with my mom to
Pennsylvania to meet them personally, I decided to embark on a cycling tour
from my hometown of Pensacola, FL., to Philadelphia, PA., where the
Foundation is located.”
To celebrate the official Grand Opening, and as
part of the LBA C.A.R.E.S initiative, the new
TownePlace Suites, Jacksonville, NC presented a check of $1,000.00 each to three different
organizations on June 18, 2008. TownePlace
Suites, Jacksonville not only opened their
doors, but they opened their hearts as well.
The organizations receiving the donations
were: Jacksonville/Onslow Habitat for
Humanity, Wounded Warriors, and the
Montford Point Marine Association. Pictured
at ribbon cutting (left to right) are: Rowland
Parish, investor; Hank Thomas, owner; Mrs.
Hank Thomas; and Hayes Farrell, investor.
Pictured: Associates of TownePlace Suites, Jacksonville, NC, Scott Reid, Regional
Director of Operations (far left-middle row); Hank Thomas, Owner (far right-standing); and Rob Deitrich, Senior Director of Operations (far right-sitting)
In addition to John’s best friend, Jamaal Warren, cycling the tour by his side,
John’s and Jamaal’s families have also been actively involved in the ‘Believe
in the Cure Cycling Tour’; Pat Morrow-Johnson, John’s grandmother has
followed the tour in the chase van the entire tour; Renzi Warren, (Jamaal’s
mom), Tammy Morrow, (John’s mom), John’s cousin and her two-year-old
son and his aunt have also participated in the tour by following in the chase
van.
The ‘Believe in the Cure Cycling Tour’ started at Tate High School,
Pensacola, FL (John’s high school), followed the 1,100-plus mile Atlantic
Coast Trail and ended in Philadelphia, PA, home to the Hepatitis B
Foundation, on June 23rd - John’s 18th birthday!
“With this 1,100-plus mile cycling trip, I hope to raise awareness about hepatitis B. But more personally, I hope to prove to myself that I can overcome the
obstacles placed in my path. So, even though there is still no complete cure
for hepatitis B, if I believe in my heart that things will work out for the best,
then who’s to say I’m not cured?” says John.
6
Scott Reid, Regional Director
of Operations
John and Jamaal during their Fairfield Inn,
Greensboro, NC stop
For more information about hepatitis B or John’s cycling tour, go to
www.hepb.org or contact the Hepatitis B Foundation at (215) 489-4900.
9
John Ellis and Jamaal Warren in front of the “chase
van”
Property Happenings
Courtyard Orange Park Celebrates
10th Birthday!
New Opening
To the Residence Inn Team, Greensboro, NC
Terrie McConnell
General Manager
Hilton Garden Inn
Auburn, AL
Judy and I want to personally thank you and the entire staff of the
Residence Inn for all the help and attention given to our entire wedding party on May 22-24.
…We were treated royally by you during our initial survey tour
when we were looking for a location to host us and our out-of-town
guests. You seemed generally interested in us and your pride in
the facility was evident. We knew we wanted a Marriott property
and we know we made the best decision in selecting your location.
The variety of hotel rooms suited the needs of all the guests who
stayed with us. I cannot tell you how many times we have been
complimented by friends and relatives for selecting your facility.
We were thrilled to be able to have a choice of two bedroom units.
Close family members were able to stay together without having
the feeling of being crowded.
March 3, 2008
The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held at the newlyopened TownePlace Suites, Huntsville, AL on
February 26, 2008.
“What were you doing on June 11, 1998,” asks Michael Kurak,
General Manager at the Fairfield Inn, Orange Park, FL. Mike
posed that very question at the morning huddle; the trip down
memory lane let everyone reflect on how far they had come in
their own lives. Well, LBA was opening the Fairfield Inn Orange
Park. The staff took the opportunity on
Wednesday, June 11th, to celebrate the birthday of their hotel. Obviously, the hotel has
undergone many changes as well. Many
faces have changed amongst the staff and the
hotel has undergone a renovation, so it looks
very different from its initial appearance.
