Bob's Blog

Highs and Lows

2010-04-12T08:53:00.000-05:00

It appears the economy is not ready to give us a break just yet. This long recession has been a draining experience for everyone. That is why it was so great to step out and enjoy a phenomenal night at our recent awards dinner. Congrats to all involved with putting together an awesome night on a lean budget. It was really a pleasure to celebrate the accomplishments of so many on the team. It was also a great tribute to our company’s values that, in spite of the aforementioned difficult environment, we still stop to say thank you and good job to one another, and recognize accomplishments the way we always have.

As I write this the inner circle winners are home from an unbelievable trip to France. It is a remarkable testament to the all the great things that about FHG. Of course our values start at the top. In times like this I think we all gain a new appreciation for the kind of leader that we have in Mr. Schwartz. He embodies the vision that we talk about in our EAGLE creed, and never blinks when it comes to making sure that the team is taken care of. Recently, he and all of us suffered a loss with the passing of his father James Schwartz. It is clear as we look back that the values and virtues we so admire are a Schwartz family tradition. The out pouring of tributes to James from around the country were very moving. So many lives changed, careers launched, deeds done, by this generous and caring man.

You know friends, the economy sucks, but in every place in history where we are tested, true leaders stand out more distinctively than ever. That is certainly the case here, at Team FHG.

BOB’S TOP TEN WEB REVENUE GROWTH SUGGESTIONS

2010-02-02T13:53:00.000-06:00

Use Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites effectively. They are not commercials. They are connections.
Google and other search engines can be great tools. Google key words like your location and the word “meeting” for example to find leads on potential business.
Use Google or other search engines for research tools for prospective business. Reverse telephone number searches or key words from press articles might lead to a new customer.
Participate in all relevant Brand Promotions and monitor e-channels regularly to be sure you are open for business.
Participate in internet lead sites (Ex – Hotel Planner, Starcite)
Work with attractions in your area to be sure that you have reciprocal links.
Do you know who Wessling Works, Hotel Planner, Starcite or Hoteligence are? If you don’t, you might want to.
Review Brand ecommerce scorecard and update as appropriate.
The fastest growing segment of our economy is government. The reinvestment and Recovery Act has a site listing projects headed to your area. If you are near a federal building of any kind, check the web to see whose offices are there and what they are up to.
Revenue management should be thoughtful and intuitive. Many of the traditional indicators are now foggy. Be a leader. Remember it’s not an auction.

Holiday Blessings

2009-12-22T16:41:00.004-06:00

Dear Team,

This has certainly been a challenging year in the hospitality industry. There is nothing as heart-wrenching as seeing so many hotels closing their doors and so many people out of work. At the same time, it makes us very grateful to be part of such a strong team, working in such a great company. In that spirit, I have assembled Bob's top ten things that I am grateful for, in this holiday season;

10: Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Ohio. These have been great places for us to do business. The heartland of a great country.

9: Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Hyatt, and Carlson. We couldn't have picked better brands to represent with our hotels.

8: Our Owners, Partners, and Investors. They believe in what we do and have invested in our dreams.

7. Accounting team: Roger, Mike, John, Fernando, Jason, Karen, Larisa, Mark, Michelle, Mike T., Rae, Rich, Sandra, Susan, Tom, and Vince. These are people we can always "count on".

6. People Services and Payroll: Gail, Teresa, Maria, Danny, Melissa, Krystina, Pat, Jackie, and Joanne. Taking great care of our greatest asset, our team.

5. Valencia, Marta, Marianne, Rob, Dan S., Becker, Terry, Jim S., Wolfe, Sam, Mima, Gary, Jim D., and Patti. They keep things moving on the right path.

4. David, Wendy, Dan N., Kelly, Lucy, Kathleen, Lew, Hadrian, Mary Jo, Sean, and Rick. The best in the business. Bar none!

3. Our families who support us, are patient with our time away from home, and make it all worthwhile.

2. Mr. Schwartz. It's times like these that make us more appreciative of his vision and wisdom.

1. YOU! The world's greatest hospitality team. The greatest blessing of all.

Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

Robert J. Habeeb
President/COO

Organizational Changes

2009-10-13T10:38:00.001-05:00

Dear Team,

It gives me great pleasure to announce five very important changes at FHG;

As our company grows, it is imperative that we find ways to recognize the contributions of our long time leaders. We have decided to add the title of Regional Vice President to our organization. Two company icons will be the first elevated. Dan Norzinskay, the legend of the western region will become Regional Vice President of Operations. Rick Marsh, Mr. Sales for the last eleven years, has been named Regional Vice President of Sales. I am sure that you will all join me in congratulating these leaders.

Roger Baker, our Director of Finance for the last two years, will become Chief Financial Officer. Mike Reda has been elevated to the new position of Vice President, Controller. These promotions help us to recognize the contributions of these individuals and the value that our accounting function adds to our management process.

