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Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
New Clients for Rainmakers Lehigh Valley
Rainmakers Lehigh Valley Adds Custom Restaurant Software,
Area Caterer and Local Sports Newspaper to Offerings
Employing a full-time sales and marketing professional for most small businesses and non-profit organizations is quickly becoming a thing of the past. “Hiring an outside agency for business development needs for a small business may soon become as common place as outsourcing payroll administration, bookkeeping and IT solutions,” says Gregg Marzano, President of Rainmakers Lehigh Valley. Business owners have so many plates in the air at one time, that business growth is something they think a lot about, but have little time to implement.” “That’s where I come in - I help them find that next sale.” Marzano added.
Rainmakers Lehigh Valley is assisting Spainbdevelopment with the launch of SeatTracker, a customized table management and reservation software for fine dining restaurants, provides new business development for Royal Gourmet Foods, a casual dining caterer located in Easton and NorthStar Adventure at Dutch Springs, the regions leading active learning training organization.
Rainmakers Lehigh Valley is also a marketing representative for Lehigh Valley Sports Extra, a monthly newspaper dedicated to the local sports scene. “I like to work with niche offerings with private ownership,” said Marzano. “Working with the owner directly as an outside vendor allows me to see the big picture and not get bogged down in the day to day details.” “Big corporations have sales and marketing insulated from the operations, but in small business everyone is asked to do everything.” “This is a bad formula for growing the business,” he said.
Rainmakers Lehigh Valley provides sales and marketing solutions for small businesses in the service and hospitality industry and is a member of the Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. Contact: Gregg Marzano, 610-248-4389 gmarzano@rcn.com www.rainmakerslv.com.
Area Caterer and Local Sports Newspaper to Offerings
Employing a full-time sales and marketing professional for most small businesses and non-profit organizations is quickly becoming a thing of the past. “Hiring an outside agency for business development needs for a small business may soon become as common place as outsourcing payroll administration, bookkeeping and IT solutions,” says Gregg Marzano, President of Rainmakers Lehigh Valley. Business owners have so many plates in the air at one time, that business growth is something they think a lot about, but have little time to implement.” “That’s where I come in - I help them find that next sale.” Marzano added.
Rainmakers Lehigh Valley is assisting Spainbdevelopment with the launch of SeatTracker, a customized table management and reservation software for fine dining restaurants, provides new business development for Royal Gourmet Foods, a casual dining caterer located in Easton and NorthStar Adventure at Dutch Springs, the regions leading active learning training organization.
Rainmakers Lehigh Valley is also a marketing representative for Lehigh Valley Sports Extra, a monthly newspaper dedicated to the local sports scene. “I like to work with niche offerings with private ownership,” said Marzano. “Working with the owner directly as an outside vendor allows me to see the big picture and not get bogged down in the day to day details.” “Big corporations have sales and marketing insulated from the operations, but in small business everyone is asked to do everything.” “This is a bad formula for growing the business,” he said.
Rainmakers Lehigh Valley provides sales and marketing solutions for small businesses in the service and hospitality industry and is a member of the Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. Contact: Gregg Marzano, 610-248-4389 gmarzano@rcn.com www.rainmakerslv.com.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Girl Scout Badgefest hosted by NorthStar Adventure at Dutch Springs
NorthStar Adventure Announces Badgefest 2009
Highly coveted dog mushing fun patch to be offered!
August 20, 2009 – Bethlehem, PA. Girl Scouts from as far away as Connecticut are expected at the first annual Girl Scout Badgefest hosted by NorthStar Adventure at Dutch Springs. Planned for the weekend of November 13-15th this three day event is sure to become a highlight for young girls as they work towards their badge requirements. “The girl scouts love coming here,” said Kari Hunyadi, lead facilitator at NorthStar Adventure. “We get calls everyday asking what new badge can they get? ” “This weekend will give the girls a chance to earn multiple badges, meet new friends and celebrate scouting,” Hunyadi added.
One of the more popular programs being offered is the Dog Mushing Fun Patch. NorthStar is one of the few places in the country that offers such a program. With five dogs on staff, the girls get to experience the unique leadership and loyalty displayed by the same breed of dogs that race in the Iditarod.
Other badges offered that weekend include: Adventure Sports, Earth Connections, Finding Your Way, First Aid, Wildfire, Your Outdoor Surroundings, Creative Solutions, High Adventure IP, and Orienteering IP.
Girl Scout Troops and individuals are required to check-in Friday night and after settling into camp and a good night’s sleep the badgefest begins in earnest Saturday morning. A BBQ dinner complete with Smores is included on Saturday night. Scout fee is $100 and each adult is $20.00. For more information and to register visit NorthStar Adventure’s website – www.northstaradventure.com
NorthStar Adventure at Dutch Springs offers facilitated team building and leadership programs for corporations, executive boards, universities, schools, churches, sports teams and organizations around the Lehigh Valley. Dutch Springs is a 100 acre facility offering Scuba diving in their 50 acre lake, a water amusement park equipped with inflatable attractions and the Sky Challenge a 34 ft. high ropes adventure course and rock wall. For more information visit www.dutchsprings.com or call 610-759-2270.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Perfection requires Entire Team Effort
Perfection Requires Entire Team Effort
A perfect game in baseball is similar to a perfect sellout for a hotel.
By Gregg Marzano, President Rainmakers Lehigh Valley, July 24, 2009.
