Tangled Love

~ Chapter Nine ~

After my dad and I discussed concluded the conversation with Darlene regarding the cocktail party, Ms. Darlene went over to the hotel to check on things so she could report back to dad what is or isn’t complete.

           “Hey pop, I was thinking about a few programs that I would like to implement in the new hotel chain, would you like to hear a few of my ideas?” I asked and he raised an eyebrow but smiled.

           “I would love to hear your ideas. I didn’t think you were ready to be so involved.” He said smiling brightly at me.

           “Yeah, I wasn’t ready actually but after reading the documents yesterday, I realized I need to be ready because it’s coming whether I’m ready for it or not. But I was thinking, since the new chain is a more upscale, prestige, branded group of hotels, maybe we could incorporate a rewards program or points system for returning guest. I was also thinking of having a Military Salute program for active duty and veteran service members and lastly a student travel program for college students to reward them for staying at our hotels when they travel for various reasons. What do you think?” I asked with a bit of hesitation and dad took a minute to think about it.

           “I think that’s a marvelous idea, I would even consider expanding it to all our hotel chains, but we can trial start it at ‘E’ to see how it markets.” My dad said with a bright smile.

           “My other idea is to hire student interns to work the back office. This could give them real world experience before they graduate, and we could offer a small stipend or scholarship for those who decide to further their education. What do you think about that?” I said smiling at him and he nodded.

           “That’s another great idea. I will give more thought to it but meanwhile why don’t you talk with Kory and see how working as an intern has broadened his view on the hospitality industry. You can speak with Casey too.” My dad said and I smiled and nodded at him.

           We sat and discussed a few more things that my dad thought was important to cover before the first press conference, then ordered a car to take us to the press conference which was being held in the new hotel’s conference room. We arrived at 12:15 pm and had fifteen minutes before the press conference started so I took a quick look around the hotel. I was shocked at how much upscaled and prestige this hotel looked. It has five fine dining restaurants, a cigar and piano lounge, a bar, a night club, a spa, a full-size gym, three swimming pools with hot tubs, and small stores on the first level near the lobby area. It isn’t designed like any other Jordan Dynasty Hotel Group hotel, to be honest it looks rich inside and it’s definitely fancier than most hotels in the area.

           When it was time for the conference, I made my way to the conference room which was set-up for a press conference and still looked like a magazine shoot was about to happen. Casey opened the conference by introducing my dad first then me.

           “Settle down everybody, my name is Casey Witmore, and I’m the press manager for this new Hotel Chain within the Jordan Dynasty Hotel Group. Today, we have Mr. Ernest Jordan the founder and visionary of this great hotel chain and his partner, who’s his son Elias Jordan, the sole owner of the boutique hotel that will be opening at tomorrow’s groundbreaking. We will take the first question now. You sir in the powder blue shirt.” Casey said.

           “Hi, David Goldsmith with Hospitality Today Magazine. The name of this new hotel has been a big secret, what is it going to be and why has it not been disclosed until now?” The reporter David asked, and my father stepped to the podium.

           “Hello David, it really hasn’t been a secret. My son is a student and was away at school, so I chose to wait until he was home to finalize those type of details. If you will all take a look at the screen behind us, we would like to show you all the initial marketing campaign.” My dad said and Casey turned on the projector behind us to play the small forty-five second commercial.

           When the commercial was done, hands flew up and Casey called the next reporter.

           “Hi, Bella Jones, with Uprise Magazine. I love the simplicity of the name, but I can’t help but wonder what the inspiration comes from. Is it inspired by ‘E’ Hollywood?” The reporter Bella asked, and I chuckled then stepped to the podium.

           “Hello Bella, to be honest ‘E’ Hollywood was not even considered but that is a very good way to connect it. E is for both Earnest & Elias, it’s a father and son partnership but I didn’t see a point in duplication so one E instead of two. I would like to include that the hotel itself is Hollywood Fancy so again that was a great way to connect it. Next question.” I said confidently and dad’s smile grew on his face.

           “Hi, John Reed, with the Times. Can you tell us a little about what we can expect at this new chain? Jordan Dynasty Hotel Group has been a hallmark brand for decades. What makes this new chain different?” The reporter John asked, and I smiled.

           “Well John, you will have to see this gem to see why it is different and since you asked, Kory can you set-up a tour rotation after this conference for all the reporters that are here at this moment.” I said smiling at Kory who smiled and nodded then walked out of the conference room to do as he was asked.

           “Hi, Debbie Glen with USA Today. Elias your father mentioned you are a student, are you still in school or have you completed your degree?” The reporter Debbie asked, I looked back at my dad, and he nodded.

           “Hello Debbie, I’m starting my senior year at Cornell University on Monday. I am expected to graduate next spring.” I said and she smiled.

           “Okay, follow-up question. I assume you are enrolled in the Hotel Management program at Cornell. It is the best program in the nation. Will you be furthering your education to get an MBA or business degree after you graduate?” Debbie asked and I chuckled.

           “Yes, I have already been accepted in the MBA programs at Stanford University, Harvard University, and Columbia University. I haven’t selected a school yet but whichever school I choose it would be the one that is the best fit for my responsibilities to ‘E’ Jordan Boutique Hotel Chain.” I said with a smile, and she smiled also.

           “Okay, last two questions.” Casey said and four hands went up before she selected the next reporter.

           “Hi, Thomas Bradley with People Magazine. Is there an anticipated number of ‘E’ Hotels planned to open in the next three to five years?” The reporter Thomas asked, and dad stepped up to the podium.

           “Hello Thomas, our focus right now is the groundbreaking of this particular location however we are planning locations in Las Vegas Nevada, New York City, Paris France, and Barcelona Spain, just to give you an idea of where we are planning to take this chain.” My dad said and looked at me with a smile. I smiled and nodded back at him.

           “Last question.” Casey said and three hands went up before she selected the next reporter.

           “Hi, Dominque Deveaux with Time Magazine. How do Jordan Dynasty Hotel Group LLC plan to compete with larger hotel brands such as Hilton and Marriott?” The reporter Dominque asked, and I looked at my dad and he smiled and nodded.

           “Hello Dominque, honestly my father and I discussed this very topic this morning and we are planning to implement a rewards program similar to those brands. I have found by being both a Hotel Management and Communications major, that those programs are what attracts the majority of those brands clientele and although the Jordan Dynasty Brand is well received and loved by many, we would now like to reward our clients as well to show them that we appreciate them stating with us when they could have stayed and any one of the more than one hundred other chained brands available. Our program is currently in the infancy stage of development, but we anticipate rolling it out before mid-year.” I said and stepped back from the podium as Casey stepped forward.

           “Okay, so that concludes this press conference. I have just been notified that the tour is set-up, so if you would all step right outside the conference room doors, Daniel our hotel concierge manager will take you all on the tour.” Casey said with a smile and all the reporters stood to walk out of the conference room.

           “That went well. How about some lunch?” My dad asked and Casey, Kory, and I all nodded.

           “Ok, I asked Chef Emily to set us a table for lunch so we wouldn’t need to leave the grounds before the next press conference. It’s at 3:30pm correct, Casey?” My dad asked and Casey nodded

           “Yes, the next conference is at 3:30 pm but I can have the tour kick off that conference and have the reporters meet us after they have toured the hotel.” Casey said looking between my dad and me.

           “I think that’s a good idea, it’s 2:00 pm now. That gives us time to enjoy our meal. Go set that up with Daniel and meet us at Le’Murs Restaurant when you are done.” My dad said and Casey smiled then walked off.