Diane Willoughby’s Post

"Never overstay your welcome." I thought this was a hilarious notion of how some people will stay on your couch or your spare room longer than welcome. LOL Even with family, I tend to opt for a hotel regardless. :) A principle that resonates both in our personal and professional lives. In this intriguing tale, a couple finally stands their ground after their inconsiderate family repeatedly took advantage of their hospitality. The story serves as a reminder that setting boundaries is essential, even with those closest to us. Whether it's festive holiday dinners or professional collaborations, boundaries help maintain respect and harmony. It’s about mutual respect and understanding—values that are just as crucial in the workplace as they are at home. Curious about how they handled the situation? Dive into the full story here: Check this out: https://lnkd.in/d63Er4r9

Here's what our Board President, Gerardo (Gary) Sanchez, Senior Director of Community Impact, Equity, and Public Affairs at Visit Dallas, had to say about his involvement at 24HourDallas: ''My role with 24HourDallas began in 2017 (before 24HourDallas had its name), when there was an initiative to enforce a “Late Hours Overlay” on businesses opened past 12am, with the intent of addressing parking, noise, alleged crimes, and other claims. The ordinance was flawed and was drafted with no input from residents, neighborhood businesses, property owners or employees. Organized by the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association, there was a strong opposition to this ordinance, officially called, “Stop The Curfew.” Thanks in big part to the hundreds of service industry works who showed up at Dallas City Hall to voice their opposition, it was defeated. The ordinance went through the process of being heard at council committees, but it was ultimately dropped. The idea of taking a pro-active approach on addressing these matters soon arose, and in January 2020, the first 24HourDallas member meeting occurred at the Omni Hotel. Although 24HourDallas has grass-roots origins, it’s had tremendous effects on Dallas, and it’s been fantastic to see many of our ideas come true – our Good Neighbor Initiative and Copper Star Certification program (now in its third year); the hiring of the city’s Manager of Nighttime Economy and Responsible Hospitality, and more recently, the publishing of our first Nighttime Economic Study, which demonstrated that in 2023, the Dallas nightlife scene contributed $15 billion in direct economic impact, and when considering induced effects, the overall indirect economic influence was $24.4 billion and the support of 256,000 jobs. As the current President of the 24HourDallas board of directors, I’m extremely proud of the work we’ve done, and moved by everyone’s commitment to our mission: “to create a safe, vibrant, and diverse nighttime culture for businesses, residents, and guests,” because the nighttime really is for everyone.'' If you share the same passions or want to join Gary as a member today, visit 24hourdallas.org! #TheNighttimeIsForEveryone

Tidbit for your Day | Our team loves to see how industries innovate when it's time for them to evolve based on a shift in consumer behaviors. And currently all signs point to some cosmic shifts in the hospitality industry based on Gen Z's preferences and perspectives deeply engrained since Covid. As Gen Z, dubbed the “Homebody Generation,” redefines what a night out looks like, bars and hospitality venues are being forced to rethink their approach. It’s not just about serving drinks anymore—it’s about creating spaces that blend the comfort of home with the allure of going out. Low-ABV cocktails, mocktails, intimate atmospheres, and curated, low-key experiences are becoming the new norm. This shift represents a huge opportunity for the hospitality industry to innovate. Establishments that prioritize comfort, connection, and authenticity will be the ones that thrive. As Gen Z continues to favor meaningful, personalized experiences over traditional nightlife, there’s a clear message: the future of hospitality will be less about volume and more about value.

