Your Brand Voice

Golf Marketing 2.0

2012-01-04T15:47:00.002-05:00

Our focus in 2012 is now focused on leveraging our traffic into capture and growing our database. Once the database grows with relevant, interested in our products/services prospects we must communicate with them outside of Facebook and our website in a very highly targeted, and personalized way. This requires that we understand our prospects deeply and they are much more than just an email. Below is a wire frame of the process that we are developing for our ability to grow interested in golf in Orlando database- and then be able to market to them depending on preferences. The idea is that we ask each Orlando golf facility to contribute to the co-op and therefore pay for this marketing effort. In other words, if each course contributes some money to the program, we can leverage the technology platform costs, creative and ad costs to promote golf in Orlando and then market to them using social network and email marketing at a higher level.

The email nurture would then automatically send relevant prospects offers from the course that best matches their preferences. Golf Marketing 2.0

One of the nation’s most recognized restaurant brands has teamed with Your Brand Voice to evolve social-media strategy.

2011-12-27T11:11:00.003-05:00

Top fast food brand teams with Your Brand Voice to evolve social-media strategy.

One of the nation’s most recognized restaurant brands has teamed with Your Brand Voice to evolve social-media strategy. “As more and more restaurants move beyond branding and use the online tools to drive traffic at the local level, we have identified an opportunity to help Sonic Beach restaurants use the hyper targeting capabilities of the social networks to drive foot traffic into their South Florida locations.”

Interestingly enough, Sonic did not appear in the top 25 most social restaurant brands when the partnership begin a few months ago. Starbucks, McDonald’s and Subway took the first three spots in the top 25 rankings of most social restaurant brands, according to the latest Social Mention Index from social-marketing software firm Vitrue. “Our goal is to get Sonic Beach into this top 25 as quickly as possible,” Bryan Bruce, Your Brand Voice founder says. “These numbers are based on the number of online mentions the companies garner on social-networking sites like Twitter and Facebook, photo-sharing sites like Flickr, check-ins on location-based services, and inclusion on blogs and our goal is to grow the Sonic Beach brand in these channels.”

“The mentions we’re monitoring for our customers continue to increase,” said Your Brand Voice’s Bryan Bruce. “That awareness starts to drive their brand and starts to drive action. Now the question is how the biggest brands are leveraging technology platforms that point those fans to an individual store or produce a coupon from a check-in.”

Starbucks retains its No. 1 ranking in the March 2011 SMI, compared with the first such ranking Vitrue compiled for Nation’s Restaurant News in July 2009. While the coffeehouse chain trails No. 2 McDonald’s and No. 3 Subway in terms of worldwide locations, its 20.3 million “likes” on Facebook and 1.35 million Twitter followers tower over the competition.

McDonald’s, which had been No. 3 behind Subway in the 2009 SMI, surpassed the sandwich chain this year in social-media presence, even as Subway overtook McDonald’s title as world’s largest restaurant chain in terms of total worldwide units. McDonald’s has 7.6 million Facebook likes and more than 111,000 Twitter followers to Subway’s nearly 4 million Facebook likes and 44,000 Twitter followers.

Smaller yet influential chains also rank high in social mentions, the report found. Krystal, which has 386 units in 11 Southeastern states, moved up one spot to No. 4 on this year’s SMI. In-N-Out Burger, which has more than 250 locations, mostly in California, once again is No. 24 on the list.

Pizza Hut and Chick-fil-A, Nos. 5 and 6, respectively, made big leaps into the top 10, which is rounded out by KFC, Taco Bell, Wendy’s and Burger King. New entries into the top 25 SMI rankings since 2009 include Krispy Kreme, Buffalo Wild Wings, Papa John’s Pizza, Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s.

Bruce says the biggest change in social media since 2009 — the year Twitter gained wide adoption among restaurant companies and location-based platform Foursquare debuted — is the widespread buy-in from business owners in hospitality, food service and other industries.

“It’s moved beyond an experiment and individual campaigns to a true mainstream channel that needs some serious attention and investment,” he said. “With the pervasive growth of Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare, and the time spent on them by consumers, people realize it’s more than a fad and becoming a dominant form of communication.”

While some companies in the top 25 tumbled slightly — Chipotle fell from No. 10 to No. 19 and IHOP went from No. 11 to No. 21 — Bruce stressed that “nobody’s a loser on this list.” More likely, he said, is that companies making big gains in their Social Mention Index scores like Chick-fil-A and Pizza Hut are getting proactive about connecting to their loyal followers.

“These guys are figuring out how to harness this platform and drive content and communications consistent with what their fans are looking for,” he said. “In that news feed on Facebook and Twitter, brands need to ask their followers questions, create poll questions and basically give them an opportunity to give the restaurant relevant feedback.”

Your Brand Voice works with several key brands like Marriott Resorts, JW Marriott, Marriott Golf, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, WonderWorks, Faldo Golf Institute and others to create plug-ins for their Facebook pages and offers that show up in followers’ news feeds through its Wall Apps and Social Relationship Management platforms.

Bruce says the next social-media move for major brands and their software providers is to increase the chains’ local-advertising capabilities with features meant to connect Facebook and Twitter followers to the nearest individual location of a restaurant brand.

“Large hotels and restaurant brands are going to be moving in this direction of local advertising, the majority of which is driven by digital,” he said. “As Groupon drives more local commerce and Facebook gets into it with Places, the hospitality and restaurant industry will embrace social media’s local-connection capability.”

Such targeting and audience segmentation could help independent hotel and local restaurant operators make more in-roads online and further compete with larger rivals, he added.

“Social media is the great equalizer, where you don’t need a $100 million budget to be successful,” Bruce said. “A big part of this is good word-of-mouth, managing your reputation, and going viral. When people [from outside the chain’s trade area] go to Sonic Beach, they take a picture and can’t wait to tell their friends. They must have great products, but I don’t know everything they’re doing on Facebook, so they must have great reputations and word-of-mouth to begin with.”

Contact Bryan Bruce at bryan@yourbrandvoice.com

About Your Brand Voice

Orlando-based interactive marketing company provides marketing support services including social media and online reputation management.

To learn more, visit www.yourbrandvoice.com or follow them onwww.facebook.com/yourbrandvoice orwww.twitter.com/brandvoiceinc.

Your Brand Voice, which started as a hospitality marketing company now serves clients in the following industries: Hotels and Resorts, Restaurants, Bars and Nightclubs, Golf Courses, Attractions and Theme Parks, Vacation Home Lease and Rental, Automotive Sales, Construction and Real Estate.

Your Brand Voice recommends QR code to promote targeted landing pages

2011-09-25T10:00:00.003-05:00

Your Brand Voice recommends QR code to promote targeted landing pages

by Bryan Bruce

Why add a QR code & Facebook sign to your door?

Inspired by many examples first in Japan, and recently many companies in NY that are adding QR codes + FB signs to attract locals and promote outlets inside hotel. A guest who scans the QR code with their smartphone likes your business or can be sent to your area on the web you designate.

Idea: In an effort to improve online reviews spend a busy day requesting those who appear to be having a good experience the opportunity to scan the QR code and leave feedback right into the phone.

What was the development process for building it?

The QR code is generated online in (http://qrcode.kaywa.com/)

And the FB “LIKE” badge, as you know you can download from facebook site.

After generating the code and the FB Like badge, simply hire a plotter specialist.

Will our customers or cleints use the code?

More than you think! Put it up and watch as people start utilizing it!

Do we expect an increase in Facebook fans?

Absolutely, wherever the code is directed we believe our goals will be accomplished. In other words if we direct the QR code to the like button, we are confident we will get more Facebook likes. We like these ideas more than focusing on more Facebook likes.

1. Improve review scores on whatever review site you feel necessary (Trip Advisor, Google Places, Yelp, Foursquare)

2. Drive people to areas of the web you want them.

a. Strategically place these QR Codes in unique places around the property. An example would be a hotel placing the code near the pool overlook. If you scan the QR code up there it would take you to the photo album built in Facebook that highlights shots of the pool from that angle at different times of the year. Or perhaps a code in front of a ballroom that when you scan it shows off different room type setups.

Can QR codes be used elsewhere in your marketing?

Yes, these codes can be placed in all forms of marketing. Print, online, or as a wall or window graphic. The bottom line, the QR code gives the marketer the opportunity to get inside the smartphones of their customer quickly and easily.

The Cousin Joins Your Brand Voice in a Sales Role

2011-08-24T11:25:00.001-05:00

Orlando, Florida (Businesswire) – Your Brand Voice Inc., a Social Media consulting firm based in Orlando, announced they are adding another Bruce to the team this week with the hiring of Paul Bruce, cousin of the founder Bryan Bryan. “Paul and I have always had a great relationship. We also work well together and complement each other in many ways,” said Bryan.

Paul who has spent the last 15 years in Sales Management roles specializing in territory expansion and channel sales development joins Patrick Bruce as the third Bruce on the team. “It is great to bring Paul aboard, we have been asking him for a number of years to make this move and the timing just seems right,” former Walt Disney World and McDonald’s Marketing Executive Pat Bruce said Tuesday from his home in Charleston. Patrick serves as the Chief Idea Officer and handles all of the keyword research and business analysis.

Paul’s immediate focus will include Social Media Consulting and Brand Management training for Your Brand Voice’s growing client base as well as developing new opportunities and assisting with the overall growth and development of Your Brand Voice, Inc.

“This is a big move for me. A move that I have considered for a long time, but considering Your Brand Voices phenomenal growth over the past few years the time to jump in and help the team just seemed perfect. I am extremely excited to be joining the team at Your Brand Voice.” stated Paul Bruce. “This industry is growing every day and to be a part of a company that is constantly striving to push the limits and bring value to their clients is refreshing, to say the least.”

Your Brand Voice Inc. focuses on the underserved niche of social media consulting and total online brand awareness that is critical in today’s business world. By bringing social media together with a company’s overall internet marketing strategies, Your Brand Voice is able to increase our client’s brand awareness and increase revenue while maintaining customer loyalty.

About Your Brand Voice

Orlando-based new media marketing company provides full service internet marketing support services including social media and online reputation management. To learn more, visit www.yourbrandvoice.com or follow them on www.facebook.com/yourbrandvoice or www.twitter.com/brandvoiceinc.

Mobile Apps Beat the Mobile Web

2011-08-23T10:17:00.003-05:00

When consumers use their mobile phones to check the news, weather, email, or their social networks, they often have a choice between the mobile web version or a specially-created mobile app. But which do they prefer?

Mobile apps – at least in terms of time spent.

I have been saying this all along and have been catching flack for each every single time. In my blog dated just about a year ago, why I like mobile apps over mobile websites today, I talk about the biggest draw back of mobile web, is people simply don't use it as much as a native solution.

In other words, we believe if you offer a group of interested people a mobile strategy featuring mobile web you will get less response than if you offered this same group a native solution.

Let me be clear, I agree having a conversation or debate on which is better seems ridiculous, but with the recently cloud push, the idea of mobile web web was hot. It was most certainly the way of the future everyone kept saying.

Bottom line, we still like native apps for better branding, better functionality and most importantly panache. Good panache will keep the user interested, informed and impressed which will make them want to return.

The reason we build mobile apps is so people use them they return to use it again and again and we are then able to capture data from them and communicate with them more efficiently.

Personal Profiles are intended for real people. Facebook Pages are intended for businesses, organizations, public figures, etc.

2011-08-02T22:17:00.004-05:00

If you market on Facebook you know that you have a decision to make when creating a Facebook personal page or business page for your company. We notice that many small businesses like restaurants, bars even boutique shops are creating personal profiles to promote their business because they feel it is easier and cheaper to get a ton of Friends. This may seem like a good strategy, but we are not so sure.

Personal Profiles are intended for real people. Facebook Pages are intended for businesses, organizations, public figures, etc.

You build up a Facebook Page by getting people to ‘Like’ your page, instead of adding you as a friend.

If you are thinking about giving your business a presence on Facebook, I recommend you start a Facebook Page.

**6 reasons to not use a Personal Facebook Profile for your business**

1. Facebook Terms & Conditions

Creating a Personal Profile for your business is not how Facebook is intended. If Facebook finds out you are running a Personal profile for business purposes, they may pull the plug on your entire profile.

2. Limited to 5,000 friends

On your Personal Facebook Profile you can only have a maximum of 5,000 friends. The number of ‘Likes’ on your Facebook Page is unlimited. Call me silly, but I would rather not be limited in the number of fans for my business on Facebook!

3. Search Engines

In contrast to your Personal Profile, your Facebook Page gets indexed by search engines. This means that your Facebook Page can be a part of your search engine strategy. Another way to get found by your customers!

4. Promotion & Competitions

Facebook does not allow you to use your Personal Facebook Profile to promote your business or run competitions. If you do so, Facebook can shut down your account.

5. Insights & Analytics

Your Facebook Page comes with all kinds of analytical data about the people who ‘Like’ your page such as city, gender, age, etc. Also, you get insights into how these people interacted with your content and which content was most viewed. This way you can see what people really liked and do more of it!

6. Advertise your Page

And last but not least you can advertise your Facebook Page to people who otherwise might have not heard of you.

Moving your Facebook friends to your Fans Page

Here’s what you do:

1. You log into your Profile

2. Open a new tab and go to this page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php?migrate

3. You then get the ‘Migrate a Page’ Facebook page which looks similar to the normal ‘Create a Page’ Facebook page.

You now need to select the kind of Page you want to set up. Select Local Business or Brand or Institution, etc.

Once you make your choice, only your (confirmed) friends will be converted to people who ‘Like’ your new Page. Also your profile photo will be converted to your new Page.

The other content such as your uploaded photos, your wall content, etc will not be converted to your new Business Page. So, before you make your choice, make sure you dowload your profile information!

After you have made your choice and have created your Page, you will still be able to log-in with your original email address and password.

So, you can now select a type of Page and create it!

4. You now see your new Page and the ‘Get started’ screen

As you can see, your profile picture is converted and your friends are now converted to ‘Likes’ on your new Business Page.

***

Anything else you need to know?

Well, yes. It’s good to know that your old Personal Profile now does not exist anymore.

It became a Business Account.

The Business Account is still under your old email address and password. So you can log in to your new Business Page.

The Business Account allows you to administer your Pages and run ad campaigns.

Of course you can assign new admins to your Page, as well as operate your new Page ‘as a Page’. Which is one of the changes Facebook made when they launched the redesign of Facebook Pages.

For more information, or to get more Facebook Help contact us here.

Social Media PPC vs. Search PPC

2011-07-19T15:59:00.004-05:00

The biggest mistake people make when creating PPC campaigns either on social media outlets or through Google, Yahoo or Bing is activating to many impressions. This is "left over thinking" from the traditional advertising agency community, which long believed it was good practice to throw as many impressions as possible and you are bound to get business.

