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12/10/2007 9:29 AM
billybob wrote:
i stayed one nite at the motel last year. Never again. A bed of nails would have been more comfortable. Those mattresses are absolutely the worst. The board needs to allocate some funds to invest in some decent mattresses. I would stay there again, if there were decent mattresses and I'm sure anyone whose tried to sleep there would agree. I'm sure a major mattress distributor would work out a volume discount. Reply to this
1/9/2008 8:37 AM
The Fryes wrote:
I have looked at this chart several times and something really strikes me. During the weekend of February 23 and 24, there were 31 rooms rented. That is more rooms rented on a weekend then any other weekend during the year. That happened to be the weekend that we arranged for our son's youth group to come to Alpine on a ski trip. Another small group of youth, also from out of the area was also at Alpine for a ski weekend. When our group (approximately 65) came in on Friday night, we had arranged for pizza for everyone from the lodge. On Saturday morning, we had arranged for a buffet breakfast and then went to Wisp for the day. When we got back on Saturday, we had a buffet dinner provided by the lodge and then had a pool party. We were also fortunate enough to have mass by a local parish priest. Mr Joe Murtha was wonderful enough to help facilitate this. On Sunday morning we again had a buffet breakfast provided by the lodge and then spent the rest of the day at Wisp. Our group had a wonderful time and the trip cost us half of what it would have cost us if we had stayed at Wisp. I just don't understand why we are not marketing Alpine as a location to stay during the winter months as an alternative to Wisp or even Canaan Valley. Our group certainly brought in revenue to Alpine during that weekend. We have not heard one word from anyone at Alpine asking us if we would like to return this winter. There are an incredible number of churchs that do ski trips for their youth groups during the winter. Why are we not trying to market ourselves to these churchs as a destination. A simple flyer, sent out as an email attachment would be very easy to do. Reply to this
1/9/2008 8:59 AM
Diana wrote:
Carol- Thanks for your comment. I remember when your group came up, well supervised and respectful. Much better behaved than most of the golf groups we've had.
Here's a novel approach... a multi-million dollar commercial operation with a marketing plan. Even small businesses have one, WHY DONT WE!!! Its absolutely required to run a successful business.
BTW- updated motel occupancy info hasn't been available since the beginning of November Reply to this
1/9/2008 11:10 PM
O2Banonymous wrote:
The Fryes-- I'm glad you pointed out the fact that two days in February were the busiest back to back days for the year in the motel. I never picked up on that. That's the great thing about having access to this info.
Since a property owner figured this out, I'm sure the folks in charge have already noticed this, developed a marketing strategy around this year long info and are swiftly moving to carry it all out. OR, they are just doing the same old thing. Cater to obnoxious golf groups and then tout how much money we make off them. (of course, when they stay in a chalet and go out of the compound for meals, the only money we make is a discounted golf rate) Oh well, I guess you have to figure these things out before you can be successful. Reply to this
1/9/2008 6:50 PM
A.Non.Mouse wrote:
Even if you areon the right track you will get runover if you just sit there. Will Rogers. Alpine has to market itself,eg. Distibute promotional material to groups such as th fryes refer to. Reply to this
1/10/2008 8:59 AM
Jeffrey Martin wrote:
Great discussion! THIS is what this blog does best: Tap into the wealth of talent and creativity of our interested membership. I attended a property owners' meeting at the lodge a year or two ago and came away especially impressed by our general manager and our maintenance supervisor. I sensed a genuine love for Alpine Lake and desire to do superior work on behalf of our owners.
The members who attended impressed me the most, though. What a bright, altruistic group! There was a discussion that featured civil, thoughtful debate. I heard suggestions regarding the marketing of Alpine Lake to senior groups, to educational institutions… Alpine Lake as a center for retreats seemed to make sense to everyone in attendance.
Family health and other issues have made it difficult for me to attend subsequent meetings, and I am sure there are other owners in similar circumstance. This blog gives people like us a forum to propose ideas that would benefit our organization, to tap into the wealth of talent, creativity, and experience possessed by the membership.
I, too, commend the Fryes for their service to Alpine Lake. How was the transportation back and forth handled? What is their impression of the motel facilities? Is there a bus company that could include transportation with a room and meal package?
