Sorry, come again??? So apparently on April 3rd, my transition to golf was quite an interesting one. It turned out that the organization hosting this golf tournament was a porn company, I mean, it was a company related to the "adult business".
There were models on site who were all but one, just that. Models. Dumb models to be honest. Some weren't even model material! I'm not trying to be mean, but come'on, at least be able to drive the golf cart properly and not run into curbs! Anyway, I say all but one were models because one of the ladies was actually a pornstar. Seeing as I am unfamiliar with adult actresses, I cannot tell you what her name was.
Moving on, all I can say is that my first day was a great one. I am now a week into golf and it is quite a contrast to weddings. This is definitely a lot more laid back but unfortunately, a lot more boring. I'm not complaining because I am EXTREMELY glad to have my weekends back, oh, except for the fact that I have to wake up at 5am tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
It's (almost) that time of year again! Beat the heat...Or not!
The costs of travel and tourism include time and money; which are barriers to certain demographics. Other barriers include where you are in the life-cycle (have young kids, being a senior, etc.). Once you overcome these barriers, the benefits of travel and tourism extends to not only the tourist, but also the economy.
In times like these, individuals and especially families are less inclined to travel with the faltering dollar. As we are approaching summer, everything gets a little cheaper. Why is that? Well, not everyone likes to roast in 115 degree weather. I don’t mind because I can wear a teeny, tiny tank top with short shorts but I don’t think that will fly at work.
Anyway, at Ocotillo, tee times go from a steep $175 per round in March, to $115 for April and May. Okay, so maybe that’s not much of a saving but still, you see my point. What is nice though is that we do have days such as “Nine and Dine”, which has been encouraging reservations in these tough times. See the flyer below for more information.
All this golf talk is getting me excited about golf! Okay not really but I do go to the golf department next week and learn to run gold tournaments. Time to go shopping for some polos, khakis and a coach purse--also known as "time to go from goth to preppy." ;)
In times like these, individuals and especially families are less inclined to travel with the faltering dollar. As we are approaching summer, everything gets a little cheaper. Why is that? Well, not everyone likes to roast in 115 degree weather. I don’t mind because I can wear a teeny, tiny tank top with short shorts but I don’t think that will fly at work.
Anyway, at Ocotillo, tee times go from a steep $175 per round in March, to $115 for April and May. Okay, so maybe that’s not much of a saving but still, you see my point. What is nice though is that we do have days such as “Nine and Dine”, which has been encouraging reservations in these tough times. See the flyer below for more information.
All this golf talk is getting me excited about golf! Okay not really but I do go to the golf department next week and learn to run gold tournaments. Time to go shopping for some polos, khakis and a coach purse--also known as "time to go from goth to preppy." ;)
Monday, March 16, 2009
Use your backbone will ya!?????????????
This weekend left me exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally. We had a total of 3 weddings this weekend, 2 of them on Saturday, 1 of which I was responsible for.
The simultaneous weddings on Saturday were planned both by Emily, but I pretty much ran the Garcia wedding myself. Emily trusts me enough with a wedding and I am flattered by it; however, I need to learn to use my existing backbone. This was blatantly obvious when one of the guests at the wedding said I need to be more authoritative. This is easier said than done, byno means do I let people push me around. I am not a timid individual by all means, however, it seems though my confidence leaves me in the professional world thus far.
"Throw me in the river and I will in all hell try to swim". Sometimes you just need a little push or else you would not even try. I am glad that Emily challenges me in a variety of ways and more importantly, I am glad Emily trusts me. The ball is in my court now; I need to show my true colors.
The simultaneous weddings on Saturday were planned both by Emily, but I pretty much ran the Garcia wedding myself. Emily trusts me enough with a wedding and I am flattered by it; however, I need to learn to use my existing backbone. This was blatantly obvious when one of the guests at the wedding said I need to be more authoritative. This is easier said than done, byno means do I let people push me around. I am not a timid individual by all means, however, it seems though my confidence leaves me in the professional world thus far.
"Throw me in the river and I will in all hell try to swim". Sometimes you just need a little push or else you would not even try. I am glad that Emily challenges me in a variety of ways and more importantly, I am glad Emily trusts me. The ball is in my court now; I need to show my true colors.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
A Global Organization
Did I mention that Troon, which is the brand that owns Ocotillo Golf Resort takes care of their employees extremely well? Well, they do. Once I complete my internship at Troon, I will be able to work at ANY resort that is managed by Troon--Scottsdale in Arizona, the headquarters in Australia, Dubai, and many more.
Psycological travel motivations for consumers include "getting away". For example, why else do people come to Arizona, especially in regards to snow birds? For the warm weather of course. March is the high season to golf and Arizona has the perfect winter weather for it; however, at $175 per round of golf...It is considered a luxury. Thus, the market for Troon include the middle to upper class.
