Chapter Summary

This chapter outlines the managed services segments such as airlines, military, schools and colleges, health care facilities and businesses. It describes the five factors that distinguish managed services operations from commercial ones. It discusses the need for and trends in elementary and secondary school food service, and the pros and cons concerning fast food chains on campuses.

 Key Words and Concepts

1. Batch Cooking. My example: In the restaurant industry is a secret weapon to save time in the kitchen.
2. Commercial Foodservice. My example: Includes any type of operation that sells food and/or beverage for a profit.
3. Contractors. My example: The contractors have done a fantastic job on the renovations to our restaurant, the place looks even better than we’d expected.
4. Daily Rate. My example: The hotel was expensive, but the daily rate included breakfast.
5. Liaison Personnel. My example: Workers who are responsible for communication and contact between groups or units.
6. Managed Service. My example: New York City Tech has a contract with MBJ Food Services for their food managed services.
7. National School Lunch Program (NSLP). My example: As per the Agriculture Department 524 schools out of about 100,000 have dropped out of the federally subsidized national school lunch program since the government introduced new standards for healthier foods last year.
8. Nutrition Education Program. My example: As a result of this new program in the schools, my children are learning to improve their eating habits.
9. Self-Operators. My example: Are companies that operate their own foodservice operations.
10. Tray Line. My example: The lineup of trays on which all the food for hospital patients is placed.

From Paris, a Pop-Up Restaurant in Italy

by Molly Hannon

I read an article in the New York Times Travel Section about two award winning individuals from Paris Popup, a culinary initiative that began in France in 2013.  Mr. Harry Cummins (chef) and Ms. Laura Vidal (sommelier), according to the article are a couple who met while working at Gregory Marchand’s Paris Restaurant, and will be presiding over a new pop-up at Villa Tiboldi. It will be located near Alba in Italy through December 6, 2015.

The article also makes references on how through their love for traveling and culinary discovery, these two individuals have imprinted their marks to almost every continent that they have being to. And how Mr. Cummins and Ms. Vidal always source local products, speak with producers and put their knowledge to use in pop-up kitchens every time.  It explains, that the region were this new pop-up will be located is known for robust wines, and would also be near the headquarters of slow food, an international organization dedicated to protecting the biodiversity of the world’s food supply.

At last, it mentions some of the items that would be featuring in the menu such as agnolotti stuffed with pumpkin and ricotta and accompanied with a side of chestnut chips and chicken over farro mixed with carrots and chickweed. And, of course, a glass of Barolo; what a mouth watering combination master piece.

Chapter Summary

This chapter focuses on leadership and management. It discusses the characteristics and practices of leaders and managers. It also provides historical examples of excellence in leadership such as Dr. Martin Luther King and others. Additionally, it discusses trends in leadership such as the need for an increasing in training, It also provides a list of tips for general managers to survive.

Key Words and Concepts

1. Communication. My example: Letters, emails, and texts are a common forms of communication.
2. Controlling. My example: If you want your workers to be able to handle all their duties try and not be too controlling so that they can grow on their own.
3. Decision Making. My example: The process of decision making consists of choosing from among a set of alternatives.
4. Effectiveness. My example: Being able to correctly figure out the effectiveness of each employee will let you know which to promote and which to let go.
5. Efficiency. My example: Their efficiency on the assembly line was so great that the company was able to produce many more items than its competitors.
6. Ethics. My example: You should always try and have great business ethics so that other companies will be happy to work with you.
7. Frontline Managers. My example: Frontline managers who are responsible for dealing directly with the operating personnel need very high interpersonal and technical skills.
8. Human Resources and Motivating. My example: Involves attracting and retaining the best employees and keeping morale high.
9. Leader/Manager. My example: In my opinion, not everyone who is in charge of other people is both a leader and a manager.
10. Leadership. My example: The business prospered under the leadership of the new president.
11. Management. My example: Apparently, there’s something wrong with the management of this company, as we are never paid on time and keep running out of products.
12. Managing. My example: The managing director of this company will be here tomorrow for a discussion about the company’s achievement for this quarter.

