Musicians on Call: Nashville

Customer service and hospitality

When you go into a hotel or any type of business and you hear about customer service and hospitality, does it ever feel fake? The words ring hollow to often because they say them as long as you can bring money to them and it is a one way street. Once you need them to extend a favor or the hospitality back your way they just don't seem to care about you like they did before.

I've heard many frequent flyers and hotel chain members who complain about being one night or flight short of reaching the top level of membership and when they ask for the night to be given to them, they are told no. Yet when these companies need the business of the travelers, like now or after 9/11 they said and did all the right things to get people to come back and stay or fly with them. Soon after business was back to normal, they eased back and starting changing they way they handled frequent travelers needs.

Now I understand that businesses are in business to make money and I'm all for that but please don't be fake and pretend like you care so much about the customer. Yes, I've been in the hospitality industry for most of 20 years and most people that I've worked for truly care to keep the guest happy and it can be discouraging when you are told to do things a certain way and then at some point in begins to change and it is solely to save money.

Getting out and communicating with the public through Twitter, blogs, emails, newsletters and the like are great but people can see when you truly care and when you are just looking to get their money. They don't want to be nickeled and dimed to death but would be willing to pay a decent price to have everything included.

I would love to see the best of both worlds come together. The modern convenience and technology mixed with the old-school way of caring for the person right in front of you and not just seeing them as a dollar sign or a number.

As the economy changes and people reevaluate how they do business and whether or not they even have to travel will begin to see many businesses change how they treat the public. If not, they may not make it long term.

Southwest Airlines is a great example of that. They do things that make flying with them a joy. The other airlines don't and then they complain about the things that Southwest Airlines does. Change or close up shop may be the answer.

I just want the companies and businesses to do what they say and be genuine. Don't be shy about making money but don't try to rip everyone off in the process or be two-faced about it.

Thanks and have a good day.

Let's talk about Nashville, food, travel and more tonight

Live chat with Corey tonight! Mingle, ask questions and win a $10 gift card to The Cocoa Tree. http://www.ustream.tv/

Just search WebbspunIdeas and the show is "The Nashville Experience"

Thoughts after one visit to the Hutton Hotel in Nashville

Ignore the revolution!

What kind of innovation will next revolutionize the travel industry?

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A hotel that floats in the ocean

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Hotel Preston (outside)

Gaylord Entertainment is cutting 350 jobs

Sad to hear the news but this will affect Nashville and also affect all locations of the company. I'm assuming this also seals the coffin on the expansion of the Opryland Hotel for a while longer.

Read about the layoffs in the Nashville Business Journal.

TRT Holdings attempts to takeover the Gaylord Entertainment Company

Analysts say some investors balked at the so-called takeover attempt, while others are open to a new direction for the hotelier.

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“Anyone looking at stock returns can see this company has not done well,” says Nell Minow, editor of The Corporate Library. “The question is whether anybody that challenges it can do better.”

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Texas billionaire Robert Rowling, owner of investment firm TRT Holdings, which owns luxury hotel brand Omni Hotels, told shareholders last week that he planned to nominate himself and three other directors to Gaylord’s board, criticizing the company’s poor performance and bad business decisions.

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Mr. Rowling said, "We believe that we can assist the Board and management team in their efforts to create value for all Gaylord shareholders. We approached Gaylord's Board and management in an attempt to discuss improving the Company's financial and operating performance and were rebuffed. As a result, we have decided to take our message directly to Gaylord's shareholders. TRT seeks to bring a disciplined business approach, accountability to shareholders, and a fresh perspective based on industry experience. We believe that Gaylord's Board and management have failed to adequately deliver in these areas."

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About TRT Holdings
TRT Holdings is a privately-owned, diversified holding company located in Irving, Texas. Assets include the luxury hotel brand, Omni Hotels, Gold's Gym International, Tana Exploration, Waldo's Dollar Mart in Mexico and numerous investments in public companies and various real estate ventures.

Free night, free breakfast at Marriott

This is a nice deal from Marriott. Check it out and enjoy a night or two "away" even if you never leave your home city.
~Corey



Warm up to a hearty breakfast, served with extra elegance. Book by January 26, get a free buffet breakfast for two when you stay the weekend between January 15 and March 29.

Learn more about this and other deals with Marriott by visiting HERE.

Corey reaches out to the hospitality, tour and travel industry in Nashville

If any of these qualities would help your business contact me and I will get you a copy of my resume. ~Corey Webb

Cell phone: 615-400-0966

Email: corey@webbspunideas.com (put Nashville in the subject line)

Hutton Hotel, in Nashville, honored as member of "The Leading Hotels in the World"

Hutton Hotel, a new four-star independent luxury hotel set to open on West End in January 2009, has been honored as a member of the world's most prestigious collection of luxury hotels: The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd.

