VGM Club Journal

A Spotlight on LEDs

It's amazing what a few years can do. In a short time, LEDs have exploded in the lighting industry as a viable and practical source of light that can be used in almost every application. No longer confined to spotlights and accent lighting, LED lamps are now powerful enough for task lighting and general ... Read more.

Predict Weather Faster with THOR GUARD

For most of us, a great day of golf revolves around our foursome, great course conditions, and the skill to avoid the hazards present on most golf holes. Sand traps, out-of-bounds, water hazards and lost balls are all built-in realities of golf worth avoiding. Seldom will an unfortunate encounter with ... Read more.

Cost Reduction Is Not the No-Brainer You Think It Is

Effective cost reduction and containment is not as simple as it may appear. Many managers today have not actually navigated through an uncertain economy - they may not have the purchasing volumes, resources or experience needed to significantly reduce and contain costs in a deteriorating market environment. ... Read more.

American Hotel Register - The Total Solution for VGM Club

Because of its customer-centered teams, state-of-the-art online tools and technology, the right products at the right prices, personalized programs, and a nationwide distribution network, American Hotel Register Company is the total solution for country clubs and lodging. As the world's premier hospitality ... Read more.
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Volume 7 | Issue 11 | November 2011
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A Spotlight on LEDs

It's amazing what a few years can do. In a short time, LEDs have exploded in the lighting industry as a viable and practical source of light that can be used in almost every application. No longer confined to spotlights and accent lighting, LED lamps are now powerful enough for task lighting and general illumination purposes. Regency Lighting would like to share some of thier expertise in LEDs to help you see if it's right for your property.111

Why LEDs?

Here are a few great reasons why you should consider upgrading to LEDs as your light source:

1. LEDs will reduce your operating costs beyond your electricity bill. 

  • Lower energy costs. LEDs consume up to 85% less energy  than the lamps they are replacing while achieving the same light levels, resulting in significant savings on utility bills.
  • Longer life = less lamp purchases. In addition to significant energy savings, LED's last up to 25 times longer than Incandescent and halogen lamps, reducing replacement lighting costs.
  • Lower Maintenance costs.  By replacing incandescent and halogen lamps with LEDs, you will dramatically reduce your time-consuming labor and equipment costs for lamp changes.

2. High Quality  Technology

When LEDs first came  to market, the quality of light did not live up to expectations - low color rendering index rating (colors didn't show well), cold color temperature (bluish light) and weak lumen output (not bright enough). But over the past few years, established and reputable manufacturers have invested  time and money to develop this light source to be a high quality alternative to it's predecessors. Now LEDs boast high CRI ratings in the 90s, color temperatures that match the warmth of incandescent or halogen and lumen output that is comparable to that of incandescent, halogen and fluorescents.

3. Proven Solutions for Every Application

Knowing which LED manufacturer's products are the best for your application is half of the battle. It's important to choose the best manufacturer for your specific application and budget. While all offer energy savings, some products have better CRI, life and/or light output than others and choosing a quality product is critical to your investment paying off.

It's important to know your options and to invest in a manufacture with a proven track record.  If you are interested in exploring LED energy saving solutions, please call Regency Lighting to get the most up-to-date industry  information and to find out which lamps are best for your applications and budget. The lighting experts at Regency support only established and proven LED manufacturers, ensuring your satisfaction.

 For more information on LEDs, contact your Lighting Specialist, Jimmy Menke  at Jimmy.menke@regencylighting.com.




Predict Weather Faster with THOR GUARD

For most of us, a great day of golf revolves around our foursome, great course conditions, and the skill to avoid the hazards present on most golf holes. Sand traps, out-of-bounds, water hazards and lost balls are all built-in realities of golf worth avoiding. Seldom will an unfortunate encounter with any of these impediments to a good score cost you your life!

Personal Safety

Lightning is a dangerous intruder and a normal visitor at thousands of golf facilities throughout the world. While many people have a healthy fear of lightning and its potentially devastating consequences, far too many individuals and club management personnel fail to recognize the true danger of this manageable risk. It is unconscionable that players and workers remain outdoors even after a lightning or severe-weather warning has been issued. It is also irresponsible for management to require employees to drive a cart out to players asking them to stop playing, even while dangerous lightning is  visible everywhere!  Not one of us is immortal!

Technology Differences

THOR GUARD is totally automatic and provides a predictive warning by analyzing the fields in which lightning is created…the electrostatic field of the earth. THOR GUARD doesn’t require a strike to occur in any range in order to provide a warning. Unlike detection systems which shut down a facility when lightning first strikes 5 to 10 miles from your club, prediction knows when lightning will strike within 2 miles!  Weather warning subscription services rely on delayed detection data from a network and 5-minute delayed radar data. Prediction by THOR GUARD is site specific and instantaneous with no human intervention required.

Overview

The PGA, USGA and OSHA all take lightning quite seriously. When THOR GUARD Weather performs meteorological services for the USGA or LPGA, we are responsible for the players, volunteers, employees and rules officials…as it should be.  Every golf facility or outdoor venue owes everyone on property the courtesy of a lightning and severe weather warning.  The average cost of a lightning prediction and warning system is far less than the cost of constructing a new tee!  As so many have learned, any dollar spent on safety results in significant returns when just one human life is preserved!

You can learn more about THOR GUARD and lightning safety by visiting www.thorguard.com, or speak to a THOR GUARD representative by contacting our factory at 888-571-1212 or 954-835-0900.

Cost Reduction Is Not the No-Brainer You Think It Is

Effective cost reduction and containment is not as simple as it may appear. Many managers today have not actually navigated through an uncertain economy - they may not have the purchasing volumes, resources or experience needed to significantly reduce and contain costs in a deteriorating market environment. Because of this, cost reduction and containment is not a no-brainer. If cost savings initiatives are improperly conceived, communicated or implemented, cost reduction and containment initiatives have the potential to fail, stifle growth, adversely impact quality, customer satisfaction, damage morale and perhaps even accelerate a downward spiral.