When you are paying per click, this strategy can often times not get you business, but can cost you money.

Lets take a quick look at click through rate once we reduce the number of impressions our ad was getting on this particular campaign.

Now take a look at what happens to your cost.

Common SEO Question

2011-07-13T19:03:00.004-05:00

QUESTION:

How do we get our business to pop up - for unique searches, for our specific niches? Is there any SEO strategies we can easily benefit from to drive people to find our business on the internet?

RESPONSE:

The process is not as complex as it sounds, but it certainly requires experience and an investment in time and resources.

Keyword research
Develop Optimized Site Map
Lay site map on optimized template (a website platform that is coded according to search engine guidelines. Not all templates are optimized such as Word Press and other free websites)
Write relevant copy on each page developed that brings together the keywords, page title, descriptions

When we work with clients, we speak on these terms. How much revenue are you projecting to make in 12 months. Take a percentage of that revenue and apply it to internet marketing. As I said, it is certainly an investment in the business as with any marketing initiative, but it is the most efficient and track-able.

If a business generates $500 in a transaction (I am making this up), then how much would they spend in marketing to attract a lead? The goal then would be to build a website that attracts leads every month in a short amount of time to justify the investment and begin generating return.

We are generating leads for car dealers, RV dealers, nonprofit consulting companies, hotels, 3^rd party meeting planners, theme parks, attractions, men’s clubs, golf courses, weddings event spaces, etc. The process is the same, the research of how people search for varied products and services is the only variable.

Once the site is up and running we track traffic each day and month. It then becomes the focus to convert the traffic. For each partner a conversion is defined differently. For a hotel it is a reservation sold online through the booking engine, for a golf course attracting weddings is a RFP request, for a car dealer an offer on a vehicle. We believe strongly that this is where social media really helps. When a visitor sees that a company or organization is active on the social networks in a real and authentic way, they are more inclined to request additional information or convert.

This is how Your Brand Voice thinks it works and it really isn't as complex as it sounds.

Make sense? :)

If not, give me a call for more information.

Bryan 407-243-8707

bryan@yourbrandvoice.com

Personal Branding and Social Media

2011-07-13T09:01:00.004-05:00

The fast climb of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and now Google+ has successfully made the case for social media not only for business, but also your personal brand. It would be negligent not to include a social strategy in one's personal and business start-up plan.

In a recent interview, I was asked a few questions about personal branding and how it relates to these social networks.

What social media are you currently active on?

The key here is to join the networks that you will most easily and be comfortable updating and being consistent in sharing relevant content on. Additionally, it is critical that whichever networks you choose, whether it be LinkedIn, Facebook, twitter, Google+ or even your business or personal website that you make sure there is synergy between them.

Case in point, when I check in on Foursquare from MPI next month in Orlando from my smart phone, it will be linked to not only my LinkedIn profile, but also to a widget on my website. This frees me for the stress of maintaining all of these areas of my network.

What is a personal brand - why is it important?

Your personal brand in my opinion is the new resume, it is who you are, what you believe in and who you are connected to. Just like Nike and Coke are focused on their image, we as business professionals must be very aware of how we appear online and on these social networks.

Do you have separate work/personal accounts?

Do you have a business website? Do you have a personal website or blog? Depending on where you are in your business, it may make sense to link your personal twitter or social profiles with your business.

I have done this with my business www.yourbrandvoice.com, but recently have considered removing the twitter link of my personal and replacing it with a new handle @BrandVoiceInc on twitter. There are obvious benefits from doing this (removing personal information from my business, which makes my business appear small, but there are also setbacks from doing this - it becomes more to manage.)

How do you manage your time on the different accounts?

Today in business, it is all about the internet and these social networks. The thing that I have found is the more you give the more you get. Whether it be fans, followers or website visitors. Most people when they commit to this business strategy of growing your digital footprint often fail to understand that it is not how much content you share, but how much relevant and interesting content you share. Case in point- in the early days of Twitter, people were so desperate to gain followers that they were getting just about anybody to follow their feeds. As you learn more about Twitter and how it can be a real tool for learning and sharing you realize quickly, that you would prefer a smaller more relevant network following you. The same goes with content you distribute.

The Mobile Meeting App Trap

2011-07-11T08:08:00.005-05:00

My entire business focus is internet marketing related. A big portion of my energy is focused on meetings and events and helping our corporate and national and state association clients be more efficient online. In the past few years we have focused on mobile and more and more meetings are beginning to understand the value and benefit of a sound mobile strategy.

As exciting it is to see new groups, especially state associations, add a mobile strategy to their repertoire, it is painful to watch the mistakes they make when they first dive in.

I have attended so many conferences where the website are not optimized nor is the mobile solution relevant. I will not argue with many association marketing managers main point that you must slowly introduce technology to certain target audiences, especially old school and less tech savvy state associations, but my main point is that you walk a fine line when doing this. If you introduce a mindless, contentless mobile app template such as the free solution #FSAE11 recently launched, you can minimize the opportunity and therefore turn people off from not only from using it for this years event but from seeing the value for future years.

I have taken huge flack for coming off negative to those who planned or organized the #FSAE11 mobile app solution, but the truth is I am very excited they have a solution out there, but less impressed with the strategy itself. The pitfall I see taking place is that with the growing pressure to go mobile many of these group managers are taking the short cut so they can simply checking it off the meeting event check list. Perhaps it is a free app, or maybe they bought a scaled down version of copied template from an app factory, but the reality is these apps are NOT impressive, they don't have dynamic content that has the opportunity to bring the user back again and again.

The partner #FSAE11 selected for mobile in 2011 will NOT allow them to grow their mobile strategy in 2012, yet they will most certainly be looking for a new partner if they wish to have a mobile strategy in 2012 that runs 365 days a year, vs 60 days that covers before, during and after the conference.

Also, if your attendee base is less tech savvy than most, it is important that you spend more time building your strategy to cater to these users. Case in point, a tech users conference could provide a simple mobile website versus a native app, because the users of the conference are savvy enough and have the right devices to understand how and when to access the mobile web. On the flip side, a less tech savvy state association user might greatly benefit from a native app that works flawlessly no matter where that person is at the conference and no matter what device they are carrying.

Bottom line, and the basis for my tweets. You will find after this #FSAE11 conference that very few people will use the app more than once. Analytic data will show that people looked and never came back. This because they will see that mobile is available, they will go as far as downloading it, they may look once and they will say, cool, but will not be impressed enough to to use the app everyday of the conference as should be the intent.

This has been the trend with these scaled down mobile solutions such as the one built for #FSAE11 by the “app factories.” However on the flipside, if you provide a native solution with rich dynamic content that is geared towards a 365 mobile communication strategy, not only can you monetize it to pay for itself through marketing with partners, but you get loyalty with your audience (even the less tech savvy) today and in the future.

Mobile solutions are extensions of your brand and when you develop a free or simple mundane mobile strategy it degrades the brand it tells the world that whomever is giving the group guidance is this area of marketing are more focused on price than actually being serious about developing a sound mobile strategy.

The trap is to enter mobile with a cheap solution so you can check off the list so that you can say we engaged and offered mobile for this years event. This in my opinion is a big mistake and my focus with my clients (work with many associations and corporations) is to tell them what they need to hear not what they want to hear.

CEO and board member levels tend to appreciate this more than feeding them what they want to hear only to find out it was not the proper advice.

You can develop a first time mobile strategy correctly, one that can be monetized, one that offers an intuitive and fast navigation, one that has a great looking interface and provides rich dynamic content and encourages the attendee, the user to not only download it- but to use it days, weeks and months before, during and after the conference dates. If you are serious about mobile and expect that your attendees use the app- don't fall victim to the mobile app trap.

Bryan Bruce

Founder, Your Brand Voice

bryan@yourbrandvoice.com

Bill Kilburg - Founder of HPN Global

2011-05-25T07:34:00.001-05:00

Bill Kilburg - Founder of HPN Global from My New Enterprise on Vimeo.

Orlando Based New Media Marketing Company Partners with the JW Marriott Las Vegas.

2011-05-12T11:06:00.000-05:00

Orlando, Florida — May 12, 2011 —

Your Brand Voice, Inc. An Orlando based new media marketing company founded to support the hospitality industry and help them explore today’s interactive, online and mobile marketing opportunities; today announced the have been selected to provide social media support to the JW Marriott Las Vegas.

“Today’s business is built on relationships, and it is our belief that the relationship you have with your existing clients is most important. We believe our experience with Marriott had a lot to do with us earning this business in Las Vegas. We are very excited to enter the Las Vegas market with such an amazing partner like the JW Marriott Las Vegas,” said Bruce.

Bruce, whose company handles the social media marketing for the Orlando Marriott World Center and all of the internet marketing for a number Marriott golf courses is aligning himself once again with one of the top hotel brands in the world.

“I spent many years working for Marriott and I always enjoyed the people, the culture and their products. Your Brand Voice has always been focused on aligning ourselves with the very best businesses and in hospitality nobody is better than Marriott. The Las Vegas property is primed for social media and we are so very excited to help them spread their message on all of the new media channels.”

As former Marriott Sales Executive, Bruce started using Facebook to find business several years ago. “After the fiasco with the AIG executives perceived to be taking frivolous business trips to vacation destinations, leads generated by traditional marketing slowed down to a trickle. It was critical you look and find business anywhere you could. I quickly turned to the internet, especially social networks and learned the sooner businesses could start generating leads using Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms the faster then could separate from the competition.”

In May 2010 Bruce left Marriott to create his new company Your Brand Voice. “We created Your Brand Voice because we felt there was an opportunity in this under serviced niche in hospitality marketing. Bringing social media together with other aspects of our internet marketing strategy is the value we bring our clients.”

Your Brand Voice will manage the Las Vegas properties Facebook and Twitter campaigns. Also as part of their agreement, they will also provide local and mobile marketing support and provide reputation management services. Bruce adds, “A single negative review can drive away a multitude of potential customers. Your Brand Voice helps clients positively influence online conversations about their brand by showing them not only how to interpret and respond to feedback generated by past guests on review sites, but more importantly teach them how to connect with customers using social networks. By doing this we engage and influence their future buying decisions.”

His first client, the largest Marriott in the world and developed their first ever social media strategy that so successful the company was applauded in an article in the Wall Street Journal for their creative use of social media. “It was at that point,” said Bruce, “that I decided to start my own business using my relationship and love for Marriott as my path.”

When asked what if a competing hotel company was to call him tomorrow to market some properties in Orlando and Las Vegas, Bruce smiled, “We would have to turn down their business.”

About Your Brand Voice

Orlando-based new media marketing company focused on the hospitality industry providing full service internet marketing support services including social media and online reputation management. To learn more, visitwww.yourbrandvoice.com or follow them www.facebook.com/yourbrandvoice

Search Algorithm

2011-04-28T12:32:00.003-05:00

Search algorithm's are changing fast. If you are paying attention Google likes to change often. Since the beginning of time, Google has based their search results on a mathematical search algorithm. The recipe for reaching this formula has always been highly protected, but for all practical purposes easy to "game" by smart marketing people.

Marketing people realized simply understood that if you do things a certain way with your web code you can essentially work your way to the top of search results. If there was a phrase that you simply could not crack you would turn to ad words, but the bottom line is if you want to develop a sound strategy with Google as your search audience target, you can literally predict your results by "gaming" the system.

Well along came social media and Facebook and out of nowhere this mathematical equation algorithm seemed a bit outdated. Why base results on math when you can base them on human interaction.

Welcome the idea behind Bing and web search by Microsoft. The decision engine they call it.

Recently Google tied 25% of employee bonuses directly with Google's success in social. The reason?

Social can be an important way that people make purchase decisions too and Google is working on developing products in this area.

Google’s latest social product release, Google + 1, a tool which allows people to rate search results and adverts around the engine, launched last week is an early sign they are transitioning more towards this "decision engine"

The bottom line, as more and more people get more active in social media with their business, they must understand the connection with what they are doing and these ever changing search algorithms.

What's going on with the airlines right now?

2011-03-12T08:46:00.001-05:00

What's going on with the airlines right now? That was a question my client asked me today. I replied, quickly, what do you mean? Gas Prices? He said no, I can’t even get a flight from Alabama to Las Vegas this weekend. The only thing available is 4 different legs that would take me all day and night to make happen. Yikes- those airlines are lean and mean I thought.

No, he said I thought since you were in hospitality that you would know something happening in travel right now affecting availability... I started to think, yea, I am in hospitality, I should know exactly what is going on…

He said someone at the airport told him that spring break is up and that many kids are not going to Mexico they are staying domestic and therefore capacity to these “spring break” friendly markets are getting pounded. Seems reasonable to me, considering that I live in Lake Buena Vista Florida, the happiest place on earth and traffic seems good, and we can also see through Your Brand Voice work that the social media buzz in Panama City Beach easily exceeding last year’s pace.

I started to think, how is this going to impact our meetings business in 2011 and 2012. Right now is the booking window for many of our corporate meeting clients for 2012 and lift costs are the #1 driving factor when narrowing down a market for a large annual meeting. We like to think hotels or venues are the driving factor, but they really don’t drive the decision for most meetings and events.

Better domestic demand, surging gas prices generating a perfect storm in travel which depends on which way you look at it, can be good or bad.

www.yourbrandvoice.com

Mobile Meeting Apps Elevator Pitch Why would a meeting planner or hotel need to invest in a mobile event or amenities app?

2011-02-10T10:27:00.001-05:00

Mobile apps allow you to streamline your group’s conversation. It allows you to speak directly to your audience in their most captured moments, while looking at their smartphone. Real time marketing, real time updates are critical in today’s fast past social networking environment. The app allows the meeting to continue long after the last person checks out of the hotel. Some of your attendees don’t use twitter or other social networks as a tool, but with the app, the way it is designed we harness the power of these networks and make it very simply for everyone to use them and benefit from their power. As a result of the captured audience, sponsors like this tool as much as other opportunities. We believe this grows the sponsorship revenue opportunities for the meeting organizer in so many ways.

Hotel: Hotels are providing mobile meeting apps to groups they are pursuing to host. The reason by doing this you have the ability to market your hotel, your destination and surrounding restaurants, bars, attractions right in the application. Imagine a hotel providing a hotel app that would easily also provide information for your meeting inside the hotel app. Once inside the hotel app you can click your meeting and have all the information you need to quickly and efficiently navigate your conference or tradeshow. During down times at the conference hotel, you can see and experience the hotels amenities, make dinner reservations, perhaps even send the hotel a twitter message requesting more towels. Right from the application.

