AAHA Monthly News & Updates
|
|
Our Mission
Working alongside our hospitality partners to communicate the impact of the hospitality and tourism industry and encouraging the high standards of professional conduct among all people engaged in the hospitality industry.
|
|
Letter from the President
|
|
As I enter my tenth month as Chairman of the Alamo Area Hospitality Association (AAHA), I pause for a moment as I look back at my past and the not so great moments in my life. Recently, I was listening to a radio program and the announcer was talking about difficult times we all have and the depression that may follow. This can happen to all of us at some level. Many people and some notable—have taking their lives due to misfortune, severe depression and other life issues. Far too often—signs are misread, unnoticed by family and friends and hidden by those suffering with some level of deep despair. The point the announcer made was that we should talk out-loud more often about such afflictions because we have each had moments of grief and had that feeling of being alone. The fact is—WE are not alone and there are many who cannot only identify with your situation, but can also offer guidance to better and alleviate every element that may be causing that feeling misery.
|
|
|
I just celebrated my 50th birthday. Back in October of 2012, I went through a very painful divorce leading up to my birthday. I can remember the moment when I walked out the lawyer’s office and felt lost, loss and deep despair. My life as I knew it would change. When I got into my car, I broke down and mourned feeling intense grief and failure. The whirlwind of emotions and betrayal was too much. The best thing I did was to surround myself with good people that were well grounded across the spectrum. I did this from the very beginning and continued throughout the divorce and I still remain connected and reflective today. These were people who would state the obvious, be logical and keep me centered. Religiously based or not, I needed to do the right thing whatever that may entail.
A year to the date after my divorce, again just days before my birthday in October 2013, I was terminated from my job at UTSA. I had worked at there for nearly 15 years and had just completed my Masters. I can remember the anger, felt lost, loss and deep despair yet again. More feelings of intense grief and failure, plus I now had the concern of finances, child support, spousal support and the worry to exist daily. I was sending $2200.00 a month to my ex-wife and where would I get that now? The day I was terminated, I was about to buy a new home. I came back to work from the bank to learn I had no job. My life stopped again! This was not going well and my self-confidence was below zero.
There are so many stories that I can share but unfortunately, I have heard from many who had been in worse situations. As difficult as it was for me—others have seen or heard worse. Misfortune does not segregate. It does not care about gender, race or religion. Conversely, there are so many stories that I can share that have led to motivation to seize the moment or as Robin Williams quoted in Dead Poets Society, “…carpe diem… seize the day…make your lives extraordinary…” I have had many moments since my divorce that have raised my spirits, self-confidence and made me feel good again. I have made mention in postings before today, but how exciting it is to see where I am today compared to years ago. I would not be where I am today if it were not for the challenges of my past and lessons learned. Although I have heard many suggestions or unwanted opinions, one of the most important pieces that allowed me to mend my pain was to know I was hurt and it will take time to heal. The time it takes to heal is different for each of us. As difficult as it is to swallow, things will get better and they have for me and they will for you too.
In closing, I feel it is important to surround yourself with good people, be that friends or family who you are willing to listen to for advice…solicited or not. Make sure those who surround you cover a spectrum of emotion and persistence to find relatable topics of conversation that revive you emotionally, mentally and physically. Ultimately, be willing to heal! I personally joined many organizations after I lost my job at UTSA. AAHA was one of the groups where I met some amazing people who have become friends as well as admired mentors. It is because of them that I am able to write this letter for you to read today. I challenge you to seize the moment or as mentioned above, “…carpe diem… seize the day…and make your lives extraordinary…” It is truly infectious!
Lastly, there are several 2020 AAHA Board of Directors Vacancies coming up as many have served their terms and we need a someone to take on some roles. How can you seize the day and help AAHA celebrate the 25th year of existence? We are in need of a Treasurer who acts as our liaison to our CPA and book keeper. We also need a Fundraising Director. The rest of the November ballot looks like this below. You can still put your name on the ballot.
Membership Director:
Kim Kuykendall, Daisy Charters
Anthony Perez, Gray Line Austin & San Antonio
Ruben Vasquez, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Winston Gaines, Gaines Entertainment
Historian:
Ruben Vasquez, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Mario Moreno, La Familia Cortez Restaurants
Ande McBay, Maverick Whiskey
Winston Gaines, Gaines Entertainment
Newsletter Director:
Ruben Vasquez, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Programs Director:
Desiree Lancharic, Go Rio Cruises – Landry’s
Treasurer (CPA Liaison):
?
Fundraising Director:
?
