make wishes come true
FEATURE
concierges ...make wishes come true
By Lynn Peithman Stock Photography by Jason Leidy
GoRiverwalk.com
37
FEBRUARY2010 37
FEATURE
Describe your job: “Just to make sure everyone in the building is happy.” Experience: Kennedy started her career in the food and beverage industry and has worked in hotels at the front desk, reservations, sales and marketing, as a purchasing agent and then as a concierge in hotels. Kennedy also worked in information technology in Europe. What do you like about your job? “It gives you the ability to do something different every day. You get to fulfill the needs of people and make them happy.” Most common request: Information for which events are happening this week. Most unusual request: A resident wanted Kennedy to make flight reservations to Las Vegas with no layovers, a room at the Bellagio overlooking the fountains and tickets to two hot shows with good seats. She was able to fulfill his request within 30 minutes. “He was thrilled. A good concierge needs to know where to go to get what.”
lynne Name:
Lynne Kennedy Location:
The Symphony Condominiums
38 GORIVERWALK.COM
Most recent request: To print boarding passes and call a taxi. Last Web site visited for work: www.lasolascafe.com to make Valentine’s Day dinner reservations.
FEATURE
Describe your job: “We are condo hotels — so we handle any request, from specific newspaper requests to private air charters to ground transportation. It’s a very busy job. We have to keep up with what’s going on in town.” Experience: McGannon started working at a hotel part time when he was in college in Kansas City and majored in hotel and restaurant administration and Spanish. After graduating, he applied for this job and was recently promoted to guest services manager. What do you like about your job? “Every single day is completely different. You’re going to meet someone new and you get to be challenged. And I get to look at the ocean from my desk.” Most common request: To make recommendations for dining and nightlife. Most unusual request: A family visiting from the Middle East requested that their suite of rooms be set on Middle Eastern time, so McGannon arranged to have the 20 windows blacked out and set up the satellite television to Saudi stations. One room was converted into a full service gym. Most recent request: He helped someone find a hotel room for a post-cruise stay in the area because the Atlantic was full. Last Web site visited for work: www.tripadvisor.com.
paul Name:
Paul McGannon Location:
The Atlantic Hotel
FEBRUARY2010 39
FEATURE
Describe your job: “Making the impossible possible and giving residents an edge for whatever they need.” Experience: Hemeon worked in restaurant management and at spas before becoming a concierge. What do you like about your job? “My first concierge job fell into my lap and I didn’t know what I wanted to do until then. I love my residents. They’ll come up and shoot the breeze. It doesn’t really feel that much like work.” Most common request: Dinner reservations. Most unusual request: Last minute requests for tickets to sold-out shows. “You have to have your finger on the heartbeat of your building and your area.” Most recent request: To call her balloon designer to let her know that the yacht she was decorating that evening was in a different location. “You don’t want to show up with 1,000 balloons and the boat has moved.”
carrie Name:
Carrie Hemeon Location:
River House Condominiums
40 GORIVERWALK.COM
Last Web site visited for work: www.Google.com, to seek information on Super Bowl festivities. go
concierges ...make wishes come true
By Lynn Peithman Stock Photography by Jason Leidy
GoRiverwalk.com
37
FEBRUARY2010 37
FEATURE
Describe your job: “Just to make sure everyone in the building is happy.” Experience: Kennedy started her career in the food and beverage industry and has worked in hotels at the front desk, reservations, sales and marketing, as a purchasing agent and then as a concierge in hotels. Kennedy also worked in information technology in Europe. What do you like about your job? “It gives you the ability to do something different every day. You get to fulfill the needs of people and make them happy.” Most common request: Information for which events are happening this week. Most unusual request: A resident wanted Kennedy to make flight reservations to Las Vegas with no layovers, a room at the Bellagio overlooking the fountains and tickets to two hot shows with good seats. She was able to fulfill his request within 30 minutes. “He was thrilled. A good concierge needs to know where to go to get what.”
lynne Name:
Lynne Kennedy Location:
The Symphony Condominiums
38 GORIVERWALK.COM
Most recent request: To print boarding passes and call a taxi. Last Web site visited for work: www.lasolascafe.com to make Valentine’s Day dinner reservations.
FEATURE
Describe your job: “We are condo hotels — so we handle any request, from specific newspaper requests to private air charters to ground transportation. It’s a very busy job. We have to keep up with what’s going on in town.” Experience: McGannon started working at a hotel part time when he was in college in Kansas City and majored in hotel and restaurant administration and Spanish. After graduating, he applied for this job and was recently promoted to guest services manager. What do you like about your job? “Every single day is completely different. You’re going to meet someone new and you get to be challenged. And I get to look at the ocean from my desk.” Most common request: To make recommendations for dining and nightlife. Most unusual request: A family visiting from the Middle East requested that their suite of rooms be set on Middle Eastern time, so McGannon arranged to have the 20 windows blacked out and set up the satellite television to Saudi stations. One room was converted into a full service gym. Most recent request: He helped someone find a hotel room for a post-cruise stay in the area because the Atlantic was full. Last Web site visited for work: www.tripadvisor.com.
paul Name:
Paul McGannon Location:
The Atlantic Hotel
FEBRUARY2010 39
FEATURE
Describe your job: “Making the impossible possible and giving residents an edge for whatever they need.” Experience: Hemeon worked in restaurant management and at spas before becoming a concierge. What do you like about your job? “My first concierge job fell into my lap and I didn’t know what I wanted to do until then. I love my residents. They’ll come up and shoot the breeze. It doesn’t really feel that much like work.” Most common request: Dinner reservations. Most unusual request: Last minute requests for tickets to sold-out shows. “You have to have your finger on the heartbeat of your building and your area.” Most recent request: To call her balloon designer to let her know that the yacht she was decorating that evening was in a different location. “You don’t want to show up with 1,000 balloons and the boat has moved.”
carrie Name:
Carrie Hemeon Location:
River House Condominiums
40 GORIVERWALK.COM
Last Web site visited for work: www.Google.com, to seek information on Super Bowl festivities. go
