SAFETY IS AN ACT OF CARE

Safety starts with one simple goal: making sure every employee gets home safely to their family at the end of the day. That responsibility doesn’t belong to a policy or a checklist. It belongs to leadership.

When management takes safety seriously, it sets the tone for the entire team. Safety cannot be something we talk about only after an incident or once a year during training. It needs to be part of the daily conversation, woven into how we work, communicate, and lead.

That commitment begins with new hires. General Managers play a critical role in ensuring employees understand the chemicals they use, where to find Safety Data Sheets, and when and how to use personal protective equipment. Taking the time to review these items and demonstrate proper use shows employees that their well-being matters from day one.

Safety does not stop after onboarding. Ongoing communication is essential. Monthly safety materials and regular discussions help reinforce expectations and keep safety top of mind. These resources are most effective when they are shared, discussed, and used as conversation starters rather than simply distributed.

Even a five-minute safety discussion can make a difference. Those moments create awareness, encourage employees to speak up, and help prevent injuries before they happen. Over time, these small, consistent conversations build a culture where safety is understood, expected, and valued.

When we lead with care, safety becomes more than a requirement. It becomes a shared responsibility, and those five minutes just might save a life.

2026 GM Sales Leads

What’s New and What to Know

With 2026 comes an update to the GM Sales Lead program—are you ready?

Beginning in 2026, each General Manager is required to submit a minimum of three (3) qualified sales leads PER MONTH. This is a shift from prior years, when sales leads could be submitted quarterly. The goal is simple: the more qualified leads you submit, the more potential business for your hotel.

What Is a Qualified Sales Lead?

A qualified sales lead is a prospective customer that has been researched, vetted, and confirmed to have lodging needs, and is ready for the next step in the sales process of negotiation, closing, and account establishment.

Defining a Sales Lead

In simple terms, a sales lead is an individual or organization with potential interest in staying at your hotel. Building relationships with guests and local businesses ultimately drives revenue.

You may be “selling” every day without even realizing it. Instead of thinking of it as sales, think of it as keeping your eyes and ears open for opportunities during your day-to-day interactions.

Everyday Ways to Identify Sales Leads

Here are some simple ways to make an impact on sales each day:

• During check-in, ask: “What brings you to the area?”

**You may discover the guest is working on a local construction project or business assignment. Follow up with: “Do others at your company travel here as well?”

• Pay attention to company logos on guests’ clothing.

**Are they traveling for business? Could others at their company need lodging?

• Review upcoming reservations.

**Do you notice email addresses with company names?

• Stay informed through local news, online articles, or business journals.

**Are there new projects, events, or developments that could bring visitors to your area?

• Watch for new construction near your property.

**Construction crews often need extended-stay lodging.

• Are there training facilities nearby?

**Do they host out-of-town trainees who may need accommodations?

• Notice competitor activity.

**Are company vehicles staying at nearby hotels but not at your inn?

I Found a Lead—Now What?

Once you identify a potential opportunity, take the next step and dig a little deeper:

• Call the company and ask to speak with the person who arranges travel

• Ask whether reservations are handled by the company or by individual employees

• Ask what’s most important to them when choosing a hotel

• Ask if they’re working within a specific budget

• Finally, ask if they would consider staying at your hotel

Once you have gathered all the information, share the contact information (company name, contact name, phone number, and email address) as well as any other information you may have gathered, with Lynette Savidge at lynette.savidge@rriwest.com. This allows us to build a relationship and potentially establish a Local Negotiated Account or Volume Plus (VP+) account.

Unqualified Sales Leads

To be considered qualified, you must have direct contact with the organization and confirmation of lodging needs. Examples of unqualified leads include:

• A photo of a company vehicle with no follow-up

• A news article about a future project with no contact made

• A local guest staying long-term without business travel needs

Sales success starts at the property level, and your daily interactions play a critical role in driving future business. By staying curious, asking thoughtful questions, and sharing qualified leads you help create new opportunities not only for your hotel, but for the entire portfolio. As we move through 2026, let’s make lead generation part of our everyday mindset. Every conversation has potential.

NEW SOP - DELTA PRODUCTS

Delta Products no longer an approved vendor!

Effective immediately no one is to purchase any items from Delta products. This includes any lighting products, chemicals, etc. Going forward, NO products are to be ordered from them.

In addition, starting this week - if you receive any orders from Delta Products at your property, you MUST decline the order. Do not accept the order upon delivery - DECLINE IT. This includes any pending AND standing orders.

Please also make sure your Front Desk staff of this new SOP!