Florida GM Puts Proactive Twist on Employee Retention with Strong Emphasis on Technology Training, Continuing Education

Best Western Gateway Grands Gromoll Advises Peers to Teach, Tap Student Talent at Local Colleges to Stem Attrition Rates

A year ago, Ron Gromoll read the names of World Trade Center-related hijackers in the Gainesville newspaper, scrolled through the two-year guest history in his hotels PMS system, found one of the hijackers name, and sent it to the FBI. As general manager of the 152-room Best Western Gateway Grand in Gainesville, Florida, Gromoll, who also teaches classes at the nearby community college and oversees their hospitality program, is known for being a proactive executive.
For the past year, we have had a major bridge building construction project outside our hotel," said Gromoll. Our numbers should have been way down but statistics show we are even with last year, and are still leading the whole town. Smith Travel data from August posted 82.1% versus 63.9% for us and our competitors, respectively."

Gromoll attributes the propertys success to a high price-to-value ratio, the in-depth training of the hotels staff on the PMS system, Excel, and Word applications, and internal operational efficiency. The hotel was built to upgraded Crowne Plaza specifications and opened under a Best Western flag. Guests are 'wowed by the upscale Mediterranean feel." Gromoll noted the property earned $120,000 in revenue this year through travel agency consortiums and spent only $3,000 on marketing. He also said 35% of the propertys business is convention related, which gives the propertys Maestro PMS system from NORTHWIND plenty of action in the group module. Advantages of the Maestro system include:

Windows-based ease of use, typically learned in one to two days by the staff, whose attrition rate is 150%;

A simple yet robust tracking system for efficiently setting up conference and group accounts and serving guests;

Minimum time spent on tasks because of the efficient flow of system functions such as checking guests in and out; creating reservations, guest look-ups for phone calls, and searching for account data.

Gromolls passion for training and education has also served the Best Western Gateway Grand well. I believe strongly in education, whether it is on property or in the classroom," said Gromoll, whose college hospitality classes are well attended. We get good people in our hotel program; I like teaching so it is a good fit, especially since I can mine the classes for potential employees. Last week I gave an 'Introduction to Hospitality lecture to 120 students at the University of Florida. I think if other GMs kept in touch with the universities and colleges in their areas they would have plenty of applicants, even if they did not want to teach."

Best Western Gateway Grands primary markets are government, and sports teams since the property is centrally located between the capital of Florida, Tallahassee, and the University of Florida in Gainesville. It is also equidistant from St. Augustine, Jacksonville, and Daytona Beach, and within 12 miles from local Gainesville attractions. Those include Sante Fe Community College, Florida Museum of Natural History, Stephan C. O'Connel Center, Center for Performing Arts, the Hippodrome State Theater, and the Downtown Gainesville Historic District.

Contact:Best Western Gateway Grand
4200 N.W. 97th Blvd.
Gainesville, FL 32606
Phone: 352-331-3336
Mr. Ron Gromoll, General Manager
http://www.bestwestern.com/prop_10281

CONTACT: Northwind Eleonora Di Blasi, Sales & Marketing Specialist 905-940-1923 x-229