Several states have banned the afterwork ritual of happy hours, and in at least 20 others, the discounted drink specials are restricted. But now, a few of those states are revisiting their bans in the hopes of luring people back downtown. One of those states is Massachusetts. Lawmakers there think it’s time to do away with a 1984 law banning discounted drink specials. An amendment introduced this summer would overturn the statewide ban, granting local governments the right to allow alcoholic beverages to be sold at a discounted price during specified time periods. The proposal passed the state Senate in July but now awaits approval from the House of Representatives and Gov. Maura Healey. Lawmakers in support of expanding happy hours laws have framed the policies as a way to revitalize downtowns that have seen less foot traffic since the pandemic as more residents and tourists stay home. Learn more below: https://lnkd.in/eHnNgeVX

Seven states banned happy hour, and many others restricted it. But now, as cities look to bring more visitors downtown, policy makers are changing their tune. Learn how new happy hours, social districts, and other policy changes can bring dollars back to downtown bars and restaurants: https://bit.ly/4eTFYRL

Wonderful World 🌍 Wednesday Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent | England Last night, we went to a local pub in leafy Tunbridge Wells for dinner. It came highly recommended and we were excited to check it out. We walked through the door, glanced at the clock and saw it was 8.32. We asked the Boss if dinner was still possible, and the answer was a hard no. “The kitchen shut at 8.30”, he said and then walked off. No eye contact, no connection. Just a hard No. A waitress saw the exchange, said she could ask the chef to make a sharing plate of cold meat, but we needed real food. After a long day, we didn’t really fancy leaving, but we did, in search of a hot meal and a warm welcome. We walked around for a while as it was a beautiful evening, a tad bemused. In the end, we found a charming little tapas and wine bar. The service was flawless, with excellent attention to tiny details. And the food was delicious. The stark contrast between the two venues got me thinking about the importance of service. And the importance of connection. First off, for the publican to be so short-sighted by being so stringent with time, he must be under too much pressure. There’s no way that a happy employee working in hospitality would treat a potential customer in such an unfriendly manner. No dinner, ok – but delivery is oftentimes as important as the message itself. If your employees are client facing – how do you check-in to be sure they are conveying the essence of your brand ethos? Are you providing an environment where your team can call each other out if they are slipping on service? How can we continue as leaders to encourage our teams to drop the devices, socialise with each other and cultivate an environment that encourages connection? I truly believe the pandemic effects are still rippling through society and we need to go back to base and remember to be human. Maybe even to re-learn a few things. Never underestimate the power of connection. #wonderfulwednesday

Happy Wednesday! This is truth! If you want to take care of your guests, you have to take care of your team. If your team feels valued and cared about, they will take care of your guests. It’s as simple as that. Hope you have a great Wednesday! #wednesday #wednesdaymotivation #hospitality #takecareofyourteamfirst ##yourteammatters #teamwork #takecareofyourguests #haveagreatday

Meeting professionals! Please remember that making your event inclusive should include options for sober attendees. Which doesn’t just mean a zero proof bar with zero proof spirits….because having something that “tastes like the real thing” can actually be a trigger for someone newly sober. Coach the bartenders to make sure they pay attention to those asking for virgin or alcohol free versions of drinks. I once asked for a virgin mojito and it was definitely not virgin. Fortunately, I work a strong program of recovery so it didn’t cause me to stumble. Tonight as I celebrated 17 years sober, I went to an industry happy hour and enjoyed my usual ginger beer (af) on the rocks. I work a program so being around alcohol doesnt bother me. But that wasn’t always the case. Don’t pressure people to go to the reception or stay for “one more.” You don’t know if they are struggling. And frankly, it’s none of your business why Sally isn’t drinking anymore so don’t call it out. Most of all, remember us when you’re planning your parties. Thank you on behalf of the recovery community everywhere. Seventeen years. Including the pandemic. One day at a time.

I recently spent a period of time living in a senior living community. No surprise that this Senior Living Enthusiast fell even more in love with the industry and I'm walking away with 100 new friends. 👯 My only complaint..Aaron Fish ,MBA, CHS, FMP what can we do about the coffee situation in senior living.....no, seriously....I need Starbucks to start popping up! ☕ Check out the article below to read a few of my key takeaways.

As we start our busiest (and the most fun) season, here are three tips you can follow to make sure your productivity levels stay on top! #hospitality #nycevents #nycstaffing #eventstaffing #productivity