But overall, they have kept the smiling, welcoming presence that has guests returning
Clive Walters, First year after year as evidence by our returning
Customer, Fairfield guests. “The very first guest to check into the
Inn Orange Park
hotel still stays here,” states Mike. “With as
well maintained the property is, it is hard to believe it has been
ten years since the first time I stayed here,” commented Cline
Walters, the property’s first guest. Like any precocious ten year
old, cake and ice cream were served at the party.
Terrie:
I wanted to extend my thanks to you and your staff for the wonderful treatment I received over the past 2 years that I have
stayed at your hotel. I have finished my job assignment in
Auburn, but wanted to let you know that the professionalism
and courteousness of your team helped make my experience in
Auburn a pleasant one.
Thanks again.
...The morning breakfasts were a big hit with all of us. The variety
and freshness each day was very welcome. The morning staff
there was so friendly, even though they were extremely busy. We
enjoyed the variety that allowed for special diets. We also were
appreciative of the menu changes each day. So many times hotels
serve the same thing each day, no matter how long the visit.
Pictured (left to right): Convonta Stone, Director of Sales &
Marketing; Michelle Kelsoe, previous GSM, Eugene
Richardson, Chief Maintenance Technician; Cindy Simpson,
GM; Tomeka Burwell, previous Guest Service Rep; Chris
Clements, GM, Residence Inn, Huntsville, AL; and Robin
Powell, Housekeeping Manager.
Regards,
Doreen D
Principal Functional Consultant
…We look forward to returning to your hotel for a quiet weekend
soon so we can enjoy some of the evening social time that we
missed due to wedding activities.
Manager & Staff
SpringHill Suites Marriott
Savannah, GA
Please share our comments with all concerned staff. Your hotel
staff and facility helped make beautiful memories of a beautiful
wedding.
April 10, 2008
Dear Friends:
Our family recently stayed at your suites, due to the illness of our father who was in the hospital at St. Joseph’s
for a while, and then transferred to Candler Hospital
until he was released on the 18th of March.
Sincerely,
Robert & Judy Erhardt
To: Scott Reid, Regional Director of Operations
Subject: Staff at the Residence Inn, Greensboro, NC
…We just wanted to thank the Management and the
Staff for all that they did for us during that time. They
went beyond the usual services that you expect at your
establishment, knowing our father was dying of cancer,
with a very short time to live.
I live in Raleigh, NC and this past week I stayed
at your Residence Inn in Greensboro. I write
because travel is my hobby and I travel because
of my work; also, I have had the responsibility of
teaching customer service to our employees. I
have stayed at many nice places and have had
good service, but I don't ever remember staying
anywhere where all staff had such wonderful attitudes. They all were very professional and went
out of their way to be helpful. There are three persons I would like to mention by name because I
seldom ever see anyone who scores as high as
they do in customer service. They truly are outstanding employees. They are Melladee York,
Shannon Stewart-Hill and Aaron Simerlink. I
salute you in training your staff so well.
Elected to Habitat Board of Directors
Willie Mixon, Housekeeping Manager, Courtyard by
Marriott, Prattville, AL has been elected to serve on the
"State of Alabama" board of directors for Habitat for
Humanity. His orientation was Thursday, June 19, 2008
in Huntsville. Congratulations Willie!
Staff at Fairfield Inn Orange Park
Residence Inn, Columbus, GA Celebrates RIsolution Day
On May 9, 2008, Residence Inn hotels across the continent celebrated a year of recommitment to the brand's culture by making the first
RIsolution Day a memorable one! The celebrations commemorated
the opening of the first Residence Inn in Wichita, Kansas in 1975.
One of my daughters had just had surgery, and Tracy
and the Staff took extra special care of her. We could not
have asked for better service e anywhere!
RIsolution Day is: a fun and spirited annual ritual that celebrates our
Residence Inn Culture; a time to reflect on the unique elements of the
Residence Inn Blueprint; and a time for hotel teams across North
America to unite and commit to fostering our unique culture
throughout the year.
