Category Archives: News & Updates

Bear Mountain’s Oktoberfest: No Internet, No Problem.

Keep your social media connection in a place of internet disconnection.

You just took the most perfect photo with your friends dressed in lederhosen and dirndl while drinking steins of endless beer. You need to post it online ASAP. So, you scroll to your favorite social media app, apply filters, and press post! But, you come to find there is no Internet! Don’t panic!

When you come to Bear Mountain’s Oktoberfest, don’t let Internet limitations stop you from making posts online. We have tips on how to stay on top of your offline social media game.

Instagram

The Instagram creators know we need access to our social media at all times. In a recent update, all of Instagram’s features are now available for use even when offline.

It’s very simple. Just go through the picture posting process as you normally would while on the Internet – pick photo, apply filters, add caption, etc. Once you are done, press post! It will give you a “posting failed” message, but that’s okay. The app already recognizes it is in a “dead” zone, and will automatically post your photo as soon as you get back on the Internet.

Don’t think Instagram stopped their features there! If you like, comment, or direct message an Instagram post while offline, it will automatically process those actions as soon as you’re back online.

Twitter

You will have to go old-school for this one, but you can text your tweet! Here’s how to do it:

Before leaving for Oktoberfest, make sure your Twitter settings are set correctly for text tweeting.

  1. Go to settings
  2. Click “mobile”
  3. Insert your cell phone number under “Activate Twitter text messaging”
  4. Text “GO” to 40404

Anytime you want to send a tweet, just write your message in a text and send it to “40404”; that’s it!

Now, there may be some spotty cell reception since so many people want to show-off their time at Oktoberfest too. But, that shouldn’t stop a social media mogul like you!

Another way to tweet is to save your message as a draft. Compose your tweet like you normally would. However, don’t press post. Instead, click the “x” in the top-left corner and choose the option to save your tweet as a draft.

This tweet will be moved to your Twitter draft folder, which you can find by clicking on the quill icon on the bottom-right-hand corner. You can access this at any time and hit post.

Facebook

If you liked texting in your tweets, then you’re in luck! Facebook also allows status updates sent over text. You can also sign up to receive updates from friends you are “subscribed” to and your Facebook chat! Do we need to remind you this is all without the Internet?

Again, before leaving for your amazing Oktoberfest experience, check to see if your Facebook settings allow you to text in updates.

  1. Go to your account settings
  2. Click “mobile”
  3. Insert your cell phone number under “Activate Text Messaging”
  4. Text the letter “F” to 32665
  5. Go through the confirmation process sent to your phone

Ta- dah, you’re all set! You can now show your Facebook followers the fun you’re having just by texting “32665” with your status.

If you want to post more than a status, like a picture, for example, you can set up that post similar to Instagram’s offline posting process. Create the post you want to upload and press “share” once finished. Again, it will come up with a “posting failed”/“not connected” message. That is okay because the system will automatically post it for you once you connect back online.

Snapchat

There is a trend within the social media outlets because Snapchat processes offline posts very similar to Instagram and Facebook.

Whenever you see the perfect Snapchat moment, just snap and share it as you normally would. It will say “failed to upload”, but it will be added to your Snapchat queue. Once you get Internet access again, tap on your queued snaps and they will be uploaded in the same order in which you posted them.

You won’t be able to add geofilters. However, everyone will know you are at Oktoberfest with the German-themed foods and attire in your photos!

There you go! Those are all the ways to keep your social media connection, while enjoying a time of internet disconnection at Bear Mountain’s Oktoberfest!

Follow Bear Mountain online to stay updated on all things Oktoberfest, as well as any fun activities happening at the Inn!

 

Guest Services, Inc. Expands Industry-Leading Sustainability Campaign

Hospitality leader ends the use of plastic bags at more than 350 properties across the United States; Now exclusively offers paper and reusable bags.

FAIRFAX, VA. (PRWEB) AUGUST 27, 2018
Guest Services, Inc. today announced that the company will immediately stop using plastic bags at more than 350 properties across the country, continuing its industry-leading sustainability campaign.

Following its recently announced “Skip the Straw” initiative to reduce single-use disposable plastic, Guest Services will instead offer guests eco-friendly reusable or paper bags at its managed and owned hotels, state and national park operations, senior living communities, dining venues and retail outlets.

The changes will take effect immediately.

“We are extremely proud of this most recent development in our ongoing and meaningful sustainability efforts,” said Gerry Gabrys, chief executive officer of Guest Services, Inc. “We expect our latest action to reduce the amount of plastic bags entering the environment by millions annually. We also hope it will help build heightened awareness while encouraging other companies and organizations to operate with more environmentally friendly strategies.”

