As of June 1 the application for the CMP exam is on line and free at the CIC website : www.ConventionIndustry.org.
Start now! It is due in September and it takes longer than you think!
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Pillow Chocolates Get More Interesting
OK--- I am always happy when I get a good piece of chocolate. Lately hotels are really diversifying in terms of what they are putting on the pillow.
How's this? "Elements Chocolate". The label says "Relax- Milk Chocolate Raspberry with Chamomile Extract".
Guess that Chamomile will even out the sugar rush...
How's this? "Elements Chocolate". The label says "Relax- Milk Chocolate Raspberry with Chamomile Extract".
Guess that Chamomile will even out the sugar rush...
We Need More Emma's
As I mentioned before I spoke at the Detroit Marriott at the RenCen.
That morning I met the most delightful Marriott Associate - Emma Thomas. She was my room attendant from Catering/F&B. How lucky I was!
Although I was not the most demanding person in the world (that morning)--I had some needs! Nothing phased her... In fact she suggested at one point that I should sit down, relax and have a bite to eat before my presentation--hey someone has to look out for me! Her smile, her personality, her way of just taking care of anything--I would love to see her on a more complex event.
When I thanked her at the end of the morning and gave her one of my soon to be infamous "coffee cup mugs", I also gave her a small tip which initially she refused (doesn't that always want to make you give more?). She was actually quite astounded that I wanted to give her anything. As we talked she mentioned to me that she has gone out on her time, and with her own money and has a little "stash" of things that someone might need at an event--for example a disposable camera. She just decided to do this to help people in a jam. How cool is that?
As you may know Marriott's Book and corporate philosophy is "The Spirit to Serve". She definitely epitomizes it.
That morning I met the most delightful Marriott Associate - Emma Thomas. She was my room attendant from Catering/F&B. How lucky I was!
Although I was not the most demanding person in the world (that morning)--I had some needs! Nothing phased her... In fact she suggested at one point that I should sit down, relax and have a bite to eat before my presentation--hey someone has to look out for me! Her smile, her personality, her way of just taking care of anything--I would love to see her on a more complex event.
When I thanked her at the end of the morning and gave her one of my soon to be infamous "coffee cup mugs", I also gave her a small tip which initially she refused (doesn't that always want to make you give more?). She was actually quite astounded that I wanted to give her anything. As we talked she mentioned to me that she has gone out on her time, and with her own money and has a little "stash" of things that someone might need at an event--for example a disposable camera. She just decided to do this to help people in a jam. How cool is that?
As you may know Marriott's Book and corporate philosophy is "The Spirit to Serve". She definitely epitomizes it.
Experience "The D"
No not Dallas. I had the opportunity to speak for MPI and the Detroit CVB last week and I am so glad I did!
I have to admit I pictured Detroit as a run down, filthy, dangerous city--not anymore at least in the key downtown (hey it takes a while to bring a "whole" city back to life --you have to start somewhere.).
I only got to spend a little less than 24 hours there, but I certainly saw enough to peak my interest. The RenCen (Renaissance Center) right on the water where the Marriott is (the view of the river is incredible) was great (more in a later post on that). Neat restaurants springing up, historic buildings being renovated into theaters, Professional baseball, football and hockey all right downtown, Three (and really four if you count two at MGM) casinos. A new three mile River Walk right (wait for it) on the river (clever place to put one right?).
Both fortunately and unfortunately the only other facility than my hotel I got to see was the Motor City Casino--wow! I am not a gambler and casinos I could really take or leave. What did impress me was the architecture and decor of much of it and especially in the new 400 room hotel they are building. And guess what? They want you to stay in your room! Or at least they are not pushing you out. The linens, the furniture, the technology. You won't really care if you leave. The food in their Fine dining restaurant, Iridescence, was incredible both in the way the menu was put together and the presentation itself.
We met Assad Farag (VP of Hotel Operations - equivalent to the GM) whose background is Upscale with an international flavor. He has been at the St Regis in NYC, The Plaza...you get the idea. And his taste and experience shows. His choice of Director of F&B, Lucio Arancibia is from Mandalay Bay among other places, and apparently is quite a chef himself. Brad Baldwin, corporate sales, seems to really be a good and genuine relationship builder and is really enthusiastic about the new facility.
Oh and by the way--if you have not flown into Detroit in a while, you won't recognize it. The last of the old terminals are to be replaced by next year I believe.
Dont' write Detroit off your list. In a few years it is going to be one of the hottest things going and it is well on its way now.
And no - Detroit CVB and Motor City Casino do not know I am writing this. Promise.
I have to admit I pictured Detroit as a run down, filthy, dangerous city--not anymore at least in the key downtown (hey it takes a while to bring a "whole" city back to life --you have to start somewhere.).
I only got to spend a little less than 24 hours there, but I certainly saw enough to peak my interest. The RenCen (Renaissance Center) right on the water where the Marriott is (the view of the river is incredible) was great (more in a later post on that). Neat restaurants springing up, historic buildings being renovated into theaters, Professional baseball, football and hockey all right downtown, Three (and really four if you count two at MGM) casinos. A new three mile River Walk right (wait for it) on the river (clever place to put one right?).
Both fortunately and unfortunately the only other facility than my hotel I got to see was the Motor City Casino--wow! I am not a gambler and casinos I could really take or leave. What did impress me was the architecture and decor of much of it and especially in the new 400 room hotel they are building. And guess what? They want you to stay in your room! Or at least they are not pushing you out. The linens, the furniture, the technology. You won't really care if you leave. The food in their Fine dining restaurant, Iridescence, was incredible both in the way the menu was put together and the presentation itself.
