LAGNIAPPE
the longest summer job I could have imagined , but it was truly serendipitous to have ended up at such an incredible place to work in such a formative time in my life .
H : You have had a long journey in the hospitality and gaming industry . Who has been your mentor and what is the best piece of professional advice you have ever received ? AO : While I have never had a formal mentor whom I identified with , there have been countless people from whom I have learned throughout my career . I began working in the industry when there were very few women in senior management , and I was lucky to have supervisors who encouraged me to be my best at all times and advocated for my growth – from my first job at Caesars to my current role at Atlantis . I ’ m fortunate to have started my career where I did and with people who were respectable , looked out for me , and many of whom I am still in touch with decades later . My mantra of doing the right thing was learned early on in my career from the leaders at Caesars .
H : How has the pandemic affected you personally and your work ? AO : The last two years were two of the hardest in my career . From closure of the resort to the loss of life in The Bahamas and around the world , it has been a tough road . I am a resilient person , sometimes too resilient , in that I move on before others have caught up , which is what keeps me motivated . Bringing joy back to our guests and Atlantis team members gives me great happiness .
H : Where are you finding happiness today ? AO : I try not to worry about things . I learned early in my career that stress does not change anything , but it does drain your energy quicker than anything else . My personal form of meditation is exercise . I put on my headphones and tune out the world , and I find that the break from reality truly centers me . For me , family is my happy place .
H : What keeps you motivated ? AO : One my favorite things to do is take a walk around Atlantis ’ property and talk to guests and team members . Speaking to the people who make Atlantis great is so uplifting and always serves as a great reminder of why I do what I do .
H : If you were standing in front of your hotelier contemporaries , what would your message be today ? AO : Keep your focus on the future . Change is occurring much quicker than in the past and trends don ’ t have the shelf life they used to . Being nimble will become increasingly critical . Take the time to remember where you came from and those who helped you along your journey . Remember to say thank you .
H : What broader consumer trends interest you that you are applying to Atlantis ? AO : Staying home , experiencing the world ‘ from afar ,’ or through Zoom meetings and screens , makes an escape to a relaxing , rejuvenating resort with friends and loved ones more appealing than ever . We ’ re already seeing that the travel and leisure industries are beneficiaries of this pent-up demand .
H : Which historical figure would you like to host ? AO : Barack and Michelle Obama . I am so inspired by their journeys .
H : Occupancy at Atlantis made a strong recovery in mid-2021 . When do you anticipate Atlantis ’ business going back to pre-COVID levels , and what will be the biggest challenge getting there ? AO : Occupancy is strongly improving as the pandemic declines globally , and we expect that trend to continue . Our team members deserve special recognition for their resilience , adaptability and commitment to fulfill Atlantis ’ promise to provide a welcoming and safe destination for our guests during an incredibly dynamic , challenging period .
As people become more comfortable with travel , they will be
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas
98 hotelsmag . com June 2022