NFL Fantasy Owners – Visit to Eagles Training Camp

NFL Fantasy Owners – Visit to Eagles Training Camp

This past Friday I took my annual visit to Lehigh Universityto check out Philadelphia Eagle’s training camp. This year I brought along myuncle Hank and his life-long friend Roy. Both are owners in our fantasyfootball league. I tied in the trip to camp and lunch at P.J. Whelihan’s asreward for help with a furniture move. The food and atmosphere at P.J.’s was as good as advertised. Cold beer,juicy burgers and more TV’s than you can count, helped bide our time till the afternoonsession of camp.  The Eagles haveswitched practice programs this summer to include shorts and pads in the 8:00AMsession and full pads and contact in the heat of the day, beginning at 2:35PM.I assume this will help with those late summer games that are played in theafternoon and not 8AM.

As we arrived at the Goodman Campus of Lehigh, both Hank andRoy could not believe the amount of people who took the pilgrimage to see theirbeloved Eagles stretch and play catch. With close to 5000 in attendance on thisFriday, it is clear that Training Camp has become a big part of the Eaglesbrand.  A giant tent of merchandise forkids, women and of course men's clothing greets you as you enter the practicefield.  This is the prime opportunity forthe Eagles to generate sales from this event. Admission to training camp isfree and the Eagles charge a nominal fee to enter the KidsZone, a fun NFLexperience type setting where kids can run, jump, kick and throw like a Pro.

Excellent seating is available with grandstands surrounding thetraining complex.  We caught specialteams on a satellite field before heading over to the main field.  Sitting across from the East grandstandoffered us excellent seats as we viewed 7 on 7 passing drills and full squadpassing plays. This lasted about 90 minutes and by 4:30 we had had our sunquota for the day. The facility has zero shade, so bring the sunscreen anddress light. I have made the mistake in the past of sneaking out before work orafter lunch in slacks. This is not advised.  I highly recommend getting your fantasy teamowners together for a trip to the LehighValley.  Great golf, brew pubs,grandprix style cart racing, a full-servicecasino and a freemusic festival make for a great vacation. Campruns till August 14^th.

Philadelphia 76ers Have A Plan

Sports fans and radio hosts, have you ever bought a business? Run a business? Time to take a step back and enjoy the Sixers run of 2012 and plan for 2013, 2014 and beyond. The new ownership group undoubtedly wrote a 10 year pro forma and I am sure are more than pleased that the team reached the elite 8 in year 1. They are ahead of schedule. That is uncommon for any business these days. All this talk about they can't win it all without a star player is probably true and they most likely have that budgeted for year 3 or 4. I know it makes good sports talk radio to complain about every move the GM's make or don't make in Philadelphia, but when it comes to the Sixers, I think they have a plan.

10 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your CVB Partnership

10 Tips For GettingThe Most Out Of Your CVB Partnership

As hotel operators it easy to get caught up in deliveringexceptional customer service to our guests, offering job counseling to ouremployees or hustling our sales team to close the next big piece of business. Thefrenetic pace of the hospitality business can often lead to overlookedopportunities. A key opportunity that often gets taken for granted andunfortunately underutilized is the local convention and visitors bureau. Thesedestination marketing organizations exist for the benefit of their partners andto deliver increased visitor stays to a region. A hotel operator would makeexcellent use of their time if they followed these simple tips when leveragingtheir CVB partnerships.

1. Maximize your exposure on your local and state CVB web sites. These sites often attract thousands of visitors per day to their sites and having your hotel visible in multiple locations will help to increase bookings. The more direct links to your hotel’s booking engine the more likely your hotel will be sold. When participating in a special package, make sure the link to that package page is displayed and do not make the customer have to search for the package on your website. Take advantage of the maximum number of photos and word descriptions offered.

2. Participate in programs. The CVB has many marketing programs to consider. Understanding your market niche and promoting your hotel along side the CVB adds credibility to your offering. 

3. Get involved. Sitting on a committee or volunteering for a board of director position can be very helpful to getting your property noticed.  Offer to host events and board meetings at your hotel. Have your “A” game ready and wow those tourism partners who attend the meeting. Most likely they are the most connected in the region and word will get around about your hotel’s hospitality.

4. Don’t forget about the direct sales staff at the CVB. These sales people are trying to attract business to the area for the benefit of all the partners. They are an extension of your sales office. Make sure the sales managers at the CVB are up to date on your property’s goals and target markets. If you need midweek business in the summer, don’t assume the CVB sales managers are aware of that unless you tell them. If you have special promotions and offers make sure they are armed with the same tools.

5. Public Relations. Remember that your CVB has specialists in this field. They are often fielding calls for information on what is happening in the region. They can deliver your press release to the correct media with more authority. Few hotels have the luxury of a PR staff and the CVB can help fill this role for your hotel.

6. Social Media. In most tourism regions the CVB has taken a proactive role in Social media and has gained more fans, followers and links than your individual property. Including the CVB in any social media campaign will assist in the offer gaining attention.

7. Free Stuff. Make sure your CVB knows you are open to helping out when they are in need of accommodations for writers or meeting planners scouting the area for their next story or corporate event. A bottle of wine and a welcome note, compliments of the CVB will go a long way to winning over the hearts of the visitor and your CVB staff.  

8. Extend employee rates to your CVB staff. Treat them like your own employees.  They will be more likely to remember your hotel if they or a family member has experienced your hospitality first hand.

9. Establish direct billing for your CVB. Treat them similar to a corporate account and establish a business rate for them or honor the government rate. Offer VIP status to any of their guests and communicate the rate and benefits to all reservation and front office staff. This will allow others to handle the special requests when you are not available. 

10. Answer the phone. Make sure your CVB has quick and easy way to contact the decision maker. Often they are working on short deadlines and contacting multiple hotels and attractions. Give them one main contact with authority to make decisions.

Global Visitors Enjoy Lehigh Valley Attractions

Friday June 28th, I had the pleasure to facilitate team building activities for an unique group of young people from all over the globe. Every year over 100 international students visit Lehigh University to participate in their Global Village for Future Leaders program. As part of the leadership training, each work group has the opportunity to visit Dutch Springs in Bethlehem, PA and participate in experiential team building activities delivered by NorthStar Team Development. The team I worked with was Team Magic League. It is incredible how 7 students ranging from 21 -33 years of age, with different cultures and nationalities can quickly come together to work on a common goal. The activities NorthStar Team Development combine experiential challenges that showcase leadership skills like goal setting, risk taking, collaboration and problems solving. After a 1/2 day of team building activities, the 100+ students dined on pizza and salads and then heading to The Aqua Park at Dutch Springs for a refreshing good time in the water. Follow the links for more information on Global Village, Dutch Springs, NorthStar Team Development or the Lehigh Valley.