Quote: “HPN Global believes every meeting and event should have a mobile solution. The explosion of smartphone adoption and the sleek efficient design of QuickMobile apps enable HPN Global to mobilize our clients meeting and events simply and easily. The cost of these apps, which for a long time was considered the obstacle, has evolved to provide a price structure which allows for many exceptional returns on investment opportunities for our clients.” Bryan Bruce VP of Internet Marketing HPN Global

Hotel Social Media Marketing Campaign Case Study

2011-01-17T11:44:00.007-05:00

We had been watching trends moving in social media and knew marketing hotels was moving to a more authentic, real and social environment. We also knew that we needed a viral expansion component. We know kids drive buying decisions for everything from toys to cereal and wondered why not vacations.

While monitoring one of our clients brand online when we stumbled upon some YouTube videos of a father and son having a great time at the resort. The discovery of the videos inspired the idea to promote the largest Marriott in the world through the eyes of a young boy on vacation with his father on all social media channels as possible.

Soon more videos were created and the legend of the Gorman Getaways took off. The concept now developed and proven is part of a larger concept expected to promote kid friendly resort hotels and destinations around the USA.

For more information, please visit Your Brand Voice.

Mobile Marketing for Hotel and Meeting Professionals

2011-01-10T14:29:00.002-05:00

Mobile Marketing for Hotel and Meeting Professionals
Get answers to your questions regarding mobile technology for hotels and meeting professionals.

Bryan Bruce: "We will focus on illustrating how being active on the mobile channels can expose your hotel to the herded traffic coming from demand drivers in your area. The convention center and meetings hosted in or around your hotel are the low lying fruit. If you are not active or do not have a mobile presence, you will not hav...e the opportunity to connect with these people in a real time marketing environment."


When	Thursday January 13, 2011 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM Eastern

Where	Founders Inn 5641 Indian River Road Virginia Beach, VA 23454 (757) 424-5511

Who	Organizer: HSMAI VA Contact: 9494429850

Description	Our special guest, Bryan Bruce, is the president and founder of Your Brand Voice, Inc., and Vice President of Internet Marketing for Hospitality Performance Network. His extensive experience includes group sales for Marriott, Buena Vista Hospitality, and Hyatt Hotel Corp. He is on the cutting edge of marketing and technology. Among other issues you will get the following take-aways from this timely event: Creating synergy between your hotel social media and in house and citywide meeting FB pages. Difference between a native mobile app and a mobile website; benefits and disadvantages of each. Using Twitter to hit your target audience and drive hotel website traffic. We look forward to you joining us. We want to thank The Founders Inn, an excellent meeting hotel, for hosting this great event. Facebook Event Page

Why Your Brand Voice?

2011-01-07T21:20:00.000-05:00

Local, Social and Mobile

Create a Facebook Page

Will allow you to start talking to your customers on Facebook and find new ones. We will create and maintain your official company page help communicate your brand voice. Pages can be created for local businesses, brand, product or organization.

Twitter Strategies for Business

Measure and analyze whether people are willing to talk broadly about Your Brand and communicate their experience, and inspire people to engage their own personal networks. This “network of personal connections” can deliver increasing value to your brand.

By Monitoring and Analyzing potential threats to Your Brand’s reputation on various Twitter streams, you avoid or mitigate the impact or parlay the value of a particular comment. The benefit is obvious when one considers the value of one customer and a company’s brand and reputation.

Twitter Real Time Stream

Ongoing analysis of consumer generated content to provide a variety of strategic options into what products and services should (could) be developed, what marketing messages are hitting their mark, and what strategic alliances can be used to stay current with your target audience.

Strategy:

Establish a method for engaging consumers in social media conversations / postings
Measure and analyze consumers’ insights to improve marketing campaign effectiveness
Associate monitoring results to increase revenue and reduced overhead cost
Expand brand visibility online by being proactive
Listening to consumer conversations and actively participate in conversation when it is appropriate
Identify and engage “influencers"

Activate Your Brand Voice

How to predict future revenues using the internet.

2011-01-06T10:38:00.002-05:00

There are no shortcuts to being successful in business. The same is true on the internet and your marketing on the social networks. Here is what Your Brand Voice can for your business;

1. We can build a website that the search engines can find and read.
2. We can build an inventory control module that will allow you to manage your products and sales on an optimized template.
3. We can update the website in less than 24 hours.
4. We can do key word research to determine which key words have the best chance of generating the most qualified traffic.
5. We can then label each of those products according to the way people search and not the way that manufactures labeled them.
6. We can monitor and track each product by the key words and eliminate non-revenue products in less than 24 hours.
7. We can continuously monitor the internet to find new items descriptions to determine which ones would sell the most.
8. We can estimate how much traffic we can get from each key word by tracking that key word’s position on Google, Bing, and Yahoo.
9. We can capture email addresses and build a customer database.
10. We can create a monthly email blast to all registered members.
11. We can build a Facebook Fan Page and Twitter feeds.
12. We can develop online marketing promotions use Facebook.
13. We can monitor how many “likes” and “fans” we add each month on Facebook.
14. We can tell you the key word trends for high value key words.
15. We can tell you which key words are the most competitive and which key words are less competitive.
16. We can calculate the value of being in the first position (42% of clicks) and how many words you rank for on the first page of each of the major search engines.
17. We can tell you who is competing for each key word, and the competitor’s online marketing strength.
18. We can tell you what you can expect from a pay per click campaign.
19. We can tell you the daily traffic to your website.
20. We can tell you the most profitable key words people use to get to your website.
21. We can tell you the key words that result in sales and those that are wasting space.
22. We can set up a pay per click campaign based on high value key words (to insure first place position)

Then we predict revenues.

Bryan Bruce, Founder Your Brand Voice

Mobile Apps Mobile Websites

2011-01-05T09:29:00.002-05:00

I know this is a hot topic right now in the mobile technology world. Everywhere I turn someone new is chiming in on the subject. Even more, those who are commenting on the subject, are normally biased based on which technology they are aligned with. Perhaps interactive website developers focus on mobile websites and maybe mobile device people more so focused on the apps. Mobile apps or mobile websites is not a new debate. Actually, this has been a hot topic for a very long time. Back in September I wrote a post about why I liked mobile apps better then over mobile websites. I remember writing it thinking how far behind I was in understanding this new media. Well, I am learning and learning fast, but most importantly my learning or ideas are based in user experience, my experience. I read somewhere yesterday someone predict that 2011 will be the year of the mobile marketing boom. They said, when the mobile revolution hits, you will want to be ready. I agree, but think the mobile revolution is here and gaining momentum every single day.

Mobile apps and mobile websites are critical to today's top brands. It is not a matter of which is better, is about how effectively you use both.

The mobile app search engine. How important is it for you, your business, your brand to be found inside the app store or market of your customers smart phone. Can you go to the Android Market and type in New Media Consultant and find Your Brand Voice? How about searching "Hotel Orlando" inside that app store, can you find your hotel or brand? Are people searching like that? Well, if the mobile has area for growth, this may be one area. Adoption of the mobile app search engine.

Point being, do not underestimate the value of a native app and more importantly the value of being in that mobile app search engine.

User experience, the interface the design, the functionality are what drive use and use is what creates the transactions or the data that we all expect to receive from using these devices. The search engines creates another channel of exposure.

Bryan Bruce

Looking ahead to HPN Global's Annual Conference next week in Orlando

2010-12-04T10:33:00.007-05:00

I joined HPN Global in May 2010 and let me tell you it was the best decision I have ever made in my life. After a very successful career in hotel service and sales, I am having the time of my life working with HPN Global.

Admittedly I was very hesitant for a very long time about leaving the comforts of a corporate environment....you know the bi weekly pay checks, full benefits, discount hotel rooms, catered breakfast lunch and dinners- but I wanted and needed more.

Then I met Bill Kilburg, Steve Scatino and John Murillo that fateful afternoon in Cancun Mexico while attending MPI's Meet Different at the Moon Palace.

It was there at that bar- I caught my first glimpse of Bill in flip flops...lol....and the passionate spirit of the others. Very smart, very happy and very engaging.....I wondered, what are these guys doing because there are obviously doing something right.

I will never forget the first conversation I had with Steve Scatino about the value of the internet and especially for the business of 3rd party meeting planning. I will never forget our heated discussion. Bill Kilburg looked on and was getting a kick out of two 5 foot nothings going toe to toe in a discussion about the meetings business.

Here I am supposed to be catering to this man with gobs of group business as I represented the largest Marriott in the world, but I found it more exciting to have a passionate discussion about our business. The topic, was the internet and how participating in the internet correctly can expand your business. And my point, any business including site selection/meeting procurement has tremendous opportunities.

Now, fast forward to today. I am no longer with Marriott and I am 6 months into my gig with HPN Global. I could never have imagined I would not only be this happy, but this far on my way to being the true strategic meetings manager I am ultimately able to be with the resources provided by HPN Global.

I am honored that the entire Executive Team at HPN Global has given me this opportunity, to not only use the tools they have established for all associates, but to introduce new technologies, business systems that will help grow each associates reach and the HPN Global brand.

The internet is incredible, social networks have changed the game and we all should be having the time of our lives.

I look forward to meeting everyone who attends the HPN Global Conference in Orlando where we will have tremendous fun, while learning from each other about our industry we all love so much.

Safe travels, see you all in Orlando.

Bryan Bruce

Small and medium enterprises Focus On Social Media Marketing

2010-11-04T19:01:00.003-05:00

A study by Zoomerang and GrowBiz Media revealed that small and midsize businesses expect to spend more on both print and online advertising, with a special focus on the latter. The biggest increases? Website, e-mail, and and social media marketing. According to the study, 17% of respondents expect to increase their website marketing budgets; 15% plan to spend more on e-mail ads; and 13% expect to allocate more money to marketing on social networking sites.

Already, 34% of the 750 businesses surveyed said they use social media as part of their marketing efforts. The three networking sites they use most are Facebook (cited by 80%), LinkedIn (37%), and Twitter (27%).

"This area of marketing is poised to see an incredible uptick in the next year," says Alex Terry, general manager of Zoomerang, a Web-based survey tool. "It's remarkable to see the new ways that small and midsize businesses are adapting different technologies to make the most effective and creative use of their budgets."

Of the businesses surveyed, 89% employed 1 to 25 people; 11 states were represented across the country, including New York, Florida, Ohio, Texas, and California; and 84% of respondents were the decision makers at their respective companies when it comes to marketing.

Activate Your Brand Voice

Mad Men

2010-11-01T21:03:00.000-05:00

I began my hotel career as a bellboy in Orlando.

2010-10-29T09:24:00.006-05:00

I was introduced to the hospitality business at age 6 when my father (and now trusted advisor) was hired as of one of the marketing executive to introduce the Walt Disney World Epcot Center.

I will never forget the first time I saw the Castle inside the Magic Kingdom. It was midnight and my father took my sister, mother and I (right from a red eye flight) to see “where daddy was going to work. . .” Hand and hand my family stood on Main Street USA staring at the castle with nobody else around. At that point the hospitality industry was in my blood.

That was 1979 (my, how Orlando has changed). In 1984 my father bought our first family computer, and my mother (a teacher), had a PC in her classroom, which I played with every day. I was working on a PC when I was in fourth grade.

My father owned a PC rental company and I was fixing computers at age 12. There were so many computers I was in heaven.

After a successful college baseball career, at the University of Central Florida, I decided that I was going to make the hospitality industry my life's passion.

In 1999 I moved in to hotel sales and within 10 years was a top producer for one of the world's premiere hotels.

This year I’ve started my own “Internet Hospitality Consulting Services Business”. My focus is New Media Consulting for the hospitality segment.

Our services will include, Strategic Meeting Planning, Mobile Meeting Apps, using hospitality historic data collection and analysis to improve closing rates, and generating profitable revenue using the Internet and new media marketing tools.

Marketing in a new way

2010-10-22T13:09:00.005-05:00

Thank you Marc Alexander, for your notes below from your recent trip to Miami to attend the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Social Networking Summit at the Hilton Airport property last Wednesday.

Marketing in a new way

Marketing has always been a business reaching out to the masses by newspaper,TV, Radio, Billboard, etc. One way marketing. Now, people rely on the internet to search for so many things and with the advent of sites such as Tripadvisor, YELP and others, customers are reading comments from folks rather than relying on advertisements from the business. These sites, as we know, are very powerful. Their seems to be a lot of trust and credibility of these sites because it comes from the public.

Location Based Services:

Our mobile devised have GPS in them. These websites use this to market people not in New York but within a few meters or miles of a particular establishment.

Foursquare.com, Facebook Places, Goalla - similar to Foursquare,

Foodspotting - Seeing photos of food taken by others.

Crowdsourcing

People submit the information on the site rather than relying on one person to add information. Such sites are:

Maze - Traffic alerts made by people in the traffic.

Trapster - speed trap locator

Ardvark - If you ask a question on where to eat tonight, this site markets your friends and their friends to poll them. Thereby getting information from your peers rather than the general public. Pretty cool.

Mechanicalturk - When you go to this site the computer assigns you tasks to complete and then pays you via Amazon. It pays you very little but after you do a few tasks you would be able to perhaps buy a book. The tasks they ask you to do are things that computers are not good at.

The Real Time Web

Accessing up to date information.

Twitter - will be able to add photos on tweets in the near future

Oneriot - If you would like to monitor 25+- websites, this site will take information from those sites and feed it to you so you don't have to go to all of them.

Google Latest

Qik - Sharing LIVE video. Simply feed a live mobile feed to Qik and share it with other. Just download the app.

Google Reader - Combines favorite websites

Feedly

Alltop

The question is for a business is, "How to we get TO the conversation?"

Augmented Reality

Simply point your smart phone at a business and it will tell you all about it.

Layer

Googlegoggles

vertualvaca.com

These sorts of sites are work in progress. Businesses are scared of gorilla type marketing where an enemy feeds bad info and people get false information.

QR Code

Place your code on print material, etc. and the public simply points their smart phone at the QR code and it brings them to a URL address.

Google Facts

A presenter from Google shared this information.

8 out of 10 people search on line for restaurants looking for special offers.
People go on line to purchase items during the following times:
7% go on line the previous day to purchase an item
35% purchase items during the work day
28% impulse buy
Mobile devised are the key!!
200K restaurant searches in one hour
Googleplaces - Put your address in here. Add reviews, link to site, etc.
Mobile searches are key.
4th largest ecommerce search is Dominos Pizza. Dominos added a tracking system of your pizza and rose sales dramatically for the company.
Texting
152 Billion texts every day!

4 things we try and remain focused

2010-10-21T07:47:00.009-05:00

Including today, we all have 24 sales days left in the U.S. until Thanksgiving Day and the end of what many call Selling Season II. After that we've got 19 sales days until the Christmas holiday. Add those 5 days in between Christmas and the New Year and we've got 48 sales days left in 2010.