Reach out to Nicole at Nicole@ajrmediagroup.com to be put on the ballot or for more information. For more information on AAHA, visit us on Facebook to keep up with the AAHA Social Calendar and please make sure you register as early as possible to help us confirm accurate numbers for our host venue! The NEW website will be published soon. Stay tuned! If you are not a member, join AAHA to network with many that directly support our hospitality community. Here is the link:
https://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=eatem6fab&oeidk=a07efz08skf0691ae88.
If you are a full member, have you used your BOGO?
Happy October from your Boo,
Chris
Chris Koval
2019 President
Alamo Area Hospitality Association
|
|
Merkaba - Howl At The Moon
|
|
Holiday party planning can be such a pain, let’s make it easy! At Howl at the Moon, this year’s
company holiday party
, small private holiday party or holiday outing with co-workers is a breeze to plan. Everyone will be talking about it until next year! Whether you are looking for a party room, an event venue or scouting
private party
locations you can stop your search right here! We specialize in special events. Our lively and interactive live entertainment is perfect for all kinds of party goers. We will worry about rocking high-energy music from the stage, pouring drinks at the bar and keeping the buffets topped off while you sit back and enjoy.
|
|
We're excited to roll out our new envelope printing service, specializing in full-color digitally printed envelopes.
From church offering sized at 6.25" x 3.55" to 10" x 13", we can fulfill all of your personalized envelope needs. Make sure your postal mail items are easily identifiable and increase your open rate. Promoting the brand of your company happens in many ways. Personalized envelopes, thank you cards, and letterhead is just another low cost way to make sure your brand stands out among the others. Contact us today!
AAHA Members and Guests
, for the month of
October
, we're offering to print 1 box of standard #10 envelopes with your color logo and return address, and a tagline if desired for a special price of $84.00 (Regular price is $99.00). We offer professional quality printing, quick turnaround and
NO SETUP FEES
. Delivery is free inside Loop 1604. Contact us below to get started.
|
|
Splash Branding is proud to be a part of a new professional networking group that is growing rapidly in San Antonio.
If your current networking efforts are lacking; if you're not making enough meaningful connections; if you're not getting enough referrals and leads, then we're what you need. We can offer you a steady stream of new connections at every event; plenty of familiar faces to grow those connections along with the benefits of nationwide group buying power; all while growing your own network exponentially. Best of all, there are few rules and no demanding time commitments.
In July & August, we had 51 invitation only networking opportunities in locations in the Great San Antonio, New Braunfels & Austin area.
As a member, attend as many or as few as you wish or as your schedule allows!
For the month of October,
we have a special business mixer/mingle meeting each Friday from 11:30am to 1:00pm at Stonewerks in Lincoln Heights. If your job or company depends on meeting new people and expanding your list of potential prospects, you can't afford to miss this opportunity. If you'd like to learn more and attend a session, please call me at
210-549-7874
or email me at
tlippard@splashbranding.com
.
|
|
October Schedule of Events
Hemisfair is where San Antonio meets. . . and it is the perfect location for your next birthday party, reception, or company conference. We have a number of indoor and outdoor spaces to accommodate groups from large to small. We can't wait to partner with you to make your event memorable!
|
|
October Member Luncheon - Maverick Whiskey
|
|
Join AAHA for this HYSTERICAL October Luncheon, as our guest speaker Dawn Thurman teaches us how to “Laugh more, and Stress less.” Dawn’s unique technique of dealing with everyday stress will have you leaving the luncheon in tears…from laughter that is.
Our host this month is the NEW
Maverick Whiskey
. With all spirits distilled on-site, history seeps from the barrels to the vault of this restored historic bank building. Come experience native son Kenneth Maverick’s endeavor, Maverick Whiskey, a nod the Maverick family’s storied Texas roots and patriarch Sam Maverick; whom all other maverick’s are named. This is also your last chance to bring a canned food item for the Food Bank. It can earn you a free Fishbowl ticket!
Don't wait! RSVP today!
Thursday, October 17th, 2019
11:30 AM – 1:15 PM
Maverick Whiskey
115 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78218
|
|
2019 Annual Rock n' Bowl Tournament Fundraiser
|
|
Let’s Bowl with a Rock N Roll twist!!!
It was a great Sunday afternoon bowling with
all our members and meeting both Madonna and Elton John. Everyone became a winner in the end! Congrats to all companies and individuals that won trophies and raffle prizes!!!
