LEADERSHIP
029 | Student of the Industry: A Foot Soldier’s Journey with Chip Elbers
LEADERSHIP
Chip is a hospitality veteran and he’s been serving the industry for more than 30 years. He’s done it all. From Dish Washer, to Front Desk Agent, Assistant General Manager, General Manager, Sales Manager, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Development Officer, and Vice President.
For the last half of the career, Chip faithfully served as Vice President and COO for America’s Best Franchising as the brand grew from just a few properties to a portfolio of nearly 300. In this role, Chip was responsible for the Company’s portfolio of brands, including Jameson Inns, America’s Best Inns, Country Hearth Inns, Budgetel Inns and 3 Palms Hotels and Resorts. He oversaw the development and implementation of operational programs and requirements and directed the Quality Assurance and Field Support programs, which included brand standards, brand compliance, property inspections, franchise administration and owner / franchisee relations.
In This Episode, Chip Talks About:
- His career journey and how his “can do” attitude lead to great success in the hospitality industry. You don’t have to own a hotel or be the CEO to make an real impact.
- How he moved from the back of the house to the front of the house; how he landed his first management position, and how he turned an underperforming asset around.
- Building great teams and loyalty, not merely hiring staff, and empowering them to realize their full potential.
- The acquisition process, and he shares his personal experience as an executive acquiring brands, and what it was like when ABF was acquired by Vantage last year.
Resources & Links
- Email: chip.elbers[at]yahoo.com
- Chip on LinkedIn
- Chip on Twitter
- Chip on Facebook
- Mobile: (404) 202-8377
LEADERSHIP
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295 | Doing Well: Coronavirus pandemic advances wellness design and programs in hotels
The coronavirus pandemic is forcing the lodging industry to rethink health and wellness. Designers such as Blanche Garcia of B. Garcia Designs see this as an opportunity for hotels to revise their messaging beyond clean and safe by introducing wellness products and programs they can market and attract guests who want to feel good during their stay and return home feeling better than when they left. Those who promote healthy buildings as well as safe travel are exploring how implementing elements of wellness can be a cure for hotel businesses struggling to survive the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic downturn. This report is part of Long Live Lodging’s ongoing coverage of the coronavirus crisis and its impact on the hotel industry.
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294 | She is a Hotel Investor: What She Has a Deal can teach every hotel investor
She Has a Deal, a program that promotes women as hotel owners, last month minted several new investors through its inaugural pitch competition. Long Live Lodging examines what it took for the three women who comprise the team called Datcher to win the top prize of $50,000 in equity in a fund that would include their $27.4 million project proposed for downtown Detroit. Two additional projects proposed during the competition were selected to benefit from She Has a Deal’s first investment fund. Datcher’s winning formula as well as the other project proposals can be emulated as hotel developers and investors search for ways to fund upcoming projects that reduce investors’ risk while delivering a healthy return as the lodging industry navigates its way through the business downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic.