Theresa A. Victory, CEO & Publisher of Directories by Design said, ” With the growth of social media marketing and the increased demand to provide hotels with effective guest services marketing solutions, we quickly determined that developing an alliance with a leading creative design and web development agency would allow us the opportunity to continue to provide our clients with high quality cutting edge products. There was no doubt that Alan Brusky, CEO & Founder of Fireleaf Design and his team have the experience, skills and creative genius to create a mobile friendly application that would allow our clients the opportunity to offer their guests a mobile friendly hotel directory web application.”

Recently Directories by Design, in conjunction with Fireleaf Design, created a mobile friendly guest directory for Nonsuch Bay in Antigua. Having published a custom print directory for the resort in 2011, the agency leveraged the information in the print directory and integrated it with the technology of myguesty™ so that the resort can offer guests the opportunity to get information about resort services, restaurants, activities and local Island attractions by simply launching the application on their favorite mobile device. Theresa A. Victory, said, “I am delighted that we were able to offer Nonsuch Bay the opportunity to connect with guests by providing them information about the luxury resort, attractions and activities on any smartphone, like an Android®, Blackberry®, or iPhone®, or on a tablet device like the iPad®.

Directories by Design’s team of designers, programmers, copywriters and production managers applies our creative insight and expertise to every project. We are excited that now our clients have the option of providing guests with both a printed hotel guest directory as well as a mobile friendly guest directory web application. If you would like information about developing a print or electronic hotel guest directory, contact tvictory@victoryandassoc.com or visit www.directoriesbydesign.com

hotel guest directory.

After a fabulous NY Strip Steak at Bottos, directly across the street is The NJ Cigar Vault. This cigar lounge boasts a large humidor with a wide variety of cigars and offers the cigar aficionado, like myself, a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a fine cigar!

If food and cigars aren’t your thing, don’t worry, there is plenty of shopping near by! Mullica Hill has a wide variety of Anique Shops and Specialty Shops. There are nearly three dozen antiques shops here, most of which are located near or on Main Street, many occupying buildings as old as their wares. Mullica Hill also has a variety of great restaurants including one of my favorites, Toscana Mullica Hill. If Antiques and Boutiques “aren’t your thing,” you have The Gallery at Market East in Philadelphia, the Deptford Mall and the Christiana Mall (Newark, DE)  all within 30 minutes of Swedesboro! And, if Malls “aren’t your thing,” you can go to Cowtown Flea Market in Woodstown (about 20 minutes from Swedesboro). There you will be sure to find bargains galore at the Market which is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays. I think that pretty much covers shopping!

If you’re lucky enough to visit Swedesboro between May and September, you are fortunate enough to be able to go to the Cowtown Rodeo! Celebrating 57 years of professional rodeo, located in rural Salem County, NJ, Cowtown is acclaimed for being a highlight in the professional rodeo circuit and features all seven rodeo events sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

These are just a few of things I like to do when I go to Swedesboro. Of course, before I leave town, I make sure to go back to Botto’s to  visit their Fresh Italian Market where you can find homemade sauces,  fresh meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, a huge assortment of bakery items and so much more. Until my next visit,  there is nothing like taking a “little taste of Swedesboro home with me!”

While traveling on business, I usually stay very busy meeting with General Managers to discuss their hotel guest directories, however this past weekend while working with a new property in North Jersey, I was able to squeeze in some personal time in New York City!

After graduating college, I lived in New York City for ten years and I always enjoy going back anytime I can. But having lived in Florida for the past ten years, I was not sure that New York City in January would be a place I wanted to visit. After all, I did not even own a pair of “closed toed” shoes or a winter coat and it was only 34 degrees!  But, after receiving a phone call from an old friend who saw my posting on Facebook that I was in NJ, he convinced me that a trip into the city was just what I needed to cure those “winter doldrums.”

While it was cold outside, the city has so much to offer and I was excited that I would be staying at the Westin. This huge high-rise hotel was right in the middle of Times Square and there were a ton of “indoor entertainment options” available…theater, shopping, nightlife and dining galore! I love eating out and with restaurant row only one block West of the Hotel, there were so many savory choices it was hard to decide. We opted for a great Soul Food restaurant that had the most incredible fried chicken which warmed my heart and soul!

