Video Highlight: Holiday Season 2020
Meet LACA Secretary Sheigh Ricard
AN INTERVIEW WITH OUR NEWLY RE-ELECTED SECRETARY SHEIGH RICARD
You recently returned to work at your concierge desk at Terranea Resorts. Have the requests and expectations of your hotel guests changed?
Our guests are seeking comfort and safety more than ever. I have to outline the new guidelines and policies; transparency and information is imperative. I feel part of my new job duties are re-teaching people how to travel while keeping the concierge magic.
Your hotel and resort has been busy during this pandemic due to the increase in “staycation” travelers. What kind of activities are your guests interested in when they stay at Terranea?
Our guests are seeking experiences that capture the beauty of the peninsula. Archery at the beach cove, hiking the peninsula, kayaking and stargazing.
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned during the coronavirus pandemic and quarantine experience?
The most valuable lesson I learned during my quarantine experience was to cherish each moment. So often I was rushing here to there and rarely would stop to “smell the roses”. This year has taught me to take a moment to enjoy the little things and hug our loved ones extra tight!
Tell us Sheigh about your background. Also how many years have you worked at Terranea? I am a fifth generation Angelino and currently live in the South Bay community. My first job was at Old Navy. I have worked at Terranea since 2012. I started there at the retail boutique, then transferred to Guest Services in 2014.
Work-Life Balance and self-care is so important. Do you have any restorative wellness routines? A daily restorative wellness routine I have is a morning meditation and stretching.
What have you learned this year? I have learned so many great things as the LACA Secretary this year. I love learning the duties within my position: minutes, the election establishing and knowing quorum, etc. All of the preparation that goes into our monthly meetings. I have enjoyed strengthening my relationships with my colleagues. 2020 has been unique, I am forever grateful for the endless support of the LACA community.
What is your favorite neighborhood in LA and why? Manhattan Beach. It is a charming beach city where you can experience a variety of eateries. One of my favorite things to do is to enjoy a handmade latte while walking the calming and beautiful California Coast.
Which famous living person do you most admire? Amal Clooney.
In-N-Out or Shake Shack? In-N-Out. The Neapolitan Milkshake is the key to my heart!
What are your top 3 favorite restaurants and your favorite dishes on the menu? The Nice Guy for it’s Cacio e Pepe. Avra Beverly Hills for their Halibut and Avra Chips. Also UOVO…everything is delicious!
What qualities or traits do you like most in a friend? Loyalty, trustworthiness, honesty & being a good listener.
To learn more about Terranea Resort, visit www.terranea.com.
LACA chats with Marisa Rokovitz
MEET MARISA ROKOVITZ OF ENTERPRISE, ONE OF OUR PROUD LACA GOLD KEY PARTNERS.
Tell us how many years have you been with Enterprise and describe your role with Business and Leisure Sales?
I have been with Enterprise for 21 years. In my role, I build and secure relationships with key decision makers in the business and leisure space, to help expand Enterprise’s market share.
Enterprise quickly developed their “Complete Clean Pledge” in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Do you think these enhanced sanitation practices are here to stay? What service enhancements are you most proud of? Yes, these enhanced practices are here to stay for the foreseeable future. Our company’s #1 concern is for our customers and employees to feel safe. I am proud that we are very serious about our execution of the Complete Clean Pledge. Also, all of these enhancements has forced us to reevaluate our operational plans and allowed for our technological changes we had coming into place be 24 months ahead of schedule.
Have there been any new trends in terms of requests or expectations from your business and leisure clientele during this pandemic? Our business trends have shifted to more travel on Thursday – Sunday. We also have a lot of various business partners that are essential and have not slowed down at all. The diverse mix of business partners has allowed us to be positive during this very questionable time.
Once a traveler has experienced the rental process post the COVID onset; they quickly see how the experience is more seamless, faster, but still personalized as they remember it with our Enterprise brand. Our business partners have been surprised to see how involved we were and are with getting tourism back up and running. In the past, they might have only thought of airlines and hotels being so involved in this space.
Here’s a video I’d like to share about our company https://vimeo.com/435743913. In the video with Roger Dow; President of the US Travel association; our CEO Chrissy Taylor shares how our company is adjusting to and communicating new health and safety protocols to employees and customers, growth opportunities within the leisure travel market, and her insights on the industry’s phased reopening and the path to recovery.
