Fort Jackson, SC - HOOAH!

On Friday several of us took a bus tour of Fort Jackson and attended their graduation ceremony. We started off the day at 0800 hours military time and watched a slideshow presentation of several facts about the base. Afterwards we went to a graduation ceremony, and some of us caught ourselves getting emotional not even personally knowing any of the graduates.

Following the graduation ceremony, we witnessed some of the soldiers going through some serious training exercises in some pretty intense heat. You have to be in tip top shape to be able to accomplish some of the challenges they were facing, especially the climbing wall. Seeing this training first hand really gives you a new appreciation for what these men and women are doing. Not only did they have to complete the training, but they had to walk about thirty-five minutes to and from the training area in triple digit temperatures. We also saw their sleeping quarters and read the rules they have to abide by which included no makeup and no hair dryers, and I know that would be difficult for most women including myself.

What came next was totally unexpected, but definitely the most exciting part of the day. We went into a training room with digital screens soldiers use to walk through real life situations and practice shooting, then they go back and replay their hits and misses and see how accurate their shooting is. Now what I didn't expect is that we would actually get to try it out ourselves, which we did! Let me tell you, it is intense and really gets your adrenaline pumping to the point you actually feel like it's you or the person on the screen you're shooting at. I cannot imagine the thoughts running through your mind when you're actually put in that type of situation. I really respect these soldiers and their families for putting their lives on the line everyday for us.

By now we had worked up quite an appetite and we were lucky enough to get to eat at their dining facility, which just recently won an award for second best in the nation for military dining facilities. I wasn't expecting the food to be that great just from the stories you hear, but I must say I was quite impressed with the food. It kind of reminded me of Lizard's Thicket, which is quite popular in Columbia with the locals. After we were finished with our lunch, they presented us with a group photo that was taken earlier in the day and a military challenge coin. Apparently, if you get one of these coins you never want to get caught without it or you have to drop and do twenty push ups or buy the other person a drink. I thought this was a very special end to the day.

I would highly recommend this tour if you are looking to do something out of the ordinary and adventurous, if you are planning a military reunion or even if you just want to learn how to say, "Hooah!" If you would like more information about setting up a tour of Fort Jackson for your group and need assistance in securing hotel rooms and meeting space, please contact me at mengram@columbiacvb.com.

Tips for Family Reunion Planning by Twila Jones

Tips for Family Reunion Planning by Twila Jones
Sales Manager, Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau
Specializing in Religious, Social & Multi-Cultural Markets
(803) 545-0017
tjones@columbiacvb.com

Family reunions are a STAPLE among those with southern roots. Each year, thousands of families juggle commitments with school, church and work to come together to celebrate the FAMILY. All summer long shaded backyards, city parks and lake shores are filled with adults and children wearing their family T-shirts and enjoying lots of great food and fun.

Coordinating such an event can be exciting and rewarding. Some families plan years in advance and rotate to new destinations each year. Others opt for quaint backyard BBQ's or a picnic at the park. Either way, the rewards are endless and the memories last a life time.

Here are some ways you can enjoy your trip to Columbia and learn more about your family's heritage:
1. Schedule a time to sit down and talk candidly with the oldest relative in your family. Make sure to bring a pad and pen. You'll learn a lot about your heritage and take away some great stories to share with your children.

2. Hire a photographer (non-relative) to capture all of your reunion activities. Pictures are lasting and are a great way to reflect back on good times with family and friends.

3. Go back and tour the neighborhood where your grandparents or parents grew up. It's sometimes very humbling to see where you came from and how much progress your family has made over the years.

4. Don't just concentrate on playing and shopping, schedule times to tour museums, historic homes and other cultural attractions. Do something rewarding and make learning fun for the entire family. The Historic Columbia Foundation is one of many resources to help you enjoy the historical side of our city.

