On The Road To Myrtle Beach, Lexington, KY, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Gulf Shores, AL, June 2009
Not that I believe much in astrology, but I have to say that June always seems to be a significant month for me which is fitting as a Gemini, as are both my father and my son. June of 2009 was to prove to be no different.
Knowing that the last week of school was the first week in June, I thankfully was able to block out the whole week off the road to be in town for so many school events involved with my Julia's fifth grade graduation. I was happy to be there as a volunteer to help transform the school cafeteria into a dance hall for the annual fifth grade graduation dance. Most of all I was happy to be there for the Hollywood Hills Elementary 5th grade graduation ceremony, which also includes the final honor roll of the year. After a fabulous 2 hour ceremony which provided recognition for all in attendance, the ceremony closed with a final special award, going only to those who achieved straight A's from third - fifth grades. Now I have to admit knowing that Julia was to be receiving this award, so I tried to sneak up close for a picture. It was only then, when I saw three small trophies, that I realized she was one of only three kids out of 135+ to achieve this honor. For this I am not only very proud but also very grateful. Here's a picture of me with Julia and (from right) Julia's mom Lisa Kennedy, Mrs. Hazelcorn (Asst. Principal), and Mrs. Roberts.
After graduation week it was time to hit the road again on Sunday night, back to Myrtle Beach to conduct a management-level training for Brittain Hotel Management. (See OTR March and May, 2009) I was scheduled to go from there to train in several other cities that week, but sometimes The Universe has its own plans. Moments before an important wrap-up meeting with the GM's was to start, I received a call that my father George had taken a turn for the worse and was entering his final hours. Not that this was completely unexpected, as most of my friends and blog readers know that he was 85 and had been in long-term care for over 18 months. Thankfully Colleen was able to take over the meeting for me until I could get my travel plans going and I appreciate the compassion shown by our clients there.
Although my father passed away while I was in the air flying home to Lexington with my wife Cathy, it was really all okay as my sister and brother Dan were there by his side. I was just thankful for all of the visits I'd had with him during his last difficult months of hospitalization, but even more so for all of the years of happiness and health he enjoyed living independently until 2007. We had traveled together so many times. Here is a picture of my dad George F. Kennedy on the night before my wedding with Cathy Cook, on May 19, 2006. To the left is my Best Man (and best friend) Rob Schmid, and in front are three Rolling Rocks, my dad's favorite beer!
In every situation one has to count one's blessings, and in this circumstance there are so many to thank, starting with my client Cristina at Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin, who was so kind in rescheduling a program at the last minute, and also Jeff Webb, GM at the Hilton Suites at Lexington Green, who graciously accommodated Cathy and I. I'm grateful also for my brother David in San Francisco, and my brother Dan who is pictured below presenting our sister Kathy with the honor of receiving the flag from dad's 21-gun salute ceremony:
After spending 10 days in Lexington it was time to return to our own home and check-in with our pets and of course my KTN team, which thankfully runs on auto-pilot when they need to without me. After a restful weekend with the kids it was time to get back into the swing of things and get out there on the road again as I've always done. It was good that my first week of travel was an easy one, just a Southwest non-stop up to Jacksonville, FL where I was to train another vacation resort rental company, Vacation Rental Pro. Although I've met Steve Milo the owner and President several times at conferences and area wide workshops, and we've also had him use our webinars and mystery shopping, this was the first time I had the chance to present on-site training for his team. Now I'm already looking forward to going back this fall for another round of training he's already planning on. Here's a picture of me with his reservations sales team that day:
Since it turns out to be easier to drive the 3 hours from Jacksonville to Orlando, after training that day I headed off in the rental car to train for two days at The Reunion Resort, which is just south of Disney World in Orlando. It was great to see my client friend Sam Miller, who I had previously worked with when he was at Sandals and Beaches, and to visit this incredible destination resort for the first time. Next time I know I have to hit-up Sam for a deal on some golf so I can bring my wife Cathy, who is the avid golfer in our family, just so I can ride on the cart to see the beautiful courses designed by golfers such as Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and Arnold Palmer. Not to mention our kids would absolutely love visiting the waterpark which is right there at the resort. Here's a picture of me with my groups that day:
Finally to end the month I took an intensive two-day trip to Gulf Shores, AL to conduct a reservations sales and service audit for a major new client here. More on that in next month's blog!