Be sure to maximize every one of them.

1. Make contact (live contact)

2. Ask questions

3. Listen

4. And, make good things happen for other people.

Obsess over executing on those 4 points and you'll increase your chances of making good things happen for yourself. This is the way to bet. During your money hours** don't let anything (or anyone) get in your way. Guard your time and energy like they're your paycheck because that's exactly what they are.

Three quick questions...

Of the 20 or so sales days each month, how many times do you start earlier than is expected of you?
How many times do you work later than is expected of you?
How many times are you early for an appointment?

Starting early and going long count. Being prompt matters. The impact on you in terms of how it's viewed by your executive team, management team, peers, subordinates, prospects, and customers can be tremendous – tremendously positive or tremendously negative.

On time starting, leaving, or arriving is simply what's expected.

To be early and go long sends a message of purpose, commitment, and respect to others and yourself and assures better results over time. To be even one minute late, or rarely be challenged ending your day on time, sends a completely different message.

Emerson suggested, "Activity is contagious."

Have an impact on everyone. Enjoy great results.

Feedback or questions? Please contact Bryan Bruce

Your Brand Voice, Inc. Launches Optimized Website

2010-10-16T13:50:00.005-05:00

(YBV) consultants for new media

Orlando, Florida — October 16, 2010 —

Your Brand Voice, Inc. An Orlando based company founded to support the hospitality industry and help them explore today’s interactive, online and mobile marketing opportunities; today launched their optimized website.

Bryan Bruce, the founder of Your Brand Voice, “We build a "hub" for your brand voice with a goal to attract visitors naturally through the search engines, through the blogosphere, and through the social media sites. Marketers today spend 90% of their efforts on outbound marketing and 10% on inbound marketing. Your Brand Voice believes those ratios should be flipped.”

Inbound marketing in recent years has become the marketing opportunity in the new media environment. “Inbound marketing is simply helping yourself “get found” by people already learning about and shopping in your industry.”

“We are strategic marketing consultants having a ton of fun helping our clients “get found” and mobilize their business. Bruce continues, “More people are turning to their smartphones for information through search and applications, we created our website to share with our audience our experiences with different techniques, with mobile technologies and inbound marketing. We continue to drive relevant and quality traffic with the goal of being found by people looking for who we are and what we do.”

Patrick Bruce, Bryan’s father and former McDonald’s and Walt Disney World marketing executive, serves as the companies Chief Idea Officer. “My father turned 62 today and with all this new technology my father continues to bring Your Brand Voice our best ideas. Thank you Dad for your help and inspiration. Happy Birthday."

Contact Your Brand Voice

The Power of Face-to-Face Meetings

2010-10-14T16:20:00.002-05:00

You cannot replace face to face. You cannot shake hands over the internet, you cannot make connections over the phone or over the video. Bringing people and inspiring locations together is where magic happens.

Technology allows you to create face to face meetings, it's like a clearing house...clear out the pretenders and meet with the decision makers.

"This is the work that you are doing, wherever you are doing it. you are changing communities, you are changing countries, you are changing lives, this is the best work there is."

Mobilize Your Meeting, Mobilize Your Business

2010-10-08T20:15:00.006-05:00

When we mobilize your meeting we are mobilizing your business, which is a good thing. When we talk about technology, we speak from experience. We use these technologies on a daily basis and are consistently looking for tools to make us more efficient and effective. The velocity at which new mobile technology is being adopted by users is like nothing we have ever seen in the world. People are communicating in so many more levels and streams that having a mobile strategy in place for a meeting is essential for every business to reach this very alert and powerful target audience.

From finding the right location,

building the right event presence using the social networks,

to generating targeted buzz conversation around your brand or event

using mobile meeting and event apps.

Your Brand Voice helps meeting planners and corporate event planners find the right strategic meeting solutions.

Feedback or questions? Please contact Bryan Bruce

meetings Optimism my views #IMEX AMERICA

2010-09-15T09:08:00.006-05:00

IMEX AMERICA: What factors bring about your optimism?

Bryan Bruce: "Business travel has stabilized. businesses have put off many face to face meetings as long as they can. there is a perfect storm brewing where businesses and organizations flood back to the buy a meeting mindset and gobble up some of that great availability and pricing. we anticipate that rates will then start to creep back up as hotels begin catching up to normal pace levels."

IMEX AMERICA: In your opinion, is there any one reason above any other that is likely to guarantee the long term growth of the USA Meetings and Events industry?

Bryan Bruce: "Keep the USA safe."

IMEX AMERICA: Complete this statement: "When I think about the next 6 months I realize..."

Bryan Bruce: "We must be prepared for the huge rush of meetings demand that is coming our way. Also be preparing our clients for the increased demand that is certain to pinch availability and once again drive up the price of meetings."

lock and load future group hotel pricing

2010-09-13T13:21:00.005-05:00

lock and load future meeting pricing now. the industry is stabilizing, but deals for meetings can still be found everywhere. after 18-24 months of pace decline as demand slowly returns, hotels will need to remain aggressive until pace reaches normal levels. 2 year deals.

Both the corporate and leisure travel sectors set 2010 growth records over 2009 in November, according to new data released in The Pegasus View. The report, based on billions of global transactions processed during the month by Pegasus Solutions, shows booking volumes through the mostly business global distribution systems (GDS) climbed +30.6%. Additionally, revenue for the mostly leisure alternative distribution systems (ADS) reached a year-high of +17.3% over 2009.

The business travel market surged in November after a brief slowdown in October, according to the report, which is the only industry data report to combine data from both the GDS and ADS. With the +30.6% year-on-year increase in booking volumes came a stable average daily rate (ADR) that remained at the +7.4% record growth rate achieved in August and September. Forward-looking data suggested the trend in booking growth would continue through March 2011, accompanied by an average growth in ADR of +10% and a +5% increase in length of stay.

“There is definitely promise in the figures this holiday season. A year ago, we reported early indications of a tenuous recovery for the corporate travel sector as increases first seen in North America spread to other regions,” said Mike Kistner, chief executive officer of Pegasus Solutions. “Today, the corporate sector has evidenced a solid and convincing recovery worldwide across all variables – booking volume, revenue, ADR, length of stay and booking lead time. The leisure sector is also in an upswing with forward-looking 2011 figures pointing to December growth of about +10% based on bookings to-date.”

Pegasus’ leisure figures for November show bookings rose past October’s return to double-digit growth to an increase of +12.8% over 2009. While ADR held steady, edging to an increase of +4% globally, revenue through the channel increased by +17.3% over the prior year. The look-to-book ratio eased from the high of +60% over 2009 seen in October to +50%, as more holiday shoppers booked their travel for the approximately 90,000 hotels distributed by Peg

Life Span of a Mobile Event App

2010-09-06T19:36:00.001-05:00

Every Annual Meeting should have a mobile event app. The app should have a 365 day a year life span. Apps today are appearing 30 days prior to a conference, of course accessible during the conference dates and then die about 30 days after the meeting. Why not have an app that lives and breathes 365 days a year. 90 days prior to the event it is used to drive registration, 30 days prior we transition to getting everyone excited about the show and the content. Over the actual event dates, the agenda and on site communication between attendees with polling, surveys etc is king. After the closing reception, the app starts to transition. The app now is a place where content from the show is shared so it lives on and people and where people unable to attend can access and get excited about joining next year. 30, 60 and 90 days after the conference we move towards the next show and the process continues.

If you are a smart phone user and attend a conference every year for your business. Is it far fetched that you would have this conference app on your phone and access it on going throughout the year to learn and share?

why I like mobile apps over mobile websites today.

2010-09-03T15:28:00.005-05:00

Some are building mobile websites not necessary apps- although they are calling them apps. These are really mobile websites with some type of simple frame around them. these are attractive to groups because they are cheap and easy to produce for all phones. The trouble is that people don’t use them as much as they do fully functioning native APPS. The value of real mobile event apps is that they really do have the ability to make you be more efficient and get more from your conference or meeting experience.

These mobile website apps are built by what I have heard others call an “app factory” they are intended to mass produce, but again the quality, functionality is minimal. When that happens, attendees are excited that they can download this event app, but then find it to lack panache and therefore don’t use it as much as they should. a client in turn will use it one time and then question why we are not building apps with more user functionality appeal so people get more from it.

That’s when quickmobile comes in.

Keep in mind that all of QuickMobile's apps are backed up with a mobile website solution so that if the app is built it for the iPhone and a percentage of your attendees use blackberry, those blackberry users would be able to access a mobile website version of the app using their phones browser and connection. This is in my mind not the experience we are looking for….

We want attendee to use the app, we want to find it incredibly resourceful and fun to use. We want them to use it feeling lucky to have access to it. If they use it the sponsors will come and come bigger and bigger each year as the mobile revolution continues.

Going Mobile

2010-08-31T16:11:00.005-05:00

Three out ten cell phones in use in the United States are now “smartphones” with Internet connectivity. And one of the most intriguing questions facing travel service marketers is how travelers are using these devices to plan, purchase and share information about both destinations and travel service suppliers. The results of our new 2010 Portrait of American TravelersSM provide some insightful answers.

As reflected in the table below, nearly two in ten travelers have downloaded a travel-related application (app) to their smartphone. Among them, nearly one-half have navigated a destination using the built in GPS functionality or searched for the latest information on flight schedules and delays. Nearly three in ten have compared airfares or hotel rates or shared information or photos about their travel experiences using their smartphone. Approximately one in six has booked air travel or lodging or viewed a virtual visitor guide that provides information on things to do and see while visiting a destination. Finally, more than one in ten active travelers has used their smartphone to download and redeem mobile coupons, while one in twenty has downloaded an audio walking tour of a specific destination:

Clearly, mobile devices are destined to play an increasingly important role in the distribution and sale of travel services in years ahead.

We agree with this study, thanks YPartnership for sharing this information. We are also seeing a similiar trend on the meetings and events side, as more and more meetings are mobilizing the events to increase attendee experience, reducing printing costs and driving sponsorship opportunities. Mobile Event Apps are expected to be the norm at every meeting, event and tradeshow of the future.

Bryan Bruce

Voice note to self RE: Mobile Event Apps post #WEC10

2010-08-04T20:08:00.005-05:00

2010 Meeting Planners International MPI #WEC10 Vancouver Post Con

2010-07-29T09:13:00.007-05:00

What a show #WEC10 was. I mean Vancouver is absolutely stunning. The convention center is by far the nicest I have every experienced. The architecture, the green building materials and incredible views overlooking the Harbour were at times overwhelming. I felt like I needed to take pictures of everything otherwise nobody would ever believe me.

The past few days at #WEC10 were very rewarding. In addition to the experience given by the convention center, the people we met, the stories we heard and the relationships we started - leave no doubt the return on investment in the time and resources spent to attend.

Great job MPI for once again providing a mobile event application. The app provided me with a resource to stay on cue with my schedule and keep up with those I met with during the show. Using my Ipad to take notes during my appointments and walk on the trade show floor using Quickmobile's mobile app offered me peace to feel as though I was never missing a thing.

The sessions on smart phones provided huge insight into how we can bring smarter meetings to both suppliers and planners. QuickMobile's event application is an absolute home run.

The session with brought together a battle of the generations and discussed social media. Brilliant discussion with some great opportunities at the end to provide feedback and comments. We learned the principles and facts behind deciding to use technology or the basics when dealing with others who use it. In the end we all agreed to further the discussion at next years show in Orlando.

I am personally looking forward to next years show in my hometown of Orlando. MPI has really impressed me with their continued focus on technology and these meetings. It is so true that we must Meet Different and as was said in Vancouver when we meet we change the world.

Bryan Bruce

"Show me the meeting"

MPI #WEC10 Mobile Event App

2010-07-22T08:59:00.008-05:00

The first time I used a mobile event application was at the MPI Meet Different show in Cancun Mexico. Anyone who knows me understands that I am a techie person. There was a time when I carried 3 cell phones because I "needed" to understand what others were able to do with their device. That number is now down to 2 devices (Driod and Apple Itouch) when I was able to get rid of the blackberry when I left Marriott.

Needless to say when I learned of the MPI Meet Different app in Cancun I downloaded it as fast as I could. I was shocked that this had not been better promoted and others were not using as much as I was. By day 3 the buzz of the app could be heard around the show, at receptions, etc. It was obvious to me that we were witnessing a change in the meetings mindset of convention and trade show attendees.

That show the app was not utilized as effectively as it could have been, but I would like to share with you one real life example of how this device made me more efficient...

It was a gorgeous day about 2pm. If you were at the show in Cancun the place was very spread out and hard to find "the spot" to network. I was hanging out with a few hotel buddies when somehow we got separated. I found myself wondering around the pool and beach area looking for them when from across the huge pool I spotted them. As I walked towards them I noticed they were sitting with 2 woman bathing in the pool. They were chatting about everything it seemed, except business. I noticed one of the woman from earlier in the show realized she was part of our show. I was quickly introduced and I was able to pick up her first name only. As everyone enjoy casual conversation by the pool I looked her up on the Meet Different event app attendee search feature (first name search) and was able to find out that she was a meeting planner for a large insurance company in the Midwest. Realizing this was NOT the place to solicit her for business, I was able to email her from her profile on the Mobile app with a simple message.

"I am sitting at the pool at MPI watching my friends try and talk business while you sit in the pool. I do not dare talk business with you right now, but I would love to connect with you when you are back in the office and discuss how we can work together :) "

On Monday, she replied with a few LOL's of her own....but ultimately provided me with the information I had wanted all along and the process of earning her business had started.

The bottom line for me. Meeting Different is upon us. It is more than a fancy tagline created by some marketing person hired by MPI. It really matters. Going into a show with as many tools and resources available to you to ensure you get the most return on your time and money invested in attending. You must be willing and prepared to Meet Different.

The Mobile event app by QuickMobile is brilliant and it gives me confidence going into WEC that I will have great ROI from the show. I hope to meet many people in Vancouver and hope you will look for me. I will be the guy with all the mobile devices!

Bryan Bruce

Mobile Event Apps Meeting Application

2010-07-21T15:31:00.005-05:00

"Write something worth reading or do something worth writing about," Ben Franklin.

The first time I used a mobile event application I was hooked. I remember the day I met David Snell of QuickMobile. I was so excited to be speaking with him about his product. What a great idea, great design and functionality. I immediately thought every conference should have a mobile app. MPI should be proud of the consistent effort they put forward to create a true Meet Different environment. With such a dynamic world we live, so many times people are paralyzed to take chances. Not MPI and not QuickMobile.

