APRIL 11, 2015 Host announcements By Barry Wallace I am pleased to join Human Resources in announcing the promotion of Maria Caravalho to assistant general manager at the Outrigger-managed Wyndham Kona Hawaiian Resort and announcing three seasoned professionals serving as North American global account managers. Maria will report to Resort Manager Marie Cabanas, effective April 16, 2015. Maria will support Marie in ensuring resort department operations are effectively managed in a professional manner to the satisfaction of hosts, owners and guests. Maria has been operations Maria Caravalho administrator since last year and prior held the same position for four years at the Kanaloa at Kona by Outrigger. Before joining Outrigger, Maria helped to run the family farm, Peter J. Caravalho Farms, providing lei to Greeters of Hawaii on all islands. Earlier hospitality experience includes executive housekeeper at Kanaloa at Kona by Outrigger and front office manager at Kona Reef. Maria holds a bachelor s in business management from Brigham Young University in Lā ie and is a member of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Kona. She and husband Peter have two children, a daughter Jordan and son Lucas, and recently welcomed granddaughter Kauwela to the family on Easter Sunday. Family is important and deeply cherished. They live on and maintain their 7-1/2 acre macadamia nut, avocado and coffee farm as well as another family farm of the same crops and take great pleasure in working the farms and providing vendors with their local products. When time permits, Maria enjoys jogging, gardening and baking. The global account manager team reports to Richard Oshiro, area director of leisure sales. This team is responsible for driving business to our global portfolio from within their Announcements >> 8 Dr. Richard Kelley is traveling. His column will return on April 25, 2015. Dr. Richard Kelley nominated for Hotelier of the World award By Dr. Chuck Kelley I was delighted to learn earlier this week that Dr. Richard Kelley has been nominated as a finalist for HOTELS magazine s Hotelier of the World award for 2015! Now in its 35th year, HOTELS magazine s Hotelier of the World awards recognize individuals who have had distinguished careers rather than the companies they Dr. Chuck Kelley represent. Criteria include how nominees have defined standards of service; overall operational excellence and performance; demonstrated creativity in management and style; and what they have done to improve and promote the global hotel industry. There are two award categories: Corporate for hoteliers representing multiple properties and Individual for hoteliers representing a single unique property. When Dr. Kelley was growing up in the Territory of Hawai i, one would hardly have guessed that he might someday be a leader in the global hotel industry. Back then, Hawai i had an agricultural economy where jobs outside the sugar and pineapple plantations were scarce and mostly found in one of the Big Five companies that dominated business and politics in the Islands. The tourism industry was in its infancy. Richard s parents, Roy and Estelle Kelley, were renting out apartments, not hotel rooms. Richard sensibly chose to pursue a medical career and headed off to Stanford University and Harvard Medical School with the goal of returning to Hawai i as a physician. But life has a funny way of changing people s plans. As the Hawai i hotel industry began to bloom in the 1960s, Roy and Estelle s mom and pop apartment Hotelier of the World >> 9 Page 1
Happy birthday! Apr 22: Danilo Bacani, Talica Baubau, David C. Cheang, Lark Ann Eriksen, Anasovaia Lagitukuwalu, Robinson Larsina, Ricardo Lumaban, Paul S. Nagamine, Christine San Nicolas, Sotera S. Nuesca, Virginia Pamplona, Jay Peralta, Joana Pinto, Emeli Kafonik Semesi, Naraindeo Sookun, Jose Viduya and Asenaca Wasei. Apr 23: Keshwar Banipersand, Barbara Ann Campbell, John K. Jay, Sandra M. Kaleohano, Davin T. Kawakami, Cinnie Li, Sunan Mong- O-Cha, Robert S. Naish, Taniela Radomole, Christian I. Ross, Sriranee Saichol, Eric Thomas and Craig E. Wienckowski. Apr 24: Saitutuila M. Brown, Jennifer O. Jennings, Renae Mason, Susan O Keeffe, Taweechai Puntupukkana, Angelina Seblin, Adi Tuilailai Tani and Nancy L. Wan. Apr 25: Jerome Bergicourt, Louis Hansley, Marie Gerardo Hollandais Lai Chee Lum, Panya Phangphan, Ariel C. Saladino, Elmerihna Soram and Rajnesh Swamy. Apr 26: Herminio L. Agliam, Mark Carreon, Carol L. Hanna, Elsina G. Ittu, Nutrada Kessiri, Monserio C. Lacuata, Joseva Mailagi, Gina Maneja, Virmatee Rambukus, Jolame Ratuvakabogiwalu, John Taginavulau and Linda C.C. Wang. Apr 27: Rosli Ayob, Samuela Bolaca, Atish Kumar, Jian Chun Rong, Aekkachan Sanon, Sukanya Somphan, Mareta Tubou, Joseva Tuinagigia and Paulina Yavaca. Apr 28: Richard C. Arruda, Josateki Baleisuva, Ming Fang, Yu Ming Feng, Mary Jane Musngi, Jeremy K. Okada, Liwayway A. Ragasa, Aprilyn V. Salvador, Katalina E. Samisoni and Meleki Ulago. Saturday Briefing is published by