Top Resort Perks Ranked by Guests:

According to H&MM the top 5 Hotel Perks ranked by guests are:

1. Complimentary continental Breakfast 67%
2. Complimentary full American Breakfast 57%
3. Late Check Out 53%
4. Hotel Frequent Stay Program 52%
5. Room Upgrades 52%

* Club Concierge Floor Ranked 10th at 20%

The Criminoles

What is happening to my team? Oh wait the criminoles will always be the criminoles... As many as 20 Florida State football players will be suspended from playing against Kentucky in the Dec. 31 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl, as well as the first three games of the 2008 season, for their roles in an alleged cheating scandal involving an Internet-based course. Somewhere Peter Warrick is laughing....

Butter Pecan Thighs

Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino a Good or a Bad Thing?

It won't be open until 2010. They just broke ground last week, and already the CSBCC is clouded with controvery. But Mr. Golisano, the founder of Paychex, owner of the Buffalo Sabres hockey team and a three-time candidate for governor on the Independence Party line, said that by catering to people in the area, the planned casino would hurt the city. "It's not going to bring people or dollars in from very far outside the area," said Mr. Golisano. "I think it's a transfer of money from local citizens to the Seneca Gaming Corporation and I don't know how that helps Buffalo."

All I know is that its going to be a 9 Acre - $333 million project, has over 90k sq. ft. Casino w/ 4 restaurants, a glass hotel tower with 208 suites with gorgeous views of Lake Erie. Also a Concierge floor on the 21st story with a giant video screen on the hotel's exterior to display live images from within the casino.

GB's take - A resort like that will house roughly 1,000 jobs and bring in much needed business from outside of the Buffallo area. The City is bound to make roughly 7-9 million per from the Casino alone. Crime hasn't changed in nearby Niagra Falls which undertook the same project some years ago. Seems like it would be a great move for the city and tourism industry. Golisano, calm down... it will put more fans in your seats, and revenue to your city.

Glenn Harrington- "Flamenca"

Check out one of my new favorite Low Country artists. His name is Glenn Harrington:

Glenn Harrington Web
Site

He is known more for his golf paintings, but the man has got some serious skills and a great eye for capturing light and the essence of substance. Enjoy!

Hiring for Success

Often times I see companies hire somebody to do a job, and they are unsure if that particular employee is going to bring a sense of caring, commitment, and passion to the work place. If this question has to be asked, then you have already answered your question. Too often, we compromise our operations based on the fact that we need to be "staffed", and in the process we throw a warm body out there to do the job. A job that, in fact, is not being delivered with excitement, anticipation, care, and with no pursuit of excellence. Knowing that it costs over $7200 to fire, hire, invest time recruiting, and train, is it worth it? Take your time to find the right people, with a positive attitude, who will bring solid core values, and an eagerness to do the job right. A small amount of sacrifice will go a long way, and your next focus should be on proper training, one on one time, goal setting, and constant feedback.

Chicago's Hotel Sax Leads High-Tec Revolution

LaSalle purchased the House of Blues, formerly a Loews Hotel for $114.5 million in March of 2006. They have a 36 foot high and 6 foot wide video wall operated by Vista, the ultimate in HD technology, 60 inch plasma's in some of the meeting rooms. If you get a chance go to the Studio on the 6th floor. Its free to guests, and is completely computer driven, several flat screen TV's, 5 XBOX360's and soon to be added Guitar Hero station and Madden 08, and 5 Microsoft "Zunes" (ipod's). This place rocks! (Designed by Fury)

Manager Dinner at McCrady's on East Bay

Last night we had our annual Manager's dinner at McCrady's on East Bay. It is a charming restaurant with a modern flair to its food. The food was average, but the ambiance was fantastic. Unfortunately our party was huge, so the food was prepared for more of a banquet function, so I did not have a chance to have anything from the menu, however I hear that the Seared Hawaiian Tuna is amazing. The private dining rooms are top of the line in Charleston. I would recommend them for Rehersal Dinners, and group functions. The company was fantastic and there was a definite need to celebrate after a successful Marathon Weekend. Afterwards a few more drinks were required so it was off to Henry's. Good times had by all.

Mo' Money Mo' Problems for Hatton

A valiant effort.

Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton put up a good fight, but in the end it was Mayweather on top. I bought the fight, and had some mates at my place to watch it. Its fight night bizitches.. Everyone at the house and in Las Vegas was cheering for Hatton. F'ing Joe Cortez kept breaking up the fight early on, and made a controversial call in the 6th round against Hatton. The British fans were awesome everytime Mayweather was hit which was cool. In the 10th round, Hatton got stuck with a left cross and bounced off the ring post and fell quickly to the canvas. If Mayweather takes the Cotto fight, this could be another strong challenger that will hopefully shut this guy up. But there is no denying that he is the best of the best in boxing today. He is a cocky bastard before most of his fights, but afterwards during the post fight wrap up, was pretty humble and complimentary of Hatton. Whats next for Ricky Fatton?

H2B Crisis in Hospitality

Currently the hospitality industry is in a state of crisis. There is a Bill relying on a strong co-sponsorship called the Save Small Business Act that will ensure that resorts across the nation can count on our overseas support. This is also crutial for American high-paying jobs, as there may be a consequences for a loss in hourly support which in turn will jeopardize NOI. I am in strong favor of this Act, so call these chaps below and inform them to co-sponsor this Act ASAP! ITS COMMON SENSE!!!!

Those who have NOT co in the state of South Carolina are:

Henry Brown
843-747-4175
Joe Wilson
803-939-0041
Jim Clyburn
803-799-1100
Gresham Barrett
864-224-7401

The Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2007: H.R.1843/S.988

Non-agricultural employers needing to hire foreign workers on a seasonal basis have no alternative but to go through the H-2B visa program, a complex and convoluted process that effectively ensures that no US workers are available. No US employer would go through the great expense and time commitment involved in the H-2B visa process if there were US workers available to meet seasonal hiring needs.

In each of the last three years – 2004, 2005 and 2006 – small and seasonal employers across America were on the brink of economic disaster when the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that that the 66,000 H-2B visa cap had been met. The H-2B Cap crisis badly damaged communities throughout America and caused severe economic hardship for small businesses. In 2004 there was no help, but in 2005 and again in 2006 Congress acted quickly, passing the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Acts of 2005 and 2006.
The Save Small Business Act provides a fix through FY2007 by exempting workers from the cap who were in H-2B visa status in any of the three previous years. It also prescribes harsh penalties for employers who try to cheat the system. The solution crafted by Congress is fair, bipartisan and effective, supported by a distinguished group of Republicans and Democrats spanning the entire political spectrum. It passed both the Senate and House with overwhelming majorities. However, with the end of FY2007 looming, Congress must act again to extend this Act, hopefully this time for at least another five years.

The Team To Beat - Tiger Style

Can you believe that the Tigers just got Cabrera and Willis from the Marlins? I think the Marlins just recycle there team every few years. This will make the AL that much more interesing next year. Go Box Sox, lets hope they land Santana!