They say, “New York is the City that never sleeps,” so hibernation was not an option. While it may have been a bit chilly, I was welcomed with “sights, sounds and scents” that stirred my soul and replenished my spirit. The energy of the city was electric and while spending time with an old friend, time ceased to tick and began to flow. New York City is an incredible place which is always full of new experiences and I seem to feel revived and renewed when I leave. Indeed, New York City in January, or anytime of the year, is a great travel destination!

The coveted No. 1 ranking for best U.S. hotel goes to Chicago’s Elysian, the stylish, independent hotel that opened in 2009 and has won awards and accolades ever since. It’s a bittersweet award for the Elysian since it’s one of the last, if not the last, awards it will receive as an independent property. Next month, the Elysian will become part of Hilton’s Waldorf-Astoria chain.

Here are select winners of TripAdvisor’s top hotel categories:

Best Hotel in the World: The Phoenix Resort in San Pedro, Belize

Best Hotel in the USA: Elysian Hotel in Chicago

Best Luxury (4&5 star) Hotel in the World: Shangri-La Hotel in Tokyo

Best Luxury (4&5 star) Hotel in the USA: The Grand Del Mar in San Diego

Best Bargain in the World: HueNino Hotel in Hue, Vietnam

Best Bargain in the USA: SeaCoast Inn in Hyannis, Mass.

Best for Service in the World: Arcadia Residence in Prague, Czech Republic

Best for Service in the USA: SeaCoast Inn in Hyannis, Mass.

Best B&B and Inn in the World: The Twenty One in Brighton, England

Best B&B and Inn in the USA: A.G. Thomson House: Historic Bed and Breakfast in Duluth, Minn.

Best All-Inclusive in the World: Garonga Safari Camp in Phalaborwa, South Africa

Best All-Inclusive in the Caribbean: East Winds Inn in Gros Islet, St. Lucia

Best Relaxation and Spa in the World: BollAnt’s im Park in Bad Sobernheim, Germany

Best Relaxation and Spa in the USA: Bella Monte Hot Springs Resort and Spa in Desert Hot Springs, Calf.

Trendiest Hotel in the World: Villa Zest Boutique Hotel in Cape Town, S.A.

Trendiest Hotel in the USA: Smyth Hotel, a Thompson Hotel in New York City

Congratulations to all the winners! I am personally hoping to visit a few of these wonderful properties over the next year and who knows, maybe I will even be fortunate enough to offer Directories by Designs’ products or  services in the near future to a few of these hotels. After all, it only makes sense that the Best Hotels would work with the Best Publishing Company! Ok, I’ll admit it, this judge is a just a bit bias!

Agency News: In 2011, Directories by Design published Hotel Guest Service Directories for various hotels including the Hampton Inn and Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Suites and the Best Western in FL, GA,  PA, NJ and NY. This past year we also expanded Internationally and published a Guest Directory for a luxury resort in Antigua! In 2012 we hope to  continue to see growth in the Caribbean and have been exploring opportunities to expand operations in Puerto Rico.

Start your New Year out with New Hotel Directories! Order your Hotel Guest Directory before January 31, 2012 and we will give you 25% off your first Front Desk Property Map and Guide Order! (Note: some restrictions may apply and publisher will confirm details of offer upon receiving a completed order form from Hotel).  Contact us for additional information.

Guest Directory Binders: Check out our January Featured Binder! Pricing as low as $ 16.55 (based on 200 qty) For additional information, click here. Choosing a binder that  looks great and is durable enough to stand up to daily use is an important part of any Hotel Guest Directory. These turned edge binders feature padded covers with a silver metal ring binding on the inside. The cover’s outside material is folded slightly over each edge during construction and stitched around the binder’s perimeter; this leaves a stylish outline along the inside black moire, vinyl lining. Square corners are secured with metal edges to protect them from bending, keeping them looking great for many years. For additional specs and pricing information, click here.