and for hosts of Outrigger Enterprises Group (OEG) Editor-In-Chief: Supervising Editor: Senior Editor: Contributing Writers: Richard Kelley Pila Hanson Kathy Foley Hosts of OEG Visit us online at: www.saturdaybriefing.outrigger.com Submissions to Kathy Foley at kathysb@outrigger.com. 2015 Outrigger Hotels Hawaii An Equal Opportunity Employer Employment opportunities If you are interested in a position listed below and meet the qualifications, please go to Outrigger.com and click on Employment at the bottom of the page. We only accept online applications for the open positions from internal candidates. If you have any questions, please contact your HR business unit representative. Application deadline for the following positions is April 17, 2015. Accountant Multi-Property (Full-Time) This position will assist the department in all aspects of general accounting, accounts payable and accounts receivable processes including revenue accounting, property management and fixed assets as applicable. Bachelor s degree in accounting or finance preferred. A minimum of three years previous accounting experience required, within the hospitality industry preferred. Must have a positive attitude and be a self-motivated team member. Oral and written business communication skills, proficiency in computerized accounting systems and spreadsheets, aptitude for numbers and ability to type 45 wpm and 10 key required. Global Accountant (Full-Time) This position will assist the global reporting accounting office in all aspects of general accounting functions to include accounts payable, accounts receivable, treasury and fixed assets processes as applicable. Bachelor s degree in accounting preferred. Must have a positive attitude and be a self-motivated team member. Oral and written business communication skills, proficiency in computerized accounting systems and spreadsheets, aptitude for numbers and ability to type 45 wpm and 10 key required. Steward (On-Call) Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and assist in the daily function of the kitchen to meet general standards. Duties to include but not limited to loading and unloading the dishwasher and making sure all areas are clean and well maintained. Experience working in a kitchen environment preferred. Must be able to work any day and shift. General Maintenance Utility (Full-Time) Must have two years of experience with interior and exterior maintenance including demonstrated ability to install, repair, service, inspect and maintain FF&E facilities. Must also have experience with heating, cooling, plumbing, ventilation, water, electrical and mechanical systems, and be able to work any day and shift. Guest Services Representative (Full-Time) A minimum of one year customer service and cashiering experience, preferably in the hospitality industry. Must also have basic computer skills and ability to type 30 wpm. Must also be a team player with excellent communication skills and ability to work any day and shift. Japanese language required. PALMS AT WAILEA MAUI BY OUTRIGGER Executive Housekeeper (Full-Time) Previous experience as an executive housekeeper or a minimum of two years as an assistant executive housekeeper required. Must also have excellent verbal/written communication, organizational, computer and mathematical skills, with the ability to demonstrate and promote hospitality, teamwork and standard of cleanliness required. Page 2
Saving sea turtles is part of the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort s (TLR) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. In 1994, we joined the Laguna Community in an effort to focus on raising funds and awareness in support of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre and 3rd Area Naval Command, Royal Thai Navy, whose ongoing conservation and rehabilitation programs include studies of nesting behavior and tracking and analysis of turtle migration via microchips and satellite tracking devices attached to released turtles. Funds raised have been used to supply food for turtle nurseries, purchase 4 satellite tracking devices for juvenile Saving sea turtles By Napaporn Phandee turtles, and renovate the shelter roof structure for disabled turtles, and nursery pounds. Four tiny turtles (Laguna Phuket kindergarten students) and teachers visited TLR to promote the 21st Sea Turtle Release held on April 4 at Laguna Latitude Marquee. Not only were TLR hosts, students and teachers involved in this worthwhile effort, 15 families staying at the resort were also excited to take part in the release of 60 turtles. Since the event s inception, over 1,800 turtles have been returned to their natural habitat. General Manager Tony Pedroni and the TLR team welcomed four tiny turtles Dr. Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong, chief of marine endangered species, Phuket Marine Biological Center; David Seet, senior assistant vice president, resort operations, Laguna Resorts & Hotels PLC; and Tony Pedroni, general manager, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas celebrates! By Sukanya Somphan Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas (TLP) arranged a host meeting on April 2 to celebrate host birthdays and to announce our Hosts of the Month for March. Congratulations to Back of House recipient Khun Wannisa Srangmuang (Leena), housekeeping coordinator, for her outstanding service to guests and colleagues with a positive attitude and willingness to support others and to Front of House recipient Khun Sangad Nethan (Poo), restaurant captain, for his excellent service at the Panache restaurant and for being so supportive to both his team and guests. General Manager Khun Marc Landgraf was so proud and encourged them to continue their excellent work. Khun Marc Landgraf, Khun Wannisa Srangmuang and Khun Wassana Saetong (executive housekeeper) Khun Marc Landgraf, Khun Sangad Nethan and Khun Kajornsak Kanteetaw (food and beverage manager) Celebrating host birthdays for March Page 3
Celebrating our culture By Luana Maitland It was all about our culture at this year s Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort s Annual Easter festivities on Friday, April 3. Na Kupuna O Ko olau began the morning with an Easter show of Hawaiian music, dance and sharing of aloha with a gift of lei for all guests in attendance. At the same time, an Easter egg contest took place with entries crafted by our hosts and the shops and restaurants of the resort. One of the criteria of the contest was to celebrate our culture. The entries were: Revenue and Housekeeping China; Christmas Store and Kani Ka Pila Grille Japan; Front Office, Bell, Events, Hawaiian Accessories, Shore Bird and Enterprise Rent A Car Hawai i; and Accounting Chinese, Japanese and Filipino. On Easter Sunday, keiki decorated their very own cupcakes, enjoyed Easter coloring and entered an Easter egg drawing to win an ukulele. Congratulations to Nathan Kirkham! Easter festivities Accounting - egg-xotic delicacies from China, Japan and the Philippines Revenue - China Although diverse in culture, all hosts are united in our love of food, which is always a part of any successful celebration! It was a time of fun and fellowship enjoyed by all. Easter Kiahuna-style By Marianne Thesken As the sun rose at the Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kauai by Outrigger (KPR), guests, owners, hosts and their families gathered for Easter service provided by Teresa Morrison s (security) husband, Brother Kyle s, hula ministry. After the service, the Easter Bunny arrived via golf cart and the children enjoyed their visit and the egg hunt that followed. Thanks to all our hosts who made the event memorable for our guests, owners and host families. Housekeeping - China Kani Ka Pila Grille - Japan Page 4 The Easter Bunny with Liza Ramos, Editha Udarbe, Mylyn DeLaCruz, Agnes Ramiro, Antonia Langundino, Julia Tambio and Nova Geronimo Front: Sherry Oyamot and The Easter Bunny Back: Nida Constantino, Gana Maheshwaran, Marianne Thesken, Jessie Jacinto, Donna King, Thomas Apilado, Faye Fernandez, and Dennis Bonilla
The Hawai i Lodging & Tourism Association s Kaua i Chapter held its 18th Annual Mālama Awards on April 25 at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa. Themed Nā Hoku Ho ohiwaihiwa, or treasured stars, the awards provide lodging 18th Annual Mālama Awards By Marianne Thesken properties on Kaua i an opportunity to honor hosts who provide outstanding and unusual service to the resort, guests and/or the community. Outrigger was proud to honor the following hosts currently working at our Kaua i resorts. KIAHUNA PLANTATION RESORT KAUAI BY OUTRIGGER ANICETO ANDRES - chemical applicator Engineering/Maintenance Person of the Year Aniceto has done an outstanding job in keeping our lawns green and weed free. He frequently helps his co-workers in completing special projects, is self-motivated and always takes the initiative to find ways to improve the property. FERNANDO CONSTANTINO - lead security Security Officer of the Year Fernando is known for his well-rounded security skills and dedication. Recently, he was recognized by a guest when he activated 911 on a rough ocean condition day. Thanks to his quick thinking, a father and daughter made it safely to shore. JASMIN TANICALA - rooms control clerk Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year Jasmin is a multi-tasking whirlwind who always has a ready smile. She is dedicated and courteous and her attention to detail is meticulous. She is an eager learner who can perform all the job positions in housekeeping and can also work at the front desk. MARY JANE LONTOC - guest service agent Front Office Reservations Person of the Year Mary Jane is diligent and has a strong work ethic. She demonstrates excellent organizational skills and is able to handle multiple tasks under pressure while still maintaining her good nature. Mary provided strong leadership in the absence of a front office manager. NOVA GERONIMO - housekeeping supervisor Supervisor/Manager of the Year Nova has helped to