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Service Arts Inc.
Recent Projects
LA PLAYA CARMEL HOTEL, CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, CA
Eric Weiss, President/Founder
GOVERNOR’S DINNER AT THE WHITE HOUSE
SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY, WINE COUNTRY, SONOMA, CA
"Thank you for delivering such a positive and engaging workshop to begin this new year.
You were able to adapt quickly and lead a powerful, riveting two days with our Realtors and staff.
We are all looking forward to our next workshops."
Mike Bryant, General Manager, Sotheby's International Realty, Sonoma County
As this iconic hotel nears an extensive, multi-year renovation, I was asked
to present a workshop for the W.O.W. group (Women of the Waldorf) held
at The Lotte Palace Hotel in New York. Its theme, "In or out of the Waldorf,
Creating your Own Legacy," was a topic that was timely and relevant.
T.S.RESTAURANT GROUP, MAUI, HAWAII
A month on Maui. For many, it's the dream of a lifetime. I've just finished consulting with KIMOS,
LEILANI'S, DUKES AND HULA GRILL, four of the 13 restaurants in this dynamic and successful group.
You know when a property that usually does over a 1,000 covers daily, closes for its employees'
Christmas party and celebrates with a full day on Kauai, that they must be doing something right. I only
hope that Ross Anderson, the visionary VP of Operations who asked me to come, will be more than
satisfied with the results. I know I am. Mahalo.
TWENTY TWO LIBERTY RESIDENCES, BOSTON, MA
A full week of Service Excellence Workshops with the General Manager, Concierges, Doormen,
Bellmen and Director of Facilities at this exclusive residential building in the Seaport area of
Boston. Thank you David Gibbons, long-term friend and colleague. for recommending me.
LADERA, SAINT LUCIA, WEST INDIES
Ladera is the only hotel in the Caribbean ever rated #1 in the world according to Conde Nast Traveler's
"Best of the Best." I had the pleasure of working with its restaurant team for two weeks. A wonderful
project with tangible results moving forward.
Home • Biography • Recent Projects • Testimonials • The Excellent Service Workshop Series
• Service Excellence City and Countywide • Food Arts Magazine Articles • Contact
Service Arts Inc.
Additional Recent Projects
EL SAN JUAN RESORT AND CASINO, PUERTO RICO
SONOMA COUNTY SERVICE EXCELLENCE WORKSHOP SERIES
View the Sonoma County Tourism Video
THE FAIRMONT HOTEL, SAN FRANCISCO
An incognito service assessment thanks to Thomas Klein, the stellar GM of the hotel. 2 days at this
landmark property on Nob Hill, where I observed the service delivery throughout the hotel. One of the
definite "stars" was Thomas Wolfe, the Chief Concierge who founded the Cles d'Or in America and is
credited with bringing the concierge concept to America.
FOOD ARTS MAGAZINE
For the first time in their 25 year history, Food Arts Magazine has appointed me Service Correspondant
with a monthly on-line article on service. My first official piece was in September:
http://www.foodarts.com/news/front-burner/27912/service-station-a-waiter-is-not-a-sherpa
view more articles
Olivier Maumaire, visionary GM of the property, sees the importance of heightening the service culture
throughout this iconic property opened in 1958. It was an extremely successful mission working with 70
managers in the hotel and casino, with the opportunity to return and work with the front line staff.
A return trip to this iconic resort working for a week with approximately 90 front line team members from
food and beverage, housekeeping, engineering, front desk, stewarding and pool. I was impressed with
the receptiveness and willingness to learn. In fact, I have been asked to return in late September to
continue working with the hotel and the re-opening of the casino section of the property.
Bringing together hotels, inns, restaurants, wineries and visitors bureaus from Sonoma County was the
most recent initiative in Northern California.
Supported by Sonoma County Tourism, the week-long program was a great success with my return
slated for the first 10 days in April. Wineries such as Sonoma-Cutrer, Matanzas Creek and Martinelli
were represented, along with Costeaux Bakery, Rivers End and Bistro 29. The workshop was held at
Safari West, an amazing 400 acre wild animal preserve in Santa Rosa.
Wrapping up Round 2 of the Service Excellence Countywide Workshop series with members from the
winery, lodging and restaurant community of Sonoma. Pictured here are tasting room managers from
Iron Horse, Coppola, Selby, Seghessio, Martinelli, Korbel, La Crema, Rodney Strong, Chalk Hill and
Kendall Jackson.
Recent Projects back to: main Recent Projects page
lANDMARK HOSPITALITY
“Eric Weiss has a true talent for bringing out the most in people. The trainings he conducted were truly
uplifting experiences for our teams at Ryland Inn and Stone House Restaurants. His advice, exercises
and lessons were intriguing, insightful giving us a sense of new found energy, catapulting us to
continually strive for excellence.”
Jeanne Cretella, President, Landmark Hospitality
WASHINGTON HILTON
It had been five years since working with this iconic property in D.C. The hotel has the largest ballroom
in the city along with some of the most wonderful team members that I've worked with. Food and
Beverage Director Gordon Marr and General Manager Steve Cowan are true professionals within the
Hilton corporation.
LIBERTY HOUSE, NEW JERSEY
Working with the catering staff of this beautiful property overlooking the New York skyline followed by
a two-day Service Excellence workshop with 25 managers of the Landmark Hospitality Group.