Mark Buehrle’s perfect game on July 23rd, 2009 demonstrated how everyone on the Chicago White Sox was performing at a high level and contributed to the rare fete, a perfect game. Although much of the celebration and accolades go to the pitcher, a true sports fan knows that it took a complete team effort to accomplish what has only been done 18 times in the past 125 years. The lead provided by the offense of the White Sox, allowed Buehrle to perform comfortably, the late inning defensive replacement by the manager and subsequent magnificent play by DeWayne Wise in the outfield saved the perfect game. In addition the steady defense by all the fielders and a great game called by the catcher all contributed to accomplishing the rare fete.
A perfect sellout for a hotel, although not as rare as a perfect game in baseball, certainly requires similar key personal being at the top of the game and performing as a team throughout the day to deliver a perfect sellout. A perfect sellout is where every room is sold and occupied. This excludes those always hard to collect no-shows from the picture. Follow along as I take you through the anatomy of a perfect sellout.
1. The first team member with the ball will also be the last, the night auditor. In the morning, they have two responsibilities. First, relay the past night’s challenges correctly to the AM staff including maintenance and the AM front office team. If an A/C unit went down overnight and they moved a guest and put the room out of order, it may take all day to get it back on line, and the engineer will certainly appreciate getting the news first thing vs. middle of the day after all the rooms are blocked. Second, they need to discuss who no-showed the night before and communicate to the front office what the possibility is that guess will show up in the AM, or if the guest has had the reservation transferred to the next day for arrival. Sounds odd, but I have seen where a group leader tells a night auditor to put the guest in for arrival the next day and then if they don’t show up, charge them. Not acceptable, but it happens.
2. The Front Office Manager gets the ball pretty early in the day and needs to take the lead on the quest for the perfect sellout until his relief pitcher(s) come on board. He needs to print the arrivals and study them with a keen eye. Duplicate reservations, multiple rooms under a single reservation, and complimentary rooms reserved by the General Manager and sales department need to be printed and presented at the morning NETMA (No one Ever Tells Me Anything) staff meeting. How often has a complimentary room trickled its way into the late innings of the day without being questioned? Only to find out the guest is already in house, not coming or does not need to be a non-revenue reservation.
3. The reservation manager is like the catcher working closely all day with our pitcher the FOM. The reservation manager’s first job is play pitch and catch with the FOM, ensuring as rooms are sold that they are communicated to the front desk. The reservation manager is calling the shots and the FOM is executing. The reservation manager will call for an oversell count at some point in the day after they have scouted the data and made an educated decision on how many no-shows are planned along with the status of the competition, and package that with whatever historical information is available for same day cancels and reservations/walk-ins. Teamwork and communication are key management skills that truly are necessary for these two departments as they work the middle innings flawlessly.
4. As noon approaches, the housekeeping department plays a vital role in communicating what is happening on the floors and in the rooms. They often have a vital role in delivering a perfect sellout. The knowledge of an early departure or an unexpected stay-over, can provide crucial information to the catcher and pitcher as they continue to lead the effort. In addition, the do outs conversation should not be taken lightly or allowed to wait till after lunch.
5. With check-out behind us, it is time for that desk clerk to make a play to help deliver the perfect sell. It may not seem like a game saving catch at the time, but the well trained desk clerk initiates the second call around of the day, finds a gem. A competitor is over sold and may need to walk a guest or two. This gives the reservation manager, the FOM, PM Desk staff and night auditor a little bit of cushion should they need to pick up rooms late in the day. It also tells the reservationist, not to go too deep in the count as it may be hard to find rooms should their night auditor have to walk a few folks pushing for the perfect sellout.
6. As 3PM rolls around, now its time for the FOM to deliver the news to the relief staff. “We are going for a perfect sellout tonight!” The PM front desk team is entrusted with all the tools they will need for a perfect sell. The nonguaranteed reservations are highlighted and ready for release at the designated time. Any room that can be upgraded to a King bed has been moved to open up more flexible rooms, those with two double beds or a pull-out sofa. This will help with walk-ins. A couple or a single can survive with two double beds, but a family of 4 is never going to squeeze into a king bed.
7. The catering manager now becomes an unsuspecting hero. Before she leaves for the night she double checks her suite reservation for the Bride and Groom, celebrating their wedding at the hotel. She notices there are two rooms reserved. The reservation she VIP’d for the couple just last week during the final walk through, and a nondescript reservation under the brides maiden name made by the over anxious catering assistant 18 months ago, when the bride came to request a room block for her friends and family. Game Saving Catch!
8. The team has worked hard to push for a sellout, all the reservations are clean, the hotel sits at minus 2 and still has 15 arrivals at 9PM. That’s when the GM makes a friendly phone call to close the deal. He reassures the PM staff that they are in good shape, but if they have to walk anyone call the hotel across the street, put two rooms on hold and have walk letters prepared ahead of time for the night auditor. Just a friendly call from the GM, puts everyone at ease back at the hotel.
9. A surprise or two. To round out our high performing team, we have a van driver who has kept one eye on the road and one eye on how the front desk is handling the room inventory. As he drives to the airport, he picks up a guest, who informs him he was traveling with another guest who missed his connecting flight. He immediately radios the information back to the hotel, which is able to accommodate a walk-in standing at the desk.
10. Finally, the night auditor, who led off the game, now returns to close it out. They have a handful of arrivals left and are now even. The owner of the hotel has incentivized the team with a challenge to pool the average rate on ever perfect sellout for the month. This money is split evenly among the entire hotel staff, emphasizing how it is a team effort selling out the hotel.
Rainmakers Lehigh Valley is a consulting firm offering affordable sales solutions to the hospitality and tourism industry in Eastern Pennsylvania. Rainmakers Lehigh Valley offers strategic marketing plans, media plans, sales training and public relations in addition to direct sales initiatives.
Contact:
Rainmakers Lehigh Valley
Gregg Marzano
610-248-4389
www.rainmakerslv.com
info@rainmakerslv.com
A perfect game in baseball is similar to a perfect sellout for a hotel.
