We had a visit today from one of our favorite business partners, Ray Gosselin, from Epic Entertainment. We have worked together for more than 20 years and truly value our partnership. As we sat and discussed “the state of the industry”, he shared with us a most inspiring story. He told us of a cancelled program that was to take place last weekend with name entertainer Terry Fator -the ventriloquist/impersonator from “America’s Got Talent”- who now headlines his own show in Las Vegas. As in so many cases, the corporate host paid for the entertainer, including the cancellation expenses. The predictable course of action would have been to cancel the performance. However, Ray talked with Terry’s agent and then with the commander of MCRD (Marine Corp Recruit Depot) here in San Diego, and together, they brought Terry Fater to town to entertain 1,400 military personnel, wounded warriors, and their families.Now why isn’t that in the news? Cancellations are happening all around us at alarming rates. In many cases, there are resources that have been paid for and abandoned. If we can’t stop the cancellations, can’t we look for ways to “turn lemons into lemonade”? Can hoteliers make cancelled rooms available at significantly discounted rates to military families, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and other organizations that could use the assistance more than ever as donations and philanthropies have been impacted by reduced giving?
Consider the possibilities if you are in a position to make a difference. Focus your energy on the things you can control. Take the time to identify what you can do, how you can help, and be the kind of partner you would like to have. We have always valued Ray as a partner – and his efforts to turn this business disappointment into something really good and really special is proof once again of why he is such a respected and important partner to TMM.
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