We met Assad Farag (VP of Hotel Operations - equivalent to the GM) whose background is Upscale with an international flavor. He has been at the St Regis in NYC, The Plaza...you get the idea. And his taste and experience shows. His choice of Director of F&B, Lucio Arancibia is from Mandalay Bay among other places, and apparently is quite a chef himself. Brad Baldwin, corporate sales, seems to really be a good and genuine relationship builder and is really enthusiastic about the new facility.
Oh and by the way--if you have not flown into Detroit in a while, you won't recognize it. The last of the old terminals are to be replaced by next year I believe.
Dont' write Detroit off your list. In a few years it is going to be one of the hottest things going and it is well on its way now.
And no - Detroit CVB and Motor City Casino do not know I am writing this. Promise.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Eers or Ears?
Yes, you know I love plays on words.
I just learned today that Disney calls their meeting attendees ConventionEars...Yep I am still chuckling about it.
Can't wait to attend the CIC CMP Conclave there this summer. Just signed up for the behind the scenes tour. I have been waiting 30 years to do that. I promise I will write about it!
I just learned today that Disney calls their meeting attendees ConventionEars...Yep I am still chuckling about it.
Can't wait to attend the CIC CMP Conclave there this summer. Just signed up for the behind the scenes tour. I have been waiting 30 years to do that. I promise I will write about it!
Come Live in My Hotel Room - Part 1
So I gave up ironing before I went on a trip a long time ago. I realized that I always had to iron everything again when I got there so why waste the time when I was hurrying to pack?
But here is the problem--filling the iron with water! I have tried the bathroom glasses and covered the ironing board (and frequently my clothes) with water. Some of the higher new style faucets you can put the iron under the faucet directly, but not many places. Sometimes I keep and old water bottle with me and fill it--it works better than the glass.
So around day 5 or so I am staying in the Marriott Residence Inn in Morgantown, WV and I notice that there is something stuck in a compartment of the contraption that holds the iron in the closet. I pull it out to see it is a small measuring cup with a spout. As you can guess I was highly excited (no, really). The irony is that the Residence Inn is one place you don't need one since they have a fully equipped kitchen...including a measuring cup.
Still my thanks and gratitude go out to them---how long will it take other properties to catch on? After all in the scheme of things how much can they cost? Such a little investment would make travelers lives so much easier.
But here is the problem--filling the iron with water! I have tried the bathroom glasses and covered the ironing board (and frequently my clothes) with water. Some of the higher new style faucets you can put the iron under the faucet directly, but not many places. Sometimes I keep and old water bottle with me and fill it--it works better than the glass.
So around day 5 or so I am staying in the Marriott Residence Inn in Morgantown, WV and I notice that there is something stuck in a compartment of the contraption that holds the iron in the closet. I pull it out to see it is a small measuring cup with a spout. As you can guess I was highly excited (no, really). The irony is that the Residence Inn is one place you don't need one since they have a fully equipped kitchen...including a measuring cup.
Still my thanks and gratitude go out to them---how long will it take other properties to catch on? After all in the scheme of things how much can they cost? Such a little investment would make travelers lives so much easier.
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Happy New Year to our Hosts that Treat us as Family
I earned Marriott Gold in 2005 and Platinum for 2006. I would love to say that it was mainly due to my business booming and jetsetting all over the world (that's the 2007 plan!). Actually it was primarily due to two aging parents in two different states, both requring me to spend lots of time in hotels.
We travel for business. We travel for fun. But I guarantee you I never really got the importance of true hospitality from a hotel staff until I traveled for this. Spending days that turned into weeks, not at the top of my game, dragging myself in after a long day cleaning a house of 40 years worth of dirt and memories, or days of jumping from medical facility to yet another one...all on emotional, mental and physical overload.
And since I was by myself they provided the hugs, the comfort, little surprises in my room to lift my spirits and a friendly ear when I needed to unload sometimes. And one of the first flowers I got after my dad died were from "Your Friends at the Residence Inn".Hospitality is easy when a guest is "in a good place". It is when you can provide it outside of the comfort zone that it really shows how good you are.
I also became a huge fan of extended stay hotels. They are not for every situation, but they worked well for me.
And so to my dear friends at the Residence Inn in Westford, MA and my newer friends at the Residence Inn in Morgantown, WV ---thank you.
And a Happy New Year to all of you!
We travel for business. We travel for fun. But I guarantee you I never really got the importance of true hospitality from a hotel staff until I traveled for this. Spending days that turned into weeks, not at the top of my game, dragging myself in after a long day cleaning a house of 40 years worth of dirt and memories, or days of jumping from medical facility to yet another one...all on emotional, mental and physical overload.
And since I was by myself they provided the hugs, the comfort, little surprises in my room to lift my spirits and a friendly ear when I needed to unload sometimes. And one of the first flowers I got after my dad died were from "Your Friends at the Residence Inn".Hospitality is easy when a guest is "in a good place". It is when you can provide it outside of the comfort zone that it really shows how good you are.
I also became a huge fan of extended stay hotels. They are not for every situation, but they worked well for me.
And so to my dear friends at the Residence Inn in Westford, MA and my newer friends at the Residence Inn in Morgantown, WV ---thank you.
And a Happy New Year to all of you!
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