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ALL-SERVICES LODGING REPORT

NAVY LODGES FOLLOW

MAJOR HOSPITALITY TRENDS

MCH: What would you consider to be the Navy Lodge Military Club & Hospitality
Program highlights of fiscal 2017? spoke with Navy Lodge
Program Director Michael
Bockelman: The Navy Lodge program held rates steady
and expenses stable in order to provide increased value to the J. Bockelman about an-
military traveler. NEXCOM’s Navy Lodge Program had a other successful steady-
record-high occupancy percentage of 85.3 percent, and PCS as-she-goes year for the
room nights increased 3.1 percent compared to FY16. Navy Lodge Program.
Navy Lodges were instrumental
in providing humanitarian support,
lodging, logistics and installation
recovery for military members and Bockelman
their families, during wildfires, hurri-
canes and severe winter snowstorms.
The Navy Lodge Program contin- MCH: Please tell us about the status of the
ues its focus on productivity and en- long-term strategic reset plan, and how it is
ergy efficiency and continued efforts enhancing the Navy Lodge to meet the cur-
to “save the planet” by recycling rent expectations of Navy families.
mattresses — over 500 tons have
not been sent to landfills — and the The Navy Lodge Fort Worth, Texas, lobby area Bockelman: Renovating and updating Navy
use of commercial laundry machines follows the current trend of providing guests Lodges to meet the expectations of Navy fami-
that reduce water consumption and the opportunity to use the lobby for casual lies is an ongoing process.
waste water. meetings, socializing and as a gathering space. The Navy Lodge Program continues to
follow hospitality trends by:
• Creating lobbies that are oases where families and guests
MCH: Two highlights of the program that you spoke about can sit and relax. This also gives guests the opportunity
last year were the expansion of the lodging program to to use the lobby for casual meetings, socializing and as
include pets, as well as the expansion of the breakfast a gathering space.
program to include healthier options. Have these programs • Continued upgrade of design elements in all guest rooms
continued to be popular with families who stay in Navy with a “home-away-from-home” feel.
Lodges? • Developing more family suites to better meet the needs
of guests.
Bockelman: Breakfast in the lobby is a welcome benefit to
start the day. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast each
morning, seven days a week. The breakfast area is versatile, MCH: Earlier this year, you named several Navy Lodges
casual and a family-friendly environment. Busy travelers have that were to undergo renovations. How have these pro-
the option to grab and go. gressed, and are there any other sites where renovations
Very popular with guests is that the Navy Lodge is pet have started or are soon set to begin?
friendly. After all, pets are family, too! The Navy Lodge Pro-
gram knows how critically important pets are to their families. Bockelman: Navy Lodge renovations and upgrades are on
They provide comfort and security and help reduce stress, track. The Navy Lodge Fort Worth, Texas, lobby reset was
particularly on a PCS move. completed this year. The new floor plan takes the lobby from
a place of transaction to a place of interaction. Guests are
able to work, plug-in, socialize and relax.
MCH: As the Navy Lodge Program celebrates its 50th an- The new lobby includes flexible seating options, laptop-
niversary next year, what is on tap that you can tell us about? friendly stations with multiple outlets and two large-screen
TVs where guests can view the weather, news and sports in a
Bockelman: Navy Lodges worldwide will kick off the 50th casual environment.
anniversary in January 2019. All Navy Lodges will hold special A corridor reset was completed at Navy Lodge Corpus
events each month throughout the year to celebrate the Navy Christi, Texas, which included new lighting, carpet and paint.
Lodge Program’s 50th anniversary with guests, Navy Lodge In 2019, the guest rooms will be reset with new kitchens and
staff, and local NEXs and commands. bathrooms, flooring, and a new furniture and bedding package.

20 MILITARY CLUB & HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2018