I remember back in the late ‘80’s hearing of young people renting ski equipment here and going to the Wisp where the more spectacular ski runs were the attraction. Maybe we can market Alpine Lake as the “Un-Wisp,” a place where groups can be fairly near the Deep Creek attractions but where youth groups can stay in a more controllable environment [A big attraction to field trip sponsors!] and where older skiers can have a less-expensive escape from the hectic atmosphere that Deep Creek attractions have. Go to Maryland to hit the slopes, hit the lake, and hit the high spots, then return to Alpine to hit the links or to hit the sack. Reply to this
1/10/2008 3:55 PM
The Fryes wrote:
Thank you so much for your comments Mr. Martin. Regarding the transportation, several people drove vans and SUVs up from the Baltimore area and provided the transportation for those young people whose parents did not attend. Then on Saturday, we drove down to Wisp. My husband has also thought about a shuttle service that would provide the transportation to Wisp or marketing ourselves to bus companies as you suggested. The lodge provided the large dining room for our meeting area and the place we had our meals. That is also where we held the mass given by one of the local parish priests. A collection was taken up for the local church he represented. He was wonderful and provided the adults and young people with information about the local area. The kids also went sleigh riding on the hill next to the lodge after a day of skiing. I cannot tell you how impressed the adults were with the accommodations and all said they wanted to come back. I would hope that other home or lot owners would consider something like this if they have a young person involved in a church youth group, or any other type of similar organization. Reply to this
1/11/2008 8:12 AM
Jeffrey Martin wrote:
Wow! I hope Alpine markets "packages" similar to what you put together. Sleigh rides or hay rides when appropriate... throw in BBQ and the boat house as other options. I would surely think that would be attractive... I also thought about what a great place Alpine would make for say astronomy groups.... I know resort hotels that build packages around late nights with a fire pit, hot chocolate, and some telescopes. It's troubling that you were not contacted for a repeat function. Were you sent any kind of follow-up or satisfaction survey? Reply to this
1/11/2008 3:00 PM
AlpineNoob wrote:
I'm sure this has been discussed to death but since I'm new I'll jump in. Instead of driving 45 minutes to Wisp why not investigate reopening the ski slope. There are lots of places to eat and sleep between here and Wisp if that's the only draw, but food, lodging, and skiing all in one place would be a nice attraction for private groups. Reply to this
1/11/2008 8:37 AM
The Fryes wrote:
No, we were not contacted at all after the event. We did tell the General Manager how much everyone enjoyed their trip and how impressed they were with the accommodations. Reply to this
1/20/2008 3:56 PM
O2Banonymopus wrote:
to the Fryes; have you been contacted yet about your group visiting again? Reply to this
1/23/2008 9:06 AM
The Fryes wrote:
Sorry to have taken so long to get back to you O2Banonymopus. I was waiting to hear from the person incharge of the youth group. I had contacted her with info on again how to contact the appropriate person at Alpine. She decided to go with another location near Canaan Valley and did not contact Alpine again. It's a shame we missed out on the opportunity to host this fine group of young people. Reply to this
1/23/2008 9:25 AM
02Banonymous wrote:
Once again, Alpine has managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Employees are our front line when dealing with commercial operations, and if they refuse to handle their business well, the whole community suffers.
I've heard this mentioned before and didn't quite know what to think; "we don't want to be successful". After hearing about your group, it seems that statement is true.
And how hard is it to return a phone call to a group that stayed with us the previous year. As mentioned in the Fryes note earlier, the weekend their group was here was the busiest weekend in the motel for the year! Besides, what else goes on in February?
Here's a thought, what happens when we jump into a large mortgage for a new building. Will that new building come with better, more professional employees?
I hope your group has a wonderful time in Canaan. Reply to this
The spike of room rentals in October was mostly from overflow for Camp Dawson.
Reply to this
i stayed one nite at the motel last year. Never again. A bed of nails would have been more comfortable. Those mattresses are absolutely the worst. The board needs to allocate some funds to invest in some decent mattresses. I would stay there again, if there were decent mattresses and I'm sure anyone whose tried to sleep there would agree. I'm sure a major mattress distributor would work out a volume discount.
Reply to this
I have looked at this chart several times and something really strikes me. During the weekend of February 23 and 24, there were 31 rooms rented. That is more rooms rented on a weekend then any other weekend during the year. That happened to be the weekend that we arranged for our son's youth group to come to Alpine on a ski trip. Another small group of youth, also from out of the area was also at Alpine for a ski weekend. When our group (approximately 65) came in on Friday night, we had arranged for pizza for everyone from the lodge. On Saturday morning, we had arranged for a buffet breakfast and then went to Wisp for the day. When we got back on Saturday, we had a buffet dinner provided by the lodge and then had a pool party. We were also fortunate enough to have mass by a local parish priest. Mr Joe Murtha was wonderful enough to help facilitate this. On Sunday morning we again had a buffet breakfast provided by the lodge and then spent the rest of the day at Wisp. Our group had a wonderful time and the trip cost us half of what it would have cost us if we had stayed at Wisp. I just don't understand why we are not marketing Alpine as a location to stay during the winter months as an alternative to Wisp or even Canaan Valley. Our group certainly brought in revenue to Alpine during that weekend. We have not heard one word from anyone at Alpine asking us if we would like to return this winter. There are an incredible number of churchs that do ski trips for their youth groups during the winter. Why are we not trying to market ourselves to these churchs as a destination. A simple flyer, sent out as an email attachment would be very easy to do.
Reply to this
Carol- Thanks for your comment. I remember when your group came up, well supervised and respectful. Much better behaved than most of the golf groups we've had.
Here's a novel approach... a multi-million dollar commercial operation with a marketing plan. Even small businesses have one, WHY DONT WE!!! Its absolutely required to run a successful business.