13. Middle Managers. My example: As a middle managers you are expected to provide consistency, stability and everyday leadership to employees.
14. Organizing. My example: I was put in charge of organizing a meeting tomorrow between all of the different departments of our company, to see where we are at.
15. Planning. My example: It is important to do a lot of planning before you undertake a new venture so you know what to expect.
16. Top Managers. My example: Managers that are near the top level of the organization and are responsible for making organization wide decisions and establishing goals and plans that affect the entire organization.
17. Transactional Leadership. My example: The transactional leadership engaged in by the management team was proven to be effective in organizing and collaborating on the project.
18. Transformational Leadership. My example: If you want to be able to lead successfully you should have a transformational leadership style that can let you adapt to anything.

Comedian Jim Gaffigan on How to Travel with Five Kids
By Kelly Dinardo

I read an article this morning in the New Times Travel Section that I think many parents can relate to. The author narrates the anecdotes of comedian Jim Gaffigan from the TV series “The Jim Gaffigan Show”, and his wife when traveling with their five kids. According to Mr. Gaffigan, he loves doing standups, and he is preparing to perform on December 12 at the Madison Square Garden, but he hates to be away for any length of time from his kids. He tells a story from a few years ago, when he and his wife decided to take a bus tour for a whole month with their five children, while two of them where only 3 and 4 years old. He jokes about how they didn’t get much sleep during this trip and how this made not difference to them, because that is how it normally is at their home.
He explained that the kids mostly entertained themselves the same way they do at home, playing with their ipads and that most of the travel had to be done at night. During the day they had to stop about every two and a half hours due to their young children that couldn’t sit still for too long. Throughout the article he explains how much more of a burden can be to have to transfer from hotels with small kids and made a hilarious comparison that cracked me out where he compared transferring from hotels with 3 and 4 years old to transferring serial killers from a prison; were you have to be constantly aware.
Furthermore, he lists some of the travel destinations that they have been with their five kids, like Israel and all across Europe. And some others, they would like to visit like Norway this coming January and in the near future Thailand and Vietnam. But explains that they are still trying to figure it out because the flights are seven and half hours. In the article he explicates how instrumental it was for him to grow visiting different places as a child and provides some tips for parents traveling with their kids.
I personally enjoyed reading this article because it inspired and reminded me that as a parent of three, I am not the only one facing challenges when traveling with my kids and that it is a season that we have to enjoy while it last.

Chapter  Summary

Chapter 13 gives an overview of the special events industry. We learn about the various classifications of special events and where future career opportunities can be found. It outlines the skills and abilities required for event management. It identifies the main professional organizations and associations engaged with the special events industry. Finally, it talks about the trends in the special events industry.

Key Words and Concepts

1. Charity Balls. My example: The Soccer Charity Ball provides new quality soccer balls to kids in poverty-stricken communities around the world.
2. Conventions. My example: The NBAA 2015 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition is present representation from over 26,000 aviation contacts. They are in Las Vegas this week, from all around the world.
3. Coordination. My example: The secret of his success was essential unity of direction and coordination of aims in all branches of his enterprises.
4. Corporate Events. My example: Annually, Sony hosts a corporate event as part of the reward for staff program, to show gratitude to their employees for their dedication and hard work throughout the year.
5. Corporate Seminars. My example: Corporate seminars are intended to improve employees wellness, retention and productivity.
6. Event Planner. My example: As an event planner I must listen to my clients to assess their special event needs, and execute the requirements completely and to their complete satisfaction.
7. Event Planning. My example: Event planning covers everything from weddings, birthdays, parties, corporate events, celebrity events and special events.
8. Fairs and festivals. My example: Every year kids can enjoy games, entertainment, food and rides at the New York City Fairs and Festivals for Kids.
9. International Festival & Events Association (IFEA). My example: IFEA is a not-for-profit association that was founded in 1956, and puts on a yearly international convention and expo for its members.
10. International Special Events Society (ISES). My example: An ISES membership grants access to a global network of 7000 event professionals, monthly educational and networking events and a platform for professional promotion of yourself and your company.
11. Meeting Professionals International (MPI). My example: The Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is considered the largest and most vibrant global meeting and event industry association, and was founded in 1972.
12. Social Functions. My example: He has often attended social functions at which the Clintons were present.
13. Special Events Industry. My example: The special event industry is forecast to grow because clients want ever more spectacular events.
14. Trade Shows. My example: Exhibiting at a trade show is an excellent way to find customers to help your business grow.
15. Weddings and Holiday Parties. My example: Of all social gatherings, weddings are the most widely recognized social event.
16. Workshops. My example: The Library offers workshops for faculty, students, and other members of the City Tech community.

Striving to Make Travel Truly Pet-Friendly

By Charu Suri

The article that I read last week in the New York Times Travel Section was very interesting and informative, especially for those with pets.  In it the author explains what made a college graduate student create a global resource for travelers with pets as she discloses details of an interview with Melissa Halliburton; president and founder of BringFido.com, and author of the book called “Ruff Guide to the United States”.

BringFido.com  is a dog travel directory that provides impartial reviews, detailed pet policy information, and online reservations at more than 25,000 pet friendly hotels through a partnership with Travelocity. Information is also available on thousands of bed & breakfasts, vacation rentals, and campgrounds that welcome pets in 150 countries worldwide. The site  offers up to date information on global hotels and beyond.

The idea of creating this directory came from the challenges that Ms. Halliburton had to face while trying to travel with her dogs, and the love that she was born with for animals. In one of Ms. Halliburton experiences she relates how she had to be towed to her best friend’s wedding after she got a flat tire and couldn’t find a pet friendly hotel that she could stay close to her destination.  She makes mention of how many hotel advertise that they are pet friendly when in reality they are not, and how difficult it is for traveler to bring their pets along with them. According to her company they estimate that over 30 percent of pet owners in the US travel regularly with their pets.

She stated that in the hospitality industry many areas needs improvement for travelers with pets; but that the one that needed it the most is the train system.  But that Amtrak is currently testing a pet friendly carriages in four markets and that hopefully this option will expand nationwide.  Finally, she provide some hints to make more comfortable the trip for the pets and the travelers.

In my opinion the advancements made in this area are very comforting for those that have pets and don’t like to travel without them and I am very glad a came across this information as I have friends and relatives that can benefit from it. As per Ms. Halliburton she sees a fast approaching golden age for pet friendly travel.

Chapter  Summary

In this chapter we learn about the development of the meetings, conventions, and expositions industry. It talks about how people have gathered to attend them since ancient times, mainly for social, sporting, political, or religious purposes. It lists the major players in the convention industry and the various venues for meetings, conventions, and expositions.  Additionally, it describes the different aspects of being a meeting planner and explains what are associations and what is their purpose.  It also describes what SMERF and MICE stand for. Finally, it lists the primary sources of revenue and expenses involved in holding a meeting, a convention, and an exposition.

Key Words and Concepts

1. Associations. My example: The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) is the sole national association representing all segments of the 1.9 million-employee in the U.S. lodging industry.
2. Convention. My example: The New York Times Travel Show 2016 will take place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on 34th Street from 01/08/206 – 01/10/2016.
3. Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs). My example: Convention and Visitors Bureaus are each designed to offer location information that is key to planning your next event or trip. Sometimes they also offer special packages that include venues, activities and transportation for your event.
4. Convention Center. My example: The New York Convention Center also known as the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is located in downtown New York and on the west side of Manhattan bordering the Hudson River.
5. Exposition. My example: Everybody was going to the famous Paris Exposition.
6. Familiarization (FAM) Trip. My example: The new resort in Aruba is going to team up with an airline to offer discount familiarization trips to the resort.
7. Incentive Market. My example: The Dunkin Donuts VIP card is probably the best incentive market tool use every year to promote new coffee flavors for Dunkin Donuts.
8. Meeting. My example: Every Monday my director holds a staff meeting to discuss the workflow for the week.
9. Meeting Planner. My example: As a meeting planner person, I need to specialize in the planning and organization of conventions and other business meetings.
10. Meeting, Incentive Travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE). My example: MICE tourism is known for its extensive planning and demanding clientele.
11. Social, Military, Educational, Religious, and Fraternal Groups (SMERF). My example: SMERF meetings continue to be a group revenue backbone for the numerous destinations that have been courting them for decades.