Please let Marriott know what an exceptional group of
people you have there, by sending them a copy of this
letter!
Thank you again, for your kindness and service beyond
requirements!
Linda J. Stipe
Baxley, GA
Respectfully
Douglas Harris
Staff celebrating RIsolution Day
Residence Inn, Columbus, GA
10
The Residence Inn, Columbus, GA celebrated RIsolution Day with
such events as RIsolution Reading, Learning and singing the new
mission song, announcing and Celebrating the Employee of the
Quarter, Bontu Abitew, an employee appreciation luncheon, playing
team-building games, reviewing and signing of the Residence Inn
values and mission, and picture-taking.
5
Property Happenings
Saint Patrick’s Day Sales Blitz!
Volunteers
The sales team for Residence Inn, Greensboro, NC, getting
fired-up for a day on the town during their Saint Patrick’s
Day sales blitz!
Debra
Matthews,
General
Manager, Courtyard by Marriott,
Prattville, AL, would like to give
a special "Thank You" to the associates that were working during
the tornado on Sunday, February
17, 2008. All of the employees that
were working took immediate
Karen Harding
action and followed all safety procedures to insure that all associates and guests were safe.
Once the tornado warning went off, the associates
directed all guests to the board room where they
remained for 15 minutes. Victoria gathered bottled
water and snacks for all guests to have during the storm.
Thank you for your dedication. I am so proud of each
and every one of you!
In Memoriam
In Memory of
To:
Lorene "Granny" Wright
Courtyard by Marriott, Dothan, AL
General Manager
August 23, 1928 – May 21, 2008
From: Colonel Dave Leppelmeier
Commanding Officer
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejueune, NC
Subj:
Associate of Holiday Inn, Dothan, AL from 1991-2008
Staff Members’ Letters of Appreciation
Colonel Dave Leppelmeier, Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Base
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, showed his appreciation recently by
acknowledging staff members of the Courtyard by Marriott, Dothan,
AL.
Melladee York (GM at RGN), Scott Reid, BDO, Shannon StewartHill (DOS RGN), Aaron Simerlink (AGM RGN), Amy Shinkle
(DOS TJN), Matt Barlett (DOS TCS), Dijuana Hale (DOS
Fairfield Inn Greensboro, NC)
In his “letters of appreciation,” Colonel Leppelmeier individually recognized the staff at the Courtyard Dothan for their “outstanding performance, exemplary work ethic, hospitality, gracious spirit and outgoing and friendly personalities.”
Courtyard Dothan has a staff to be proud of, and we commend them
for their recognition and outstanding customer service!
Soccer Tournament
The Courtyard by Marriott, Lake Mary, FL had a “successful Memorial Day on a weekend that otherwise could been
very slow,” says Glenn Aycock, General Manager. Several
soccer groups stayed at the hotel that weekend, thanks to
Greg Teagarden, DOS, who booked the group and John
Gibney, AGM, who, along with the entire staff, helped
deliver and exceed the groups’ expectations.
Diane Smith, Latoya Smith, Stephanie Jones, Victoria Hines (back
right), Virginia Kirksey (right end), Earnestine Lawson (right front)
They provided giveaways, ice for the coolers and
Gatorade and lemonade which were available throughout
the weekend for the teams. The result was a positive experience for the teams, with well behaved team members
and coaches who could not say enough good things about
the hotel and staff.
Hilton Garden Inn
Auburn, AL
Dear Terrie McConnell:
“…The standard used to be “Customer Always Comes First”, but
you would be hard pressed to find that type of attitude nowadays….Well, Hilton Garden Inn doesn’t have to brag that you put
customers first because the actions say it for you.
I want to commend you on hiring such exceptional employees as Jo.
You must treat your employees with respect and kindness because
both qualities are definitely passed on to the customer. Because of
this experience, I am not only excited about this weekend, but I am
looking forward to staying with you during the football season.
There is no other hotel I will stay at in Auburn except the Hilton
Garden Inn.
Thank you for a relaxing two-hour drive now that I know where I
will be staying!!”
