INSIDE VIEW FROM BLUE

Jerry Bindel, general manager at Lakeland Village Beach & Mountain Resort has lived at South Shore for ten years and is serving his third term as president of South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association.

Blue: How long have you lived in South Lake Tahoe? Where did you live prior and what precipitated the move here?
Bindel: I moved here in March 1999. Prior to living in Tahoe, I was at Breckenridge, Colorado for 3 years. Before that, I lived in the Alps for over 6 years. I moved to Tahoe when my company, Premier Resorts of Park City, offered me an opportunity to run beautiful Lakeland Village. Of all the places I’ve lived over the years (including Aruba, NYC, DC), none can even come close to beating Lake Tahoe, THE Lake. Not even close!

Blue: How did you get involved in the lodging and hospitality industry?
Bindel: I’ve been in the industry since I was 14 years old. I started out bussing tables at a Hilton in Northern New Jersey after taking a career-path questionnaire that pointed me in the direction of hospitality. I went to college at Cornell and majored in hotel administration, then I took a management job with Hyatt and was off and running. Our resort hospitality industry is one of the best. Where else can you work with a great and outgoing group of people, provide a memorable experience for guests (again with lots of fun and positive energy) and be able to travel all over the world?

Blue: What is the South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association and who does it represent?
Bindel: Our South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association is a collection of hotels, motels, resorts and affiliate businesses whose purpose is to support our local tourism industry. We provide marketing opportunities for our members and support them in their businesses in many facets. We also do community outreach, and represent our local business interests in government locally and at the state/national levels.

Blue: What is your role as the president of South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association?
Bindel: Along with our Lodging Board, a great group of fellow volunteers, my role is to be one of the spokespersons for our group and industry, and represent our groups throughout the area.

Blue: Is the lodging association offering holiday packages?
Bindel: Through our Visitors Authority, our lodging group is collectively offering a great “stay 2 and get the 3rd night free” package. We have had many lodging properties participate in this program, which expires just before the Christmas holidays. Look for more offers later this winter.

Blue: How are advanced bookings for Christmas and New Year’s Eve?
Bindel: As in previous years, bookings reflect the consumer’s busy lifestyle, so folks wait a bit longer. So, the good news is that many of our lodging properties still have some availability for the holidays. We’re also excited about the “Family New Year’s” experience that South Shore is planning for this New Year’s Eve at Heavenly Village. Having two small children, I’m looking forward to an “East Coast” New Year’s that will end by 9 p.m. It’s never easy trying to keep them up ‘til midnight!

Blue: Any last minute holiday savings packages and where can visitors find more information?
Bindel: Some properties are only requiring stays of 3 or 4 nights (previously was 6-7 nights). A great website to visit is the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, www.BlueLakeTahoe.com.

Blue: What holiday events are available for visitors as well as locals?
Bindel: Activities abound in Tahoe over the holidays and all winter! For December some highlights include the Warren Miller Film Festival and our Community Tree and Menorah Lighting, Dec. 5; Tahoe Adventure Film Festival, Dec. 13; and Heavenly Village Family New Year’s Eve Celebration, Dec 31, 6 – 9 p.m.

Blue: What are your favorite dining spots?
Bindel: I love to mix it up. Lunch at Freshies or Blue Angel Café, appetizers/happy hour at Fresh Ketch. A great dinner spot is up at the Christiana Inn; they have amazing food and a great ambiance.

Blue: What was your most memorable Christmas and New Year’s Eve in South Lake Tahoe?
Bindel: The first year I was here (pre-kids, of course), I went to a New Year’s party at the Ketch. It was a blast ringing in the New Year so close to the lake. I’ve never ventured down to Stateline at midnight though.

Blue: What’s your favorite wintertime activity?
Bindel: It’s skiing, baby. It makes all the snow blowing and shoveling worthwhile!

Blue: What inside scoop would you provide a visitor to South Shore?
Bindel: “Get up on the mountain early!” I see so many that have fun in the wee hours of the morning (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but cannot get out of bed until noon. That’s way too late for early fresh tracks and no lift lines that you get when you start at 9 a.m.

Blue: How long is your term as Lodging Association President? Are you planning an inaugural speech for Jan.?
Bindel: I’m going on my third term in 2009. And yes, I’m deep in thought with my upcoming inaugural speech and subsequent parade!