By Gregg Marzano, President Rainmakers Lehigh Valley, July 24, 2009.
Mark Buehrle’s perfect game on July 23rd, 2009 demonstrated how everyone on the Chicago White Sox was performing at a high level and contributed to the rare fete, a perfect game. Although much of the celebration and accolades go to the pitcher, a true sports fan knows that it took a complete team effort to accomplish what has only been done 18 times in the past 125 years. The lead provided by the offense of the White Sox, allowed Buehrle to perform comfortably, the late inning defensive replacement by the manager and subsequent magnificent play by DeWayne Wise in the outfield saved the perfect game. In addition the steady defense by all the fielders and a great game called by the catcher all contributed to accomplishing the rare fete.
A perfect sellout for a hotel, although not as rare as a perfect game in baseball, certainly requires similar key personal being at the top of the game and performing as a team throughout the day to deliver a perfect sellout. A perfect sellout is where every room is sold and occupied. This excludes those always hard to collect no-shows from the picture. Follow along as I take you through the anatomy of a perfect sellout.
1. The first team member with the ball will also be the last, the night auditor. In the morning, they have two responsibilities. First, relay the past night’s challenges correctly to the AM staff including maintenance and the AM front office team. If an A/C unit went down overnight and they moved a guest and put the room out of order, it may take all day to get it back on line, and the engineer will certainly appreciate getting the news first thing vs. middle of the day after all the rooms are blocked. Second, they need to discuss who no-showed the night before and communicate to the front office what the possibility is that guess will show up in the AM, or if the guest has had the reservation transferred to the next day for arrival. Sounds odd, but I have seen where a group leader tells a night auditor to put the guest in for arrival the next day and then if they don’t show up, charge them. Not acceptable, but it happens.
2. The Front Office Manager gets the ball pretty early in the day and needs to take the lead on the quest for the perfect sellout until his relief pitcher(s) come on board. He needs to print the arrivals and study them with a keen eye. Duplicate reservations, multiple rooms under a single reservation, and complimentary rooms reserved by the General Manager and sales department need to be printed and presented at the morning NETMA (No one Ever Tells Me Anything) staff meeting. How often has a complimentary room trickled its way into the late innings of the day without being questioned? Only to find out the guest is already in house, not coming or does not need to be a non-revenue reservation.
3. The reservation manager is like the catcher working closely all day with our pitcher the FOM. The reservation manager’s first job is play pitch and catch with the FOM, ensuring as rooms are sold that they are communicated to the front desk. The reservation manager is calling the shots and the FOM is executing. The reservation manager will call for an oversell count at some point in the day after they have scouted the data and made an educated decision on how many no-shows are planned along with the status of the competition, and package that with whatever historical information is available for same day cancels and reservations/walk-ins. Teamwork and communication are key management skills that truly are necessary for these two departments as they work the middle innings flawlessly.
4. As noon approaches, the housekeeping department plays a vital role in communicating what is happening on the floors and in the rooms. They often have a vital role in delivering a perfect sellout. The knowledge of an early departure or an unexpected stay-over, can provide crucial information to the catcher and pitcher as they continue to lead the effort. In addition, the do outs conversation should not be taken lightly or allowed to wait till after lunch.
5. With check-out behind us, it is time for that desk clerk to make a play to help deliver the perfect sell. It may not seem like a game saving catch at the time, but the well trained desk clerk initiates the second call around of the day, finds a gem. A competitor is over sold and may need to walk a guest or two. This gives the reservation manager, the FOM, PM Desk staff and night auditor a little bit of cushion should they need to pick up rooms late in the day. It also tells the reservationist, not to go too deep in the count as it may be hard to find rooms should their night auditor have to walk a few folks pushing for the perfect sellout.
6. As 3PM rolls around, now its time for the FOM to deliver the news to the relief staff. “We are going for a perfect sellout tonight!” The PM front desk team is entrusted with all the tools they will need for a perfect sell. The nonguaranteed reservations are highlighted and ready for release at the designated time. Any room that can be upgraded to a King bed has been moved to open up more flexible rooms, those with two double beds or a pull-out sofa. This will help with walk-ins. A couple or a single can survive with two double beds, but a family of 4 is never going to squeeze into a king bed.
7. The catering manager now becomes an unsuspecting hero. Before she leaves for the night she double checks her suite reservation for the Bride and Groom, celebrating their wedding at the hotel. She notices there are two rooms reserved. The reservation she VIP’d for the couple just last week during the final walk through, and a nondescript reservation under the brides maiden name made by the over anxious catering assistant 18 months ago, when the bride came to request a room block for her friends and family. Game Saving Catch!
8. The team has worked hard to push for a sellout, all the reservations are clean, the hotel sits at minus 2 and still has 15 arrivals at 9PM. That’s when the GM makes a friendly phone call to close the deal. He reassures the PM staff that they are in good shape, but if they have to walk anyone call the hotel across the street, put two rooms on hold and have walk letters prepared ahead of time for the night auditor. Just a friendly call from the GM, puts everyone at ease back at the hotel.
9. A surprise or two. To round out our high performing team, we have a van driver who has kept one eye on the road and one eye on how the front desk is handling the room inventory. As he drives to the airport, he picks up a guest, who informs him he was traveling with another guest who missed his connecting flight. He immediately radios the information back to the hotel, which is able to accommodate a walk-in standing at the desk.
10. Finally, the night auditor, who led off the game, now returns to close it out. They have a handful of arrivals left and are now even. The owner of the hotel has incentivized the team with a challenge to pool the average rate on ever perfect sellout for the month. This money is split evenly among the entire hotel staff, emphasizing how it is a team effort selling out the hotel.