See You Soon,
Mrs. Jill Jones
Birmingham, AL
Johnny Sewell (on ladder) and Tim Peterman (on roof) finish construction of
the gazebo on the grounds of Larry Blumberg & Associates' corporate office in
Dothan, AL. The gazebo took about three days to construct and was finished
on May 1st. Thank you Johnny and Tim for the added shade and beauty!
4
Caroline Barron and Nicole Peters, Front Desk Associates, in
their soccer t-shirts and whistles, ready to set the stage for the
groups’ welcome.
Jo Frinak, Front Desk Associate,
11
The Dash Poem
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning… to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
And he spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
by Linda Ellis
PROMOTIONS
Here We Grow Again
49th Property
51st Property
52nd Property
News from Residence Inn Airport, Greensboro, NC
Melanie Ramsey, Night Auditor, announces that her sister, LTC Robin Ramsey, has been promoted to Colonel in the Army. A big congratulations to her and her family, and a big thank you
to her and all the men and women that are protecting our country!!
Property Happenings
TownePlace Suites, Jacksonville,
NC opened their doors on April 14,
2008, becoming LBA’s 49th property. Let’s all welcome TownePlace
Suites, Jacksonville team members
to the LBA family.
The Holiday Inn, Louisville, KY officially opened their doors on May 15, 2008 and
had already received reservations! Please
join us in welcoming our 51st property to
the LBA family. A warm welcome to Eric
Sherrard, General Manager, and his team
members to the LBA family.
Homewood Field Day
The Courtyard by Marriott, Orange
Park, FL (115 rooms) became LBA’s
52nd property on May 15, 2008 also.
They welcomed their first guest that
very day! A warm welcome to
Richard Lowe, General Manager, and
his team to the LBA family.
LBA Welcomes 50th Property!
53rd Property
In the spirit of Employee Appreciation Week, Homewood Suites,
Chattanooga, TN focused on interdepartmental team work. They
designed daily activities, including a field day, where they mixed the
departments into teams; the teams had to work together to solve customer service questions, finger paint the hotel mascot and design
uniforms out of toilet paper to gain clues to find the missing mystery
guest. “It was loads of fun and brought our departments closer
together,” says Jessica Parker, General Manager.
Suellen Sparks, DOS, Hilton
Garden Inn Tallahassee Attends
FSU Football VIP Event
Our very own Suellen Sparks, Director of Sales
for the Hilton Garden Inn Tallahassee, FL had
the privilege of attending a VIP event at Florida
State University conducted by ISP Sports. The
event included an exclusive back of house tour
of the athletic facility as well as a walk-on at the
FSU Spring Football game.
The Homewood Suites, Chattanooga, TN concluded their Employee
Appreciation Week ceremonies with a luau party and award ceremony. On June 6, 2008 the winners and participants were recognized
during the ceremony and party. (Photo below right)
Celebrating Luau
The highlight of the afternoon came when
Suellen had the rare opportunity to be pictured with Osceola and Renegade, the FSU
mascots. Go Seminoles!
Above: Neal, Ms. Ernie, Shawntray and
Nikki. Team 2 working on the Finger painting portion of the relay race. They were also
the winners of the race!
Please welcome our newest addition to the LBA family. The new
TownePlace Suites, Columbus, GA
became our 53rd hotel on May 22,
2008. The TownePlace Suites features 86 beautifully designed rooms
with all the amenities needed for
extended stay. Please welcome
Fyzal Ishahak, General Manager,
and his associates to LBA.
Residence Inn, Dothan, AL opened
on April 22, 2008, becoming LBA’s
50th property. Please join us in welcoming Monica Sadhwani, General
Manager, and her team to the LBA
family. See page 8 for Dothan’s
Residence Inn Opening Celebration!
12
Above: Vena, Shnakia, Albert and Louise.
Participating in the relay. This event had
them making a uniform out of Toilet paper.