Plastic bags are a well-known source of pollution. Hazardous to wildlife, they can also block sewage systems, resulting in floods that cause major infrastructure damage.

“Guest Services looks forward to announcing continued sustainability platform expansion in the near future and we thank our valued guests for joining us in our commitment to protect and preserve the environment,” Gabrys said.

For more information about Guest Services, Inc. and its environmental initiatives, please visit https://www.guestservices.com/about-us/sustainability/.

About Guest Services, Inc.
Since 1917, Guest Services has worked tirelessly to earn our reputation as the premier hospitality management company in the United States. We are proud to provide a wide range of customized hospitality management solutions for clients involved in dining services, resorts and hotels, state and national parks, senior living communities, unique retail outlets, special events, condominium management and fresh produce distribution. Today, we stand at the forefront of the hospitality management industry, providing the highest quality food, lodging and leisure services for our valued clients and guests. Guest Services is proud to serve more than 35 million guests annually at over 350 properties nationwide.

Guest Services Inc. to Join Globally Influential Organizations Committed to Eliminating Plastic Straw Pollution

Guest Services Inc. today announced that the organization will entirely abandon the use of plastic straws at its owned and managed properties by the end of 2018 to significantly reduce its environmental footprint.

FAIRFAX, VA. (PRWEB) JULY 30, 2018

Guest Services Inc. today announced that the organization will entirely abandon the use of plastic straws at its owned and managed properties by the end of 2018 to significantly reduce its environmental footprint.

This multi-faceted campaign, “Skip the Straw,” will be executed in several phases throughout the remainder of the year – ultimately eliminating millions of straws a year while bringing awareness to an important issue for the hospitality industry to address.

Over the past several decades, plastic straws have become an expected amenity in purchased beverages and have subsequently grown into a major source of pollution. Straws are often disposed of incorrectly, and even if recycled appropriately, the sorting machines at waste processing facilities are often ill-equipped to identify these small plastic tubes. Unfortunately, plastic straws frequently end up in the ocean where they have been effectively killing marine life all over the globe.

The new Guest Services initiative will begin with the #NoStrawChallenge in which Guest Services locations will only offer single-use disposable straws upon request. This program is effective immediately and is a springboard for the transition to a new paper biodegradable straw alternative that will also be available by request only. By the end of the year, the organization looks to completely eliminate the use of plastic straws at all dining facilities, communities, eateries, lodging and other Guest Services properties across the nation.

“This is a historic moment for our organization, our clients, and our valued customers. ‘Skip the Straw’ is the latest policy of our ongoing sustainability campaign designed in the interests of global environmental preservation,” says Gerry Gabrys, chief executive officer of Guest Services, Inc. “The impact of such a small utility may seem negligible, but the reality is that straws pose an incredible danger to marine life that would be wrong to ignore. Guest Services looks forward to being a meaningful part of the positive wave of industry influencers who are leading the charge in the elimination of plastic straws.”

The company’s sustainability strategies work to reduce consumption, to reuse items, and to recycle or compost items, and are a significant component of overall executive planning. At many Guest Services properties, vehicle charging stations are available; compressed gas vehicles are utilized; LED lighting is installed; non-carbon dioxide electricity sources make up almost half of total energy consumption; an electronic records system vastly reduces paper consumption; environmentally friendly purchasing strategies are implemented to reduce waste, fossil fuel emissions, and harmful gas production; sustainable food and cooking efforts utilize local and healthier sources through their programs such as Dolphin Safe and Go Local; hydration stations are available to encourage the use of reusable bottles; unused amenities as well as gently used furniture and linens are donated to local charities; regular recycling of paper, glass, cardboard, plastic, aluminum, and cooking oil is practiced company-wide; fluorescent lights, batteries, and other possibly hazardous items are recycled and tracked through their Lamptracker System.

Guest Services has also been recognized for its outstanding sustainability efforts by the National Park Service ISO Certification at Mount Rainier National Park and in the National Capital Region.

For more information about Guest Services, Inc. and their environmental initiatives, please visit https://www.guestservices.com/about-us/sustainability.

About Guest Services, Inc.

Since 1917, Guest Services has worked tirelessly to earn our reputation as the premier hospitality management company in the United States. We are proud to provide a wide range of customized hospitality management solutions for clients involved in dining services, resorts and hotels, state and national parks, senior living communities, unique retail outlets, special events, condominium management and fresh produce distribution. Today, we stand at the forefront of the hospitality management industry, providing the highest quality food, lodging and leisure services for our valued clients and guests. Guest Services is proud to serve more than 35 million guests annually at over 350 properties nationwide.