33. Hotel Restaurant Travel Hospitality "Sales - Marketing - PR" Newsletter #33 -- 6/29/99++SITE REVIEW++
It has been mentioned previously that we review other web sites (based on your permission and submittals) -- today we're bringing you the efforts of the Winston-Salem, NC Convention & Visitors Bureau which is
located using the URL {{https://www.wscvb.com/index.html}}. As also mentioned numerous times in the past and part of the critique; the opening page loads a rather large "picture postcard" - these most often should be limited to interior pages (if your future clients and guests want to see what the area is like - they'll take the time to have a look - but make it an option). Any delay in opening "home pages" forces people to look elsewhere -- it's a proven fact. Secondly and very favorably, the balance of the links load quite fast, the information provided is extremely straight forward. There is an excellent offering of contacts by name and direct e-mail addresses (something many of you shy away from because of having "spam phobia"). Lastly, the calendar feature is a great tool and overall the site rates an A minus -- the opening graphic and load time keeping it from the "A" rating. Don't take my word for it -- have a look for yourself and see what you think.++HELP WITH GRAPHICS++
Many of you have written requesting ideas and suggestions with graphics, whether you're loading them with/to a web page or used in some documents that are generated with many of the word processing programs on the
market. The idea is to "compress" the graphics -- but doing it properly is usually the problem. Get yourself a "Photo or Paint" program that allows you to resize graphics and learn it! There are plenty of shareware and "try before you buy" programs -- one of the most widely used is Paint Shop Pro 5.0 by JASC. You can find the company by going to {{https://www.jasc.com/}} and looking around at the various programs and trials offered. Compressing graphics will help you speed up the operations of your web site and allow you much quicker
uploading/downloading when you (need) to send e-mail attachments containing logos or advertising slicks. This has long been one of the main reasons people refuse attachments -- it simply takes too long to download your information - no matter how good you may think it is (also the obvious virus scares don't help matters either).++POSITIONS AVAILABLE REMINDER++
Tuesday (July 6th) the next edition of the e-mailed "Hospitality Positions Available" will be included as the 2nd edition of this newsletter. A special note to the numerous Employers and Recruiters that are involved or will be joining the effort; since the July 4th U.S. Holiday is just around the corner, you'll most likely want to have your
positions to us by this Friday (our deadline is still Monday July 5th 1:00PM-CST) so you have your reminder. The formatting guideline is included at the very bottom of this newsletter issue. The increased participation and number of newsletter subscribers (2,020+) has made this the largest offering of its type in the Hospitality Industry and thanks to everyone for taking the time and making the effort so successful.++FAM TRIP++
Many of you offer some type of "fam trip" traveling rate, industry special, employee specials (for others in the industry) at your restaurants and dining establishments -- or basic "business to business" get acquainted discounts with your hotel(s). If you'd like to participate in an inexpensive online offering that you can make available via the Hospitality 1ST web site - please jot a quick note via e-mail to FamTrip@Hospitality-1st.com?subject=FamTrip and we'll get you the information in the next couple of days. Kindly provide your name and direct e-mail address when responding.++LASTLY++
Many a reader has noticed the editor and his tendency toward "customer service" and that all important follow-up when dealing with either a disgruntled guest or the occasional (and hopefully welcome) compliment. Well, the "pen" continues to be "mightier than the sword" and I'm able to offer a first-person occurrence from just this past Monday. Had the opportunity to fly with AirTran {{https://www.airtran.com/}} from Orlando FL -- the unfortunate part was the weather delays through Atlanta for most of us traveling with the airline. What did they do right??? The station manager (June Fishman) and her gate agents (Mike, Velma & Iris) kept us informed every 15 minutes with an update -- no one tried to hide or cover-up the fact that people were going to be inconvenienced (or maybe even miss connections) but everyone would get to their final destinations in the most timely and safest fashion. It was a classic example of communicating and doing so efficiently. Use the example to the best of your ability and remember too that we all are consumers. Hats off to AirTran and their able staff...Briefly from Memphis TN,
Lou Taverna, Editor
Hospitality 1ST = hospitality-1st.com
Member: HSMAI
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