Cost Reduction and Containment is Key in an Uncertain Economy


In an uncertain economy, cost control is not optional - it's a core survival skill. With budgets and revenues under pressure, organizations must reduce and contain costs. Those that don't may not be around when things improve.

Lessons Learned

  • A cost-sensitive organizational culture is critical to effectively reduce and contain costs.
  • Experience, planning, good communication and excellent processes are imperative.
  • Management must recognize that not all employees are enthusiastic about cost control; many don't really care at all, or will even fear or oppose such initiatives.
  • In most organizations, there is a hierarchy of cost reduction opportunities ranging from easy to identify "low-hanging fruit", to more complex. Organizations should consider tackling the easier projects first to demonstrate success and garner internal support.

How to Get Started

Often, organizations have been leaving indirect spend categories savings opportunities on the table. Savings come from creating competitive tension, aggregating spend volumes and obtaining concessions from suppliers, not from internal organization changes. Even organizations that have done a good job procuring "direct" material often do very little in attacking "indirect" costs like telecommunications, printing, energy, commercial insurance, temporary staffing, and 35 other indirect spend areas that should be included.

 
Get Started Now and Make it Part of Your Organizations DNA

An organization with a strong appetite for savings is an asset at any time, but ongoing cost reduction and containment is essential in tough times. Effective cost reduction and containment initiatives spell the difference between success and failure during downturns. But it is not intuitive and definitely not a no-brainer. This is clearly an area where experience matters and where even the most experienced managers should consider working with third-party experts on the quickest and best course of action to meet your profit objectives.


Experience is Invaluable
 
Since 1998 Cost Containment Specialists has helped organizations significantly reduce their operating expenses. They find undiscovered cost savings in more than 35 indirect expense categories, and they share in the savings with their clients. They don't get paid unless they find and validate savings.

Get Started Today


Contact Gary Friedman at 937-266-1127 to start reducing your operating expenses today.

American Hotel Register - The Total Solution for VGM Club

Because of its customer-centered teams, state-of-the-art online tools and technology, the right products at the right prices, personalized programs, and a nationwide distribution network, American Hotel Register Company is the total solution for country clubs and lodging.

As the world's premier hospitality supplier for 146 years, American Hotel offers more than 50,000 items and 1,600 national brands, including 2,500 private-label Registry brand products for your absolute best value. Add to that an additional 540,000 products from Grainger, 15,000 office products through our partnership with Staples, and an expanding portfolio of eco-friendly ideas and products. As a bonus, American Hotel operates its own sign manufacturing facility providing quick turnaround custom service. They do business with all of the top brands while continuing our commitment to growing our diversity supplier base. American Hotel delivers the benefits of their leveraged buying power along with vendor consolidation to VGM Club members.

While its roots are in the hotel industry, American Hotel has successfully expanded into many markets, including Golf, Fitness, Government, Health Care, Education, Campgrounds, Funeral and International, by offering the same outstanding service that is its hallmark.

Founded in 1865, American Hotel’s emphasis has always been to support customers with the products and services they need. President and CEO Larry Morse explains, “Over the years, we’ve successfully adapted to the environment and today’s no different. In this economy, we’ve tried to find products and programs that have greater utility for our various customers. We’ve had a terrific response to our contract pricing programs from all segments, and the club industry is no different. By improving the bottom line, American Hotel becomes an active partner in our customers’ success.”

Morse continues by saying, “We’ve served the national chains and the individual properties alike through our SOS department, a group of amazing specialists who locate hard-to-find products and assist with custom orders. This group is what service at American Hotel is all about. You need something and can’t find it through us or any other supplier, and all you have to do is call your sales representative who places your request in the hands of an SOS specialist. Through their global contacts, they track down exactly what you need. We will find anything for our customers.”

VGM Club members will discover the added benefit of controlling operating costs by taking advantage of proprietary online tools through the custom VGM website. This state-of-the-art secure website allows customers to track orders, access favorites, monitor budgets, process returns, and access invoices. American Hotel helps to streamline the procurement process by helping to manage inventory, budget adherence, accounts

Because of its customer-centered teams, state-of-the-art online tools and technology, the right products at the right prices, personalized programs, and a nationwide distribution network, American Hotel Register Company is the leading edge in hospitality. American Hotel has the products and services to be the total solution.

American Hotel Register Company has a proud history and a strong legacy of family leadership. In a world that’s rapidly changing, having a stable, dependable supply chain is key to running a business more efficiently and cost effectively. Count on American Hotel Register Company to be your total solution.

COMPREHENSIVE PRODUCT CATEGORIES:

            •           Locker Room Supplies

            •           Amenities – Proprietary & Stocked

            •           Small Appliances

            •           Bed/Bath Linens

            •           Food & Beverage

            •           Housekeeping & Cleaning Supplies

            •           Spa Products

            •           Outdoor Furniture & Equipment

            •           Safety & Security

            •           Maintenance & Repair

            •           Pro Shop

            •           Public Space & Receptacles

            •           Signage

            •           Electronics & Accessories

            •           Pool & Fitness

            •           Uniforms

 

FAST, EASY PURCHASING VIA OUR CUSTOM VGM E-PROCUREMENT PLATFORM:

            •           Daily order reports

            •           Order tracking

            •           Sales by item

            •           Favorites

            •           Back order reports

            •           Web order approvals

            •           Automated returns

            •           Industry information

Contact Stephanie Black today to get started with the American Hotel program: (847) 743-4412 or stblack@americanhotel.com