"Achieving this status of The Leading Hotels of the World is a great honor, establishing Hutton Hotel as one of the finest hotels in the world," said Steven Andre, General Manager of Hutton Hotel. "We are delighted to be among a superior class of hotels and resorts that share our distinction and level of service."

Providing a fresh new alternative to downtown, Hutton Hotel is situated on West End, boasting an ideal balance of elegance and comfort. This independent luxury hotel houses innovative technology and sustainability features throughout paired with custom-designed finishes and amenities keeping business and weekend guests in mind.

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Click HERE to read the entire story.

Gaylord Hotels pulls out of Chula Vista resort project

Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego were reeling yesterday after Gaylord Entertainment dropped plans for a 32-acre resort, another disappointment in 35 years of failed attempts to develop the city's waterfront.



In separate afternoon meetings with the Port District and the city, Gaylord Senior Vice President Bennett Westbrook said the regulatory and financial hurdles were deal-breakers.

The project had been held out as the bayfront savior that would bring jobs, tourism and cash to Chula Vista, the port and Gaylord, based in Nashville, Tenn.

“I'm really disappointed,” said Mayor Cheryl Cox, who added that she had no idea Gaylord planned to pull out. “There is no doubt in my mind that Gaylord's decision is final.”

Read the complete story in the San Diego Union Tribune.

Timeline
February 2005: A group from Gaylord Entertainment, based in Nashville, Tenn., visits Chula Vista City Hall unannounced to ask about building a massive complex on the city's bayfront.

Aug. 9: The Port Commission opens up the project for other developers to bid.

Nov. 1: The Port Commission chooses Gaylord over local developers.

July 2006: Gaylord, Chula Vista and the Port Commission sign an agreement, and the company begins negotiating with labor.

March 15, 2007: Gaylord unveils a detailed concept design for a 32-acre complex, including 1,500 to 2,000 hotel rooms, meeting space, shops, a spa and fitness center, six restaurants and a rooftop bar.

June 29: A Gaylord official meets with union leaders in San Diego after negotiations stall, but no deal is reached.

July 6: Gaylord pulls out of the project for the first time.

Aug. 7: Gaylord resumes talks with the city and the Port District.

September 2008: Gaylord announces plans to build in Mesa, Ariz.

Yesterday: Gaylord withdraws from the Chula Vista project, citing infrastructure costs and a complicated regulatory and legal structure.

Online: Read Gaylord Entertainment's letter to city and port officials at uniontrib.com/more/documents

Hermitage Hotel Receives AAA Five Diamond Rating for Sixth Straight Year

"It is a great honor to retain this recognition," said Greg Sligh, the hotel's managing director. "It's a tremendous credit to our staff who work hard to make The Hermitage one of the finest hotels in the world. The hotel has always been our city's premier gathering place and is now the place for celebrities and dignitaries to stay when visiting Nashville, including during the recent Country Music Awards."

Visit the Hermitage Hotel's website for more information or to make reservations.

The Hermitage Hotel opened in 1910 after being commissioned by 250 Nashville residents. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and the only remaining grand hotel in Nashville. It is a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide and Historic Hotels of America.

Read the rest of the article at Market Watch by the Wall Street Journal.

Aloft Hotels in Nashville

Aloft Nashville Downtown and Aloft Nashville Airport will both offer 136 spacious, loft-like rooms, tech-savvy touches and a hip, social atmosphere.

"Starwood's newest lifestyle brand, Aloft is stylish, fun and affordable - a perfect match for the dynamic city of Nashville," said Brian McGuinness, Vice President of Aloft and Element hotels worldwide."Known as Music City USA, Nashville appeals to youthful-minded travelers with its thriving music scene, superb dining, shopping and entertainment."

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Read the entire story about Aloft Hotels in Nashville in the Hotels & Motel Management magazine.

Nashville Experience: your personal guidebook to my city

If you are coming to Nashville and you want to know the best sights to see and things to do according to what you like, this is the guide for you. A personal touch like nothing you've seen before.

Stay tuned or contact me for more info.

Gaylord Hotels go to Arizona

Gaylord Texan Hotel

The announcement Sept. 3 that Gaylord Hotels would build its next major venue near Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. The buzz went national, in fact, as hotel-industry publications and Web sites pulsed with news of Gaylord's planned expansion.

In the month-plus since Gaylord first announced its Mesa venture, the company and DMB Associates, from whom Gaylord is buying the resort site, have been ironing out a development agreement with the city.

An early draft showed Mesa allowing Gaylord to retain bed taxes to be collected at its resort, as long as the money is used to promote its Valley venue and Arizona tourism.

Under an economic-development provision in state law, Mesa also will take ownership of the land and lease it back to Gaylord, giving the company a break on property taxes.

No drawings nor site plans for the Mesa site have been drafted. Mesa is annexing and rezoning the site.

Read the entire story HERE.

We'll save a chair for you