guide the housekeeping department through a series of challenges and changes. She is courteous and respectful of the hosts she supervises by listening and empathizing with them. She is an excellent role model to those who want to move up in the department. Front: Aniceto Andres, Richard Arruda, Fernando Constantino, Harris Nishikawa, Nova Geronimo, Mary Lontoc, Jasmin Tanicala, Nida Constantino, and Donna King. Back: Dennis Bonilla and Gana Maheshwaran. LAE NANI RESORT KAUAI BY OUTRIGGER DOLLY DEL ROSARIO - housekeeper Housekeeper of the Year Dolly is always available to assist in any way she can. She never limits the Aloha she projects and consistently does her best with any endeavor. Her sweet smile and pleasant disposition endears her to our owners, guests and her co-workers. WAIPOULI BEACH RESORT & SPA KAUAI BY OUTRIGGER VILMA LANDAGORA - guest service agent Front Office/Reservations Person of the Year Vilma has an easygoing attitude and Aloha spirit that calms any difficult situation. Her reliability and flexibility is matched by her can-do attitude. She is well liked by her co-workers, owners and guests. Her photographic memory made her an invaluable asset during EW Opera training. RICHARD ARRUDA - lead maintenance Supervisor/Manager of the Year Richard is a man of integrity and is willing to take on responsibility. He has proven to his crew that he is honest, fair and hard working. He is a true leader. Robert Racelo, Dolly Del Rosario, Vilma Landagora, Belinda Dolor and Vicki Valenciano Page 5
Major milestones recognized for the first quarter of 2015 By Kathy Oyadomari Several milestone years of service have been met this first quarter of 2015 by our Outrigger ohana who deserve recognition and thanks. Mahalo for all you do to contribute to our success! 45 years Aproniano joined Outrigger as a houseman in 1985 and worked at the Outrigger Reef, OHANA Edgewater and OHANA Waikiki Tower. He worked in central maintenance and currently Aproniano Serdenia works in maintenance at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort (ORF). Apropriano s specialty is laying carpet and repairing tile. He also takes care of house calls and Room Preventive Maintenance (RPM). Apropriano enjoys everything about his job and shared that the ORF renovation was a big change that he will always remember. Aproniano s wife Conseta works in the ORF housekeeping department. They have three children and one granddaughter. When not at work, Apropriano enjoys yard work, fixes things at home, goes walking and spends time with family at the beach. He hopes to travel to Las Vegas soon. Apropriano is proud that his family is healthy, and he is thankful to be working for Outrigger all these years. 35 years Divina started as a housekeeper at the Outrigger Waikiki Village and her current position is executive housekeeper at the OHANA Waikiki Malia. The rollout of the OHANA brand and the Waikiki Beach Walk Divina Garcia project are major changes that have occurred during her career that are memorable. Divina loves taking care of her garden, doing crafts, singing and dancing with her line dance group. Future travel plans include the Philippines, Las Vegas and visiting her sons in Singapore and San Francisco. One day, Divina hopes to go to Paris. Divina s philosophy for life is to work hard and keep smiling all the time. She is most proud of her growth and advancement with Outrigger. 35 years Jody started with Outrigger as a telephone operator at the Outrigger Prince Kuhio. Currently she works at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, as a guest services representative. Jody enjoys Jodymae Suyat meeting guests from all over the world and making sure they are happy. She is amazed at the evolution of the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort front desk and how it is so inviting and welcoming. Jody enjoys relaxing with her family on her days off. She is looking forward to retiring and traveling the world, especially to Israel. Her philosophy for life is to be respectful. She is most proud and thankful that her husband and family have come to receive the Lord. 30 years Cecilia has always worked in housekeeping at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. She comments that many return guests look for her to say hi and are always happy to see her, as she is happy to see them! Cecilia also enjoys talking story Cecilia Yip with co-workers before work and during lunch. She remembers when the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort had over 800 guest rooms and now there are about 600; what a significant change! Both of Cecilia s children reside in Seattle and vacations are enjoyed visiting them. Shopping in Chinatown, drinking tea with friends and eating dim sum at the Empress Restaurant are favorite activities for Cecilia. Her philosophy for life is learn as much as you can. Milestones >> 7 Page 6