Rainmakers Lehigh Valley is a consulting firm offering affordable sales solutions to the hospitality and tourism industry in Eastern Pennsylvania. Rainmakers Lehigh Valley offers strategic marketing plans, media plans, sales training and public relations in addition to direct sales initiatives.
Contact:
Rainmakers Lehigh Valley
Gregg Marzano
610-248-4389
www.rainmakerslv.com
info@rainmakerslv.com
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Summer time fun at Dutch Springs Aqua Park
Trying to find a nice day out with the kids? Try Dutch Springs Aqua Park located in Bethlehem, PA right between Rt. 191 and rt. 512 just north of Rt. 22. The Aqua Park offers a perfect way to keep an eye on all your kids while they play in the life guard supervised lake. Here is a coupon for $4.00 off!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/note.php?note_id=86257899237&ref=nf
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/note.php?note_id=86257899237&ref=nf
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
28% of Group Sales Inquiries are Lost, Ignored or Abandoned
28% of Group Sales Inquiries Are Lost, Ignored or Abandoned
The same could be said about Group Sales Managers. In today's tough business climate do you find your sales ppl Lost, Ignored or Abandoned? Just popped into my head after reading this alarming statistic on group sales lost.
Might want to shop your phone inquiry, electronic rfp systems etc.
Enjoy -
Ft. Lauderdale – May 12, 2009: An independent test conducted on 750 hotels found that even in this time of declining hotel revenues, 28% of new group sales inquiries are lost, ignored or abandoned. The test was conducted by Quality Track International in April 2009.
Don Bundock, CEO of Quality Track International, says “This result was surprising when you consider the revenue challenges hotels are currently facing. These results did not vary significantly from the first time we conducted this test in 2007 even though the economy is much more difficult now.”
.
.
“Frankly, under the current conditions, we expected to see an increase in effective and efficient inquiry handling. These results reflect the national average. There are many properties that are missing out on as much as 50% of their demand” continued Bundock.
All properties tested were from major brands. Each of the 750 properties tested received four individual group sales inquiry calls. The immediate availability of a Sales Manager was documented but if no one was available, a message was left and the time lapsed to the return call was calculated.
The test was conducted using the Quality Track SMART Call program. Sales Manager Access and Response Time (SMART) Calls maximize the effectiveness and responsiveness of a sales team. Quality Track clients on the SMART Call program are proven to respond to 95% of all sales inquiries in 4 hours or less.
Hotels representing 15 brands from all tiers were included in the current test. Quality Track does not publish individual brand results publicly. Brand and property reports are available to verifiable brand managers on request.
About Quality Track International, Inc.: Quality Track International is an innovative provider of a full range of mystery shopping and performance development tools to the hospitality industry.
For more information or to request brand reports contact: Mr. Donald Bundock, CEO, Quality Track International, Inc., at (416) 693-5426 or by e-mail at Don.Bundock@QualityTrack.com
The same could be said about Group Sales Managers. In today's tough business climate do you find your sales ppl Lost, Ignored or Abandoned? Just popped into my head after reading this alarming statistic on group sales lost.
Might want to shop your phone inquiry, electronic rfp systems etc.
Enjoy -
Ft. Lauderdale – May 12, 2009: An independent test conducted on 750 hotels found that even in this time of declining hotel revenues, 28% of new group sales inquiries are lost, ignored or abandoned. The test was conducted by Quality Track International in April 2009.
Don Bundock, CEO of Quality Track International, says “This result was surprising when you consider the revenue challenges hotels are currently facing. These results did not vary significantly from the first time we conducted this test in 2007 even though the economy is much more difficult now.”
.
.
“Frankly, under the current conditions, we expected to see an increase in effective and efficient inquiry handling. These results reflect the national average. There are many properties that are missing out on as much as 50% of their demand” continued Bundock.
All properties tested were from major brands. Each of the 750 properties tested received four individual group sales inquiry calls. The immediate availability of a Sales Manager was documented but if no one was available, a message was left and the time lapsed to the return call was calculated.
The test was conducted using the Quality Track SMART Call program. Sales Manager Access and Response Time (SMART) Calls maximize the effectiveness and responsiveness of a sales team. Quality Track clients on the SMART Call program are proven to respond to 95% of all sales inquiries in 4 hours or less.
Hotels representing 15 brands from all tiers were included in the current test. Quality Track does not publish individual brand results publicly. Brand and property reports are available to verifiable brand managers on request.
About Quality Track International, Inc.: Quality Track International is an innovative provider of a full range of mystery shopping and performance development tools to the hospitality industry.
For more information or to request brand reports contact: Mr. Donald Bundock, CEO, Quality Track International, Inc., at (416) 693-5426 or by e-mail at Don.Bundock@QualityTrack.com
Monday, May 4, 2009
Morning Call - Cuts are painful
As the Morning Call makes continued cuts to the writers and photographers of the paper, I am saddended to think that I will miss this paper in a couple of months, when it no longer provides me anything of value. Although, I have certainly disagreed with the editorial board and their position on the Lehigh Valley Zoo over the years, I did enjoy staying informed on many important issues in the region. I love the touch and feel of the paper vs. the keyboard or smartphone. And will miss the quite moment, I have every morning with my newspaper and thoughts. The MC still delivers a good bang for the buck (100,000 readers) from and advertising perspective, but this will continue to disenigrate because of the core flaw in their business model. By not listening to their readers, and eliminating staff, they have driven their customers to other sources for news and information. Ex. They cater the real estate section to the realtors (listing by realtor/not location), this only drives ppl to the mls to search for homes, where you can sort by location. I could go on and on, about what they have done to the sports section, but that is not going to change the situation. The job cuts are painful for the employees, but they are probably releaved in some sense, since they can see the writing on the wall or now on the web.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
A day at the Lehigh Valley Zoo
The Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau has been producing some wonderful video tours of attractions in the Lehigh Valley. They added the Lehigh Valley Zoo to their portfolio of work and Tracey and Stacey (say that five times fast) look great!!!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Confidential job offerings - would you work for this company?