#rocknbowl #aahamoment #rocketman #vogue
|
|
Thank you for hosting: September Luncheon
- Pico De Gallo
|
|
A big Thank you to the fine folks at
Pico De Gallo
for another great AAHA Luncheon and to Janet Peavy with LYFT who spoke about their car rides, scooters, and bicycle-sharing systems in San Antonio. Also, thank you to all our fishbowl sponsors as well for the wonderful donation items.
|
|
UPCOMING AAHA BOARD ELECTIONS
|
|
We will have our annual elections in
OCTOBER
to fill upcoming 2020 Vacancies.
If you would be interested in running for any of these positions below, please contact a board member for more details:
- TREASURER
- TREASURER-ELECT
- HISTORIAN
- PROGRAMS
- NEWSLETTER
|
|
Got News?
We would love to help you highlight what's going on at your business. Please send us anything you would like us to include by the last week of the month to be included in the next month's newsletter.
Here are some ideas of content to send to our Newsletter Director
Tim Lippard
:
• Promotions, new employees, retirements, etc.
• Announcements about your staff for our "Awards and Accolades"
• Updates on new attractions, products, and hotels, or new additions to existing ones
• Events that visitors should attend
One of our favorite things is getting to share all the news and updates happening with our members, so let us hear from you. Remember, your deadline is COB on the last Friday of the month to be included in the next month's newsletter. Also, please note. If your event is in the early part of the month, you may want to consider having your post ready and published a month early when possible. Below is the "projected" date of publishing the newsletter for the remainder of the year.
Please submit your newsletter submissions in a finished format; either PDF, PNG or JPG with complete information contained in the email. Thank you.
TENTATIVE Newsletter Publishing Schedule for 2019
January - January 14, 2019
February - February 10, 2019
March - March 10, 2019
April - April 9, 2019
May - May 6, 2019
June - June 10, 2019
July - July 8, 2019
August - August 12, 2019
September - September 3, 2019
October - October 7, 2019
November - November 11, 2019
December - December 2, 2019
|
|
Join or Renew Your 2019 Membership
As of December 31st all 2018 AAHA Memberships officially expired.
We are now accepting 2019 memberships. As a member, you enhance your position in your company and within the community.
Exclusive benefits to AAHA Members include:
- Invitations to monthly luncheons featuring informative and educational speakers
- Discounted $30 member luncheon rate
- Enhance relationships with theme parks, lodging, attractions, cultural sites, restaurants & retailers
- Receive the current Alamo Area Hospitality Association Membership Directory upon request via e-mail
- Get your company featured in the newsletter and on social media
- Receive invitations to special events throughout the year
For a full list of member benefits please visit the membership page on our website
here
.
If you cannot pay online and require a personalized 2019 Membership Invoice, please send an email to our Treasurer, Alex Amaro at
t
reasurer@alamoareahospitalityassociation.com
. Please include your name, company name and method of payment to be included on the Membership Invoice.
If you ARE able to pay online using the Membership link, please do not request a personalized 2019 Membership Invoice as your receipt will be emailed to you automatically upon completion of your registration.
|
|
AAHA Newsletter Update for 2019
We're looking to increase the readership of our newsletter. In February of 2018, we had a 25.4% open rate and a 11.8% click rate. Our monthly newsletter is the primary means we have to get a large amount of information to each of you. Our goal was to increase the readership and interactive nature of our monthly content.
For the entire year, we ended up with an average Open Rate of 30%, up 6% from the beginning of the year. We increased the interaction within the newsletter by almost double from previous efforts. Thank you all for that effort.
Newsletter Open Statistics (September 2019)
September 2019 - 33% Opened, 10% Clicked On
Newsletter Open Statistics (August 2019 - March 2018)
August 2019 - 34% Opened, 11% Clicked On
July 2019 - 32% Opened, 11% Clicked On
June 2019 - 37.9% Opened, 13.3% Clicked On
April 2019 - 39.5% Opened, 9.8% Clicked On
March 2019 - 34.3% Opened, 12.9% Clicked On
February 2019 - 39% Opened, 16.3% Clicked On
January 2019 - 36% Opened, 15% Clicked On
December 2018 - 34% Opened, 12.2% Clicked On
November 2018 - 34% Opened, 11% Clicked On
October 2018 - 34% Opened, 11% Clicked On
September 2018 - 37% Opened, 12.5% Clicked On
August 2018 - 30% Opened, 25% Clicked On
July 2018 - 40% Opened, 25% Clicked On
June 2018 - 28% Opened, 12% Clicked On
May 2018 - 28% Opened, 11% Clicked On
April 2018 - 23.1% Opened, 12.2% Clicked On
March 2018 - 23.1% Opened, 12.2% Clicked On
|
|
Alamo Area Hospitality Association
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
