Sunshine and Smiles at Vinoy Dinner

This dinner group reflects sunburns but smiles at the gala dinner held at the Vinoy Wednesday evening. Each one also reflects the best of HHA and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

For instance, Jack Bussert, top left, is general manager, Riverstreet Inn, Savannah, Ga. with his wife, Pam. Jack is on the HHA board and a past chair of the technology committee as well as a brand assurance task force participant.

In the red tie is Jack Moyer, general manager, 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa, Eureka Springs, Ark. He is also a long-time HHA board member, serving on membership, marketing and finance committees.

Below him is Jodie English. She is a long lost friend of HHA now back in the fold. Just 30 days before the conference, she began her job as director of sales at the Crescent. Already, she is on a committee with HHA. In the past, Jodie and late husband, Randy, worked as a team at two other member hotels over the years, the Hotel Utica, NY and the Eldridge in Lawrence, Ky. Great to have you back Jodie (especially on the salsa dance floor) and we all miss Randy. Your return to Eureka Springs and HHA was meant to be.

Also at the Crescent is Bill Ott in the blue tie. Bill is the designated HHA actor we all have come to know and love! He was the session leader, a.k.a. toga man, for this year's Branding History Forum, complete with singing and other funny things happened....on the way. While not Nathan Lane in voice, he was as good on stage. You may remember that last year Bill was the contestant in the coon skin cap for the coffee break spoof "Deal or No Deal." We love you Bill. Thanks for injecting the humor every year. Let us know where and when you are appearing in a real play.

Special guest Valecia Crisafulli rounds out the table. She was a guest speaker at Thierry Roch's panel, Sizing Up the Heritage Travel Marketing about cross-promotional heritage travel ideas. She is from the National Trust where she serves in the important national post of director, statewide and local partnerships. She is a constant source of ideas and energy around the Trust. And yes, most of these folks did spend some time in the sun --- perhaps too much of it!