Happy Friday Hospitality Hero,

Did you catch the debate last night? I went to bed thinking, “What the heck did I just watch?” We’ve all been on projects that didn’t go smoothly, but those are often the times we learn the most. Early in my career, a superintendent in a project meeting once said: “Now I’ve been to state fairs and I’ve been to rodeos, but this here’s a clusterf*ck.”

Democracy is messy, and I believe that’s a “feature” of our form of government in the United States, not a “bug”. But what does this mean for those allocating capital to acquire, build, and renovate hotels? I believe they will sit back and stick their hands in their popcorn bowl, not their wallets, to watch this shit show unfold. So, let’s get some historical perspective with this week’s feature.

The Friday Five

1. This Week's Feature: The Mohonk Mountain House was founded in 1869, shortly after the Civil War. It has been run by the same family for over five generations. This week’s conversation is with the current president and family member Eric Gullickson. We discuss how his family’s stewardship and business model is an incredible and unique example of sustainability. 

2. Memory Lane: In Episode #131 with Mitch Parker, we discuss his experience in a fourth-generation business at the Parker Company. The key takeaway from Eric and Mitch’s conversations is putting the stakeholders of a business first, not just the shareholders. This, I believe, is a foundational principle of sustainability. 

3. A Dash of Inspiration: Check out this breathtaking view of the Mohonk Mountain House, ninety minutes outside of New York City, a testament to sustainable practices and historic preservation. 

4. Journey Shorteners: History can be an excellent anti-anxiety medication, reminding us that today’s “clusterf*ck” is not unprecedented. For some historical perspective on the political chaos, I recommend the Pulitzer Prize-winning book: “What God Hath Wrought.” It dives into the history of the United States from right after the War of 1812 to just before the Civil War. This period saw the rise of instantaneous communication via the telegraph, the Industrial Revolution, the railroad, political parties, demagoguery, and the abolition of slavery, ultimately leading to war.

5. Upcoming Industry Events: Below is a list of exciting industry events where we can connect, learn, and grow together. Let's continue to build our hive and support one another on this incredible journey!

Buckle up and take deep breaths - it will be a crazy ride from now until BDNY.

Naturally,

Dan Ryan