And Here Comes the Pitch

Publicity is on everyone’s mind these days. How do we get the word out about our properties in a unique, intriguing way? Enter Nichole DiBenedetto. She’s HHA’s new Public Relations Director. Wednesday she gave a great presentation and talked about what the upcoming initiatives would be. One that perked my interest was how she would be developing targeted pitches for the media to sink its teeth into. Pitches like unique culinary stories. For example, the Mission Inn has its own herb garden on the roof. The property’s restaurants use those fresh herbs in their dishes. Sous chef, Jay Finch of the Mission Inn Restaurant, uses fresh “rooftop” basil in his chicken marsala dish. Mmm.

HHA's New Clothes

Wednesday was a whirlwind of meetings and events. In the morning series, there was a lot of great information about the new website’s progress, how to utilize the web to bring in business, and the new look of HHA. Jeff Parker, Creative Director at Akins Parker, talked to us about how we are trying to build an identity for HHA by using consistent elements throughout all of our marketing materials. Having that identity will help HHA’s brand recognition and stake its place in the market. As a surprise, the new 2009 HHA directories were unveiled to the crowd. It looks fantastic. You want to pick it up and flip through it. I know our guests will too.

On a Mission

So if you have never seen the Mission Inn, let me tell you that it is absolutely breathtaking. The Old World feel of the property, coupled with confusing turns and hallways brings you back in time. It is the perfect backdrop for this year's HHA Annual Conference.

Tuesday's agenda included meetings for the Sales, PR, and Membership committees as well as the Board of Advisors meeting. Finding the meeting rooms was a little tricky, but most of the members made their way through the maze of Spanish architecture. Getting a little lost is just a part of the experience and charm of the Mission Inn.

The meetings were full of energy and lively interactions. How to approach the coming year's challenges was a hot topic of discussion.

After a day full of meetings, the fun started. The evening kicked off with a special champagne reception for new HHA members and members who were new to the conference. Thierry Roch, HHA's Executive Director, raised a glass to welcome everyone and to give a special thanks for making the trip. After, the group filed into the main reception where the welcome party was underway in the hotel's beautiful Music Room.

As a special gift, the hotel's owners, Duane and Kelly Roberts, invited everyone to walk outside to view the Festival of Lights. You have to see it, if you ever have the chance. It features more than two million lights throughout the property. Normally the lights would be turned on November 28, but our gracious hosts turned them on early for us to enjoy.

It's Here! The HHA 2008 Annual Conference: Tuesday-Thursday, November 11, 12, 13-Mission Inn, Riverside, Calif.

The dust has settled here in DC after the election, and our team is headed out west for next week's HHA 2008 Annual Conference at the Mission Inn in sunny Southern California.

We’re also packing light so we can avoid those pesky bag fees when we check-in. Do you have to buy peanuts now? I’d better pack a snack.

For those of you not making it out this year, stay tuned. I'll be reporting on the goings on each day so you will feel like you're right in the action.

See you soon!