Above: Jean Scott, Evening Reception Hostess - Relay Race Winner;
Jesse McCants, Weekend GSR Participant; Shawntray Orr, Room
Beverly Smith, Breakfast Hostess Employee of the month; Denesia
Hughes, Room Attendant - WhoDunit
Mystery winner; Nikki Pointer, Room
Shnakia Daniels, Room Attendant –
Participant.
3
Elected to Habitat Board of
Directors
Willie Mixon, Housekeeping Manager,
has been elected to serve on the "State of
Alabama" board of directors for Habitat
for Humanity. His orientation was
Thursday, June 19, 2008 in Huntsville.
Congratulations Willie!
AWA R D S
Congratulations Employees
of the Month
Residence Inn, Greensboro, NC, proudly
announces that Kimberly Crite, Room Attendant,
was named April Employee of the Month.
“Kimberly has amazed us with how many guest
comments she has gotten. Guests will actually ask
for the floor that she is cleaning. She goes above and
beyond, leaving notes for the guests and extra
amenities when asked,” says Assistant General
Manager, Aaron Simerlink.
Aaron is also delighted to announce that Mel
Ramsey, Night Auditor was named the May
Employee of the Month for Greensboro Residence
Inn. He states that “Mel has wowed our guests over
the morning hours, which is very impressive for a
night auditor who must stay awake and be cheerful
no matter the time. Mel has actually sent a fellow
associate to Wal-Mart because we were short an iron
and ironing board for a guest at 11pm. We empower our associates to make decisions, and Mel has
stepped up to the plate on many occasions, satisfying the guests with her excellent Residence Inn
Attitude - We are Residence Inn and We Believe.”
Congratulations
Bontu Abitew Employee of the
Quarter
Residence Inn,
Columbus, GA
Kimberly Crite
The Holiday Inn, Dothan, AL is pleased to
announce that Hilda Carte, Kitchen Manager,
won the Dothan Convention and Visitors Bureau
Employee Service Award for 2008. This is the
second year in a row that an LBA property was
honored with this award; last year, Brandy Paul,
front desk associate at the Dothan Fairfield Inn,
won the award. Congratulations Hilda - we are
proud to have you on our team!
1st Quarter Awards
Based on growth over last year results and increase over current budget
Occupancy to Last Year
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Mel Ramsey
Derek LaTouche, AGM; Hilda Carte, Kitchen Manager;
Dan Myers, General Manager; and Shawn Gue,
Banquet & Meeting Coordinator.
Fairfield Inn and Suites, Jacksonville, NC
Congratulates Employees of the Month
EiThe Payne was named Employee of the Month in January 2008.
February’s Employee of the Month was Rose Godette, and the
March Employee of the Month was Kenny Newton. Fairfield Inn
and Suites Jacksonville, NC also received the distinctive award The
Mayor’s Committee For Persons With Disabilities for employing
Kenny from the Rehabilitation Office.
2nd Place Tie Homewood Suites, Huntsville, AL
2nd Place Tie Hilton Garden Inn, Macon, GA
A Very Special Delivery
A Wedding in Paradise
Justin (Vice President
of Operations) and
Stephanie
Shelton
announce the arrival of
Justin David Shelton,
Jr. ("JD"). JD was born
on April 11, 2008 at
7:52 a.m. He weighed 7
pounds and 9 ounces
and was 21 inches long.
Please join us in congratulating Justin and
Stephanie on their new
bundle of joy!
Stephanie and Michael
Goldsmith
2
Congratulations to LBA’s Corporate Director of Community Affairs,
Rob Goldsmith, on the marriage of
his eldest son Michael to Stephanie
Resnick. The wedding took place in
Hawaii on March 30, 2008. The ceremony was officiated by Rob’s wife
and Michael’s mom, Rabbi Lynne
Goldsmith of Dothan’s Temple
Emanu-El. After a honeymoon
cruise, Mike and Steph started their
lives together in Flemington, New
Jersey. Please join us in wishing the
Goldsmiths mazel t’ov.