Milestones... << From 6 30 years Herminia started as a laundry attendant at the Outrigger Prince Kuhio and after one month, she transferred to housekeeping. She currently works as a housekeeper at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort and makes sure the lobby restrooms are always clean for guests. Herminia enjoys Herminia Agbayani everything about her job, especially talking to guests and teaching them local words like aloha and mahalo. A big change for Hermina was the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort renovation and the new standards that she had to learn. She spends free time shopping at Pearlridge and Ala Moana shopping centers, jogging in the neighborhood, cleaning the yard and her house and babysitting her grandchildren. Future plans include visiting family in the Philippines, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Seattle. Herminia s dream is to travel to Europe. Her philosophy for life is to be good, especially to your spouse. Herminia is most proud of her children and grandchildren. 30 years Violeta first worked for Outrigger as a laundry attendant at the Outrigger Prince Kuhio and after four months transferred to housekeeping. Currently, Violeta works at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort and takes care of the public areas Violeta Robles and lobby restrooms. She enjoys meeting guests and providing directions for them. On her days off, Violeta enjoys shopping at Macy s when they have a sale, babysitting her twin grandnieces, cooking and cleaning. To keep healthy, Violeta is careful about what she eats and goes on daily one-hour walks with her neighbors. Violeta is looking forward to visiting family in California, Las Vegas and the Philippines. Her philosophy for life is be healthy and get a good education. She is thankful to the Kelley family for being so nice and for working 30 years at Outrigger. Marcelino Baguyo 30 years Marcelino joined Outrigger as a laundry washer at the Outrigger Prince Kuhio. He later transferred to the maintenance department at the OHANA Waikiki Tower and worked through the renovation of the Embassy Suites - Waikiki Beach Walk. Currently Marcelino works in maintenance at Embassy Suites - Waikiki Beach Walk and does painting, house calls and special projects. Helping guests and co-workers is what he enjoys the most. Marcelino shared that the global change of the company is significant, and he is honored to be a part of Outrigger s foundation. In his free time, Marcelino enjoys walking and going to the movies with his wife and watching sports, especially football and basketball. He hopes to visit his relatives in the Philippines in the near future. Traveling to Canada and other places around the world are on his bucket list. Marcelino s philosophy for life is to treat others the way you want to be treated and treat others with respect. His hobby is working on maintaining cars and he is proud of joyfully engaging with guests while fulfilling work orders. It s time for the 37th Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk! Saturday, May 9 Maui (War Memorial Soccer Field) 7 a.m. Hawai i Island (Mauna Lani Resort) 6:30 a.m. runners 7 a.m. walkers Saturday, May 16 O ahu (Ala Moana Beach Park) 7 a.m. Kaua i (Historic County Building) 7 a.m. Join industry colleagues and invite family and friends out for this walk, sponsored by the Hawai i Lodging & Tourism Association, to benefit Hawai i s charities! See your department/property recruiter to sign up! Outrigger will again host a lively checkpoint at Waikiki Beach Walk with live music by The Wreck; apple slices and Go-Gurt from our partner McDonald s; and a specially-designed Outrigger give-away that is sure to be a fan of all walkers. More to come in future issues of Saturday Briefing! Page 7
Announcements... << From 1 respective geographies; increasing our Outrigger Expert Agent base; calling on key mainland customers; and strengthening relationships with our valued wholesale partners. Please join me in recognizing the North American team: Alani Liu is based in Northern California and covers the Oregon, Washington and Nevada territories; she has been representing Outrigger for 18 years and shares that she is grateful to all those from Outrigger who have supported her in the field all these years. Prior to Outrigger, she worked at Village Resorts and Classic Vacations, both based in Northern California. Cindy Cunningham Alani Liu Alani keeps abreast and involved in the industry and has served in several capacities with San Jose PATA, San Jose and also Monterey Travel Professionals and Northern California Hawaii Ohana. Alani s daughter Shawn recently married. Alani and longtime significant other Kevin have a Shih Tzu, Golden Retriever and a few cats that keep them busy. She enjoys distance trail running, open water swimming and of course, travel. Cindy Cunningham is based in Chicago and covers the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Colorado and Nebraska territories; she opened the first Midwest-based Outrigger Resorts sales office over 25 years ago. While attending college Cindy began her career in the travel industry working parttime for United Airlines at O Hare International Airport. Upon graduation she worked as a sales representative for MTI Vacations, a former tour operator based in Oak Brook, Illinois. Cindy holds a bachelor s degree from Illinois State University. Fully committed to the hospitality industry, she has served on the board of directors for Midwest ASTA and Midwest Ohana. She remains an active member with both organizations. Cindy always looks forward to spending time at any Outrigger Resorts destination especially after a long Chicago winter. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. Her favorite sports teams are the Chicago Blackhawks, Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos. Geraldine Geri Harvey is our newest global account manager. Home-based in Southern California, Geri s territory covers Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, as well as Southern California. Geri has worked in the airline, hotel and wholesale side of the travel industry for the last 25 years. Her well-rounded experience includes hospitality sales with resort collections such as Le Meridien Geri Harvey Hotels in Tahiti, Hotel Bauer Italy, Leading Hotels (LHW), Occidental Resorts Worldwide and League Marketing portfolio of luxury hotels in Asia, Africa and The Americas. Prior to hospitality, she was employed with Hawaiian Airlines in sales and marketing, Maritz Travel as a tour director throughout Hawai i, and Carlson Wagonlit Travel. Geri holds a bachelor s in business administration from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is a member of Ka Ohana, Los Angeles and Orange County PROST and her local chambers. When she s not working, Geri believes in giving back and devotes time to charitable organizations and Hope Worldwide. Growing up as a military dependent instilled in Geri the desire and love for travel. She also enjoys educational travel, event planning, catering and the outdoors. Geri has two sons, Gavin and Bryce, and family in Hawai i. We congratulate Maria on her promotion and are excited about the breadth and depth of the global account managers who individually and collectively will make exciting contributions to Outrigger s global sales and marketing network! CALENDAR OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS CELEBRATED WORLDWIDE Sat. April 18 April 13-15 AUSTRALIA XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship - Sponsored by Outrigger, this premier event will be held in the beachside town of Callala Beach, Jervis Bay, New South Wales. Visit: http://www.xterraasiapacific.com/ THAILAND Songkran Festival (public holiday) Thailand s traditional New Year s Day Page 8
Dr. Richard Kelley nominated for Hotelier of the World award... << From 1 O ahu - Inaugurating one of the first ties to an airline computerized reservation system Japan - Establishing relationships beyond Hawai i s traditional leisure markets Kaua i - Dr. Kelley s speech gets press as he tries to rally the visitor industry to work together Fiji - Treating hosts like old friends business evolved into a small local hotel chain. At first, Richard helped his parents in his spare time between a busy medical practice and raising five children. Before too long, his moonlighting in the family business grew to the point that he was in charge of the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel and it was all he could do to just keep his medical license current by attending weekly medical conferences. For Richard, assuming a leadership role in the family hotel business meant hanging up his white coat and taking up computer programming to design the original programs that ran Stellex (Outrigger s first computerized reservations system, named in honor of his mother, Estelle, the company s pioneer reservations specialist) and transforming the business with a network of computers serving what eventually grew to 16 Outrigger Hotels in Waikīkī. What seems obvious today took tremendous foresight and perseverance in past years when computers were novel, limited in capability and uncertain in performance. Leading Outrigger Hotels also meant personally establishing relationships beyond Hawai i s traditional leisure markets on the U.S. West Coast. Dr. Kelley, like others in the Hawai i visitor industry, often traveled west to develop individual and group markets in Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. Realizing the economic advantages for Hawai i to play in the national and international convention market, he also spent 15 years driving the political process needed to fund and build a convention center in Waikīkī. For his efforts and achievements, Sales & Marketing Executives International (SMEI) Honolulu named him the Father of the Hawaii Convention Center. Dr. Kelley has been active in a number of organizations that strive to improve business both locally and globally. He served as chair of the Hawai i Visitors Bureau (now, thanks to the Convention Center whose creation he fathered, the Hawai i Visitors and Convention