I always wonder what is going on at the company that posts a confidential job opening. Would you ever consider working for a company that continues to let an employee execute their job responsibilities while it searches for their replacement? What does it say about the company?
I think the following:
1. They have no formal coaching and evaluation system in place.
2. They have trouble evaluating candidates.
3. They have no depth or career succession plan in place.
I think the following:
1. They have no formal coaching and evaluation system in place.
2. They have trouble evaluating candidates.
3. They have no depth or career succession plan in place.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Zoos belong in Stimulus Package
Stacey Johnson, Executive Director Lehigh Valley Zoo, forwarded me an editorial from Jim Maddy, President and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, in regards to Zoos being excluded from the stimulus package. I am sure there is some political partisan reason behind this, but why Zoos. I am off to Washington DC, National Zoo the weekend of March 20th, I will be sure to look up President Obama, and ask him personally, why did you pick on Zoos.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Myrtle Beach on my mind
IT’S TEE-TIME FOR LEHIGH VALLEY
ALLEGIANT AIR ANNOUNCES NEW, NONSTOP AIR SERVICE
BETWEEN ALLENTOWN AND MYRTLE BEACH
AIRLINE CELEBRATES WITH INTRODUCTORY $49* FARES
(ALLENTOWN, Pa.)---Lehigh Valley scores a hole-in-one with Allegiant Air as the low-cost airline announces new, nonstop flights to Myrtle Beach, S.C. from Allentown, Pa. beginning May 3. The low-fare carrier will celebrate the convenient new service to the premier golf and beach destination with introductory fares as low as $49* each way.
I will miss the 12 hour drives to golf in the Winter. To be honest, I have not made that drive for March golf in over 20 years, but I can still remember driving through the night to avoid D.C. traffic only to arrive in Myrtle Beach for some well needed sleep deprived golf. The announcement of Allegiant Airlines adding service to Myrtle Beach on Thursday and Sundays with introductory fares, sure makes me want to call the golfing buddies and get out of below zero wind chills.
ALLEGIANT AIR ANNOUNCES NEW, NONSTOP AIR SERVICE
BETWEEN ALLENTOWN AND MYRTLE BEACH
AIRLINE CELEBRATES WITH INTRODUCTORY $49* FARES
(ALLENTOWN, Pa.)---Lehigh Valley scores a hole-in-one with Allegiant Air as the low-cost airline announces new, nonstop flights to Myrtle Beach, S.C. from Allentown, Pa. beginning May 3. The low-fare carrier will celebrate the convenient new service to the premier golf and beach destination with introductory fares as low as $49* each way.
I will miss the 12 hour drives to golf in the Winter. To be honest, I have not made that drive for March golf in over 20 years, but I can still remember driving through the night to avoid D.C. traffic only to arrive in Myrtle Beach for some well needed sleep deprived golf. The announcement of Allegiant Airlines adding service to Myrtle Beach on Thursday and Sundays with introductory fares, sure makes me want to call the golfing buddies and get out of below zero wind chills.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Smokey and the Bandit & Social Media
Was the CB radio the start of Social Media? I had the pleasure of catching Smokey and The Bandit with Burt Reynolds and Sally Field on TNT HD or one of the 150 channels this weekend and could not stop thinking that we had social media decades ago, and it died! Why did it fade away? Was it a fad, will Facebook, Twitter and all my other widgets at the bottom of the page fade away like the CB radio? I would like to hear what you think, before I buy the next generation of SMART phones only to have them sitting at someone's yard sale in 10 years.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Lehigh Valley Zoo Penguins enjoy Spring like temperatures
Flickr: BlikArt's Photostream
The South African Penguins at the Lehigh Valley Zoo enjoyed the nice weather this past weekend.
The South African Penguins at the Lehigh Valley Zoo enjoyed the nice weather this past weekend.
Stretching your marketing budget
Every business should be looking to find new ways to stretch their marketing budgets in this economy. Social media has transformed marketing from a monologue about your organization to a dialogue, between your organization and your customers. Today's Morning Call article in regards to the social media success of the Lehigh Valley Zoo and its grass roots facebook page, offers a tesimony to how social media can offer you not only exposure in the tech/virtual world, but also some free PR in the traditional media outlets.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Ten Strangest Jobs in the Travel Industry
The Ten Strangest Jobs in the Travel Industry
By Ann Tatko-Peterson, Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif.McClatchy-Tribune Regional News
January 30, 2009 -
Not your everyday job
Top 10 Strangest Jobs in the Travel Industry, according to Travel + Leisure.
--Hotel Falconer, Biltmore Four Seasons, Santa Barbara -- walks falcon around pool to shoo away seagulls.
--Airport Hunters, Zurich Airport, Switzerland -- chase off wild animals near runways.
--Coconut Safety Engineer, Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas -- picks ripened coconuts before they fall.
--Karaoke Taxi Drivers, Helsinki, Finland -- drive karaoke-singing riders.
--Duckmaster, Peabody Hotel, Memphis -- cares for five mallard ducks who live and perform at hotel.
--Tourism Ambassador, Japan -- role currently held by anime character Hello Kitty (pictured).
--Sewer Guide, Paris -- boat tourists through Museum of the Sewer under Paris' streets.