5.93%
25.8%
1st Place Tie
1st Place Tie
2nd Place Tie
2nd Place Tie
8.8%
Courtyard, Valdosta, GA
GSS Variance to Brand Overall Satisfaction
9.1%
3rd Place SpringHill Suites, Clearwater, FL
10.3%
GSS Variance to Brand Maintenance
Hilton Garden Inn, Macon, GA
1st Place Courtyard, Prattville, AL
2nd Place Courtyard, Hattiesburg, MS
3rd Place Hampton Inn & Suites, Pensacola, FL
439.5%
Fairfield Inn, Dothan, AL
Fairfield Inn, Huntsville, AL
Hampton Inn, Tupelo, MS
Flex
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Most Improved GSS Staff Service
Flow
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
2nd Place Fairfield Inn, Pensacola, FL
3rd Place Fairfield Inn, Orange Park, FL
House Profit POR to Budget
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Most Improved GSS Cleanliness
House Profit POR to Last Year
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
13% above prior period - 3 Way Tie
RevPar to Budget
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Fairfield Inn, Orange Park, FL
Most Improved GSS Maintenance
10.7%
RevPar to Last Year
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
1st Place Tie
1st Place Tie
1st Place Tie
2nd Place Tie
2nd Place Tie
9.5%
ADR to Budget
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Hilton Garden Inn, Huntsville AL
ADR to Last Year
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Most Improved GSS Overall Satisfaction
19.8%
Homewood Suites by Hilton, Huntsville, AL
Hilton Garden Inn, Huntsville, AL
Occupancy to Budget
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Stephanie, Justin & J.D.
Congratulations to our
Dothan Convention and Visitors
Bureau Honors Hilda Carte
GSS Variance to Brand Cleanliness
3rd Place Courtyard, Tuscaloosa, AL
157.2%
Courtyard, Prattville, AL
Fairfield Inn, Pensacola, FL
Turnover
GSS Variance to Brand Staff Service
19%
3rd Place Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn, AL
1st Place Tie Hampton Inn, Tupelo, MS
1st Place Tie Homewood Suites, Chattanooga, TN
13
LBA Inn Crowd
PRST FCM
U.S. POSTAGE
The LBA Inn Crowd is the quarterly newsletter of Larry Blumberg & Associates, Inc.,
developers and managers of hotels and other commercial property for over 35 years.
Newsletter submissions are welcome; Email stories and pictures to susank@lbaproperties.com
DOTHAN, AL
Permit No. 440
June 2008 / July 2008 • Issue 2
PAID
Larry Blumberg and Associates, Inc.
2733 Ross Clark Circle (36301)
P. O. Box 5566
Dothan, Alabama 36302
Phone: 334-793-6855
Fax: 334-793-1707
E-mail: lbahq@lbaproperties.com
LBA INN CROWD
Springhill Suites, Clearwater, FL Receives
Stars of the Industry Award
Chairman/CEO
Larry Blumberg
The SpringHill Suites-Clearwater, FL won the national Stars of the Industry
Award for Community Service. The American Hotel and Lodging Association
(AH&LA) presented the award to the SpringHill Suites, Clearwater, FL, in the
150-rooms-or-less category, at the awards ceremony held in Oklahoma on June
11, 2008.
President
Barry Kraselsky
Thank you to all who
contributed to the
LBA Inn Crowd.
Heather Robinson, General Manager, and her team won this award based on
their active and meaningful C.A.R.E.S. initiatives, which continue to make a positive difference in the lives of children and families in the St. PetersburgClearwater area. “In accepting this award, the hotel represents all of you who
embrace C.A.R.E.S. in your own communities. Please join me in congratulating
the team at SpringHill Suites Clearwater,” says Barry Kraselsky, LBA President.
Check us out on the web at www.lbaproperties.com
Water: The Forgotten Nutrient
Elizabeth Blumberg RD, LN, CPT
Try this on for size. Water will help you to lose weight! How do
you think all of those fatty acids are going to get removed from
your body? Not through osmosis! The truth is that water is necessary for flushing out unwanted fats and toxins which results in
faster weight loss! So what else does water do? Read on to find
out…
Water is a major energy booster. If your energy levels need
improvement, water is your quickest solution. In fact, more often
than not, our bodies are fatigued as a result of not drinking
enough water. So, say goodbye to caffeine for that pick me up.