5. Spend a few extra dollars and select a host property that will give you everything you need. If you haven't traveled in a while, you may not have realized how much hotels have evolved. Many of our select and full service properties now offer amenities such as guest laundry, fitness rooms, flat panel TV's, elaborate dining areas, discounts to area attractions and much more.

6. Put a committee together to explore your family's genealogy or research the family name. Visit the Richland County Public Library or the SC Department of Archives & History to get started.

7. Don't just grill or slap your meat on a bun at mealtime. Gather the aspiring chefs in the family and put together a menu that's sure to wow everyone who attends. Mac's on Main is just one of our great restaurants that offer a cookbook of southern cuisine recipes. Learn more at http://www.macsjazznblues.com/

8. Use your resources. Don't just plan on a whim, allow the Convention & Visitor's Bureau to work for you. CVB's are a one-stop way of getting the best out of your visit without dealing with a whole slew of people.

We guide you through the process of locating a venue for family functions, locating hoteliers for lodging, providing guides and brochures and much more. But the best part is our services are complimentary. Contact us today!

Embassy Suites Awarded “Highest Guest Satisfaction Among Upscale Hotel Chains With Full Service” by J.D. Power and Associates

EMBASSY SUITES® AWARDED “HIGHEST GUEST SATISFACTION AMONG UPSCALE
HOTEL CHAINS WITH FULL SERVICE” BY J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES

Upscale Brand Reclaims Honor for Precedent-Setting Fifth Time; Sixth Time Overall

MEMPHIS, Tenn. July 24, 2007 – Embassy Suites Hotels, the leading upscale all-suite hotel brand, announced it has received the “Highest Guest Satisfaction Among Upscale Hotel Chains” award in the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index StudySM,. The brand last received the accolade in 2003.

“We are extremely proud to reclaim the J.D. Power and Associates award and be ranked the highest in guest satisfaction among upscale, full-service hotels for the fifth time,” said Jim Holthouser, senior vice-president – brand management, Embassy Suites Hotels. “Since the beginning of 2006, our owners and our brand have put nearly $600 million into our hotels as part of the 20/10 brand enhancement program. These new services and amenities – self-service registration kiosks, business centers, as well as extensive renovations to our older properties have kept the brand up-to-date and allowed us to keep in step with changing guests’ needs,” said Holthouser.

The 20/10 brand enhancement plan has improved some of the key elements of the Embassy Suites brand, mainly the complimentary, cooked-to-order breakfast. The program has also introduced new elements to augment the brand's position in the all-suite category, including business centers, a new bedding program, Bloom amenities and the EmbassyDirect Registration kiosk featuring airline boarding pass printing. The extensive renovations taking place also promote greater consistency across all hotels within the brand.
According to the study, Embassy Suites Hotels received highest ratings in three of seven key measures of guest experience; specifically, check-in/check-out, food and beverage, and costs and fees.

The 2007 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study is based on responses from 47,634 guests who stayed in a hotel between May 2006 and June 2007. Brands in the “Upscale” category are characterized by offering full-service restaurants, multiple meeting facilities and a complete range of hotel services.

About Embassy Suites Hotels
Embassy Suites Hotels is part of the Hilton Family of Hotels and opened its first hotel in 1984. It was the first all-suite upscale hotel brand to enter the industry and today has nearly 190 hotels. To make reservations or learn the locations of Embassy Suites Hotels in urban, suburban, airport and resort areas, travelers can visit the Embassy Suites Hotels Web site at www.embassysuites.com, call 1-800-EMBASSY or contact their professional travel agent.
Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) is the leading global hospitality company, with nearly 2,800 hotels and 475,000 rooms in 76 countries, including 100,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises a hotel portfolio of some of the best known and highly regarded brands, including Hilton®, Conrad® Hotels and Resorts, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations™, Homewood Suites by Hilton®, and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection™.

About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is an ISO 9001-registered global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, training and customer satisfaction. The firm’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on hotel ratings, car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

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