The Chancellor Hotel is Talking Trash!

The Chancellor Hotel management team visited Golden Gate Disposal to learn and understand waste reduction through recycling. Golden Gate Disposal's recycling and waste management is one of the largest in the country and state of the art.

First, we were outfitted with the fancy safety vests and glasses. Then we received our briefing on the facility at Pier 96 where the recycling is processed.

Below is the Chancellor Hotel Management Team in front of the trucks dumping the mixed material to be recycled.

It is very interesting to see the material come in and the sorting system they used. Once the material is sorted and separated, it is bailed and shipped off to the people that re-process it into new products.

We were treated to a nice lunch while we were shown videos on the waste disposal process. They also had a table (above left) of different materials where they quizzed us on how to make sure we dispose of it properly. Is it recycled, compost or garbage headed to the land fill? The idea is to divert as much material as possible from the land fill.

Some of the "garbage" and material from the land fill is turned into art. Above, Rick and Ollie are in the middle of the gallery.

It was a very fun and educational experience with the idea of making people think about what they are throwing away and what happens to it after that. The Chancellor Hotel is committed to doing what it can to help the environment by reducing its waste. We do care.

Destination Expert for San Francisco

I am honored that TripAdvisor invited me to be a "Destination Expert" for San Francisco. I have been posting on the San Francisco Forum since 2004 and really enjoy it. I have seen it change a lot since the beginning, but I have a great time helping people maximize their visit to the City. I really want people to have a great time on their visit and I hope I can help.

Please feel free to email me at anytime about any hotel or questions. I will give you the best information I can - honestly and directly.

The Chancellor Hotel wins National Award

We are extremely honored to receive the American Hotel & Lodging Association's Stars of the Industry Award for Guest Relations - Small Property. All of the individual states submit their winners to the National Association and the winner is selected out of that group. The competition is tough and we could not be more proud.

The Stars of the Industry Awards were presented at the AH&LA Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheon during the AH&LA Summer Summit at The Skirvin Hilton Hotel in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on June 10th. Additionally, from California, the Courtyard Marriott San Diego Central received a Star of the Industry Award in the Community Service category and Mary Stone, PBX Operator of the Doubletree Guest Suites Anaheim was recognized as an Outstanding Lodging Employee.

Welcome Back Martin

Just like an old friend coming back home, we welcome Martin Krupa back to the Chancellor Hotel.

Martin is from Slovakia and he has spent the last 3 summers with us - the last two as bellman. Harris, our staff member that has been with us the longest, takes 3 months off over the summer. Having Martin come and fill in for this short time works out great for everyone.

Now, Martin has been back so many times that even the guest recognize him.

Martin will be getting his PhD when he returns to his country and when we see him back again, it will be for his personal vacation and we'll have to call him Dr. Krupa!

Thanks for coming back again!

4th of July in San Francisco

Here is the information on 4th of July from the SFCVB:

Fourth of July Waterfront Festival
Venue: PIER 39 Beach Street and The Embarcadero Fishermans Wharf
Ticket Info: Free Admission

Bring the whole family and experience the Fourth of July at Fisherman's Wharf. Aquatic Park stage will showcase an afternoon of family entertainment. Great food, live music, kids' activities and family fun leading up to an amazing fireworks display will also be featured.Time: Friday 2:00pm-10:00pm

(415) 705-5500 Email: info@pier39.com URL: www.pier39.com

San Francisco Honors the Hotel Doormen

More than 1,000 Bureau members, city officials, media and others met at Moscone South's Esplanade Ballroom on Thursday, May 29, for the Bureau's 98th Annual Luncheon. We reserved a table to honor our doormen, Matt and Harris.

At the luncheon, all the doormen were recognized on stage and received the annual Silver Cable Car Award. The Silver Cable Car Award is given to recognize the person or people who have made a positive impact on the visitor industry of San Francisco. This year, the Silver Cable Car Award honorees were the Doormen of San Francisco Hotels.

Matt and Harris had a great time and we were proud to see them honored for the work they do. Harris has been at the Chancellor Hotel since 1968...More than 40 years!

Matt was very careful not to spill on his uniform. Good job, Matt!

Thank you Matt and Harris for a job well done!

Check out the video from the luncheon about San Francisco's best ambassadors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxV8h1QrLNA

46th Annual Cable Car Bell Ringing Competition

The Union Square Association is a major sponsor of the San Francisco Municipal Railway Cable Car Bell Ringing Competition and as this year's president of the board of directors for the association, I was given the honor of being a judge for the contest.

There are two parts to the event. First there is an amateur contest for charity and then the professionals do their thing.

The amateurs are creative and can have great latitude with their performances. Everyone was judged on style, rhythm and originality.

Above, the contestant rang the bell to a rap song skit where the dancers were playing gripmen flirting with a lady. Instead of being gripmen, they were dancing. This dancer was spinning on his head, which was amazing. They won the amateur contest.

Deb Durst the MC for the event

Mayor Gavin Newsom was on hand to witness the great event. The judges, including me, Tom Sweeney the famous Beefeater Doorman and Fire Chief Joanne Hayes White are seated behind him.

The Winner, Leonard Oats - 2 years in a row!

Nathaniel Ford is joined by key staff and the three
winners of the 2008 competition: Leonard Oats (1st),
Ken Lunardi (2nd) and Bryon Cobb (3rd)

A group shot of the judges