@MPI #WEC10 Profile
@Facebook

2010-06-24T09:43:00.004-05:00

The hotel featured in today's Wall Street Journal's Personal Journal section is one of my clients. Here is a link to the article.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704256304575320730977161348.html?mod=wsj_share_twitter#articleTabs_comments%3D%26articleTabs%3Darticle

We developed a very strategic social media strategy which involves Facebook and Twitter primarily. On Twitter the big Marriott in Orlando operates and monitors 2 campaigns. @thefrontdesk, and featured in the article, is a guest service interaction handle. @worldcenter is more of a branding, marketing handle. The two work well together. I think the point here is not that someone can blackmail a hotel or brand into giving them what they want, but more importantly as a guest you can rest assured that this particular hotel is going listen and respond. I can tell you this campaign has not granted every wish, but as hotel professionals we realize our guests want to be heard and know that someone is listening. Additionally, as one comment pointed out that he is able to spot false reviews on trip advisor, we are also able to decipher false guests demands. As hotel professionals we seek opportunities to be proactive to our guests needs and social media provides us yet another medium. Congrats Orlando World Center Marriott for being cutting edge and providing exceptional guest service.

Bryan Bruce
Your Brand Voice

407-243-8707

From the Desk of Bryan Bruce

2010-05-17T20:51:00.013-05:00

Recently there have been many updates on my career status. First the
announcement that I was leaving Marriott after a very strong and rewarding
career. Then I announced the launch of Your Brand Voice, Inc. A hospitality
marketing company.

Then to top it off, the news of my strategic partnerships with
Hospitality Information Services and
Hospitality Performance Network.

HIS and HPN, each provide Your Brand Voice the opportunity to deliver more
business to key stakeholders.

These are exciting times for the hospitality industry, so much opportunity and I look forward to continuing my work helping hotels operators and hotel customers do business with each other. The goal generate more activity, which leads to more opportunities, which ultimately means more room nights and revenue for everyone.

Interested in chatting about hotel marketing strategies, including social
media implementation and execution, contact me.

Bryan Bruce
Your Brand Voice
407-243-8707

Your Brand Voice Launches

2010-04-26T21:05:00.006-05:00

Bryan Bruce announces the launch of Your Brand Voice, Inc.

Your Brand Voice, Inc. (YBV) will focus on hospitality technology marketing

Orlando, Florida — May 10, 2010 — Last week at the new Aria hotel inside the City Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, Bryan Bruce announced the launch of Your Brand Voice, Inc. Your Brand Voice, Inc. will provide the hospitality industry services they can use to help keep them up with today’s interactive and online marketing opportunities.

“A comprehensive Interactive internet Marketing Plan is essential in today’s faced paced business world, “Said Bryan Bruce, Founder of Your Brand Voice. “We believe we can help our hospitality partners, better utilizes the resources they already have, using the internet, social media networks, and other online marketing channels.”

Yesterday’s announcement also brought together a father and son team. Patrick Bruce, Bryan’s father and former McDonald’s and Walt Disney World marketing executive, will serve as the companies Chief Marketing Officer. “My father brings a tremendous amount of marketing experience to Your Brand Voice. The amount of analytical insight and creativity that he brings to the table ensure we will never run out of amazing opportunities to pursue for our customers.”

“As you get older you want to help your children in any way possible,” said the elder Bruce, “But in this case Bryan’ s insights and amazing understanding of today’s technology, especially social media, have provided me an outlet to use the skills taught to me by two of America’s best marketing companies.”

About Bryan BruceBryan Bruce a career hospitality executive started in the business in 1997 has a bell hop at the Hyatt Orlando International Airport. In 1999 he opened the Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas Resort as a Guest Service Manager and in 2003 joined Marriott in a sales role. In 2007 Bruce spent a few years under Chad Martin and (BVHG) Buena Vista Hospitality in marketing. http://www.facebook.com/bryan.bruce

########

For more information, press only:
Bryan Bruce
407-243-8707
bryan.bruce@gmail.com
http://www.yourbrandvoice.com/

BRYAN BRUCE ANNOUNCES PLAN TO LEAVE MARRIOTT

2010-04-21T14:23:00.002-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

BRYAN BRUCE ANNOUNCES PLAN TO LEAVE MARRIOTT

Orlando, Florida April 21, 2010 — Marriott Sales Executive, Bryan Bruce, who helped the largest Marriott in the world book large complex group business, announced today that he will leave his post with Marriott to pursue other career opportunities. Bruce a long time sales and marketing executive with some of the top brands in both Las Vegas and Orlando leaves his position at the Orlando World Center Marriott after nearly 5 years with the company.

“I am proud of my association with Marriott. The company has treated me fairly and always put me in position to be very successful. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from the culture of Marriott which has taught me so much about this business.”

Bruce intends to remain in hospitality and focus on his passion and expertise in group hotel bookings, internet marketing, social media and mobile applications. “I feel that there is a very strong need for another specialist layer as it relates to hotel marketing and fully understanding and how we capitalize on everything the internet can bring to our business.”

“I am looking forward to achieving my dream goal of being an entrepreneur and continuing my focus on hospitality, “ Bruce added, “My time with independent hotels (BVHG) exposed me to the internet and marketing side of the business and since then I have wanted to return.” Bruce joked, “Make no mistake about it though, if one day I am fortunate to make the hospitality Hall of Fame, there is no question which hat I will wear. Marriott.”

About Bryan Bruce

Bryan Bruce a career hospitality executive started in the business in 1997 has a bell hop at the Hyatt Orlando International Airport. In 1999 he opened the Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas Resort as a Guest Service Manager and in 2003 joined Marriott in a sales role. In 2007 Bruce spent a few years under Chad Martin and (BVHG) Buena Vista Hospitality in marketing. http://www.bryanbruce.com/

# # #

the 4-some ucf baseball alumni golf

2010-04-17T12:57:00.001-05:00

ucf alumni golf

2010-04-17T10:50:00.001-05:00

from my amazing wife

2010-04-15T13:44:00.001-05:00

couldn't do it without her support.

sealing the deal

2010-04-15T08:17:00.002-05:00

doing things different

corporate innovation.

2010-04-11T07:26:00.001-05:00

not being afraid to take chances.

world center morning

2010-04-09T06:47:00.001-05:00

the good life

research driving technological innovation.

2010-04-07T08:31:00.001-05:00

Strong

backyard oasis

2010-04-04T15:59:00.001-05:00

thornhill estate

the Mayflower

2010-03-31T14:01:00.001-05:00

amazing hotel in DC

old hotel

2010-03-30T19:30:00.001-05:00

mayflower dc

2010-03-28T11:20:00.001-05:00

2010-03-21T21:13:00.000-05:00

BBC E-mail: The rise of the app entrepreneur

2010-03-21T20:49:00.001-05:00

Bryan saw this story on the BBC News website and thought you
should see it.

** The rise of the app entrepreneur **
The soaring popularity of smart phones has created a new type of entrepreneur: the "app developer".
< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/technology/8577334.stm >

** BBC Daily E-mail **
Choose the news and sport headlines you want - when you want them, all
in one daily e-mail
< http://www.bbc.co.uk/email >

** Disclaimer **
The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified.

If you do not wish to receive such e-mails in the future or want to know more about the BBC's Email a Friend service, please read our frequently asked questions. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/4162471.stm

Bryan Bruce - LinkedIn

2010-03-21T20:10:00.001-05:00

facebook
Bryan Bruce 6:10pm Mar 21st	Bryan Bruce - LinkedIn To bryanbruce.blog@blogger.com RE: Personal Brand Bryan has shared a link with you. To view it or to reply to the message, follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=1469170534&k=Z2CUXYW5VZTF6BD1QK6UQUQTWPIB42VFVUBQJ&oid=1387981818005
	If you do not wish to receive this type of email from Facebook in the future, please click here to unsubscribe. Facebook's offices are located at 1601 S. California Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94304.

[BB's Blog] spy

2010-03-15T09:02:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bryan Bruce <bryan.bruce@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Subject: Fwd: [BB's Blog] Fwd: spy
To: Patrick Bruce <pfbruce@comcast.net>

our worthy discussions will be posted- this will serve as monthly
activity report for month end tracking. we need to ensure that ideas
we discuss are implemented.

http://www.bryanbruce.blogspot.com/

ideas without action are puffs of air.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bryan Bruce <bryan.bruce@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 9:58 AM
Subject: [BB's Blog] Fwd: spy
To: bryan.bruce@gmail.com

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bryan Bruce <bryan.bruce@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 9:57 AM
Subject: Re: spy
To: Patrick F Bruce <pfbruce@comcast.net>

yes, but they did the keyword research from what I can see - I like
their key word strategy with respect to what I am moving
towards....much of my homework is done- just need to wittle down and
make some tweaks to what they did. I like where they appear- I just
need to drill down more as you mention to ensure I get the 50% of the
170 searches the month for "meetings in orlando fl"

that is my first million dollar keyword term. seriously, dont' lock
in on a keyword term....do something else in marketing.

On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 9:00 AM, Patrick F Bruce <pfbruce@comcast.net> wrote:
> B
>
> Convention Planit is doing it "half ass" - their problem is they are buying
> key words but they are not sending them to optimized pages.
>
> More later I have 9:00 training scheduled
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bryan Bruce [mailto:bryan.bruce@gmail.com]
> Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2010 12:17 PM
> To: Patrick Bruce
> Subject: spy
>
> check out conventionplanit.com they are playing the game the way it is
> supposed to be played.
>
> B
>
>

--
Posted By Bryan Bruce to BB's Blog at 3/15/2010 08:58:00 AM

Fwd: If you would have been six two - this would have been you

2010-03-14T13:02:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Patrick F Bruce <pfbruce@comcast.net>
Date: Sat, Mar 13, 2010 at 5:15 PM
Subject: If you would have been six two - this would have been you
To: Bryan Bruce <bryan.bruce@gmail.com>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDg5vacKOs4&feature=grec

FW: XANGO XANGO XANGO ... a must see read.

2010-03-03T17:33:00.002-05:00

Subject: XANGO XANGO XANGO ... a must see read.

Team - I wanted to give a shout out to Bryan and Marc for the jumping out of the box - and doing all the things we agreed upon
at our last 2 meetings - to raise the bar on site visits. Classic example here, of how they put on a show, stood out ...scripted and
executed a site - that was designed to show our desire, creativity and enthusiasm, in a fun - quirky way - to book business!

Here's the low-down. XANGO -- 2400 Rooms, 2010 biz. Multi Level Company . Us and Gaylord. We are going to STEAL!

Bryan discovered, on their website, during his pre-qualifying, the way XANGO is promoting there 2010 Convention in Vegas: Click the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB-ACNi1OWU&feature=player_embedded

Ok - fun, huh? For the site- Bryan and Marc crafted the same theme, and the idea was to show XANGO we are in tune with their business
and used the same fun, whimsical video style - to set the stage for the site.

How did it flow ? We met the clients in the lobby, and Marc apologized that Bryan was running late .. then, we brought them down to the
Hello Florida showroom..

Marc said ..I'm sorry Bryan is not here ..but promises to join shortly. In the meantime, let's all have a toast.
He asked the Banquet Server if he had the XANGO juice ...to our surprise
the juice was gone. We made a big bravado - who stole the juice!

Again, the client looked like they caught us off guard, and not prepared. At that moment, the video screens, in the Hello
Florida office lights up - and here's Bryan, on the screen with this urgent message !

Take a look -- at the video ... it was fun to see the clients, facial cues, smiles and surprise at what happened next!

Here's the video - that we showed, and at the end --Bryan came running in the door, dressed like the video: ( note: we started with the test pattern - no credits - this is the 'directors cut) ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X622psSgqlg&feature=player_embedded

Team - the moral - it's not enough to be different - you have to STAND OUT. Lets let the comp set show rooms, and space. We tell a story, we orchestrate,
and we jump out of the box to show our creativity . We will continue to do this - and the buzz at World Center is to continue to re-invent the site process and
do what ever it takes, to have clients want to do business with us; due to our efforts, and creativity.

Great Job Bryan and Marc. This is the out of the box! The bar is set!

Blog: According to Mickey Mouse, the recession is over

2010-03-02T12:12:00.001-05:00

Reposted by Bryan Bruce originally Posted by Stephen R. Hennis at 12:00 AM
Peering over the plethora of mouse ears at Disney World a couple of weeks ago, I took note of the fact that even in the midst of the low season in Orlando, the place was pretty packed. Not shoulder to shoulder, but nonetheless there were long lines for rides and full tables in the restaurants. Was it its new marketing campaign to give away a free ticket in exchange for a day of volunteering? Was it the arrival of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees after winning the Super Bowl? Or is it an indicator that things are looking up?

As most parents will attest, a trip to Disney is not cheap. I would go as far to say that the cost including park tickets and food is at a price-level equivalent to a vacation at an all-inclusive, five-star resort. And I’m sure most of the families visiting Orlando made their plans in the latter portion of 2009, when there were even fewer signs of economic optimism.

Coinciding with my visit, Disney announced plans for the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history. Obviously, its executives have an optimistic outlook. And if you look at the recent performance of their parks and resorts, you can see why.

According to their SEC filings, revenues for Disney parks and resorts during the fourth quarter of 2009 were flat compared to the previous year. Park attendance was actually up, offsetting a decline in guest spending. Domestically, their guest spending per available room was down a mere 3.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009. I doubt any other hotel company can boast such a mild decline in guest spending, particularly when you consider that Disney’s rooms inventory increased more than 3 percent during the period.

Fwd: Hello

2010-03-01T12:26:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bryan Bruce <bryan.bruce@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Mar 1, 2010 at 11:00 AM
Subject: Re: Hello
To: athgdf@langate.gsu.edu
Cc: Patrick Bruce <pfbruce@comcast.net>

Coach- I am in the hospitality business- I work for Marriott
International in sales and marketing...been with them 6 years. I am
living in Orlando, Married and have a 4 year old daughter. We hope to
have a little 2nd basemen this year...god willing...although after
having a daughter I would take another girl without a problem. In
life there are key influences at critical times in our lives...you are
certainly on my list......thank you for the opportunity you gave me at
North Florida when I was let go from UCF....ultimately my time with
you enabled me to return to UCF and finish what I started- I am
grateful for that day when you let me try out and told me you did not
have a scholarship, but would give me a place to play. That's all I
wanted. My father and I remember that drive from Orlando to Madison
so well...my baseball career was on the line and after calling every
Junior College in Florida- you were the most gracious. All I wanted
to do was play baseball with guys who loved the game as much as me. I
found them in Madison. I wish you and your family the very best. If
you are ever in Orlando, let me know- I have a hotel suite waiting.

Bryan Bruce
www.bryanbruce.com

On Mon, Mar 1, 2010 at 11:00 AM, Greg Frady <athgdf@langate.gsu.edu> wrote:
> Thank you Bryan for thinking of me. I hope you are well. Are you living in
> Orlando? What are you doing for work? GF
>
> Sent from Greg Frady's Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
>
> ________________________________
> From: Bryan Bruce <bryan.bruce@gmail.com>
> Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 13:49:42 -0500
> To: <gfrady@gsu.edu>
> Subject: Hello
>
> Coach, sitting with my daughter at ucf game today was thinking about
> you....looked you up on Google and found your Bio on Georgia state page.
> You look great and sounds like you got your team on te right path. Continued
> success.
>
> Bryan bruce
> WWW.bryanbruce.com

Recent visit

2010-02-16T08:19:00.001-05:00

Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 6:33 PM
To: Bruce, Bryan
Subject: Recent visit

Bryan,

Thanks for your and Heathers hospitality I really enjoyed myself. Now lets talk about Bella what a girl you both must be very proud. I want you both to consider this a big red hot pepper to ward off the evil eye. I wish I had more time to spend with her she is adorable.

When Sheri became pregnant I had all the fears of a new father, but my greatest fear was to create an ugly child. I think I did ok. My brother did ok and you and Kelly have done OK!!!!. God bless you all.

If you think the Florida branch of the family could endure it, I would love to make Florida my vacation destination in the future.

Bryan send me Kelly's and your moms e-mail so i can thanks them too.

Love to all Uncle Paul

Paul Bruce

pwbruce@earthlink.net

little league my newphews first practice

2010-02-11T13:42:00.002-05:00

Subject: little league

Kyle had his first practice last night and he loves it. He was a little powerhouse hitter. That was his first time holding a real bat so we were impressed. He fielded a few balls and caught a fly ball so he’s thrilled. His coach is a little intense but maybe that’s good for him. He had them practicing for two and half hours last night in the cold with no lights. Once Kyle got that he didn’t have to touch the base with his hand he was pretty fast. He’s discovered sliding already so of course that’s his favorite thing to do. Opening day is March 6^th. He’ll have games every Saturday morning at Union Park LL.

Biggest Mistake I Ever Made

2010-02-10T13:38:00.003-05:00

Bryan, was not realizing the power that I had at Walt Disney World.

At the time there were 2000 professional staffing people working for
the company, and instead of focusing on how I could climb over a mere
2000 people, I wanted to take on the world – that was so stupid and
naïve on the part of some "kid" from Dormont.

As I read this report about Marriott that last sentence sent a cold
chill through my body – because it was then that I realized I too was
with a company that influenced the world economy.

More importantly I was in the top ten percent of the professional
staffing which means only 200 people stood between me and the highest
rung on the ladder, and many of them that I knew (like Billy, and Dan)
were no match.

How I had the right guidance – which I'm trying to give to you now, I
would have had the confidence to "go for it" instead I felt I was
under educated, under qualified and just not a real "player".

30 years later I know different. Al Weiss became president of Walt
Disney World Resort and he and I were on the same marketing team for
six months and all he did was "go strictly by the book" if the meeting
started at 9:00am he was there at 8:45am, not like me who would show
up at 9:05 with a cup of coffee in my hand laughing about something
stupid, drawing attention to myself. Damn I regret that.

But like I recently heard Floyd Little say something on NFL Network.
When his name was announced as a Hall of Famer his father called him
and congratulated him, and he said it reminded him of the first time
he spoke to his dad after he made a NFL team.

He said my dad pulled me aside and said "son, I once had this dream,
but was unable to pull it off, but now you are living my dream, and
there is no one in the world that I would want to live my dream than
you, now go out there and make the Hall of Fame!

And he did!

So my advices as an aging old marketing guy that "was unable to pull
it off" – go as far as you can with Marriott and I promise you will
not believe how far you can go.

My baseball dream for you was to make the high school baseball team –
that's it, not to be all county second team, or play on the number one
ranked team in the country or go to NCAA College Baseball tournaments.
I just wanted you to be the kid that didn't get cut in high school. .
. like I did, just because I came in late, and didn't take it
seriously. I was better than every kid on the team, and got cut
because I wouldn't pay attention (or couldn't)

But you lived that dream and hundreds more. . . I guess that is why I
spent so much time with you – I was viciously living my dream, and now
I'm doing it again.

Don't back down from doing a good job – if it's tough to make it
happen; guess what that is why it is called work! Embrace it, accept
their challenge and make them understand that when the game is on the
line and we need a HUGE hit to get us a birth in the NCAA tournament,
don't think by bringing in the biggest player to face the smallest
player is going to stop the inevitable from happening. . .

I'll never forget sitting in the stands that day, and watching that
ball sail over the left fielders head. My life was going down the
tubes with your mom, I had sporadic income and really nothing to
motivate me but that one hit made me realize that my life had some
value because when the odds were totally stacked against you – you
shocked the world, but you didn't shock me – I expected it, because
that would have been my ultimate dream 45 years ago

I love you! Stay right where you are, and show them that being cocky
and confident are not the same things – but sometimes they come in the
same package!

per available room, a key measure of a hotelier's fiscal health, fell
13 percent to 14 percent in North America. In early December, the
company predicted a 13 percent to 16 percent decline.

Marriott's brands are some of the industry's best known. And the
chain's vast size — 3,300 properties in 68 countries — gives it a
large presence around the globe

From the Guru

2010-01-30T08:07:00.000-05:00

When you were two, the tennis pro at the health club that I belonged to actually handled me a professional contract and said, “if you let me teach this kid how to play tennis, we can make a million dollars!” You were in the racquet ball court with a ping pong paddle bouncing the ball off the wall multiple time – just unbelievable hand to eye coordination, and I looked at him and said “Walt, what makes you think I can’t do the same thing in baseball”. You were two! Steve and his wife are not taking into account the cost/value of “intellectual property” – there is no way to measure it. If you can’t measure it, it has no value. Except of course, if you’re a Picasso, or Rembrant! The point is if you have never had any “intellectual property” around you - you obviously don’t know what it looks like. Until it “finds you” – Remember, he found you! If someone wants me to teach them what I know about the internet it not free because they don’t know the value! You buy the time in blocks of 5 hours, for $650, if you buy 10 hours the price is $1000. There are a minimum of 12 clients per month – 120 hours! If someone wants to buy all the hours that is their choice, cost $12,000 a month! If isolated clients want to pay by the hour it’s $150 per hour. I tell clients if you can’t handle the $650 start with one hour and see if you learn anything. If so then you can understand why I charge they way I do. If I just showed you something pertinent to your business that you didn’t know before “Therefore by transferring my knowledge to my client THEY become more valuable” Why shouldn’t I get paid for that? $200 per hour the first hour, and $150 for the second, $125 for the third, $100 for the fourth, $75 for the Fifth or a total of $650 dollars. You can do it in a week, a month a year or whenever you want. If you call me and talk to me about anything for five hours in a month I will teach you how to sell it online. If Steve wants you he wants your intellectual property, (the package is important) but what’s most important is the “intellectual property” ,they are chasing a valuable “intellectual property”. I’ve watched it happen my whole life, everyone wanted my “intellectual property” until it came time to discuss the value and generally the answer was “if you are so good then you shouldn’t worry about the money. . .” And my answer is short and sweet with a hint of disdain in my voice “ No Cost – NO VALUE” – Bryan if Steve wanted a new BMW tomorrow do you think he could figure out a way to get it! So please don’t allow anyone to insult your intelligence with “ I can’t afford it”. Do the math on his product and you will clearly see his business is a cash flow machine. It doesn’t matter that he isn’t making as much cash – that is why he needs you. . . what matters is he has an established product that is falling further behind the competition (especially online) because he does not understand search technology is not just Google! What he is looking for is a “salesman” and what you are looking to bring to the table is “a strategic equity alliance”. That means he gives up some of the equity in the company to get you “emotionally involved”. I got to believe that you and HEATHER working deals at tradeshows, and online sales presentation would kick ass – but he needs to get your emotionally involved! He needs someone emotionally involved. . . that business needs a guy that will get on base. . .. set the table if you will. That is what you are capable of doing with the internet and others can’t figure it out. We do not try to learn the “internet” we learn to use the internet to make deals! End of conversation. Steve, and people like him don’t understand “emotional involvement” until they get to a certain age and thought – “by the time we get to this point we will have someone else in there working on the day to day tasks. Didn’t work out the way they wanted. B, I saw it for 20 years starting with the Eric’ Micherson’s day. The guy had a million dollars one day and the next day he was driving around in a 1963 GMS Suburban! These people succeed themselves into failure. Not financial failure – but rather – time management failure, to keep their business going at the pace they need it to go they have to invest more time then they want. What they need is a President / GM and their trying to hire an all star second baseman. Someone to get on base. Meanwhile the lineup looks like shit and no one is training them Forget about that, the company obviously has no idea what it is doing on the internet. You saw my evaluation of their website, their competition is wearing the Nike’s right now and his 20 year old business is losing online marketing share and he wants to hire an all star second basemen! You can’t help them from a sales position as much as you can help them by flying into the President of a company that owns 700 hotels and say – here watch this Don’t you dare budge! Remove your name from consideration for sales person, and tell him you want to apply for the job as President!

Lunch with a Legend

2009-11-05T12:45:00.002-05:00

yesterday I was fortunate enough to be a guest at a luncheon that featured Arnold Palmer. Representing Marriott I was one of about 100 of the cities most influential people gathered at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando to network and enjoy a lunch with Arnie himself.

the experience was so wonderful that I wanted to share it with the world.

the ballroom was set and the curtains opened up overlooking the Bay Hill practice tee. As we inched closer to the start of the lunch and people made their way to the tables where they were to have lunch, you could see Arnie approaching - walking across the putting green in his tan pans, blue Bay Hill golf shirt, navy jacket and while golf shoes. yes he was coming to the luncheon in his golf shoes. these shoes had spikes. the lunch begin and they covered his illustrious career on and off the course. when he was finally introduced he got up on stage and sat in his chair to have the conversation with the audience. he opened by saying that he had to make it quick, because he was teeing off at 1pm. It was 12:15pm when he said those words. one of the first questions that was asked, Why Orlando? consider it was an Orlando Economic development commission luncheon it only made sense. Why Orlando....his response, because I wanted a place where I could show up to events like this in my golf spikes and no socks. sure as we are home to Mickey, he wasn't wearing socks. A legend this man is.

He went on to talk about his relationship with his long time attorney Mark McCormack. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_McCormack thru a story that he tells so well. He was a young up and coming golfer with lots of celebrity and endorsement potential, when it become obvious that he would need an attorney to represent him Mark approached him. Arnie simply said, I will let you represent me, but you will ONLY represent me. You must drop the others. After a day or so to think about it, Mark returned to Arnie with a contract. he said, Arnie I have decided to only represent you....and here in this contract it outlines our exclusivity to each other. Arnie says he looked at Mark and said, i am not signing any contracts. he said, all I need is you to look me in the eye give me a handshake and do what you say you are going to do and I am fine with it all. Mark said, but Arnie that isn't good business. Arnie said lets try it.....and they did, and it lasted 40 years until his recent death. As Arnie said, it worked pretty good.

This made me think - because so recently in my business and my job I have been so dilgent and focused on agreements, what is on paper that I had losts sight of this very important characteristic. Trust honsesty and a good will of a mans word....

We are in the hospitality business, a business where in the early years agreements did not exists, if Marriott told you it was going to happen, it did....In 2009, how times have changed and Arnies lesson was so perfect as there is a need for balance in everything we do.

He continued to talk about his life and his passion for children and their health and well being. He talked about his involvement in the Arnold and Winnie Palmer childrens hospitals based right here in Orlando....how forunate are we to have Arnie call Orlando home.

As he was speaking a cell phone rang from somewhere near him....but he did not hesitate, just reached into his pocket, noticed who it was and told the audience that he would call his daughter back later- the intruption brought back a memory which he shared- a time when he was speaking to a group like this one that day and a phone rang in the audience. as he made a snide remark about the rude interruption he noticed it was his phone- he said he felt like he was standing on stage with his (as he begin to say pants, he realized that was not gentlemenly like in front of the ladies in the audience) he stopped himself and rather said, I felt like I got caught with my socks off...raising his leg in the air showing off the fact he did not have socks on as he earlier commented. It was real, he is real and wow what an opportunity to be in the same room with the legend.

As he finished up about 10 till 1pm.....he got up from his seat the room gave him a standing applause and he walked out of the ballroom door, onto the practice green. As Meg Crofton, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meg_Crofton president of Walt Disney world said her words to the group, in the back ground for the audience to see, was Arnie hoping in his golf cart and off to tee #1 for his 1pm. Something else...what a day.

Thank you Marriott for giving me the opportunity to represent and share this special day with a legend.

Hotel News Now | Hotels News - Article

2009-08-31T11:55:00.001-05:00

Hotel News Now | Hotels News - Article

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A great day on the golf course

2009-06-13T13:03:00.002-05:00

Who: David, Patrick, Bryan and Chris
What: Golf head to head
Where: West Orange Country Club
When: June 12, 2009 @ 2pm
Why: To say goodbye to Patty Lascell (Precious P) as he heads off for his new promotion

El dog was a last minute scratch we hope you are blessed with some better days ahead. we all had a great day out there and we missed you. recapping the day...

Nabavi was a little sloppy first and foremost.

a question still remains out there- why did we not know Nabavi was playing Metro earlier in the day. Interesting mind.

Patty was up several on the front and Bryan came back to finish the front up three (follow score card below)

Dave switched carts and began harrassing me at the turn. I lost 3 straight strokes and now we are tied.

After several missed puts and an arrant tee shot here and there, Patrick took over until he ran into a bit of trouble on the par 3 17th.

There he found himself in the sand and at one point after several bunker shots on that hole was heard saying, "the pressure is mounting."

Bryan did not capitalize missing a short put on that hole that would have put in down 1 going to 18th. didn't happen and patty took a 2 strokes lead onto 18th.

Bryan lost his drive on the 18th and Patty started to savor the victory.

Good way to say goodbye to Patrick, a man I share a middle name. Congrats to him for achieving his goal as store manager, now he must readjust his sites on the Regional Managers Position so that he can find himself back in Orlando one day.

Thanks for the day guys, lets do it again sometime soon.

Nabavi, card below for your records.
Patty, there will be a day a rematch will occur. Keep that in mind.

breaking a sweat

2009-05-11T09:00:00.003-05:00

on saturday my family and I went to the Winter Garden YMCA here in Orlando for some fitness. daughter swim lessons followed by playtime while mom, dad and mother-in-law run around and get fit. wife and her mother on the treadmill while I played basketball in the gym. taking it easy as it was the first physcial activity since my pinched nerve in my neck several months go. It was so nice to be on the gym floor, the smell brought me back to my days trying to be a baskeball player as a 9th grader. I made the team on pure hustle, cause I was the whitest basketball player in America.

as I was running layups back and forth by myself trying to break a sweat, I could see a professional athlete over in the corner working out. there was no mistaken this guy from a professional athlete- they way he walked, the way he carried himself, the clothes he wore and the headphones on his head.

he finished his workout and made his way to the basketball court where I was...that is when several kids approached him for autographs and I immediately recognized him as Gilbert Arenas.

for the next hour he and I shared the half court, shooting hoops and having a good time, but the thing that had the biggest impression on me was the way he worked at his game.

for the first 30 mins he used a YMCA ball.....but out of nowhere his buddy rolled him his NBA ball and that is when the guy lit up. It was like someone just turned on the sun. His pace picked up and he got noticably aggressively, dunking the basketball 3 seconds after having it in his hands.

I wasn't impressed with his long shot or his dribble as much as I was his passion for his ball, his tool. I was also very focused on the amount of time he spent with the little things, like passing the ball against the wall for 30 mins, taking 3 foot shot off the glass, making layups. it was obvious that he was staying sharp by doing the little things.

like the day I watched tiger woods practice 3 foot putts before Bay Hill for about an hour.

it was a good morning, running up and down the court with Gilbert Arenas, we traded sides of the court staying out of each others way. It isn't every day that you share the stage with a professional working on his game.

Rust and a beer

2009-05-04T13:32:00.003-05:00

sitting down for a beer and smoke
my very important client points to the rust
we both acknowlege how bad
we notify operations
in no time the sign is posted
the 2 good men spring into action
when the client speaks, we listen
in no time the rust is gone
and in time for my next beer and smoke with this client
cheers.

richard, thanks for the opportunity
see you soon.

Read Bill Marriott's Letter to More Than 8,000 Top Customers Urging Continued Support for Travel.

2009-05-03T21:12:00.002-05:00

J. Willard Marriott, Jr.
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer

Dear Valued Customer: During challenging times, it’s important to review your business practices and thank the people who helped you succeed. That’s why I’m writing you today—to thank you for your continued loyalty to the Marriott family of brands and our 150,000 associates worldwide.

We understand that businesses have to make difficult decisions about business travel and holding larger meetings, events, and incentive trips. At Marriott, we’re making those same decisions ourselves. While we’ve postponed or scaled back certain events, we’ve also invested in meetings that we know grow our corporate culture, enhance our sales profitability, and allow us to emerge from this downturn stronger than our competition. And it turns out, the Kellogg Business School agrees. In a recent study, 82% of executives surveyed believe that business travel is important to achieving their business results and 72% find that increasing travel while others are cutting back gives them an advantage over their competitors.

The travel industry—particularly the sector of the industry that facilitates business meetings, events, and incentive travel—has recently been under assault. A handful of bad decisions by TARP recipients gave Washington politicians the impetus to portray business travel and events as excessive and unnecessary. Our industry has been fighting back by launching the Meetings Mean Business campaign, and I’ve written an op-ed, done media interviews, and personally met with many Senators, Governors, and the President to explain the unintended consequences of the rhetoric. I believed it was important to raise awareness about the real victims of declining travel—the housekeepers, taxi drivers, bellman, and banquet servers who could lose their jobs.

Following our recent meeting with President Obama, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said, “The President believes it’s important to have a strong tourism industry and that we shouldn’t retrench. He would encourage people to travel.”
At Marriott, we’ve launched a new promotion called “Meetings Matter” which can help our customers hold their events by offering unprecedented incentives for group bookings. We’d be happy to host your next meeting or event.
Our associates join me in appreciating committed customers like you. So thank you for doing business with us and keep doing what you do best!
Warm regards,

J.W. Marriott, Jr.

Vegas hotel leaders chat about economy

2009-04-28T11:26:00.000-05:00

How I Learned to Pay Attention to the Details

2008-12-12T09:27:00.006-05:00

I recently read a post on Bill Marriott's blog with the same title as this post. I like reading blogs from very successful business men. I read Bill's as well as Mark Cubans weekly. Reading his entry on attention to detail (link below) inspired me to share my story about the same subject.

http://www.blogs.marriott.com/default.asp?item=2299698

In 1996 I was a bellmen at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport. About 2 weeks on the job I was promoted to Doorman. About 3 days into that job the GM, Pat Engfer approached me, looked me dead in the eye and said, "Bryan, I do not like to see cigerette butts anywhere on my hotel's property. Especially on the front driveway." It made sense immediately and I made it my personal goal every morning at 7am to sweep the entire Hyatt Airport driveway before she arrived. She noticed immediately and there was never a day on my watch cigerettes were ever a problem.

Fast forward to 1999 - I am now in Las Vegas standing in front of the 4 star Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas managing Guest Services front service staff. Unprevoked, I walked up to the morning doorman and looked him dead in the eye. I said, "We do not have any cigerette butts in our ashtrays." From that point forward- as much as possible, my team would pull butts out of ashtrays and restamp the ashtray sand with a beautiful palm stencil.

If I ever wanted to know the type of service my team was providing on any given day, I just looked at the ashtrays. If they were free of butts and stamped, they were on their game. Attention to detail.

Bryan

2009 US Lodging Forecasts

2008-12-09T14:35:00.002-05:00

Most Markets Will Suffer

“In keeping with our long-standing view that the lodging industry is a street corner business, we focused heavily on the outlook for the major hotel markets in the nation,” Woodworth said. “We have developed 100 unique econometric forecasting models that project the performance of both the upper- and lower-tier properties in 50 of the largest cities in the country.”

Except for New Orleans, all of the 50 markets analyzed by PKF-HR are forecast to suffer a decline in RevPAR in 2009. The main culprit for the decline in RevPAR is the forecast fall-off in demand. In 40 of the 50 markets, PKF-HR is forecasting a lower number of rooms to be occupied in 2009 as compared to 2008. In 18 of these markets, an above average increase in the supply of hotel rooms exacerbates the competitiveness of the marketplace.
“When analyzing the declines in RevPAR forecast for the nation’s major markets, it certainly appears that warm-weather, leisure-oriented, and seasonal markets are most vulnerable in 2009,” Woodworth observed. Five of the top seven forecast city declines in RevPAR are expected to occur within the State of Florida. The other two markets in the top seven are Phoenix and Oahu. “Further reductions in airline capacity amplify the negative operating environment in these markets brought on by weak economic conditions.” Previous research by PKF-HR found that a 1.0 percent increase/decrease in airline capacity yields a 0.39 percent increase/decrease in lodging demand at the national level.

Beyond 2009

Come 2010, the relevant economic indicators are forecast to begin to drive lodging demand upward. This will happen simultaneously with diminished levels of new supply, thus resulting in gains in occupancy and, eventually, pricing power. “Given all the lodging industry will have to deal with in 2009, it is hard to look beyond a 12-month window. However, a glance at 2010 does reveal the beginning of an upward trend,” Woodworth concluded.

entire article
http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2008_4th/Dec08_PKFRevPar.html

Keeping Our Eyes on the Road Ahead

2008-11-04T08:24:00.000-05:00

A message from Bill Marriott: November 3, 2008 8:03:47 AM

I was out in Los Angeles recently to check out the progress of the L.A. Live project - a brand new commercial and residential center revitalizing downtown L.A. When it opens in 2010, it will include two of our top brands - a JW Marriott and a Ritz-Carlton. Also, a Ritz-Carlton Residences. It's stunning and I'm betting it will be a great success both for Los Angeles and for Marriott.

I'm glad I was there. Particularly given all the gloomy financial and economic news around these days, it was important to make the point that when we come out of these tough times, we'll be ready. That's not going to happen overnight, but it's going to happen. I'm confident that the actions of the political and financial leaders in Washington and globally are going to help the financial markets tremendously.

But unfortunately, even if the financial markets are calmed, there's been enough impact to the economy that virtually all the experts now believe that we're into a recession.

I've experienced eight downturns in my 52 years in business and we've always come out of them stronger and more competitive than when the trouble began. In early October, we reported our third quarter earnings results and also provided observations about business for the rest of 2008 and into 2009. At that time, we expected business in late 2008 and 2009 to decline, but in just the last few weeks our business outlook has further weakened. Although business is slowing, our corporate staff and our hotel management teams have been doing everything they can to operate as efficiently as possible.

We're doing what we can to contain costs, keep our loyal customers and attract new ones. This will help preserve jobs for our people, which is a top priority for me and for all of us. We are anxious to support the communities where we operate. Our hotels generate thousands of jobs, millions of dollars in wages and tax receipts that the local governments need to pay for schools, police and fire departments. We're all connected and we're all in this together.

Although we have to work our way through this tough economic patch, it's important to keep our eyes on the road ahead as better times will return.

I'm Bill Marriott, and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.

My return to Marriott at the perfect time

2008-10-03T06:58:00.000-05:00

Senator McCain is right

2008-09-27T07:52:00.001-05:00

2008-09-10T20:50:00.001-05:00

This morning unexpectedly or beloved buddy doggers passed away. Sammy lived a very good, healthly long life and was the best dog a guy a girl or a family could have asked for. Bella named him doggers out of nowhere and we will miss them together.

Sambo as my father called him died
peacefully and was buried behind our home so he can forever rest in peace near this house he made home.

Sammy was 13. A special collage of sambo was created by Heather.

http://picasaweb.google.com/bryan.bruce/MyBuddyDoggers#

Sent from my iPhone

Bella learns to swim!

2008-07-26T12:27:00.000-05:00

2008-05-11T13:28:00.001-05:00

Response to Coach Bergman's Firing

2008-05-03T10:13:00.003-05:00

Coach Berman was a big part of my life. He was my coach during my baseball career in college and he was a guiding light during some difficult times as a young student athlete. Bergy gave me patience and opportunity to rebound from mistakes I made and as a result I have benefited greatly.

Baseball and sports are filled with gags that many would deem inappropriate- it is a shame that this gag apparently went to far in the eyes of those involved. I have been around sports my entire life and can tell you that I have witnessed much more than was outlined in these allegations. Have anyone heard of the impossible sit-up? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzIsF9Wdm5I&feature=related

Each and every year I look forward to seeing Coach to thank him for all he contributed to my life. I am saddened that the man who gave me so many second chances will possibly not get another himself. In baseball and in life, people make mistakes, say and do things they regret- Bergy deserves the benefit of the doubt and that is exactly what he will get from me.

Good luck Coach and thank you.

My beautiful baby girl on her new bike.

2008-01-03T08:13:00.000-05:00

two special thank yous

2007-12-17T20:54:00.000-05:00

On Saturday night I was invited to attend the CFHLA (Central Florida Hospitality and Lodging Association) year end Gala. The event was held at the JW Grande Lakes www.grandelakes.com and was well attended by the whose who in the hotel business of Central Florida. I was honored to be in the same room with some of the great hospitality leaders of our community. The evening was full of networking and fun and exposed us all to those in the market we compete with every day for fair share of leisure and convention customers that visit this city on an annual basis.

It was during the event that I saw from across the room a woman that was instrumental early in my hotel career. Pat Engfer, GM of the Hyatt Orlando International Airport, who in 1998 gave me some critical advice and encouragement that lead me to a career in hotels. It was 1998 when I was a very proud doorman for the Hyatt airport property that Pat made an impact on my life. I took pride in my job and ensured during my 8 hours that the front drive not only ran smooth but was free of cigarette butts, a huge pet peeve of Pat's. I remember the day that I learned that Hyatt was building and developing the first ever Hyatt property in Las Vegas. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to be there, opening this fabulous property. I went home, put together a resume and proudly returned to work to share with Pat for her feedback. I handed her the resume and asked for her thoughts and suggestions. I explained that it was my desire to transfer to this property with her blessing. She took the resume and told me she would review it. When she returned to the driveway the next day, she handed me the resume with her comments and corrections. The paper looked like it was a grade school gammer paper full of corrections and corrective comments. Remove this, add this, why is this here, replace this, etc. I took her feedback, tweaked the document and returned the following day with corrections. After her final blessing, she gave me her approval and recommendation and in 1999 I was in Las Vegas as the Door Captain of the 500 room Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas Resort www.lakelasvegas.com.

One Saturday night, after almost 10 years since her recommendations and resume corrections, I saw Pat (http://www.simontbailey.com/newsletters/brilliant_carat_59.htm) at the CFHLA Gala event. I knew I had to say hello, but more importantly thank her for being apart of a wonderful life changin time in my life. I made my way to her table and had the distinct privilege of thanking her for the impact she had on my career, my story, my life. I explained that it was in Las Vegas that I elevated myself from Door Captain, to Guest Service Manager to my first Sales position. I thanked her for the opportunity and trust in me to give me that opportunity. I told her that Las Vegas is where I met my wife and that I now live here in Orlando with my wife and young daugther and work as the Director of Sales and Marketing of the International Plaza Resort and Spa www.intlplazaresort.com. My time with Pat was a rare opportunity to thank someone who years prior was instrumental in putting me in position to be successful. I will always be thankful for the time and faith Pat had in me and my career.

Two nights later, on Monday night I was at dinner www.theoceanaire.com with a customer when I noticed sitting next to me a familiar face from my past. Low and behold, the group next to me was joined by John Hart, former Cleveland Indians GM http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hart_(baseball), who in the late 80 early 90's ran a very popular and prestigious high school baseball camp at Osceola County Stadium. This camp ran by Hart, included many well known major and minor league players and coaches. The top 120 Central Florida high school players attended and I was fortunate to be one of them. The camp was a week long and included one on one instruction, fun team building activities and end of day 9 inning games, culminated by a camp ending awards ceremony. I will never forget the last day of the camp when the awards presentation began. John Hart and all of the camps goers and instructors huddled in center field to hear who had won awards like, Best Pitcher, Fastest runner, player most likely to play major league baseball, etc. As the awards were given, many of my high school teammates were recognized. Brian Barber, best pitcher and Johnny Damon, most likely to play major league baseball. As the last award was given and as everyone was saying goodbye, John Hart stood in front of all the camp goers and said, "This year we have one more award that we would like to give. This is the first time we are giving this award. The last award we would like to give goes to Bryan Bruce for the Hustle Award. I was blown away and as I walked my 5'7 140 lb frame up to receive the award I remember being so proud of being recognized with the very best. John Hart handed me the award and I had never been so proud. The award, when I looked at it, had white out over the award name and hand written comment, "Hustle Award" The award was not standard, but they made it specifically for me which was evident by the white out. I still have the award today- white out and all. So as I was having dinner and told the story to the people I was with, it became very obvious that I had to interrupt his dinner and say hello and thank him for that moment in time. A time in which his award gave me confidence and pride that I belonged with the very best. That hustle and effort was worth something. I told him my story and thanked him for the memories. I learned that evening that we had some things in common. That he once played for the University of Central Florida, that he played for my former college coach, Jay Bergman and the last thing we had in common- we both accepted challenges to take a last place team to first place. As I told him, as Director of Sales, my team is working to bring our hotel out from under the perception of being the worst hotel in Orlando to one day making it one of the most special and unique places in not only Orlando, but in America. I told him that the lessons I learned at his camps and that were reinforced by his acknowledgement of my effort in hustle are carried with me today. John Hart has been around many great athletes, I consider myself one of them. I am now a corporate athlete and I was honored to be able to thank him for his impact on my life.

