Category Archives: News & Updates

January is the New December for Corporate Holiday Parties

Corporate parties are great for morale boosters and getting employees together, but parties in December aren’t always the most convenient for everyone. This year, wait the extra month to host your holiday get-together!

January is the new December for corporate parties, and here are six reasons why:

1. It’s more convenient for the employee

December is one of the busiest times of the year for everyone. Parties can add to the holiday stress, so waiting until January allows time for schedules to free up, and the season is slowing down for gathering together to celebrate.

2. More dates to choose from

Around the holidays, widespread availability is few and far at amazing event spaces during the holiday season, unless you book back in July. Skip the scheduling mess this year and wait until January for your planned corporate party at the place everyone loves!

3. It boosts company morale

After the holidays come to an end, morale can seem to fizzle out. Speed up the slower days by hosting your corporate party in January! Keeping employees motivated can seem tough, but not as much when there is something to plan and look forward to.

4. January is great for team-building exercises

Aside from the planned holiday party, the start of the new year can be a great time to get employees together for team building and collaborative exercises. Start the year strong by strengthening communication and collaboration among your employees.

5. Great way to kick off a new quarter

A new quarter means new goals and new tasks for employees. This thought can be daunting for some, so alleviate the nerves with a corporate party where employees can unwind and take time for themselves.

6. It’s cheaper!

Are you worried about expenses for corporate parties this year? Wait until January and save some money this time around, especially when booking your party outside of the office.

Bonus: To ensure a perfect January party, we have a few options!

The Lodge at Breckenridge | Breckenridge, Colorado

Visit The Lodge at Breckenridge and utilize the gorgeous 2000 square feet Mountain View Ballroom or the breathtaking Sky View Deck with 1200 square feet of space for your corporate event. You can view the catering menu and explore other options.

Big Sur Lodge | Big Sur, California

Big Sur Lodge has two event venues that are equipped with projection screens, easels, flip charts, and lecterns for your convenience. The accommodating staff can assist in renting any other multimedia audio and video equipment you may need, and rooms can be arranged to meet your design! Visit their website for more information on how to book your venue today!

Bear Mountain Inn | Tomkins Cove, New York

Look no further because the Bear Mountain Inn has the perfect ballroom to host up to 180 guests for any event. The Overlook Lodge is home to the Hudson Ballroom that features unforgettable views of the Hudson River, Hessian Lake, and the mountainside. Another great spot is the Merry Go Round Pavilion, perfect for a seated dinner or cocktail reception with a gorgeous carousel and spacious dance floor. For more information and booking, visit their website.

The Lodge at Wakulla Springs | Wakulla Springs, Florida

The Lodge at Wakulla Springs offers a beautiful venue fit for receptions and parties of any nature. The beautiful glass-enclosed terrace holds up to 120 people where The Lodge will provide food and bar services for your event. Book today to ensure your party date for this upcoming January. For further details, visit their website.

Echo Bluff State Park | Eminence, Missouri

Echo Bluff State Park is the perfect natural location for any corporate event, including team building! The skilled staff, delicious dining, and rustic accommodations will make any event unique and memorable. Visit their website to see what other options await!

No matter the rhyme or reason for your corporate party this year, January is a perfect time, and we have the perfect locations. Choosing from any one of these gorgeous venues is sure to make any party a memorable one.

Book with confidence by booking with Guest Services Inc.

StarPath 2019

The StarPath program is one way Guest Services expresses its commitment to its team members’ professional development. Through this collaborative, hands-on learning experience, Guest Services recognizes team members as high potential leaders and engages them to be future stars of the company.

Team members in various departments and at all levels of the organization work together to bring the StarPath program to life. StarPath participants are reviewed and selected by members of the executive team. Once selected, participants travel to Orlando, Florida, to experience a world-renowned leadership excellence seminar. Following this training, they tour two of our units that are considered to be Centers of Business Excellence and learn from Guest Services’ high performing leaders. The participants end their experience at the corporate office in Fairfax, Virginia, where they receive in-house leadership training and meet with the executive team. Guest Services believes that team members who have successfully graduated from the StarPath program will be prepared for positions of greater responsibility.

“The course was well put together, and to me, it was an invaluable training experience. I understand all of the costs associated with such an endeavor, and I am truly appreciative that I was able to take part in the entire StarPath program. I look forward to using my training in real-time, as well as in the future here at Guest Services,” says Christopher Sgro, a past participant of the StarPath program.

Guest Services values its’ team members and takes pride in recognizing those who achieve excellence in their work. Congratulations to the selected individuals of the 2019 StarPath program!

(From left to right) James Stokes; Chanda Lorilla; Mickey Mouse; Edward Verber; 2018 Star-Path Class Participant Christopher Sgro
(From left to right) James Stokes, Christopher Sgro, Chanda Lorilla, Edward Verber, Danielle Verderosa, Julia Smith, Nico Foris

Gifting Memories

We know how difficult it can be to choose the perfect gift for someone who means so much to you. So, why not gift your loved ones with something that will last them a lifetime?

Whether you are giving a gift for an adventurous wanderer, that special someone, or the whole family, we know there is something here for everyone.

Gifts for the adventurer:

  • Give a gift that lasts all summer long! Boating in DC and Boating in Boston both offer season passes, available to purchase at any time of the year, even the offseason. Visit the DC website or the Boston website for more information.
  • Giants Ridge is the perfect destination for a winter break ski trip with the family. Gift them ski lift passes, rentals, or season passes this Holiday season. Visit Giants Ridge’s website for more information.

  • Get them out of the house and on the water with Lake Roosevelt Adventures houseboat rentals. Check out the website to see all the options.

  • Send them down south to Flamingo Adventures in the Everglades to warm up their winter season. With beautiful weather, views, kayak and canoe rentals, their newly-built eco-tents, or houseboats, what more would they need? Visit the Flamingo Adventures website to book a room and rent their floats!

Gifts for the romantic:

  • Wakulla Springs dinner cruise is the perfect evening out for you and your loved one, or to gift to the happy couple in your life! For more details, Wakulla Springs’ website.

  • A night’s stay that will surely make memories is at the gorgeous Lodge at Breckenridge in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado. Visit the website to see so many options for their next stay. (Best part? They are pet-friendly!)

Gifts for the whole family:

  • Need an activity to get the kids working together? Take the family down to East Potomac Tennis Center for junior tennis lessons. What a great way to get them outside and enjoying each other’s company! Visit their website to learn more.

  • Does your family love animals and the outdoors? Rock Creek Park Horse Center is the perfect location for riding lessons, trail rides, and even family volunteering! Gift the kids’ an experience and get the whole family out there! Visit the website.

Of all the presents, the best is the gift of knowing you gave the perfect gift without the stress of the stores!