Broughton Quarterly - Fall 2007 - (Page 8) plugged in SAVVY TRAVELER HONOR & ExCELLENCE uest comment cards are perhaps the single best indicator of a hotel’s performance. Honest and direct, they confront issues head-on, with no punches pulled. So it means a lot when a guest has kind things to say about a Broughton Hospitality team member. And it means worlds when a third of the comment cards returned at a landmark hotel like the Georgian mention the same name–in this case, CARMEN SALAS. We Carmen SaLaS and juan viramonteS oF the GeorGian hoteL, Santa moniCa, CaLiFornia are delighted to recognize Carmen as our most recent recipient of the Honor & Excellence award for her distinguished service, genuine kindness, and strength in the face of adversity. Since losing her husband, Carmen has raised their four kids alone. Her youngest son is autistic, but instead of wallowing in self-pity she participates in support groups for parents of children with autism. Her upbeat nature, in spite of life’s hardships, inspires guests and coworkers alike. We are pleased to recognize Carmen with this award, and to present her with a commemorative crystal trophy and a check for $1000. With Broughton Vice President Jim Sichta G Q: Wherever I travel, there seems to be a concert or event I’d like to attend but can’t get tickets for so late in the game. Any savvy suggestions? Do some homework—before leaving home. Research your destination online as far in advance as possible and select your event/s. If you’re not Internet savvy, go old school: subscribe to the local newspaper of your travel destination. Review the entertainment sections to see what’s coming to town, and then contact the venues directly. This will be your least expensive option and give you the best opportunity to get the seats you want. If that doesn’t work, contact the hotel where you will be staying. Ask if they have a relationship with the venue or if they offer a package that includes the “Golden Ticket” to the event you want to see. Package deals like this aren’t just convenient; they can save you a few bucks. If your hotel has a concierge, use them! They’re not there to pretty up the lobby; a concierge should be well connected. If anyone can get an out-of-towner tickets to the hot event or a table at that trendy restaurant, it’s the concierge. They can be your best friend, so tip accordingly when they come through with the goods. If your hotel can’t pull through for you, fear not; you still have options. But you’ve got to put down that inky newspaper and join the twenty-first century. There are a number of online ticket brokers that buy tickets for sold-out events and then sell them at a premium. You’ll pay dearly for front row, but the sticker shock isn’t so bad for the balcony or nose-bleed seats. My top three picks for online ticket brokers are www. StubHub.com, www.GreatTickets.com, and www. GoldenTickets.com. Another online alternative is an auction site, the most popular of which is, of course, www.Ebay.com. (If you don’t know about Ebay, please just take your newspaper down to the park and feed the pigeons peacefully.) If all else fails, check the classified section of the local paper when you arrive at your destination. You may find someone who wants to get rid of their tickets as desperately as you want to see the event. You can also check with the venue to see if there have been any last minute cancellations or available tickets. And now the grand-daddy, a savvy tip heretofore virtually unknown to the public at large: Many venues are required to hold handicap seats and certain sections until two hours prior to an event. If these seats, which are often more spacious and comfortable than standard seats, go unclaimed, they are released to the public—and they quite often go empty. Enjoy the show! MEET STEVE With 35 years of industry experience, Broughton Hospitality’s new Vice President of Sales & Marketing Steve Buckler has led sales teams for Sheraton, Hyatt, and Intercontinental. Most recently, he was Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts, an international luxury hotel chain based in Singapore. He served as General Manager & Regional Vice President of Operations for several of Pan Pacific’s domestic and international properties. Steve’s experience also includes five years as Regional Director of Sales for TravelCLICK, a leader in electronic distribution solutions, and as an independent consultant he’s worked with many hotel groups advising on electronic distribution and sales & marketing opportunities. TOP 500 hen a recent issue of Entrepreneur magazine hit the streets with a bold HOT 500 splayed across its cover, it garnered a lot of attention. And who should we find included among America’s top fast-growth businesses? None other than Broughton Hospitality, which came in a full 51 places above the nearest competitor in the hospitality industry. “Holding firm to our core values of honesty, integrity, and ethics in all we do, and attracting superstar managers and leaders to grow the business,” is how Larry Broughton explained the company’s secret to success. Entrepreneur and a research organization called Corporate Research Board started with a database of more than 19 million U.S. businesses. To be eligible, the founder must be actively involved in the company, the company cannot be a spin-off or a division of a larger company, and company sales for 2006 must be at least $1 million. From this list, the Hot 500 was selected. W THE GiFT OF TRAVEL This coming holiday season, treat your special someone to a relaxing getaway at any of Broughton Hospitality’s fine properties. Available in $50 and $100 denominations, gift certificates are a perfect answer to the question, “What should I get them this year?” 8 Broughton Quarterly Fall 2007 http://www.StubHub.com http://www.StubHub.com http://www.GreatTickets.com http://www.GoldenTickets.com http://www.GoldenTickets.com http://www.Ebay.com
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