so we will be able to accommodate our clients' concierge service needs more immediately when they are working at the studio
Albuquerque, NM (Vocus) March 10, 2007
When he was planning Albuquerque Studios, the newly opened $74 million state-of-the art motion picture and television production facility, Nick Smerigan wanted to be able to offer clients something more. The idea Smerigan, the studio's chief operating officer, came up with was a comprehensive production support concierge service, the first such full-service facility provided by a studio.
Albuquerque Studios contracted with Southwest Suites to operate The Studio Concierge, which offers a wide range of concierge services, including travel, housing, meals, housekeeping, shopping, security, transportation, recreation and entertainment. "We have a lot of experience working with production companies," says Joyce Smith of Southwest Suites. "That experience has helped us to design our services expressly to meet their needs."
Smerigan of Albuquerque Studios calls Southwest Suites "the perfect choice" to run the concierge service. "Mounting a production is hard work, especially on the road," Smerigan says. "We partnered with Southwest Suites to create The Studio Concierge to make it easier for our clients to focus on their jobs. They can leave the travel and living arrangements to a company that knows the area and can provide for all of their needs."
"What we're trying to do is accommodate all their needs in one place," adds Jeremy Hariton, executive director of operations at Albuquerque Studios. Building a studio away from the more established film centers brings its own set of issues. "It's completely full-service," he says, "We know that 99 percent of our business is going to come from out of town, so almost everyone is going to be 'on the road.' We wanted to give them all of the conveniences of home."
Smith knows well the special demands made by those involved in the film and television industry. "they require more concierge services than the typical clientele, such as yoga, Pilates, dry cleaning and laundry services, massage therapists or spas and personal assistants," she says. Southwest Suites will staff The Studio Concierge office right on the lot, "so we will be able to accommodate our clients' concierge service needs more immediately when they are working at the studio," Smith says. Clients need only visit The Studio Concierge desk atto arrange business travel, weekend getaways, events, dinner reservations or skiing. In addition, The Studio Concierge service will extend to those staying in the various furnished homes, town homes, and apartments that Albuquerque Studios will have available for clients.
Among the on-site amenities at Albuquerque Studios will be a fully equipped gym. The 5,000 square foot fitness center will be available to all the studio's staff and clients and has been designed by staff from the University of New Mexico, based on its own recreation center.
While offering the convenience of a full-service concierge at Albuquerque Studios, Southwest Suites will be able to provide their services at very competitive prices. "All of the companies and service providers we are working with have set up discounted rates with us," explains Smith, "so our clients can enjoy one source of contact to handle all of their arrangements and still get deeply discounted rates."
As a result of all the demands that will inevitably be made on the clients, The Studio Concierge will "offer any concierge service that any five star concierge can provide from A to Z," says Smith.
Albuquerque Studios offers concierge services through The Studio Concierge.
# # #