John Callan will be moving from theWit to our new Special Services Division. This new aspect of our management services will focus on the special needs of lenders and investors with troubled hospitality assets. The "SSD" will provide a host of client services, such as receiverships, changes in control, and foreclosure and disposition of hospitality assets. John's background will be a great fit as our first clients include a fine dining restaurant and full service hotel.

Along with our partners at ECD Company and Concentrics, we are extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Shouger to the position of General Manager of theWit, effective Friday, October 16th. Mark's career in management and executive leadership in the Four and Five Diamond segment of hospitality spans over 20 years. Extensive stints with Hyatt hotels and Resorts and Loews Hotels in some of their most significant properties, from both a service and brand standpoint, make Mark uniquely qualified for this key leadership role. Please join us on welcoming Mark to theWit.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Habeeb
President/COO

Special Note

2009-05-01T11:13:00.001-05:00

Dear Team,

Lots of FHG in the news this month. IND GM, Mike Campbell rated a full page (page 8 if you are looking) in this month's Lodging Hospitality Magazine. Mike was featured for his work with the Indiana Department of Energy utilizing a partial state grant to install a solar panel on the roof of his hotel. Great job, Mike!

Chicago area hotels CTD, CHS, ILR, and CSL were recognized at a press conference by the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association for their efforts to "go green" as part of the IHLA Stay Green Program.

Marketing Manager, Lucy Subhasiriwatana has been named Chairwoman of the IHLA under 30 Gateway Council. The Gateway Council is a chapter of the AHLA group committed to exploring opportunities in hospitality for rising stars under the age of 30.

Soon to be opened, theWit hotel received lots of notice when 3000 applicants showed up for its pre-opening job fair. Team FHG turned out in full force to greet potential team members. Great job, Gail Lyman and Jamie Jones, who acted as "ringmasters" for the event.

Yours truly will also be featured in the May 15th Lodging Hospitality with an op ed piece titled, "Lessons from the Crisis". Heavens knows we have had enough of them!

Sincerely,

Robert J. Habeeb
President/COO

Lessons From The Recession

2009-03-02T11:00:00.001-06:00

Dear Team,

One of the hotel industry trades asked me to write an article titled, "Lessons From The Recession" for next month's magazine. As I typed away late one night, I began to realize, there are just so many. First among them is how we all take the "good times" for granted. Likewise, we take for granted working for a solid company and with a talented team. Both have proven to be a cherished commodity in these remarkable times. While FHG has certainly been challenged by this economy like everyone, all of you continue to step up everyday. I would like to tell you that better days in are sight, but signs are that we still have a long way to go before we will see any relief. Our recipe for weathering the storm is found in our "holy grail", the EAGLE card. Now more than ever, we need to be committed to Excellence. We are in a competitive market and everything we do to set us apart will pay a dividend. Awareness has never been more crucial. Consumer patterns are shifting daily and we need to be shifting with them. I just read a study of third party web sites that shows almost one third of all transient reservations is made within three days or less of check-in. Growth is a big part of our strategy. In the first half of this year, we have added the HGI, Minneapolis Downtown, the Chicago South Loop Hotel, the Holiday Inn Maumee, and theWit to our family. This growth provides continued opportunity for us all. Leadership remains one of our strongest attributes and now, more than ever, we need to be leaders. Every one of us! Lastly, but far from least... earnings. Our keen commitment to watching the bottom line is our best antidote to keeping our hotels healthy and jobs secure. We need to live the EAGLE every day. Together we will weather this storm and emerge the undisputed, greatest team in hospitality. Thank you all for your efforts for the team.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Habeeb
President/COO

Annual Awards Dinner

2009-02-16T16:38:00.001-06:00

Dear Team,

It seems like the only news we hear these days is bad news. The economy is taking a bite out of every aspect of most people's lives. According to economist, Bernard Baumohl, the 13 consecutive months of job loss in the hotel industry is the longest such streak since we began keeping statistics in 1939. With non-stop negative headlines, it seems we are all yearning for a little good news, and our annual awards recognition dinner was exactly that. The event team overcame the challenge of a reduced budget by getting creative and put together a night that rocked the house. It was great to see the enthusiasm as we celebrated the true stars of FHG. What a night, what a team! For me, it was particularly great to see so many people who have moved up through the ranks in our company on stage. It feels good to step back and focus on our good fortune rather than our plight. We have an incredibly talented team. If the seas are going to be rough, I would rather sail with the talent in that room than anyone else. Of course, let's not forget, a great team starts with great coaching, and we are lucky to have the best in the business. I don't want to sound pollyannaish, because these are difficult times, but it is indeed great to stop and raise a toast to your hard work.

There is, of course, one more person that I would like to thank. Our liquidity is a testament to the principals and values of our founder, Stephen Schwartz. The strength of his leadership has never been more vivid. When the smoke clears, FHG will still be standing and growing, and celebrating.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Habeeb
President/COO