--Lego Professional Gluer, Legoland California, Carlsbad -- glues toy bricks based on designers' plans.
--Monkey Men, Amanbagh Resort, Rajasthan, India -- keep native monkeys from stealing guests' cookies.
--Manners Police, Venice, Italy -- keep unruly tourists in check.
By Ann Tatko-Peterson, Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif.McClatchy-Tribune Regional News
January 30, 2009 -
Not your everyday job
Top 10 Strangest Jobs in the Travel Industry, according to Travel + Leisure.
--Hotel Falconer, Biltmore Four Seasons, Santa Barbara -- walks falcon around pool to shoo away seagulls.
--Airport Hunters, Zurich Airport, Switzerland -- chase off wild animals near runways.
--Coconut Safety Engineer, Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas -- picks ripened coconuts before they fall.
--Karaoke Taxi Drivers, Helsinki, Finland -- drive karaoke-singing riders.
--Duckmaster, Peabody Hotel, Memphis -- cares for five mallard ducks who live and perform at hotel.
--Tourism Ambassador, Japan -- role currently held by anime character Hello Kitty (pictured).
--Sewer Guide, Paris -- boat tourists through Museum of the Sewer under Paris' streets.
--Lego Professional Gluer, Legoland California, Carlsbad -- glues toy bricks based on designers' plans.
--Monkey Men, Amanbagh Resort, Rajasthan, India -- keep native monkeys from stealing guests' cookies.
--Manners Police, Venice, Italy -- keep unruly tourists in check.
Nothing builds a Team Like a Nose Dive
FORGET playing paintball. Companies are sending staff to experience a plane crash in simulators run by British Airways as the ultimate team-building exercise.
For £130 a head, employees are taken to a hangar at Heathrow where they board a shortened version of a Boeing 737 mounted on a motion platform.
After “takeoff”, they are plunged into darkness and put into a nose-dive from 3,000ft as the cabin begins to fill with smoke.
Once the plane has hit the ground, the “passengers” have to get out as fast as they can through the front and rear exits. By this stage, the employees are so pumped up that on three separate occasions businessmen have shorn through a half-inch steel bolt by hand so as to lift a 45lb overhead escape hatch and climb onto the plane’s wing.
This goes to show you what some companies will go through to build high performing teams. I recommend a day of Community Building with NorthStar Adventure at Dutch Springs. They will not only get you blood pumping, but will open the lines of communication in your organization, offer trust building opportunities and perform pre & post behavioral assessments to enhance the experience. Visit www.northstaradventure.com to learn more.
For £130 a head, employees are taken to a hangar at Heathrow where they board a shortened version of a Boeing 737 mounted on a motion platform.
After “takeoff”, they are plunged into darkness and put into a nose-dive from 3,000ft as the cabin begins to fill with smoke.
Once the plane has hit the ground, the “passengers” have to get out as fast as they can through the front and rear exits. By this stage, the employees are so pumped up that on three separate occasions businessmen have shorn through a half-inch steel bolt by hand so as to lift a 45lb overhead escape hatch and climb onto the plane’s wing.
This goes to show you what some companies will go through to build high performing teams. I recommend a day of Community Building with NorthStar Adventure at Dutch Springs. They will not only get you blood pumping, but will open the lines of communication in your organization, offer trust building opportunities and perform pre & post behavioral assessments to enhance the experience. Visit www.northstaradventure.com to learn more.
Friday, January 30, 2009
NorthStar Adventure Teams up with Lehigh Valley GrandPrix to Deliver High Powered Team Building Training
Area leaders in experiential teambuilding provide full day of leadership development and fun!
January 13, 2009, 2008 – Bethlehem, PA. Companies have known for a long time that having a strong leadership team in place is the key to weathering tough economic times. Delivering memorable and coachable moments that create high performing teams has been the business of NorthStar Adventure at Dutch Springs and Lehigh Valley Grand Prix since their inceptions. Now the two adventure training specialists are teaming up to provide a fun, fast-paced day of experiential education with their 2009 Survive, Thrive and Drive teamwork development sessions.
The new teamwork development sessions are designed especially for Star teams. Star teams are recognized as the best of the best performing teams in an organization. These teams generally deliver 80% of the results of a given department or business unit and are asked to deliver more with less during these tough economic times. The teamwork development sessions will focus on increasing teamwork, communications, trust and identify strengths and weaknesses of the organization.
Each teamwork development session will consist of a full day of facilitated teambuilding exercises, complete with pre and post workplace assessments. The first half of the day, teams are led through a series of customized challenges designed to deliver on pre-determined goals. The second half of the day participants take to the race track and get to experience the thrill of racing at 45 miles per hour in formula one-style race cars. “This type of Peak Adventure is very popular within today’s highly competitive workplace,” commented Jason Chartrand, Director of NorthStar Adventure. “Many of our adventure challenge course alumni are planning to get behind the wheel,” he added.
The full day program takes place at Lehigh Valley Grand Prix’s state of the art racing facility. According to Mike McCreary, “LVGP has ignited new energy in over 200 companies in its first 18 months of operation. Give your team the adrenaline rush they need to propel them to the next level,” he added. The racing facility offers a training room, separate dining and social area, in addition to the race track. Program fees begin at $300 per person for a full day of training and lunch, and can be reserved by calling either NorthStar Adventure at Dutch Springs 610-759-2270 or Lehigh Valley Grand Prix at 610-432-RACE. Additional information can be found at http://www.northstaradventure.com/ and http://www.lehighvalleygrandprix.com/.