BTW- updated motel occupancy info hasn't been available since the beginning of November
Reply to this
The Fryes-- I'm glad you pointed out the fact that two days in February were the busiest back to back days for the year in the motel. I never picked up on that. That's the great thing about having access to this info.
Since a property owner figured this out, I'm sure the folks in charge have already noticed this, developed a marketing strategy around this year long info and are swiftly moving to carry it all out. OR, they are just doing the same old thing. Cater to obnoxious golf groups and then tout how much money we make off them. (of course, when they stay in a chalet and go out of the compound for meals, the only money we make is a discounted golf rate) Oh well, I guess you have to figure these things out before you can be successful.
Reply to this
Even if you areon the right track you will get runover if you just sit there. Will Rogers. Alpine has to market itself,eg. Distibute promotional material to groups such as th fryes refer to.
Reply to this
Great discussion! THIS is what this blog does best: Tap into the wealth of talent and creativity of our interested membership. I attended a property owners' meeting at the lodge a year or two ago and came away especially impressed by our general manager and our maintenance supervisor. I sensed a genuine love for Alpine Lake and desire to do superior work on behalf of our owners.
The members who attended impressed me the most, though. What a bright, altruistic group! There was a discussion that featured civil, thoughtful debate. I heard suggestions regarding the marketing of Alpine Lake to senior groups, to educational institutions… Alpine Lake as a center for retreats seemed to make sense to everyone in attendance.
Family health and other issues have made it difficult for me to attend subsequent meetings, and I am sure there are other owners in similar circumstance. This blog gives people like us a forum to propose ideas that would benefit our organization, to tap into the wealth of talent, creativity, and experience possessed by the membership.
I, too, commend the Fryes for their service to Alpine Lake. How was the transportation back and forth handled? What is their impression of the motel facilities? Is there a bus company that could include transportation with a room and meal package?
I remember back in the late ‘80’s hearing of young people renting ski equipment here and going to the Wisp where the more spectacular ski runs were the attraction. Maybe we can market Alpine Lake as the “Un-Wisp,” a place where groups can be fairly near the Deep Creek attractions but where youth groups can stay in a more controllable environment [A big attraction to field trip sponsors!] and where older skiers can have a less-expensive escape from the hectic atmosphere that Deep Creek attractions have. Go to Maryland to hit the slopes, hit the lake, and hit the high spots, then return to Alpine to hit the links or to hit the sack.
Reply to this
Thank you so much for your comments Mr. Martin. Regarding the transportation, several people drove vans and SUVs up from the Baltimore area and provided the transportation for those young people whose parents did not attend. Then on Saturday, we drove down to Wisp. My husband has also thought about a shuttle service that would provide the transportation to Wisp or marketing ourselves to bus companies as you suggested. The lodge provided the large dining room for our meeting area and the place we had our meals. That is also where we held the mass given by one of the local parish priests. A collection was taken up for the local church he represented. He was wonderful and provided the adults and young people with information about the local area. The kids also went sleigh riding on the hill next to the lodge after a day of skiing. I cannot tell you how impressed the adults were with the accommodations and all said they wanted to come back. I would hope that other home or lot owners would consider something like this if they have a young person involved in a church youth group, or any other type of similar organization.
Reply to this
Wow! I hope Alpine markets "packages" similar to what you put together. Sleigh rides or hay rides when appropriate... throw in BBQ and the boat house as other options. I would surely think that would be attractive... I also thought about what a great place Alpine would make for say astronomy groups.... I know resort hotels that build packages around late nights with a fire pit, hot chocolate, and some telescopes. It's troubling that you were not contacted for a repeat function. Were you sent any kind of follow-up or satisfaction survey?
Reply to this
I'm sure this has been discussed to death but since I'm new I'll jump in. Instead of driving 45 minutes to Wisp why not investigate reopening the ski slope. There are lots of places to eat and sleep between here and Wisp if that's the only draw, but food, lodging, and skiing all in one place would be a nice attraction for private groups.
Reply to this
No, we were not contacted at all after the event. We did tell the General Manager how much everyone enjoyed their trip and how impressed they were with the accommodations.
Reply to this
to the Fryes; have you been contacted yet about your group visiting again?
Reply to this
Sorry to have taken so long to get back to you O2Banonymopus. I was waiting to hear from the person incharge of the youth group. I had contacted her with info on again how to contact the appropriate person at Alpine. She decided to go with another location near Canaan Valley and did not contact Alpine again. It's a shame we missed out on the opportunity to host this fine group of young people.
Reply to this
Once again, Alpine has managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Employees are our front line when dealing with commercial operations, and if they refuse to handle their business well, the whole community suffers.
I've heard this mentioned before and didn't quite know what to think; "we don't want to be successful". After hearing about your group, it seems that statement is true.
And how hard is it to return a phone call to a group that stayed with us the previous year. As mentioned in the Fryes note earlier, the weekend their group was here was the busiest weekend in the motel for the year! Besides, what else goes on in February?
Here's a thought, what happens when we jump into a large mortgage for a new building. Will that new building come with better, more professional employees?
I hope your group has a wonderful time in Canaan.
Reply to this