Bureau). For over 20 years, he has been a member of the executive committee of the London-based World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which has played a critical role in bringing to policy makers attention the enormous contribution that Travel & Tourism makes to the global economy. Dr. Kelley s interests extend far beyond the hospitality business. A champion of better education, he served as chair of Hawai i Commission on Performance Standards in an effort to help improve the state s public schools. He was chair of the Board of Trustees at Punahou School and was later a trustee of Kent Denver School. He is currently a University of Denver trustee. Thanks to his continuing passion for medicine and health care, he has served on the boards of Craig Hospital and the Colorado Neurological Institute, both of which are located near his current home in Denver. He has delivered many lectures and written numerous articles on the economics of health care. While still practicing medicine, he served, in a volunteer capacity, as associate professor of pathology at the University of Hawai i s John A. Burns School of Medicine. Throughout his career, Dr. Kelley has never forgotten the importance of listening to the customer. Even today, at age 81, he is often found talking to or corresponding with wholesale suppliers and return guests. Dr. Kelley treats hosts like old friends, spending many hours visiting their workplaces, listening to concerns, and motivating everyone to provide the best possible service to guests. Together with his son-in-law, David Carey, he grew that small Waikīkī hotel company into one of Hawai i s largest businesses. Today, Outrigger continues to grow, with upscale properties stretching halfway around the globe. Hotelier of the World >> 10 Page 9
Dr. Richard Kelley nominated for Hotelier of the World award... << From 9 The HOTELS magazine s Hotelier of the World award winner will be announced at the magazine s annual banquet this fall in New York and profiled in a cover story. No one yet knows who will receive the award. The competition is tough. There are three other Corporate category nominees, each with highly impressive careers and outstanding companies: Mark Harmon, founder and managing partner of the Auberge Resort Collection, which currently has eight deluxe resorts and residence clubs in well-known destinations such as Aspen, Telluride, Napa Valley, British West Indies, Cabo San Lucas and Fiji. Five additional resorts are scheduled to join the group in the next two years. Jean-Gabriel Peres, president and CEO of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, with 82 properties and 20,000 rooms in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Richard Solomons, CEO of the InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG), the world s largest hotel company by number of rooms with, currently, 4,840 hotels and 710,295 rooms plus an additional 1,221 hotels and 193,772 rooms in the pipeline (as of December 31, 2014). Last year s Corporate category winner was Christopher Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton Worldwide. Our best wishes to Dr. Kelley in this competition. Page 10 credit: http://library.hotelsmag.com/publication/?i=251051&p=12 LET S HELP DR. KELLEY WIN THE AWARD BY VOTING ONLINE! Go to www.facebook.com/hotelsmag (This opens HOTELS magazine s Facebook page). Click on the April 9 post showing the cover of the April issue of HOTELS magazine (with the photo of Bill Marriott you will probably have to scroll down to April 9 to find the post). This will take you to the magazine s contents page. Scroll down to the third item, Hotelier of the World p10 with a photo of Chris Nassetta. Click on Nassetta s photo. That will take you to a page (shown above) with all the candidates photos. At the top right corner of that page is a box that says VOTE! Just below that, in very small print, is a link. Scroll over the link with your mouse and click, it will finally take you to a Survey Monkey page where you can actually vote. Mahalo! Thank you! MOMENTS OF AL HA Embassy Suites - Waikiki Beach Walk (ESH) Guest Doris Tong is LinkedIn s senior manager global campus recruiting and global programs. One to recognize exceptional Aldrin and Doris talent makes the following post by Doris a true testament to the effect Aldrin Ortaleza has on the guests at ESH. Here is a snippet of Doris post (right): The Aldrin Effect: What My Trip To Hawaii Revealed About The Impact of Great Candidate Experience. During one of my recent trips back to my hometown of Honolulu, HI, I was having breakfast at the Hilton Embassy Suites Waikiki when I noticed a particular bus boy. The way he went about his work mesmerized me. With each guest he encountered, he had a way that conveyed the purest, most sincere desire to provide the best guest experience. He was simply magical. His name: Aldrin Ortaleza... - Doris Tong Read more at: http://goo.gl/e9oiy5. Congratulations and mahalo, Aldrin, for the Aloha you share with our guests. You rock!