Marketing
Hotel marketing is more than a few standard, tried and true sales techniques. At HVS/American Hospitality Management Company we begin by taking the time to understand the unique environment in which each hotel operates. Specific marketing strategies are devised and then translated into a detailed plan of action. The thoroughness of our marketing plan process translates into an efficient and effective marketing effort.

We understand that implementing a hotel's marketing strategy means much more than telling salespeople what to do. It also means impressing upon the entire staff the importance of customer service because a satisfied customer is the best marketing tool available.

The market plan is monitored regularly to make sure it is executed as planned. Many functions are coordinated centrally in order to allow the hotel’s staff to focus on those things only they can do at the local level.

Accounting
We believe accounting serves a purpose beyond presenting the historical financial position of a hotel. Timely accounting information, properly presented, is information that management can use to improve future performance and compare income and expenses to past performance and future goals.

The Uniform System of Accounts, endorsed by the American Hotel and Lodging Association, is used to present financial information. Additionally, statistics that are useful in analyzing the financial statements are included. Full supplementary schedules and any backup documentation is available to the owner at any time. We will assist client asset managers in the preparation of their internal reports.

Accounting data is processed using an offsite Application Service Provide (ASP) over the internet. This enables our hotels to input daily revenue and statistical data while accounts payable is processed regularly. The end result is that managers, owners and corporate staff can review financial data on line at any time over the internet using a web browser.

Using our ASP accounting is accomplished using the most advantageous arrangement for the hotel. We can either perform all of the accounting, from disbursements to statement processing, at our corporate office or decentralize any portion of the process to the hotel level. At HVS/American Hospitality Management Company, tight internal and cash controls, combined with strong manager responsibility, are key to maximizing profitability.

Maintenance and Energy Management
Maintenance is a key to maximizing guest satisfaction and the hotel's economic life. Maintenance is primarily preventive; therefore we make every effort to schedule it.

Energy management is carefully monitored by reviewing the hotel's expenses, and, where necessary, by direct meter readings. To minimize expenses, energy suppliers are consulted on a regular basis to insure that full advantage is being taken of all programs and all economically viable technology. Guest satisfaction is always a consideration in energy management decisions.

Food and Beverage
A hotel restaurant should do more than provide food to hotel guests. It should attract attention to the hotel, introduce potential guests to the hotel's high quality of service and make a profit. To make this happen we stress CREATIVITY, QUALITY and CONSISTENCY. These same principles apply to liquor outlets, room service and banquet areas.

Creativity means making sure our restaurants and lounges meet the needs of our potential customer. Each hotel has a unique location, target market and local culture that can and should be integrated into the hotel's outlets.

The people we hire, the products we purchase and the service we provide express quality. We select our employees carefully and provide rigorous training and supervision. Quality products are used in our restaurants and lounges because we demand them and we train our employees to find them.

Consistency is what makes a good restaurant notable. We attain it by placing the proper procedures and systems into the restaurant and by recruiting and training people who are competent and caring

Personnel
We accomplish our goals through the people who are employed in the hotels we manage. Maximizing each employee's potential as an individual and as a team member is a key to maximizing the profitability of each hotel.

We design and implement employee bonus programs and support continuing education programs for all of our employees. These and other programs give hotels managed by HVS/American Hospitality Management Company distinct advantages in recruiting and retaining employees.

In order to recruit and retain qualified professionals, we adhere to four standards of personnel management:

1. Creative recruiting and careful selection of all employees.

2. Thorough job training and careful orientation to the work environment.
    

3. Quality leadership, including timely feedback and a balance of positive and negative incentives.
    

4. Employee involvement in planning and implementation of hotel's programs.

We use the Educational Institute as a foundation for training programs and where applicable require that all staff be certified by them including line level staff such as Room Attendants and Guest Service Agents.

We have proprietary orientation materials to help insure that each new employee starts with a sound foundation and connection to the property where they work. As part of that orientation we insist each employee and, if they wish, their family, spend a night in the hotel. We also budget and spend $15 per employee per month on employee activities in the belief that employees value having a relationship and a sense of family with their co-workers.

Hotel Brands
Hotel brand names can be a big part of the marketing of any type of lodging property. One must either be purchased through a franchise license agreement or membership or created in the case of independent, non-affiliated properties.

A brand helps provide an identity and a sense of consistency. When a brand is purchased the hotel’s owner and operator are agreeing to a set of standards, both physical and operationally they feel will enhance the revenues of the property. When a brand is created the same issues apply, however the brand identity is tailored to the unique features of the property and may be created to serve the hotel in long or short term. In either case they must be consistently applied, pay attention to detail, follow the guests’ experience (sight, physical and service experience) and build a theme, even if it is contrived. The brand is the foundation of all marketing, including advertising.

Having managed hotels of all types and sizes we have a variety of experience working with many different hotel franchises and in creating brands for independent hotels for long or short term use. Additionally, Mr. Payne’s involvement with the American Hotel & Lodging Association as 2002 Chairman has broadened connections to individuals that work in various positions and levels of most major hotel companies.

Sale of Hotel
In cases where the hotel is for sale, we will work closely with the owner and the brokers to facilitate the sale and the closing. This includes working with the owner and the selected broker to decide where to spend available capital so that the hotel shows well, and executing other ideas presented by the broker and approved by the owner.

Staff, management in particular, are carefully trained on what they can and cannot say or give to prospective buyers as we are mindful we may be perceived as agents of the seller and representations made by staff may be wrong or misinterpreted.