TIMELINE FOR OPENING A NEW PROPERTY

Opening a new property can be an overwhelming responsibility. There is staff to hire, furnishings to purchase, bank accounts to open.the list goes on and on. To help with your planning, our Specialists came up with the following suggestions and timeline to consider.

If you are affiliated with any of the national chains, always consult your national headquarters for guidance.

1 Year Before Opening:

• Establish business goals. These should be quantifiable, like net profit or room occupancy goals that you can use to measure your successes and help determine shortcomings.
  
  
• Obtain and review local/state laws for hotel operations, sign postings, etc.
  
  
• Hire a management staff to oversee the operations and a sales staff to start working the convention markets.
  
  
• Start the ordering process for furniture, carpeting, and other items.

6 Months Before Opening:

• Plan to advertise your property's opening via newspaper and radio.
  
  
• Set up accounts with local vendors for the purchase of small tools, etc.
  
  
• Purchase insurance. Use a local agent, if possible, for ease of filing claims. If you're affiliated with a national chain, check with the corporation about procedure and policy.
  
  
• Begin purchasing soft goods, such as draperies, bedspreads, etc.

3-6 Months Before Opening:

• Develop a disaster plan. You can't prevent everything from going wrong, but you can be ready when it does.
  
  
• Hire department heads and start developing departmental policies and practices with management.

4-5 Months Before Opening:

• Begin planning Grand Opening festivities.

3 Months Before Opening:

• Determine a linen usage policy: storage, inventory, and cleaning programs.
  
  
• Contact your local cable TV provider to set up installation and your commercial account. Always look into discounts for commercial establishments.
  
  
• Develop your security procedures and policies, such as key duplication policies, emergency response, etc.
  
  
• Contact your local Yellow Pages to set up a telephone listing. This is one of the most important tools you can use to draw in business.
  
  
• Begin purchasing linens, terry products, consumables, etc.

1 Month Before Opening:

• Select a pest control vendor now, before any problems arise. "An ounce of prevention."
  
  
• Hire line staff.