On the Road? You Can Still Eat Like It’s Thanksgiving
By Charu Suri

I read a very fascinating article from the New York Times Travel section last week. It was published on November 11, 2015, just in time for the upcoming holidays. The article talks about how many global destinations will be offering traditional Thanksgiving dinners for travelers this year. Some of the examples given in the article include places like Jamaica, specifically Strawberry Hill, that will be serving a buffet with turkey, chicken, ribs and fish, all prepared in the traditional jerk fashion along with desserts and rum cocktails with a reasonable price per person. The Regent Porto Montenegro will also offer a four course meal on November 26 that includes a slow-cooked turkey dish and my favorite one The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong’s Cake Shop that has created portable and stylish Thanksgiving boxes with roasted turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, giblet gravy, and dessert, per family-size box.
The article also make mention of some domestic destination such as Westin La Paloma’s Azul restaurant in Tucson that will be serving agave chile-rubbed turkey with poblano crema and cornbread chorizo stuffing.
Albert Herrera, senior vice president for global product partnership at the travel company Virtuoso, said that his company has seeing an increase interest in travel to international destination to experience and celebrate the holiday with a traditional turkey feast.

Chapter Summary

Chapter 11 focuses on describing the various components of casino gambling entertainment and the casino industry spread all over the world. It demonstrates, how it has become one of the most significant developments in the hospitality industry during the past three decades and how it has created new opportunities for hospitality careers within casinos resorts. We also learn that casino gambling is regulated by state governments and how are hotel operations in a gaming entertainment business different from hotel operations in a nongaming environment.

Key Words and Concepts

1. Baccarat. My example: There has never been a time I played baccarat, and I don’t get my nine.
2. Blackjack. My example: Roberto had bet a large sum at the blackjack table, and lost it all.
3. Casino Resort. My example: Last weekend I spent a memorable time at the Mohegan Sun Casino Resort in Connecticut.
4. Comp. My example: My meals and drinks at the hotel were often comped by the casino.
5. Craps. My example: In my opinion the craps table is one of the most complicated boards game at the casino.
6. Gambling. My example: Many people have lost fortunes due to a gambling addiction.
7. Handle. My example: Last night the table that I was working at had a handle of one million but no one won.
8. Hold Percentage. My example: The hold percentage of the one million handle at the poker table at the end of the night was $200,000.00.
9. Poker. My example: It took over an hour for someone to finally join me to play poker.
10. Roulette. My example: When I got to the roulette wheel table, I did not know what color and number to bet on.
11. Win. My example: The more you bet the more chance there is to win in any casino.

How to Upgrade Your Thanksgiving Road Trip

By Stephanie Rosenbloom

This article is great for those who opted to drive or just do not have the funds for flying, a better and almost stress free commute. I would have never thought of making coffee, nevertheless espresso, from your car without stopping for refills.  All you need is to plug it to the cigarette lighter plug; the cost of the espresso machine is $199.99. A portable stove to heat up precooked or frozen food for everyone for just $33.06. It even suggest a see-through organizer to keep all items from bouncing all over the car. It has 10 storage pockets for books and toys on the outside and it costs $40. For those that wants to nap, there is a Trunk Travel Pillow, Hooded. The pillow rolls up into a hood for easy storage $39.95. Don’t forget to bring a blanket, Sheepskin was recommended. Sheepskin Wrap Car Seat Cover will cost you $189.99 but they also offered a more versatile and machine washable down blanket at $79.99 from Eddie Bauer. For entertainment you might appreciate travel board games with no loose pieces ranging from $12.99-$19.99 from Melissa & Dough. And let’s not forget to help power-up the gadget with a PowerCup Inverter, which looks like a coffee cup and lets you charge through your car’s outlet for $27.08. For those quiet moments where a headphones are required, the Bose, around your ear Wireless for just $279.95 per person. If you are planning to travel about 15 times a year, it would be cost efficient, $939.99 (if only purchased 1 headphone) but most families don’t travel so much in that given time so it isn’t as cheap as the article stated but it does give me food for thought.