WinTeR 2016 California Hotel & Lodging Association 21 charging stations and we also have a solar heated swimming pool. We are one of the few hotels to be a Certified Green Business by the County of Santa Barbara; we are the only hotel in Santa Barbara and only 1 of 6 hotels in California to receive the Gold Certification from Audubon International and we are the only hotel in Santa Barbara to have achieved the Environmentalist Level through the California Green Lodging Program. We are currently taking advantage of the partnership that CH&LA has with Green Key to obtain our certification through them. What is a memorable hospitality related event? I had the opportunity to meet both President Bush and President Clinton at the Wyndham Worldwide Global Conference this past spring in Las Vegas, Nevada. Geoff Ballotti (Wyndham Hotel Group President & CEO) graciously allowed a limited number of franchisee advisory committee members to meet the Presidents and get their photos taken prior to the Presidents speaking at the keynote luncheon. Both Presidents were very gracious and personable and are very close friends in spite of their politics. What is your personal management style? I like to hire the best people possible and then allow them enough room to function to their highest abilities. My director of sales & marketing still laughs about his first day of work. I welcomed him to the property and showed him around his office and the next thing he knew I was gone. I had known him for many years and had hired him because I knew his capabilities. I wanted to give him time to figure things out on his own and then be there to answer questions and provide direction and resources as required. And he has done exceedingly well in his position. In this industry it is all about the people. You have to hire those people that enjoy interacting with guests. You can teach the technical aspects of the job and how to say and do the right things but if they don’t enjoy the social aspect of the job then they are not fulfilling their potential. What are the important skills and traits for a general manager to have? Patience and a good sense of humor. As anyone in the hospitality business knows there are some days that are more challenging than others. Fortunately, there are far more good days than bad days but you have to be able to put on a good face and continue on regardless of the situation. You have to ensure that the best resolution is being reached for both your guests and your staff. And hopefully you can laugh at the absurdity of the situations after they have been resolved. What advice do you have for those interested in entering the hotel industry? Go for it. There are literally endless job possibilities for those that are interested in our industry. Be prepared to work hard and not be afraid to put in the hours. With hard work and a positive attitude, you will find many opportunities for advancement. You can choose a smaller boutique property or get involved with a major brand and work anywhere in the world. The doors are open for whatever interests and goals you may have. And you will find yourself surrounded by a group of dedicated & passionate professionals.
CH LA Lodging News Winter 2015 2016
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