Our team of copywriters,designers and production managers apply our creative insight and expertise to every project. So, go ahead, send me an email, I want to learn more about your company and discuss how I can be of further service to you in 2012! Regards, Theresa A. Victory

“Your company’s goals will only be effective if you have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and how,” says Peter Vanden Bos in an article titled, “How to Set Business Goals.” He goes on to say, “A smart CEO understands the inherent value of goal setting in steering a growing business in the right direction. Unfortunately, figuring out exactly what the right direction is—and the road map to get there—isn’t as much of a no-brainer.

More than 80 percent of the 300 small business owners surveyed in the recent 4th Annual Staples National Small Business Survey said that they don’t keep track of their business goals, and 77 percent have yet to achieve their vision for their company. Though the statistics are grim, they should make sense: establishing business goals involves a fair amount of introspection into what makes your business tick, and what you want its future to be. Devoting the proper amount of time to do that can be difficult in a struggling economy, but your goals will be more achievable and effective if you do.

“You have to know what you’re going for, and do it with your eyes wide open,” says Francisco Dao, founder and president of The Killer Pitch, a firm based in Tarzana, California, that helps companies and entrepreneurs refine their message, and former business coach and columnist for Inc. “Look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself what it’s going to take to achieve your goals.”

I finished reading the article How to Set Business Goals and starting writing down my long -term and short-term goals for Directories by Design. As I look over the list, I’m excited and optimistic about 2012. If I can be of any assistance helping you reach your 2012 business goals, please contact me. Whether it’s updating your hotel guest directory or creating a front desk property map, our team of copywriters, designers and production managers applies our creative insight and expertise to every project and I personally welcome the chance to learn more about your 2012 Marketing goals!

In case you are not on our e-news mailing list, I wanted to share our Holiday e-news with you on our Blog! Happy Holidays from ours to yours…Tis the Season and we have alot of reasons to be Merry!

In 2011, our company has developed many new relationships with clients and expanded our product and services offering. We published Hotel Guest Services Directories for various hotels including the Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Suites and the Best Western in FL, GA, NJ, PA and NY. This past year we also expanded Internationally and published a Guest Directory for a luxury resort in Antigua! We hope that in 2012 we will continue to see growth in the Caribbean and this past month have been exploring various opportunities to further expand our operations in Puerto Rico.

In 2011, we also launched our new website www.directoriesbydesign.com While our company has been in business since 2004, through the years as we developed relationships with our clients in the hotel and hospitality industry and began offering additional products, we thought it was time we launched a new website that would provide our clients will additional information. The site even has a blog and we’ve expanded our social media marketing efforts on facebook and twitter!

Start your New Year out with New Hotel Directories

Directories by Design specializes in publishing informative, custom designed Hotel Guest Services
Directories that provide helpful information about your hotel, local businesses, attractions and restaurants and we’d be happy to help you update your Guest Directory in 2012!

OUR HOLIDAY GIFT TO YOU: Order your Hotel Guest Directory before January 13, 2012 and we will give you 25% off your first Front Desk Property Map & Guide Order! (Note: some restrictions may apply and publisher will confirm details of offer upon receiving a completed order form from Hotel)

Contact us for additional information.

Happy Holidays to you and yours from all of us at Directories by Design!

Top 5 Most FAQ
1. What is a Hotel Guest Directory? Hotel Guest Directories provide guests with important information about your hotel, the local community, businesses and attractions. The Guest Directory is found in each hotel room and in many instances, these directories are required to meet brand standards.

2.What information will the Hotel Guest Directory include? While specific content will vary from hotel to hotel, typically all Guest Directories will include the following information:

Welcome Letter

Guest Services: includes information regarding room service, on site restaurants, hotel amenities, etc.

Hotel Services: includes Hotel Layout, Telephone Dialing Instructions & Rates, TV Channel Guide, Transportation Information,  Safety & Security,  Internet Access Info, etc.

Area Information: includes local places of worship, attractions, dining & entertainment

3. How long does it take to publish a Hotel Guest Directory? Production time will vary however most Guest Directories will be published in two- three months. A standard production schedule would be: Initial Layout & Design and Copy writing: 4  weeks. Client Proofreading/Approval: 1 week. Revisions: 1 week. Final Approval: 1 week. Printing & Shipping: 1- 2 weeks.

4. What types of binders do you offer and how much do they cost? We offer a variety of binders.Some of the most popular styles are Poly, Vinyl, Castillian Vinyl, Faux Leather and Leather. Of course, we also offer self-binding directories. Prices of binders range based on quantity, material and finishing options. We provide custom quotes based on our clients specifications.