You have been incredibly supportive of the LACA for many years. Do you personally use the concierge service when you travel?
Yes, I do! I like to do foundational research on all I want to see/do at the destination and then ask the concierge their perspective to help shape my stay. I love that you get the local perspective and usually connections to places and events you may not have known of otherwise.
What is your idea of a perfect day in Los Angeles? Hike in the morning, sushi for lunch, meet a friend for tea or go on a walk to catch up on life, dinner at a restaurant with fun vibes and a unique drink menu.
Yes, I do! I like to do foundational research on all I want to see/do at the destination and then ask the concierge their perspective to help shape my stay. I love that you get the local perspective and usually connections to places and events you may not have known of otherwise.
What is your idea of a perfect day in Los Angeles? Hike in the morning, sushi for lunch, meet a friend for tea or go on a walk to catch up on life, dinner at a restaurant with fun vibes and a unique drink menu.
Which living person do you most admire? Michelle Obama.
What are your favorite films of all time? Casino, The Devil Wears Prada, Anchorman and Bridesmaids.
In-N-Out or Shake Shack? Apple Pan!
What are your favorite hobbies? Travel, nature, house music, learning anything new.
Name your top three restaurants in Los Angeles and what are your favorite dishes on the menu? Asuka for it’s omakase. Pizzana for any of their pizzas and sandwiches. Bavel for its slow roasted lamb with house made hummus.
Video Highlight: Hotel Casa Del Mar
August 31, 2020 – We visited our Vice President Timothy DeRodeff at work at the historic Hotel Casa Del Mar. The hotels in Santa Monica have been doing quite well during the coronavirus pandemic, with the beach offering plenty of outdoor activities that allow for social distancing. Timothy graciously gave us a tour of his hotel in our latest YouTube video!
Meet Vice President Timothy DeRodeff
You recently returned to work at your concierge desk at Hotel Casa Del Mar. Have the requests and expectations of your hotel guests changed? Have you observed any new trends or new behaviors from travelers during this time? At this point, mostly everyone I have encountered understands that we are in a global pandemic. For the most part, people understand the limitations of what I am able to accomplish most of the time. What I have noticed is that people really want to return to a state of normalcy and they want to celebrate. I spend almost half of my time now putting together amenities for guests who are celebrating anniversaries, birthdays, honeymoons and more!
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned during the coronavirus pandemic and quarantine experience? Stay present. There is so much going on in the world right now that is completely outside of our control. As concierges, we are conditioned to think three steps ahead in an effort to provide seamless service, but it is equally as important to take note of the world around us.
In your role serving as our elected Vice President these past few years, which event or accomplishment are you most proud of and why? I am always the most proud of our LACA Expos. Every year they get bigger and better, and really are a great example of the power networking and how far the world of hospitality can reach.
Work-Life Balance and self-care is so important. Do you have any restorative wellness routines or favorite beauty rituals? I try to get in some form of exercise every day. I think even 10 minutes a day can center you and prepare you for your next challenge.
Which actor would you like to play you in a movie? There’s this really great young actor by the name of Kelvin Harrison Jr., who I think is going to go really far. I would be honored if he played me. If you haven’t seen “Waves,” or “Luce,”, please do yourself a favor and stream immediately!
Which famous living person(s) do you most admire? Without a doubt, the Obamas…and while not quite as famous…my mom.
Video Highlight: Pink’s Hot Dogs
August 13, 2020 – We were excited to visit Pink’s Hot Dogs for their “reopening”. They had been closed for fives months during the Covid-19 pandemic. They reopened on August 12th and showcased their enhanced health and safety measures, with all workers wearing face masks. Check out our latest video!
Hotel Opening: Maybourne Beverly Hills
August 12, 2020 – The LACA welcomes the newest luxury hotel brand to open this summer: Maybourne Beverly Hills. Located at 225 N. Canon Drive, this property is the former 201-room Montage Beverly Hills. The Maybourne Beverly Hills is destined to bring British charm to Hollywood. The Maybourne Hotel Group, which purchased the Montage, also owns the iconic Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley in the UK. The Chef Concierge of the Maybourne Beverly Hills is LACA member Barbara Reyes. For more information about the hotel, visit their website at www.maybournebeverlyhills.com.