NorthStar Adventure at Dutch Springs offers facilitated team building and leadership programs for corporations, executive boards, universities, schools, churches, sports teams and organizations around the Lehigh Valley. Dutch Springs is a 100 acre facility offering Scuba diving in their 50 acre lake, a water amusement park equipped with inflatable attractions and the Sky Challenge a 34 ft. high ropes adventure course and rock wall. For more information visit http://www.northstaradventure.com/ or call 610-759-2270.
Lehigh Valley Grand Prix (LVGP) is a great place to break barriers and build relationships while having fun in a recreational but challenging environment. Whether you’re on the race track or in the workplace, it is important to develop a strong and cohesive team. Race teams devise a strategy, learn the most effective driving line, overcome race obstacles and work together to achieve victory.
Under close LVGP supervision, we now offer an afternoon of team building for your department, company or organization. Start with lunch at the track, get your team assignments, prepare for an endurance race and role play a situational race experience. Take advantage of this opportunity to organize an exciting and memorable event that your staff can truly look forward to. For more info call 610-432-RACE or visit http://www.lehighvalleygrandprix.com/.
Can facebook Save the Lehigh Valley Zoo?
It worked for President Barack Obama, now it seems the powerful social media group facebook, may save the Lehigh Valley Zoo. When I first received an email from the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce that it had a facebook page, I giggled and thought who has time for that? Next, the Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau said they were launching InSite, their new Blog. Again, I said who has time for that? Then on January 7th an old fashion email came across my computer from Tracey Werner, the Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau Director of Public Relations and everything technology manager, said there is a group discussion on Linkedin about the Lehigh Valley Zoo, you should check it out. Now, I had time for that!
Saving the Lehigh Valley Zoo, has been my cause, since its threat of closure in 2004. Concerned about the loss of the quality of life benefits derived from having a zoo in our community several concerned citizen’s developed the Lehigh Valley Zoological Society and hired professional zoo management to operate the Zoo in Lehigh County.
As I stumbled my way through the social media maze of networks, groups, friends, etc. I stumbled on the Save the Lehigh Valley Zoo facebook page. Here was a grass roots effort to again save the Lehigh Valley Zoo. Just like the old days (2004), when Diane Stein, aka the Zoo lady, passed around a notepad at the Lehigh County Commissioner’s meeting, for concerned citizen’s to submit their email address. Four year’s later email is yesterday’s news. The Save the Lehigh Valley Zoo facebook page on January 16th had approximately 150 members. I joined the group and challenged them for 5000 members by the year’s end. In 12 days, the group passed 700 members, 5000 by year’s end seems conservative.
January 30th, Lehigh County Commissioner Bill Leiner Jr. posted a “come out and see you local government in action, support the Lehigh Valley Zoo at the February 11th commissioners meeting” This is when legislation to fund the Lehigh Valley Zoo will be voted on. Commissioners Dean Browning and Glen Eckhart have a facebook page, along with County Executive Don Cunningham. This event may need to be moved to Lehigh University’s Stabler Arena, if all the Save the Lehigh Valley Zoo facebook members show up.
Joanna Hansen the creator of the Save the Lehigh Valley Zoo facebook page has organized a couple of days to meet face to face at the Zoo, Friday February 13th and Saturday February 28th at 10:30AM. How many ppl show up will be dependent on the weather and how powerful this social media culture can be. Are these fans of the Lehigh Valley Zoo, truly engaged, or are they merely trying to add contacts, to beat some social network Guinness Book of world record? I hope they donate their time and money to saving the Zoo!
Today, many marketers are debating the power and usefulness of social media for the promotion and delivery of information for small businesses, big business, political campaigns, and mainstream media. In the past 2 weeks, I have become a believer and look forward to celebrating 5000 members on the future We Saved the Lehigh Valley Zoo facebook page.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
New exhibit - helps draw zoo attendance in the Winter
The new Penguin exhibit at the Lehigh Valley Zoo has helped to turnout crowds on fair weather days. This picture was taken the weekend of 1/24 - below freezing temperatures could not keep these guests away.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Zoo finds support from tough critic
Morning Call columnist Bill White has some nice things to say about the Lehigh Valley Zoo and its Executive Director Mr. Stacey Johnson.
http://blogs.mcall.com/bill_white/2009/01/lehigh-valley-z.html?cid=144978380#comment-144978380
http://blogs.mcall.com/bill_white/2009/01/lehigh-valley-z.html?cid=144978380#comment-144978380
Monday, January 12, 2009
NorthStar Adventure, Bethlehem PA, to offer Olweus Bullying Prevention Training to area Schools
Jason Chartrand, Director NorthStar Adventure receives Olweus Bullying Prevention Training Certification
NorthStar Adventure to provide bullying prevention training to area schools.
December 10, 2008 Bethlehem, PA - Every seven minutes a schoolchild is bullied. Adults intervened in 4 percent of those situations, and peers intervened 11 percent of the time, leaving 85 percent of incidents with no intervention at all (U.S. Justice Department).
Bullying is one of the most difficult issues students face. Even with a school’s best efforts, students may still experience bullying in classrooms, school hallways, the lunchroom and the playground or athletic fields. Bullying can affect the safety and wellbeing of the entire student population.
Jason Chartrand, Director of NorthStar Adventure at Dutch Springs in Bethlehem, recently attended a 3-day training program to become a certified instructor and facilitator for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. NorthStar Adventure plans to offer the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program to the area schools, to assist them in meeting the new amendment of the school code that requires all Pennsylvania public school districts to adopt a bullying prevention policy by the start of 2009.
“The Olweus Bullying program compliments our experiential-based teambuilding offerings, said Chartrand. “An important role in reducing bullying in schools is empowering the entire school population, teachers, administrators, parents and students, with the tools to recognize and confront bullying at the onset. If we empower everyone to lead and be proactive, we can reduce the fear of being bullied and that will provide for a better learning environment for everyone, he added.
“The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is the most researched and best-known bullying prevention program available today” commented Mary Dolan, PA Safe Schools Coordinator. “Jason has joined the largest cadre of trainers in the nation with Pennsylvania boasting 100 certified personnel statewide, Dolan added.
The Olweus Bullying Prevention program is a school-based initiative designed to prevent and/or reduce bullying in elementary, middle and junior high schools. Designed by Dr. Dan Olweus from Norway, this program has been designated by the Center for Safe Schools as a successful program to combat bullying in our schools. The Center for Safe Schools is recognized as the go-to organization for bullying in school prevention.
The Center for Safe Schools, through a unique partnership with the Highmark Foundation, its Healthy High 5 Initiative, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, offers the availability of grants for Pennsylvania schools to address the serious issue of bullying. The Center for Safe Schools administers an initiative called PA CARES (Creating an Atmosphere of Respect and Environment for Success). This initiative helps schools implement the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) to address bullying and provide safe and nurturing learning environments. Questions about the Olweus Program and PA CARES Initiative: Mary Dolan, Safe Schools Coordinator E-mail: mailto:mdolan@csc.csiu.org?subject=PA%20CARESPhone: 717-763-1661 x151
NorthStar Adventure at Dutch Springs offers experiential-based teambuilding and leadership training for corporations, schools, non-profit boards and civic groups. Based at Dutch Springs in Bethlehem, PA, NorthStar Adventure offers professional development training, including ACT 48 CPE hours, Train the Trainer, improved self-esteem and bullying prevention programs. For more information on NorthStar Adventure school programs contact: Jason Chartrand, Director E-mail teamwork@northstaradventure.com Phone: 610-759-2270 website – http://www.northstaradventure.com/
Take Bullying poll
NorthStar Adventure to provide bullying prevention training to area schools.
December 10, 2008 Bethlehem, PA - Every seven minutes a schoolchild is bullied. Adults intervened in 4 percent of those situations, and peers intervened 11 percent of the time, leaving 85 percent of incidents with no intervention at all (U.S. Justice Department).
Bullying is one of the most difficult issues students face. Even with a school’s best efforts, students may still experience bullying in classrooms, school hallways, the lunchroom and the playground or athletic fields. Bullying can affect the safety and wellbeing of the entire student population.
Jason Chartrand, Director of NorthStar Adventure at Dutch Springs in Bethlehem, recently attended a 3-day training program to become a certified instructor and facilitator for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. NorthStar Adventure plans to offer the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program to the area schools, to assist them in meeting the new amendment of the school code that requires all Pennsylvania public school districts to adopt a bullying prevention policy by the start of 2009.
“The Olweus Bullying program compliments our experiential-based teambuilding offerings, said Chartrand. “An important role in reducing bullying in schools is empowering the entire school population, teachers, administrators, parents and students, with the tools to recognize and confront bullying at the onset. If we empower everyone to lead and be proactive, we can reduce the fear of being bullied and that will provide for a better learning environment for everyone, he added.
“The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is the most researched and best-known bullying prevention program available today” commented Mary Dolan, PA Safe Schools Coordinator. “Jason has joined the largest cadre of trainers in the nation with Pennsylvania boasting 100 certified personnel statewide, Dolan added.
The Olweus Bullying Prevention program is a school-based initiative designed to prevent and/or reduce bullying in elementary, middle and junior high schools. Designed by Dr. Dan Olweus from Norway, this program has been designated by the Center for Safe Schools as a successful program to combat bullying in our schools. The Center for Safe Schools is recognized as the go-to organization for bullying in school prevention.
The Center for Safe Schools, through a unique partnership with the Highmark Foundation, its Healthy High 5 Initiative, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, offers the availability of grants for Pennsylvania schools to address the serious issue of bullying. The Center for Safe Schools administers an initiative called PA CARES (Creating an Atmosphere of Respect and Environment for Success). This initiative helps schools implement the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) to address bullying and provide safe and nurturing learning environments. Questions about the Olweus Program and PA CARES Initiative: Mary Dolan, Safe Schools Coordinator E-mail: mailto:mdolan@csc.csiu.org?subject=PA%20CARESPhone: 717-763-1661 x151
NorthStar Adventure at Dutch Springs offers experiential-based teambuilding and leadership training for corporations, schools, non-profit boards and civic groups. Based at Dutch Springs in Bethlehem, PA, NorthStar Adventure offers professional development training, including ACT 48 CPE hours, Train the Trainer, improved self-esteem and bullying prevention programs. For more information on NorthStar Adventure school programs contact: Jason Chartrand, Director E-mail teamwork@northstaradventure.com Phone: 610-759-2270 website – http://www.northstaradventure.com/
Take Bullying poll
Friday, January 9, 2009
Lehigh Valley Zoo photo gallery
John Hofmann Sr. has some great photos of the Lehigh Valley Zoo animals.
Click here to view the gallery.
Click here to view the gallery.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Lehigh Valley Zoo funding poll - mcall online
Lehigh Valley news, Allentown news, Bethlehem news, pocono news, Easton news from The Morning Call and mcall.com -- themorningcall.com: "QUESTION OF THE DAY...
TODAY'S QUESTION: Should Lehigh County spend more money on the Lehigh Valley Zoo?
YES (1469 responses)
87.2%
NO (216 responses)
12.8% 1685 total responses
(Results not scientific)
This poll is closed to voting."
TODAY'S QUESTION: Should Lehigh County spend more money on the Lehigh Valley Zoo?
YES (1469 responses)
87.2%
NO (216 responses)
12.8% 1685 total responses
(Results not scientific)
This poll is closed to voting."
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