5. How much will my Hotel Guest Directory cost and do you publish free directories? Prices of directories vary and we provide custom quotes based on obtaining additional information from our clients. We even have an online form which you can fill out if you would like to request a quote. We  also offer ad sponsored programs which will allow you to receive free Hotel Guest Directories through the participation of local restaurants, attractions and businesses. In the case where sponsorship revenues are insufficient to  cover all the production costs, you would be able to purchase the directories at a discounted rate.

Well, there you have it! Everything you ever wanted to know about Hotel Guest Directories. Contact us if you would like additional information or would like to request a quote.  I’m sure you will be happy you did!

Many restaurants are relying more and more on Social Media Marketing and less on print advertising. While I agree the times have, and are still changing when it comes to effective marketing tactics, I believe print advertising is still a vital element of a successful marketing strategy if and when consumers are relying on print media to obtain information.

In the Hospitality Industry, some hotels have kiosks in their lobbies which provide guests with information and/or may have a flat screen on the wall where guests can surf the net and print out information about local businesses. However, these hotels will also have a printed guest directory in each of their hotel rooms. And while many guests will ask their “tweeps” which restaurants they prefer, the majority will still open “that book” and take the recommendation of the hotel staff when it comes to deciding where to eat.

These hotel guests represent a very important market segment for restaurants. Local residents have cut their dining and entertainment budgets are are cooking more meals at home. Hotel guests do not have this option and have to eat out every day and every night. They have budgeted money for dining and entertainment and when six o’clock rolls around, these potential customers will consult with the hotel guest directory in their room. If you have eliminated print advertising from your integrated marketing plan, you will be missing a huge opportunity to increase sales.

As you plan your 2012 Marketing Budget, don’t forget to allocate funds for Hotel Guest Directory Advertising. While print media may be extinct to some market segments, in the case of hotel guests, print is not a dinosaur!

Hotel Guests have to eat out while traveling and unlike local residents, who in a tight economy dine out very infrequently, hotel guests are making decisions every single day where to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. Depending on the size of the hotel and their occupancy rate, this can equate into hundreds of thousands of potential new clients for local businesses. For example: 195 suites x 365 days= 71,175 x 2 people=142,450 x 80% occupancy= 113,880 guests staying at hotel annually.

Most of the restaurant owners I met with understood that directory advertising can make a huge difference in their Gross Revenue, however there was one restaurant owner who told me, “I get enough business from that hotel.” I’ve heard the saying, “enough is enough,” but when is too much income too much?  Enough is not enough!

I wanted to learn more about his relationship with the hotel. During our brief discussion, he told me, “the Front Desk Staff sends me all the business I need and there is no need to advertise.”  I went on to explain that there were a few things he  may not have taken into  consideration:

1. Hotel Front Desk Staff typically has a high turn over. Folks get promoted; people transfer to other properties; staff retires. Don’t count on the front desk staff remaining the same throughout the entire year and when staff does change, you may lose a lot of business. Additionally,  even if there is no turn over, most hotel guests refer to the printed directory in their room for information and may not ask the front desk for information. This is particularly true if the hotel did not have a directory with advertisements in the guest rooms in the past. If you rely on the front desk staff alone, you will surely miss out on a lot of business!
2. In many hotels, especially in those properties that do not have a stand alone concierge in the lobby, the Front Desk Staff uses the Guest Services Directory as their primary source of reference when guests ask about local restaurants. If you do not advertise in the Guest Services Directory, you are missing out on many referrals.
3. Hotels must have updated room directories to pass inspection and it’s very costly. If a hotel property has been a good business neighbor and has referred you  a lot of business over the past year, why wouldn’t you want to return the favor and build an even stronger business relationship with someone who can help you increase your sales?

Well this restaurant owner realized there were a few things he had not thought about and quickly realized the importance of advertising in the Embassy Suites Hotel Guest Directory. He thanked me taking the time to get to know his business and explaining the importance of advertising in the Hotel Guest Services Directory. Then he asked me if Directories by Design could help him create a full page ad. Now that was the easiest question I answered all day!