COSTEAUX BAKERY AND CAFE, HEALDSBURG, CA
A return consultation to this bustling cafe/bakery in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country. I worked
with the administrative, retail and service team and then spent several days with ownership and
management providing new culinary concepts.
One of my recent stories for luxurytravel.about.com was about this beautiful spa in Sonoma
County. I was fortunate enough to spend the day there and experience "The Ritual." You can read
about it here:
http://luxurytravel.about.com/od/destinations/ss/Osmosis-Spa-Sonoma-County-California.htm
DAVID RIO CHAI AND CHAI BAR, SAN FRANCISCO
David Rio Chai started its company 20 years ago and now produces and distributes chai and teas
in 45 countries throughout the world. Working with the owners and the management team for a
week opened my eyes to the reasons this company has become so successful.
Eric Weiss is genuine, intuitive, passionate and experienced.
Since the 3-day workshop, I have heard and seen my staff take what they learned and apply
directly to how we work with our customers, as well as our suppliers and amongst each other
within our organization.
Ai Okubo, CEO, David Rio Chai
BELA VISTA HOTEL & SPA, ALGARVE, PORTUGAL
I recently had the opportunity to assess the food, service and accommodations at this magnificent
19th century palace in Portugal's Algarve region. It was part of a month's visit of ten, five-star
hotels for a story on each one in luxurytravel.about.com. On no level did this property disappoint.
HOTEL FAUCHÈRE, A RELAIS AND CHATEAUX PROPERTY, MILFORD, PA
Named for Louis Fauchère, head Chef at Delmonico's Restaurant in New York City, this property has
attained a wonderful reputation since it opened nine years ago. I was responsible at that time for training
the staff throughout the hotel and asked to return by owner, Sean Strub. After an incognito assessment,
I spent the week working with ownership, food and beverage as well as front office and housekeeping.
Kudos to The Conrad Algarve, voted the top European Luxury Resort of 2013 by the World
Travel Awards. The Conrad Algarve is a magnificent property in Portugal which was voted, 1 year after
its opening, as the #1 newest luxury European resort in Europe by the Luxury Travel Advisory.
Eight days of working with the food and beverage, front office and spa teams of the first Conrad resort
with the first Conrad Spa. This beautiful property with its five restaurants, is overseen by the visionary
General Manager, Joachim Hartl whom I first met in Florida several years ago. The staff was wonderfully
receptive to learning with a desire to please that I have rarely seen in my years of hospitality, Portugal is
truly a hidden gem and the Conrad, Algarve is no exception.
A two week Excellent Service Workshop series for all departments of the hotel, at its opening, will be
followed by a 4 day "refresh" in March of 2015. I am pleased to have been extensively involved in
developing the service programs for this destination.
“Eric Weiss' services have been vital to the success of the opening of the Conrad Algarve. The support
that he provided in communicating the key principles of service excellence and to ensure our brand
service standards of delivering flawless, personalized and authentic service were second to none. The
engagement of the team was great to see and we are still talking about Mr. Weiss since we opened the
hotel.”
Joachim Hartl, Managing Director, Conrad, Algarve
CONRAD ALGARVE HOTEL, PORTUGAL
SWOONER RESTAURANT, STONINGTON, CONNECTICUT
This beautifully situated seaside restaurant is the creation of Chef Jeffrey Gimmel and
Nina Bachinsky-Gimmel, Pastry Chef. This dynamic duo also has the acclaimed eatery "Swoon" in
Hudson, New York. Just having opened two months ago, our objective was to firmly establish the
sequence of service over the course of 10 days with a young, mostly seasonal service staff. Additionally,
it was essential to re-establish credibiity with the local clientele.
OSMOSIS DAY SPA SANCTUARY
VILA JOYA AT PRAIA DE GALE, PORTUGAL
I spent several days at this absolutely breathtaking, 28-suite hotel in the Algarve. Its restaurant is
one of three, two Michelin-starred restaurants in all of Portugal. Here is my story from
luxurytravel.about.com.
THE CHICAGO HILTON
It was inspiring to lead a Service Excellence Workshop series with the front office team of this
venerable hotel on Chicago's Miracle Mile. The city is definitely undergoing a Renaissance period
and it was an exciting time to be there.
KORBEL WINERY, SONOMA, CA
Working with the entire hospitality team of this renowned winery, opened in 1882. It was an
extremely productive week with both management and front line staff thanks to Camille Urmini, the
Hospitality Manager whom I met last year during the Service Excellence Workshop series for
businesses throughout Sonoma County.
"Thank you again for such an inspiring, insightful and invigorating workshop at Korbel. The buzz of
our learning is all about the winery and I couldn't be more thrilled."
Camille Urmini, Director of Hospitality, Korbel Winery
MASSACHUSSETTS CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY, BOSTON, MA
Signature Boston's Excellence Service Workshop which I led with 35 of the executives who lead
the largest convention center in the Northeast.
Thank you David Gibbons, Executive Director for championing this worthy initiative.
"Eric recently facilitated a Service Excellence workshop for Signature Boston. It was masterfully
conducted and helped everyone re-connect with the commitment to excel at not just one's job but
at everything one does. Eric has a unique ability to engage each and every member of the group
making for a very special experience."
David Gibbons, Executive Director, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority