Most of the time, hotels are built in places with a high demand, but sometimes, an existing hotel lucks out when demand is brought to them. The team at this Wyndham Riverfront feels its organization is part of the latter category. Located on the bank of the Arkansas River in North Little Rock, Ark., the hotel lies in a city that has yet to make a name for itself as a national travel destination. With a population of approximately 60,000 people, North Little Rock is a growing city. In recent years, an assortment of condominiums, bars, and restaurants have been established to attract more people to the downtown area, said Becki Lewis, general manager of Wyndham Riverfront, North Little Rock. “There is a trolley that connects our downtown area to Little Rock’s downtown,” Lewis said. “As our downtown continues to grow, there are more opportunities for guests to entertain themselves in the proximity.” Lewis, who has been the general manager for five years, joined the team in 2000 when the organization was a Hilton. “When the decision to switch brands was made, Hilton’s corporate headquarters was in Beverly Hills, and Wyndham’s was in Dallas,” she said. “Although location played a factor in the decision to re-brand, it was not the only reason.” Prior to her promotion, Lewis was the assistant to the general manager. Because her superior was also the CFO of the hotel’s ownership company and therefore very busy, Lewis was actively involved in making decisions, and, as a result, she became very familiar with the role and its duties. In 2003, in conjunction with the re-branding, the hotel underwent a $6 million renovation consisting of both indoor and outdoor adjustments. All of the carpet, lighting, wall covering, and ceilings in the public areas were replaced, and carpet in the guest rooms was replaced. The lobby received a new front desk and a new marble and granite floor. In addition, the exterior was changed from brick to stucco. As part of a green initiative, fluorescent lights were installed in the guest rooms and meeting space. “The fluorescent lights should help us conserve energy and cut back on costs,” Lewis said. “We also implemented a property-wide recycling program last year, which reduced our trash costs.” Additionally, Lewis and her team set up a system for the company’s sprinklers to ensure they run no longer than necessary. The year ahead Although the renovation was completed in 2003, the team at Wyndham Riverfront, North Little Rock continues to improve the property on a regular basis. In 2007, all of the soft goods in the guest rooms, including the curtains and bedding, were replaced. Currently, they are installing flat screen televisions in the guest rooms. “We were ready to replace the bedding for a while, but we had to wait for Wyndham corporate to release its new standards,” Lewis said. In fact, she and her team were so antsy to get the new bedding package that their hotel was the first to do so. “After the renovation and updates, we saw a definite rise in occupancy,” Lewis said. “Since completion of our remodeling, our sales have continued to increase every year, which is why the downturn we have experienced due to the economy is so difficult to grasp.” According to Lewis, effects of the economic lull were first felt in the hotel’s banquet revenues. At first, clients began to book events with less people. Companies that typically rented 100 rooms for an event downsized to 50. As times worsened, plated lunches turned to boxed lunches, and weekend-long events were condensed to a single day. As time passed, Lewis and her team noticed a decline in revenue at the hotel’s two restaurants. “We really noticed when our restaurants were affected. When people have to start watching their pennies, things like eating out are eliminated, or at least cut back,” Lewis said. But Lewis and her team aren’t letting the lull in business discourage them. Because the area of North Little Rock is growing, it provides guests with similar entertainment and food venues they would find in larger cities, without the congestion and parking issues. “We’re making phone calls, knocking on doors, and leaving our packets at business locations across town,” Lewis said. “We’re watching the news and associating ourselves with Arkansas business resources. We want to build a strong corporate base, and the only way for us to do that is to get our name out there.” In addition to reaching out to clients, the team at Wyndham Riverfront, North Little Rock is focusing its efforts on advertising and promotions. In their restaurants, Lewis and her team set up early bird specials and buy-one-get-one-free meals. In the hotel, rates were recently discounted, across the board, to encourage transient travelers.