Within any industry, there are those people who are top of mind when it comes to their respective field. They’re not just professional, they truly have a passion for the work they do. They seem to know all the answers, are helpful to colleagues, and do it all with a smile on their faces.
When it comes to the hospitality industry in Rutherford County, Jacob Hall is one of those people.
I sat down with him to hear about his career journey, how business is coming back in Middle Tennessee, and the professional organization over which he presides.
We met at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Smyrna, the property he manages. Located just off of Sam Ridley Parkway, the Verandas is a development with several lodging facilities. I have known Jacob for a few years and was glad for the opportunity to learn more about his take on the hospitality industry and how it is recovering from the COVID pandemic. Jacob told me he’s always been in the business.
“Hospitality isn’t just hotels, it’s restaurants and the vendors who support the industry,” he said, and he has done just about all of it. He worked in restaurants through college and was one of the first cooks at Embassy Suites when that property opened in 2009. From there, he became the director of sales with another hotel franchise and eventually grew into management.
He has kept his finger on the pulse of the business sector he so loves. I asked him if things are starting to turn around for the better.
“In Rutherford County, we have been bouncing back since the beginning of March. We have seen business travelers come back. We have seen various travel sports leagues come back since March,” Hall told the Pulse.
The Nashville and Williamson County hospitality sphere relies on several nearby corporate headquarters and their business meetings for a flow of traveling guests. Many of these meetings are still being largely conducted online.
However, Rutherford County has seen more business from transferees and those in new construction. In fact, construction of the new WoodSpring Suites was underway right across the street from our interview.
“Construction never stopped during COVID,” Hall stated.
He went on to point out the debut of luxury hotels such as the Joseph, Virgin Hotel and the W Nashville. No doubt, when travel activity gets back to pre-pandemic levels, hotels in the area will be ready.
For the most part, these ships are built and ready to sail, though they have yet to be crewed. The biggest challenge right now is staffing. Like many businesses, restaurants and hotels are suffering from a shortage of employees. This is a current source of frustration for businesses, with many Murfreesboro restaurants being forced to close one or two days a week, or scaling back hours every day of the week, so the handful of cooks and servers can have some time off.
As it relates to lodging, a staff member has to be at a hotel front desk around the clock, a 24-hour concern most businesses do not have to worry about. When you think about it, a hotel or motel must provide constant customer service. People looking for part-time or temporary work this holiday season might be a saving grace, though. Most managers and owners are willing to offer flexible schedules to hire the help they need.
One organization that has been instrumental in offering support to the industry is the Rutherford County Hospitality Association. Hall serves as president of that organization this year. The RCHA is one of a network of many local hospitality associations. The organization’s leadership tries to remain mindful of things that could impact travel and tourism, such as government regulations, additional taxation and health concerns.
Statewide, the hospitality association was instrumental in to-go cocktail drinks from restaurants.
“That was a source of revenue for restaurants that might not have been able to afford being open otherwise,” Hall told me. Those little drinks could have made all the difference for some businesses.
When asked what gives Jacob Hall his momentum, he replied, “For me to be able to make a difference in people’s lives, from [providing] a good night’s sleep to [hosting] a family with the financial crisis of being in between real estate.”
Customer service, when done right, is being happy about making others happy. To find out more about Jacob and the Rutherford County Hospitality Association, visit facebook.com/rutherfordcohospitalityassociation.
