We Don’t Pick the Story

Yesterday, my team and I had the privilege of reopening the Radisson Hotel Edmonton South at 11AM. Our team has been through a lot, so before we opened our doors, I brought them together to share a few words. This is what I had to say

One of my earliest memories of this hotel was from when I was a kid growing up in the 1990s. I remember coming to the property to attend a Star Trek Convention, Marina Sirtis was the featured guest for the event and I clearly remember getting her autograph in the Jubilee Ballroom. I would have never guessed that nearly 30 years later, I would be the general manager of this hotel. 

I also could never have imagined being the General Manager that would have to temporarily close the hotel. 

My office on my last day in April before joining most of my team on temporary layoff

In April of 2020, we all went through an experience that we will never forget. We had to shut down the hotel. This was not the story any of us wanted. The story we all wanted was the one where our hotel would be full of guests from around the world. A hotel that hosted meetings, conventions, weddings, and all kinds of celebrations. That’s not the story we got to experience over the last year and a half. 

If I’ve learned anything over the last 18 months is that we don’t always get the pick the story that we find ourselves in. None of us would have chosen to live and work through a pandemic. But here is something that’s equally true: while we don’t get to choose the story, we do get to choose what kind of character we will be in that story. Here’s what I’ll never forget about this team.

You were patient when circumstances were unrelenting.

You chose to be kind even when you were under stress.

You cared and looked out for others and you did it even when no one was looking. 

When your coworkers asked you for help, you gave it generously.

So, even though you didn’t choose the story, you chose to be the kind of character that makes a difference. 

When you look back on these years, I hope you can say, “Yes these were hard years, but people chose to be good even when it didn’t make sense.” 

This is why this hotel is a good place to be. Thank you for being here with us to rise once more and try again. Let’s take care of our guests and each other. If we can do those two things, we’ll have great days. Let’s go to work.