Psycological travel motivations for consumers include "getting away". For example, why else do people come to Arizona, especially in regards to snow birds? For the warm weather of course. March is the high season to golf and Arizona has the perfect winter weather for it; however, at $175 per round of golf...It is considered a luxury. Thus, the market for Troon include the middle to upper class.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Pretending to be my Boss
So the past two days, which are luckily the slowest days of our week, I had to pretend to be Emily. Emily, my catering manager and internship supervisor left for a 4 day holiday to Chicago. She left this past Saturday at 6:00pm, leaving me alone at a wedding for the remainding 2 hours. Although it was a mellow wedding, I still couldn't help feeling stressed. Bob, one of our banquet managers was on site so he acted as my safety net. The following day, the bride sent Emily a message saying we did a fabulous job. Whew! Now only 10 more weddings to survive...
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Will you be my Valentine?
150. 150 hours in just under 3 weeks. At this rate I'm going to crash and burn. Haha.
In all seriousness, I definitely feel like I'm more than "just a student". I worked my second wedding on Valentine's day. At first I was feeling stressed out because the bride and groom were 45 minutes late, which threw off the time-line. With such a particular bride, I was surprised. We later found out why they were late and it was because one of the photographers was running late!
Anyway, I learned first hand why we have timelines and why they are so important. This wedding, my role was to assist Emily as another wedding coordinator. I found this more fulfilling than working in the kitchen during a banquet.
The host and guest interaction between our organization and cliental is the key to being a 4.5 star resort. I was the face of Ocotillo that night and I had to solve challenges proposed to me by guests, vendors and other staff. I had to keep everyone happy while trying to keep my sanity, or rather, keep smiling while trying not to show my true colors; I wanted to pull my hair out!
The stress subsided when I was able to solve these challenges, as well as being complimented by the bride in that we can throw one heck of a party!
All and all, the bride and groom were whisked away in their black carriage to a happily-ever-after-ending, whereas the guests were abusing the open bar and getting totally smashed! What a great night! I guess you can say their hangover will serve as a momento for their wedding :)
In all seriousness, I definitely feel like I'm more than "just a student". I worked my second wedding on Valentine's day. At first I was feeling stressed out because the bride and groom were 45 minutes late, which threw off the time-line. With such a particular bride, I was surprised. We later found out why they were late and it was because one of the photographers was running late!
Anyway, I learned first hand why we have timelines and why they are so important. This wedding, my role was to assist Emily as another wedding coordinator. I found this more fulfilling than working in the kitchen during a banquet.
The host and guest interaction between our organization and cliental is the key to being a 4.5 star resort. I was the face of Ocotillo that night and I had to solve challenges proposed to me by guests, vendors and other staff. I had to keep everyone happy while trying to keep my sanity, or rather, keep smiling while trying not to show my true colors; I wanted to pull my hair out!
The stress subsided when I was able to solve these challenges, as well as being complimented by the bride in that we can throw one heck of a party!
All and all, the bride and groom were whisked away in their black carriage to a happily-ever-after-ending, whereas the guests were abusing the open bar and getting totally smashed! What a great night! I guess you can say their hangover will serve as a momento for their wedding :)
Monday, February 9, 2009
Money isn't Everything
In two weeks I have manage to rack up 100 hours at Ocotillo Golf Resort. They are sure getting their money's worth--if I was a paid intern. Although the original pay rate would have been nice, you cannot be a price tag on experience.
Between my part-time job, internship and schooling, my social life has seemed to have dwindled. I keep telling myself I have only 3 more months to go. Now don't get me wrong, I am extremely happy about my position. I do not take this experience for granted. I'm working with a great company that really takes care of their employees. Hey, you can't go wrong with $2.00 employee meals at Bernard's (http://www.ocotillogolf.com/Bernards-Restaurant_0bfd8c283417.html).
I never thought I'd be learning and actually doing wedding planning. At first I was overwhelmed with all the little details going into a wedding, but I have started to get used to it. I was even able to pull off 5 tours this past Saturday! It was nuts but it was awesome. The information about our facilities and wedding packages rolled easily off my tongue. I even recieved some nice compliments from the guests. This past weekend I also learned how to write and complete a BEO (Banquet Event Order), create facility and ceremony layouts, invoicing and much, much more that goes into planning a successful wedding. Oh I have also learned that our guests come from all walks of life and it saddens me to see some future brides putting down their future husbands. Got to love that ball and chain!
Between my part-time job, internship and schooling, my social life has seemed to have dwindled. I keep telling myself I have only 3 more months to go. Now don't get me wrong, I am extremely happy about my position. I do not take this experience for granted. I'm working with a great company that really takes care of their employees. Hey, you can't go wrong with $2.00 employee meals at Bernard's (http://www.ocotillogolf.com/Bernards-Restaurant_0bfd8c283417.html).
I never thought I'd be learning and actually doing wedding planning. At first I was overwhelmed with all the little details going into a wedding, but I have started to get used to it. I was even able to pull off 5 tours this past Saturday! It was nuts but it was awesome. The information about our facilities and wedding packages rolled easily off my tongue. I even recieved some nice compliments from the guests. This past weekend I also learned how to write and complete a BEO (Banquet Event Order), create facility and ceremony layouts, invoicing and much, much more that goes into planning a successful wedding. Oh I have also learned that our guests come from all walks of life and it saddens me to see some future brides putting down their future husbands. Got to love that ball and chain!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
