Return of MLB Spring Training—'Teamwork Makes The Dream Work'

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Return of MLB Spring Training—'Teamwork Makes The Dream Work'

​Author |​ Brent Jackson, President

Today is the first full day of MLB spring training games, and to me that serves as more than just a reminder of the return of 'America's favorite pastime'—it's a reminder of the dedication, resilience, and teamwork that defines both professional baseball and the hospitality industry.

As the baseball players lace up their cleats and take the field today, they're embarking on a journey that demands unwavering commitment, rigorous preparation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Similarly, our hotel team members, from housekeeping to the front desk, embody these same qualities every single day.

Professional baseball players undergo constant training to hone their skills and prepare for the long 162-game season ahead, in the same way our hotel team members undergo continuous training and development to deliver exceptional service and anticipate the needs of our loyal guests. From perfecting the art of customer service to fully understanding the intricacies of our operations, each team member invests their time and energy to ensure that every step of the guest journey through one of our hotels results in a successful guest experience.

Much as baseball teams rely on seamless coordination, communication, and collaboration to achieve success on the field, our hotels will only be successful if there is teamwork between all the departments, with each and every team member working together as one cohesive unit. Whether it's the front desk working with housekeeping on prioritizing room assignments to ensure that special requests or early arrivals are accounted for, executing flawless social events with our banquet and kitchen teams, or seamlessly responding to guest requests between our front desk and maintenance teams, every department plays a vital role in delivering a seamless and unforgettable guest experience.

Professional baseball players must weather the highs and lows of a long and demanding season and our hotel team members must navigate through the ebbs and flows of the 24/7/365 nature of the hospitality industry and do so with resilience and a steadfast commitment to excellence. Whether it's handling last-minute guest requests, resolving unexpected challenges like system downtime or overbookings, or maintaining composure when a line is forming at the front desk, our team members exemplify the resilience and adaptability needed to succeed in a fast-paced environment. Our team members, much like baseball players, also know that no matter what challenges they face that their teammates are going to be there to help pick them up and dust them off in order for the team to succeed.

So as the umpire shouts "Play Ball!" on another season of baseball and as we prepare for the busy season at our hotels, let's take a moment to celebrate the dedication, passion, and hard work of our incredible hotel team members.

...and Go Astros!