South Florida is supposed to be a sunny paradise -- every day is beautiful, every day is warm. There are no bad days in South Florida, especially when welcoming guests from all over the world to our tropical oasis. Unfortunately, some days are harder than others. Today is one of those days, as the Quality Inn Hollywood Blvd & Port Everglades Cruise Port family says goodbye to one of our own.
15 years ago, Hollywood, Florida and the surrounding areas were very different than they are now. The modern, white, reflective-glass high rises didn't loom over the horizon North and South of Hollywood Blvd. The Margaritaville Resort in Hollywood Beach didn't exist -- it wasn't even in the planning stages. The Miami Marlins were still playing at the old Pro Player Stadium and they weren't even called Miami Marlins back then. Along Hollywood Blvd just west of I95, the building that became the Quality Inn Hollywood Blvd & Port Everglades Cruise Port was not even a Quality Inn.
With the multitude of changes to Hollywood over the years, Genie Harris, a personable, hard working Front Desk & Night Manager was always there, welcoming guests to our hotel even before it was our hotel! Genie, our longest-tenured employee, worked at this location from the very moment that the current management team took over the hotel what became the Quality Inn Hollywood Blvd & Port Everglades Cruise Port.
Hotel personnel who have had the pleasure of working with Genie over the years have nothing but the best to say about her. Maritza Figueroa, another veteran of some 14 years at Quality Inn Hollywood Blvd & Port Everglades Cruise Port sang Genie's praises when asked about Genie:
"Genie was an awesome person to work with," explained Maritza when asked about Genie. Maritza kept in touch with Genie and visited her often even after Genie's health made it difficult for her to continue her duties at the hotel.
Izzy Fintz, the hotel General Manager and part of the group that first opened the Quality Inn Hollywood Blvd & Port Everglades Cruise Port 14 years ago had his own anecdotes to contribute. One of the primary functions of the new management group was to digitize and streamline the guest record system at Quality.
"They were using paper files and folders -- they didn't keep any digital records!" elaborated Mr. Fintz, remembering the changeover in the early 2000s. Converting to a digital recordkeeping method involved teaching Genie how to use the new system. However, Genie did not welcome the change with open arms. Being a seasoned veteran of the hotel industry, she was strongly against the conversion, preferring the tried and true method she had been accustomed to. Though there were some growing pains, she eventually embraced the new system, and quickly found it to be easier and more productive than her old one. Izzy recalls the process with fondness and humor to this day.
It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Genie Harris, who passed away earlier today. She is in our hearts and in our minds as we honor her today by continuing to do what she did so well all those years. Guests come to our hotel for the location, but come back for the wonderful, welcoming staff. Genie Harris was a great example of what makes our hotel both an award-winning destination for guests from all over the world and a close-knit family. Thank you for everything, Genie! You are forever in our thoughts.