Archive for July, 2010
Which Ski Movie has done the Most for the Winter Sports Industry?
11 year ago
by Eric Hoffman
in poll
Now that “Hot Tub Time Machine has come out on DVD, it got me to thinking about which Hollywood movie has done the most to promote the winter sports industry. Take a moment and vote for your favorite!
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Top Customer Complaint Letter and Company Reaction
01 year ago
by Eric Hoffman
in article
'Look at this Richard. Just look at it'
I don’t know how I missed this, as it happened about a year and a half ago, but I just recently came across this rather impressive passenger complaint letter to Sir Richard Branson from a passenger on Virgin Airlines. The passenger is in fine form describing the food served on a flight from Mumbai to London:
Ironically, by the end of the flight I would have gladly paid over a thousand rupees for a single biscuit following the culinary journey of hell I was subjected to at the hands of your corporation.
Definitely, not a banner moment for any company as this letter was spread far and wide (just not to me) via email, but Virgin did respond smartly, with Sir Richard calling the author of the letter personally and the company even offered the scribe the chance to select their in-flight catering!
Best Wishes and Congrats
01 year ago
by Eric Hoffman
in article
I try to avoid writing about specific proceedings at the resort that I work at, but I do think it’s appropriate in this instance, because on July 1st there were two big moves in personnel at Park City Mountain Resort:
- The President and GM since 2004, Peter Curtis, announced his retirement after 12 years at PCMR. It was a pleasure to work under “PC” and to listen to his deep knowledge and insight of the ski industry and I wish him endless miles of cruising asphalt on his Harley.
- On the same day, Jenni Smith, was promoted to fill Peter’s place. I have a great recollection of interviewing with Jenni when I was hired back in 2003, in her position of HR Manager at that time, and how she obviously shared the passion for winter sports that I have, but also the connection that she had with the resort and so many of the employees.
It’s exciting to see changes at the top of the organization at which you work and it’s all the more exciting when you can see that it’s a great situation for all involved. With the many unique programs that PC put into place like the: Signature Runs, MountainZones, Signature Kids Programs, Personal Mountain Tours and MountainZones to name a few he leaves the resort in a great position to move. With Jenni’s wealth of experience at PCMR, in the community and resort industry, I think that she will easily continue and build upon what we currently have. With that, “Best Wishes, PC” and “Congrats Jenni!”
Photo credit: Flickr user quinn.anya
Online Travel Changes Underway?
01 year ago
by Eric Hoffman
in article
Just a few quick thoughts, predicated by Google finally closing on their deal to purchase ITA Software, a flight information software company, for $700 million. If (or when) Apple comes out with a full featured iTravel and Microsoft continues along with the path that they’ve already set with Bing Travel, what will this mean for travel world, and more specifically, what will this mean to ski resorts? Might this give ski resorts motivation to innovate and expand in how they distribute and sell their products in the already competitive online marketplace? Or will ski resorts’ distribution options get swallowed up by the big boys (Google, Bing, Apple) as they focus their attentions on the process of travel booking?
Personally, I hope it’s a combination of the options. I think the companies mentioned will come up with some very innovative ways to simplify the travel planning, booking and even experience itself but that there will be plenty of opportunity for ski resorts to create unique and powerful ways to market and sell their products as well. So, by having new ideas injected into the overall online travel market, everyone will benefit. What do you think?!
