The Perception of Prosperity

The perception of prosperity was and is a struggle for corporate America.  When a certain company back in the 2008 was spending lavishly on their holiday parties and corporate functions (and Executive Bonuses), it sent ripples through the event industry.  Companies that could still afford to do something to reward their employees were doing nothing in the name of political correctness.  Not only did this crucify the event industry that directly and indirectly employs hundreds of thousands of people, it also effectively reduced morale at companies around the country.

Yes, unemployment is still high.  Yes, there are a lot of people looking for jobs or worrying about feeding their kids or making their next mortgage payment.  But do we all continue to live in fear of “what people may think,” bowed by our concern that we will appear to prosperous when it is not prudent to do so? 

I am a creature of optimism.  City is, by its very nature, an optimistic place.  We choose to proceed with a sense that the worst is behind us and the best is yet to come, and we preach it internally as well as to the folks that come to us for team building or just to kick back for a beer and some food.  Like virtually every business in America, we saw tough times in the last 18 months that tested our mettle as an organization.  But we, like so many of you, have found our way through the woods and are coming out of this more nimble, sensitive, and focused. 

What I want for us as an organization is what I want for America and for the world – a renewed sense of possibilities, an eye towards a better financial future, and the conviction that no matter how bad things get, there is a way to get better and stronger through hard work and steadfast conviction.  More than ever, we are grateful that people around the Bay Area continue to patronize City.  If you have the means, and if you have the desire, we await your people with open arms and a plan to inspire them towards a brighter tomorrow.

City Beach Santa Clara – Take the Whole Place!

As a member of the Sales Team at City Beach, I am stationed in our corporate offices at the Fremont facility. However, a good portion of my sales inquiries are for our Santa Clara site, so I like to go down there every couple of weeks to peek in. It is critical for the sales team to always be in touch with the pulse of the staff, the operational and logistical nuances of each facility, and the overall vibe. Because I spend so much time up in Fremont, it is easy to lose touch a bit with our brothers in the SC!

I live in South San Jose, so it is about a 20-minute drive up the 85 to the 87 to the 101. I made the trip to City Beach Santa Clara last Saturday for a Bar Mitzvah, and I was immediately greeted by my event staff buddies Eli, Larry, and Travis. I met another crew member named Sam for the first time as well, and all seemed in great spirits and happy to be in Santa Clara.

As I watched the flow of the party from up close and afar, I got a sense of why our team a loves to work at events in SC. As Eli (one of our lead facilitators and resident Mitzvah Games expert) told me, it is an unbelievable spot for parties of 60-150 people, because YOU GET THE WHOLE BUILDING! Seriously, the entire 26,000 square foot facility is yours…5 sport courts, two awesome seating and serving areas, and no sharing with anyone. According to Larry, the lead host on the party, “I love it down here because it is so wide open, and no one has to police different events at the same time.”

As I left the building, I thought about the upcoming birthday parties of my three kids. This latest trip to City Beach Santa Clara left no doubt that we will be there for at least two of them in 2010. And Eli, Larry, Travis, and Sam will all be there, too!

RR out

We Are All Family

For a minute there, I thought I was in dreamland!

 The sun was shining, the food and beer were flowing, and our house was absolutely rocking last Friday evening.  But it was supposed to be a somber occasion…NUMMI had just closed a significant part of their operation, and about 500 of their employees honored us with their presence (The fact that they all chose City Beach as their landing spot after the last day on their job is testament to the strong bonds we have built with so many NUMMI team members…thanks, guys!) 

 As we mingled with them, talked about their past, present and future, and just generally extended ourselves to make sure that they felt welcomed, the dialogue was surprisingly upbeat.  The feedback was almost uniformly positive, upbeat, and celebratory.  As I have said, we feel the circumstances of our guests through good and bad…when they hurt, we hurt with them, but when they are ready to kick back and party, that is right in our wheelhouse.  

That was the case with NUMMI.  While this day may have marked the end of an era, it is the closing of a chapter, not the end of the line.  The human casualties of a recessed economy are where the real stories are told.  If we can help people through good times, we should be equally up to the task of helping them manage tough times as well.  This was the confluence of both – a day that pulled a group of 500 former co-workers together to remember the past, and an opportunity to toast what we all hope is a bright future.  City Beach will ALWAYS be here for them, no matter where they land.  

RR