Knowing that the last week of school was the first week in June, I thankfully was able to block out the whole week off the road to be in town for so many school events involved with my Julia's fifth grade graduation. I was happy to be there as a volunteer to help transform the school cafeteria into a dance hall for the annual fifth grade graduation dance. Most of all I was happy to be there for the Hollywood Hills Elementary 5th grade graduation ceremony, which also includes the final honor roll of the year. After a fabulous 2 hour ceremony which provided recognition for all in attendance, the ceremony closed with a final special award, going only to those who achieved straight A's from third - fifth grades. Now I have to admit knowing that Julia was to be receiving this award, so I tried to sneak up close for a picture. It was only then, when I saw three small trophies, that I realized she was one of only three kids out of 135+ to achieve this honor. For this I am not only very proud but also very grateful. Here's a picture of me with Julia and (from right) Julia's mom Lisa Kennedy, Mrs. Hazelcorn (Asst. Principal), and Mrs. Roberts.
After graduation week it was time to hit the road again on Sunday night, back to Myrtle Beach to conduct a management-level training for Brittain Hotel Management. (See OTR March and May, 2009) I was scheduled to go from there to train in several other cities that week, but sometimes The Universe has its own plans. Moments before an important wrap-up meeting with the GM's was to start, I received a call that my father George had taken a turn for the worse and was entering his final hours. Not that this was completely unexpected, as most of my friends and blog readers know that he was 85 and had been in long-term care for over 18 months. Thankfully Colleen was able to take over the meeting for me until I could get my travel plans going and I appreciate the compassion shown by our clients there.
Although my father passed away while I was in the air flying home to Lexington with my wife Cathy, it was really all okay as my sister and brother Dan were there by his side. I was just thankful for all of the visits I'd had with him during his last difficult months of hospitalization, but even more so for all of the years of happiness and health he enjoyed living independently until 2007. We had traveled together so many times. Here is a picture of my dad George F. Kennedy on the night before my wedding with Cathy Cook, on May 19, 2006. To the left is my Best Man (and best friend) Rob Schmid, and in front are three Rolling Rocks, my dad's favorite beer!
In every situation one has to count one's blessings, and in this circumstance there are so many to thank, starting with my client Cristina at Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin, who was so kind in rescheduling a program at the last minute, and also Jeff Webb, GM at the Hilton Suites at Lexington Green, who graciously accommodated Cathy and I. I'm grateful also for my brother David in San Francisco, and my brother Dan who is pictured below presenting our sister Kathy with the honor of receiving the flag from dad's 21-gun salute ceremony:
After spending 10 days in Lexington it was time to return to our own home and check-in with our pets and of course my KTN team, which thankfully runs on auto-pilot when they need to without me. After a restful weekend with the kids it was time to get back into the swing of things and get out there on the road again as I've always done. It was good that my first week of travel was an easy one, just a Southwest non-stop up to Jacksonville, FL where I was to train another vacation resort rental company, Vacation Rental Pro. Although I've met Steve Milo the owner and President several times at conferences and area wide workshops, and we've also had him use our webinars and mystery shopping, this was the first time I had the chance to present on-site training for his team. Now I'm already looking forward to going back this fall for another round of training he's already planning on. Here's a picture of me with his reservations sales team that day:
Since it turns out to be easier to drive the 3 hours from Jacksonville to Orlando, after training that day I headed off in the rental car to train for two days at The Reunion Resort, which is just south of Disney World in Orlando. It was great to see my client friend Sam Miller, who I had previously worked with when he was at Sandals and Beaches, and to visit this incredible destination resort for the first time. Next time I know I have to hit-up Sam for a deal on some golf so I can bring my wife Cathy, who is the avid golfer in our family, just so I can ride on the cart to see the beautiful courses designed by golfers such as Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and Arnold Palmer. Not to mention our kids would absolutely love visiting the waterpark which is right there at the resort. Here's a picture of me with my groups that day:
Finally to end the month I took an intensive two-day trip to Gulf Shores, AL to conduct a reservations sales and service audit for a major new client here. More on that in next month's blog!
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