Two special thank you's in one week. Two opportunities I had to share.

2007-12-02T20:00:00.000-05:00

My wife and her friends on South Beach

2007-11-07T18:18:00.000-05:00

Relocating to Orlando

2007-10-02T07:01:00.000-05:00

Home to Walt Disneys famed theme parks, Orlando, Florida is a growing city with diversity. For anyone relocating to Orlando, this information provides a snapshot of the city.

The county seat of Orange County, Orlando is Florida's largest inland city. In 2005, 213,223 people lived in this mid-size city, a 14.7% increase in five years by U.S. Census estimates. In the decade after the 1990 census, the citizenry had grown by 12.7%. Encompassing four counties, Orlando is the hub of "Greater Orlando" with its 1,933,255 people. The average age of Orlando residents was 33.2 years by 2005 census reports. The citys population was made up of 41.7% White non-Hispanic residents, 35% African American and 20% Hispanic. The average household size was 2.3 people. Families made up 54% of city households. Orlando supports large minority populations and has an above average percentage of foreign born citizens for a city in Florida. A large student population can be found in Orlando with the University of Central Florida and its full-time enrollment of 26,717 students. Valencia Community College has another 15,792 full-time students.

People living in Orlando made below average income in 2005. The average household had earnings of $36,699, about $10,000 below the national average. Median family income lagged by over $15,000 with $40,143 yearly. The most common jobs for both men and women were in accommodation and food services, each providing 12% of each genders workforce. Poverty was slightly above average, affecting 15% of the citys people. Greater Orlando had a very low jobless rate of 2.8% in October, 2006. The area economy thrives on the tourism and convention industry, especially with its Disney World attractions. Orlando is one of the busiest for conferences and conventions, home to the second-largest convention complex in the U.S. Manufacturing is another big sector. Because of its location near "Space Coast" and the Kennedy Space Center, many high-tech companies have been relocating to Orlando and the surrounding area. Lockheed-Martin has a large manufacturing facility for missile systems, aeronautical craft and related research. Other notable engineering firms include multiple U.S. Air Force facilities, GE, AT&T, Boeing, HP, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon Systems.

With an increase in the job market, people relocating to the Orlando area impacted a dramatic growth in urban sprawl. As a result, housing prices have soared. In 2005, Greater Orlando home values climbed 34% in just one year. By the summer of 2006, homes surged to $254,900 on average, according to the National Association of Realtors. Within the city, the 2005 median home value was $194,300, according to U.S. Census reports. That figure is nearly double what it was five years prior. Orlandos housing landscape is changing, with 31% of the citys homes built since 1990. Renters occupied over three of every five housing units. With 56% of renters spending 30% or more of their take home pay on housing, the average rent was $808 per month in 2005. There is a serious risk for personal and property crime in the city of Orlando. The FBI Crime Index reports Orlandos crime has been about three times worse than the national average since 1999. The city ranked as the 25th most dangerous city in America in 2006, according to Morgan Quitno Press, an independent research and publishing company.

Anyone relocating to Orlando will find a warm and humid subtropical climate. It can either hot and rainy from May until October, or cooler and drier with moderate temperatures the rest of the year. During the humid season, daytime highs average in the 90s with heat indices as high as 110 degrees. During the summer, violent storms will appear, bringing high wind, heavy rain, hail and lightening. The humidity is lower in winter with an average low of 50 in January and highs around 72 degrees. and temperatures are more moderate, and can fluctuate more readily. Orlando records an average rainfall of 50.6 inches annually, most of it during the hurricane season. While the city faces a considerable hurricane risk, the area is safer than South Florida's urban corridor or other coastal areas. Hurricanes are likely to weaken before reaching Orlando. The Orlando-area has experienced tornado activity that is slightly higher than the rest of Florida, and 96% greater than the U.S. average.

The Orlando area is home to a wide variety of tourist attractions, including the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and Sea World Orlando. The Disney resort is the area's largest attraction with its Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney-MGM Studios. Cypress Gardens Adventure Park is in nearby Winter Haven. Disney operates an animation studio at the Disney/MGM Studios in Orlando. The city is also known as the capital of pop, mainstream and alternative rock music, with music acts like Britney Spears, Mandy Moore, N-SYNC, Backstreet Boys, Creed, and Matchbox Twenty. The NBA Orlando Magic is the citys one professional sports franchise. The Citrus Bowl is also located here, home of the Capital One Bowl (formerly the Florida Citrus Bowl). Orlando is the birthplace of sit-com star Delta Burke.

Moving to Orlando- contact Heather Apostle with Century 21 Nabavi International to discuss the area and the huge opportunities in real estate that exist.

Heather Apostle
heatherapostle@yahoo.com
407-353-0859
heathersellsorlando.com

My current project

2007-08-04T12:00:00.000-05:00

billy d

2007-06-02T08:37:00.000-05:00

sitting in a 2 bay suite at the World center for $39 per night (my friend Ken made a call) to get out of moms hair and spread out a bit. nice time to be with heather and baby. bella is starting to talk a bunch. understands what things are and points and says things you ask her to say or find. loves to say "pretty baby." she also likes to say "happy baby." our home was scheduled to close on thursday, however we called it off on wed morning because they just were not ready. defective tile throughout the entire first floor was the kicker. builder agreed to pay any costs associated with the delay, so this week I will probably be ordering room service all week. blessing in disguise because it is supposed to rain all weekend and the movers would not have been very effective. next week it will be perfectly sunny.

our original plan was to drive down to Sarasota, but then we learned of tropical storm betty, decided to keep in close to home. how about the world center. I understand what you are doing below. you are getting me ready for high school in little league and getting me ready for college in high school.

Billy Donovan just pulled a Bryan Bruce.

On 6/1/07, Patrick Bruce wrote:
Bryan

I smile a lot when you explain to me how busy you are and how I don’t understand, but trust me, like you once said “you haven’t learned everything I taught you” and I know that. In fact, I will venture to say, that in maybe ten or fifteen years you might hit yourself in the forehead and say - “Damn my old man taught me that 15 years ago”.

So please understand - I understand.

Now having said that I want you to know the strategy I have used with you since you were born; I never - ever worried about where you were in your life; I always focused on “where you were going” - what direction where you headed in.

If you will remember growing up the focus for me was always trying to get you to the next “level” - I truly believe in life if you get to level of “ripe” then you start to rot;

I have been to the next level; moving from Indian Wells Court was no different then moving from Orange Tree / to that Condo / to Hidden Beach; the only difference was 20 years; same problems, same concerns, some challenges.

So please understand - I can never, just like you will never be able to “let go” EVER that is just what parents are all about.

I am not telling you what to do or when or how (okay sometimes) but most of the time I am just letting you know what happening on the “next level” for no other reason then - I’ve BEEN THERE. Just trust me when I tell you I’VE BEEN there!

Love you

Read the Power Point

me and my little bella b

2007-04-23T21:10:00.000-05:00

How are your brackets looking?

2007-03-25T19:15:00.000-05:00

Me and little B

2007-03-18T11:16:00.000-05:00

Old Dad Advice

2007-02-19T14:21:00.000-05:00

Dr. Phillips Baseball Alumni Golf Outing

2007-01-22T09:33:00.000-05:00

January 15, 2007 - Robert E. Lee Day

The old boys from Dr. Phillips Baseball get together and enjoy a perfect day of golf at Orange Tree Country Club in Orlando. Never a bad day on the golf course especially with old friends.

Its Great to be a Florida Gator!

2007-01-09T08:45:00.000-05:00

do the Florida Gators deserve some credit or did I just see an ass whipping? the answer is obviously yes to both. It is now time to start calling them THE Florida Gators. how about a few weeks ago in Gainesville when the Gators blew out Ohio State in basketball. did we think it would happen again. after that game with a few minutes to play, the crowd chanted "over-rated." They followed that with chants of "just like football." at the time I was telling these gators (one inparticular) to be careful.

needless to say, I think the Buckeyes heads are still spinning and they are now officially tired of the orange and blue.

as the Gator basketball team walked off the Indianapolis court after last years win at the National Championship game, the Gators conveniently took a look around and decided to take with them the hard wood floors and one or two of the big reply screens. they thought both would be a nice memento, a wonderful addition to the Stephen C. O'Connell Center .

now one only wonders what the Gators will take with them after last nights win in Arizona. I would think this is a tradition these florida gators should continue. I am sure they will find something they like from the stadium billed as the nicest in the NFL.

for those who do not watch much Florida football, don't look now, but here comes Tebo and Harvin for another couple of years. It has never rung more true than today the words I have heard so many times while on campus in Gainesville, "Its Great to be a Florida Gator!"

congrats to all the Gators and fans of Southeastern Conference Football.

Loews Hotels Plans to Acquire and Assume Management of the 493 room Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas

2006-12-08T13:53:00.000-05:00

NEW YORK- - Loews Hotels plans to acquire and will assume management of the Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas Resort, which will be renamed the Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort. Purchase of the 493-room property, expected to close in early December, will be funded by a joint venture of a single investor (75% equity) and Loews Hotels (25% equity), signaling the start of the hotel company’s expansion campaign. Five million dollars will be invested in the property to introduce Loews Hotels branded services and amenities, which exceed AAA Four Diamond standards to delight guests with a supremely comfortable, uniquely local and vibrant travel experience.

Loews Hotels, which had previously announced plans to build within the Lake Las Vegas Resort community, has seized on this opportunity for a more immediate entry into the growing Lake Las Vegas Resort marketplace. This is Loews Hotels’ first property in Nevada.

“This property is a perfect addition to the Loews portfolio,” said Jonathan Tisch, Chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels. “Lake Las Vegas Resort is one of the hottest meeting destinations in the country with great airlift, incredible weather year-round and, of course, a range of amenities including award-winning golf, water sports and the legendary Las Vegas Strip nearby. We will add to this destination’s sparkling reputation among meeting planners by introducing Loews Hotels’ innovative branded programs to this resort,” said Tisch.
“We are very proud to welcome Loews Hotels to Nevada and to Lake Las Vegas Resort,” said Ronald F. Boeddeker, Chairman of Transcontinental Corporation, the owners of Lake Las Vegas Resort. “Our goal has always been to offer our visitors a world-class resort destination experience with top-rated hotel choices. The Loews brand with their luxury services and amenities certainly is an excellent addition.”

“Luxurious upgrades are planned for this already well-established property, allowing us to give our customers what they’ve asked for – a Loews experience in Lake Las Vegas Resort,” said Jack Adler, President of Loews Hotels. Adler also announced the appointment of Dale McDaniel as Managing Director of the resort; he most recently served as the General Manager of the Loews Royal Pacific Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Upgrades to the property are planned to begin immediately after the deal closes. They include the addition of 32” flat screen televisions in all guest rooms; the renovation of all suites and casitas; updating of the resort’s pool decks, cabanas and palm-shaded terraces; and renovation of the lakeside fire pit. Guest bathrooms will be enhanced to include lighted make-up mirrors, updated vanity areas, and new hairdryers, scales and towels.

In keeping with Loews Hotels’ steadfast service commitment, upgrades extend beyond the physical product. “Dollars will also be directed to Loews new branded training program and to the implementation of our new service standards, such as twice-daily housekeeping service, vibrant lobby entertainment and complementary welcome beverage,” said Adler. To this end, guest comfort and intuitive service are key points of difference.
The services and amenities complement Loews Hotels’ popular branded programs, such as Loews Loves Kids, Loews Loves Pets and Breakfast at Loews, as well as its innovative partnership with toymaker Fisher-Price.

Situated on 21 acres of lakefront property just 17 miles from the Las Vegas Strip, Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort is the centerpiece of the nearly 4,000-acre Lake Las Vegas Resort community in Henderson, Nevada. The hotel’s 493 guest rooms and suites feature sweeping views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The resort has four restaurants, a 9,000-square-foot spa, and a children’s camp facility. Recreational diversions include two swimming pools and golf on two championship courses. An adventure concierge stands ready to coordinate a range of adrenaline-inducing excursions, including treks to the Grand Canyon, kayaking on the Colorado River and Hummer tours of Nevada’s Valley of Fire.

Headquartered in New York City, Loews Hotels owns and/or operates 17 hotels and resorts in the U.S. and Canada as a subsidiary of Loews Corporation (NYSE:LTR). Located in major city centers and resort destinations from coast to coast, the Loews portfolio features one-of-a-kind properties that go beyond Four Diamond standards to delight guests with a supremely comfortable, uniquely local and vibrant travel experience. Loews boasts some of the industry's most innovative and successful travel programs, including Loews Loves Kids for families and Loews Loves Pets for discerning animals on the road. For more information on Loews Hotels, call 1-800-23-LOEWS or check www.loewshotels.com.

A Few Good Expenses

2006-12-07T10:32:00.001-05:00


few good men expenses viral

Halloween 2006

2006-10-16T09:32:00.000-05:00

October 14th, 2006 Celebration, Florida

Freshman

2006-10-08T07:02:00.000-05:00

One Year Anniversary!

2006-09-12T12:07:00.000-05:00

Today marks the one year anniversary of my marriage with Heather. I am blessed to have her in my life and look forward to the years ahead with the person I call my best friend.

On our anniversary I think back to when we first met when we first dated when we first loved each other when we first had a disagreement when we first made up when we first lived together And I realize that every day is an anniversary for us of something we felt together of something we touched together of something we shared together of something we did together But today is the most important milestone of all It is the anniversary of the day that we joined each other in marriage a day we promised that for the rest of our lives we would love each other Especially today I want to let you know that I love being married to you because I love you so much

Heather you provide the baby and I with the love and support we need to enjoy each day to its fullest. You have enriched my life in so many ways, the biggest gift being our gorgeous little baby girl. We did such a good job in making her, that there is only one thing to say.

Lets have another!!

Love you always and forever, Bryan

Steelers Win Opener!

2006-09-09T08:26:00.000-05:00

What a game, here is a shot from our seats. Five rows off the grass at Heinz Field.
Nice to win the first one over a very tough opponent.