I traveled 72 days of the year in 2007, I traveled 85 in 2008, I traveled 103 in 2009, I traveled 126 in 2010, I traveled 125 in 2011, and I traveled a record 130 days of the year in 2012.  With 2013 more than halfway behind us, I have traveled a total of just...

Where would we be without IKEA?  For me, IKEA is furniture that I’ve always called temporary – furniture I plan on buying but not moving with, because surely in my next home, I will want more permanent furniture.  Isn’t it funny then that more often than not, I find myself either moving with my IKEA...

I am a big fan of the new evolution in buyer experiences – the one day, hosted buyer, reverse tradeshow. It’s a very good use of my time and one such media company who continually does a very good job with this is Smart Meetings, operated by Marin Bright of Bright Business Media.  I have...

I’m not a very picky traveler I suppose, since I am perfectly content making a connecting flight rather than a much more convenient direct.  This motivation is twofold however.  For one, I would sooner fly half way across the country in the opposite direction of my destination, to either save some money or utilize my...

Hotel Lobbyists business is now more diversified than ever!   Six years ago the firm began with a concentrated specialty in government and government related travel.  While that is still a focus, with the current state of the government segment, it has become important for the firm’s portfolio to evolve.  At one point, government business may...

I am asked constantly what the is the driving force behind my client’s buying decisions and also what can they do to attract my attention, my client’s chief influencer.  A common misnomer is that the buying decision, even in this hardened economy, is solely about the best rate.  Rate is certainly a factor but the...

I lose things.  I admit it.  I lose things but not because of any sort of absent mindedness.  I believe I lose things because I’m charged with holding onto more things than the average person.  And it’s not coincidence that I lose less in the summer time when I’m able to wear cargo shorts with...

Hospitals are interesting buildings.  Much like hotels, guests check in and check out all the time.  It’s a round the clock operation with massive amounts of information being carried, conveyed, and couriered constantly.  They are home to the most joyous and most solemn occasions and so the personnel who man these facilities could take a...

On May 15, 2013, my mother’s birthday, at 5:27p, a 7lb 15oz baby boy was pulled from my wife’s belly after 17 hours of labor, 2 hours of intense pushing, and ultimately a caesarian section.  Welcome to this world Eli Henry Sterenson, so named for my paternal grandparents Edward and Helen Sterenson. When the anesthesiologist...

This week the third iteration of the Hotel Lobbyists website will be unveiled.  It’s an exciting time for the firm, now six years in business and going strong despite a weakened meetings industry.  The all new website retains much of the functionality of the previous site with some technological and a whole lot of aesthetic...