The benefits of water are far greater!
Water helps to reduce stress. When we are under stress, our system uses water as an energy source to cope. In my nutritional
practice, I test hydration on a regular basis to monitor this
process. It is amazing to see how much lower hydration is when
a person’s stress levels are high. When water is replenished, you
can actually feel a physical relaxation response occur throughout
your body!
Water will curb your hunger. You have probably heard that thirst
is often mistaken for hunger. As a result, this may lead to excessive eating of the wrong foods for a quick fix. By simply drinking
water regularly, you can reduce your hunger. It’s that easy! With
water, you have the healthiest and most cost-effective appetite
suppressant on the market at your disposal!
Water helps you look good. By flushing out toxins and impurities, water can make your skin clearer, smoother and younger
looking.
How much water should you drink? Unless you have a medical
condition that advises otherwise, you may start with eight, 8 oz
glasses spread evenly throughout the day. For every 30 min of
regular exercise, add another 8-16 oz of water to replace fluids
you lose during perspiration. Lastly, if you drink caffeine, be sure
to consume another 8 oz glass of water for every 8 oz of caffeinecontaining beverage. This may seem like a lot of water, but
remember that most of us need more fluids due to common factors that decrease hydration such as stress, poor sleep and being
overweight.
If you do not like the taste of water, try adding lemon, lime,
cucumber or even a small amount of a fruit juice to enhance the
flavor. After a few weeks, you will get so accustomed to drinking
water that your body will begin to crave it. Also, don’t let those
extra bathroom trips deter your efforts. This will subside after a
few weeks as your body becomes more efficient at absorbing fluids!
So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead, drink up!
Nutritionally Yours,
Elizabeth
Receives Chamber of Commerce
Service Award
Congratulations Lisa
Butler, Housekeeping
Manager at LBA’s
Newest TownePlace
Suites, Jacksonville, NC
Lisa Butler started in Laundry
as a Room Attendant at the
Jacksonville, NC. She eventually became Assistant Director of Housekeeping under
Jean Graham’s supervision.
After two years in Housekeeping, Lisa wanted to try
the front desk, so Jean moved
her. Now, being the “driven”
employee that she is, she has
been promoted to the Housekeeping Manager’s position
at our new TownePlace
Suites, Jacksonville, NC. “I
am so very proud of her,” says
Anette Houle, General Manager, Fairfield Inn & Suites,
Jacksonville, NC.
Congratulations Lisa!
Candice Forbes, Assistant General Manager,
receives the Stars of the Industry Award on behalf of
Springhill Suites, Clearwater, FL
Anette Houle, General Manager,
Fairfield Inn & Suites, Jacksonville,
NC, and Lisa Butler, Housekeeping
Manager, TownePlace Suites.
Darryl Thomas
Darryl Thomas, Guest Service Manager at the
Fairfield Inn, Jacksonville, NC, was recently
recognized by the local Chamber of
Commerce for his outstanding service. The
Service Award announcement was printed in
the Chamber Voice, Volume 8, June 2008 issue.
Announcement follows:
Service Rewards
A community is only as good as the citizens that
live and work within its borders. This month we
celebrate Swansboro, Sneads, Ferry, Richlands, and
Jacksonville and many of the frontline employees
that go the extra mile to make your visits an above
average experience! The five individuals representing five area businesses in Onslow County surrounding this story have performed their duties
with a positive outlook, a kind word, and valued
information for our visitors and citizens. They went
the extra mile! Onslow County Tourism,
Jacksonville, Onslow Chamber of Commerce,
Economic Development, Onslow County, and the
City of Jacksonville want to thank them for their
efforts and encourage you to do the same. Good
service is good Business!

LBA INN CROWD LBA INN CROWD LBA INN

Transcription

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