https://www.amcity.com/tampabay/ Reprinted Article from April 19, 1999 Issue April 19, 1999 Tourism & Hospitality Column Internet service gives hospitality broad meaning (by, Shelly Sigo) Hospitality is hospitable treatment, according to Webster's definition. I was raised to think of it as treating people well.  But in covering the hospitality industry as a writer, I've focused on lodgings and restaurants. Then Lou Taverna broadened my thinking.  His definition includes commercial and institutional food service, lodging, cruise lines, travel agencies, meeting and convention centers, arenas, sports complexes, resorts, parks, clubs and tourism-related transportation. Being hospitable in the hospitality industry underscores Taverna's mission and his free Internet service called Hospitality 1st.  "I started this as a way to connect hospitality industry personnel," Taverna said. "I found that of all the industries out there already connected, the hospitality industry is one of the last to be well-connected." The former hotel sales director launched the Web site last November from his home in Tennessee to advance ideas, discussions and issues involving the hospitality industry. He had 38 subscribers in the first month. Now, there are nearly 1,400 (about 50 from Florida, including me). Taverna provides information and consultation on topics for the free newsletter he e-mails. Some topics are suggested by subscribers.  As a self-proclaimed "customer service guru," Taverna usually includes tips on hospitable ways to treat people that generate business leads. He advises readers on making Internet sites user-friendly, and he passes along tools of the trade. As an extension of the newsletter, Taverna now posts a separate, still free, edition for industry job openings.  On April 20, he plans to launch a new service for $150 a year that allows businesses to archive two press releases each month that can include logos, photographs and site links. Searching the archives will be free for subscribers. Currently, his site gets 2,250 hits a day. Subscribers are from the United States as well as England, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Singapore. Taverna pledges never to sell his mailing list. He doesn't even want to know subscriber's names, but he does want subscribers with valid interest in the hospitality industry.  Because of virus scares, Taverna says he will not e-mail attachments. And, unlike some e-mailers, Taverna will "unsubscribe" those who request it.  "When I've had people unsubscribe, I always send a note back asking why," Taverna said. "That's just good business practice."  If you're interested, check out his site at https://www.hospitality-1st.com/ You'll also be able to access subscriber statistics, back issues of his newsletter and employment positions that are available. To reach Shelly Sigo call (813) 873-8225 ext. 206 or you can send your e-mail to ssigo@amcity.com Link to article: https://www.amcity.com/tampabay/stories/1999/04/19/newscolumn3.html

 

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