William Nassikas: Keys for Starting a New Resort

William Nassikas is a highly successful professional in the hospitality industry. He started his career more than thirty years ago and has successfully started a number of resorts throughout the United States. As the President and Chief Operating Officer of Westroc Hospitality, he is currently involved in the redevelopment of the iconic Mountain Shadows Resort in Arizona. Starting a new resort takes time and knowledge of the industry. Here are key things to consider before starting a new resort.

1. Like with any new business, it is important to determine the best location. You don’t want to locate your new resort in an area with heavy competition.
2. Make sure you have a plan for raising capital. Opening a new resort will take millions of dollars. If you don’t have this money you will need to seek investors to back your project.
3. A business plan is essential when starting any new company. A business plan will not only help you find interested investors, it will also allow you to think through how you will accomplish your goals.
4. Take the time to structure a smart pricing strategy. To determine the rates you will charge, you will need to keep in consideration:

• Staffing costs;
• Room category;
• Time and length of stay;
• Maintenance costs;
• Competitor pricing.

5. Concentrate on quality management, including employee satisfaction. Happy employees will provide better customer service to your guests.

Starting a new resort can be challenging but very profitable if done correctly. Make sure you take the time to research and plan your project before taking the plunge. William Nassikas has successfully started nine resorts throughout the United States over the last twenty years.

William Nassikas: Tops Tips for Studying Abroad

William Nassikas is a successful hospitality professional living in Arizona. Before beginning his career more than thirty years ago, he traveled to Switzerland to study European hotel and high-end restaurant management from the Swiss Hotel School. Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many young adults. If you are thinking about studying abroad, here are some tips to help you get the most out of the experience.

1. Before you get to your new place of residence, learn a little bit about the country. This can help you to understand their laws and give you enough information so you aren’t completely in the dark when you get there.
2. If you can, try and learn the language before you leave. If you aren’t able to learn the language beforehand, be sure you make a valid attempt when you arrive.
3. Figure out what you are going to need to buy before you arrive in your new country. This can help you better plan your budget.
4. Learn how to read a map and navigate without the help of electronics. This skill will help you stay safer when traveling.
5. Be sure to scan all your documents, including your passport and acceptance letter to your university.
6. Make sure you are going to class. The whole reason you are there is because of school, making it important that you pass your classes.

Studying abroad is a fun and exciting opportunity, make sure you make the most out of your time. William Nassikas spent three years studying Hotel Administration, using the information he gained during his time to establish his career as a hospitality professional.

William Nassikas – Three Principles of Food Pairings for Fine Wine and Spirits

William Nassikas has decades of experience working in the hospitality industry. He has managed fine restaurant menus, managed hotel operations and guest services, and many other important duties for several companies, some of them his own, across his long career in the hospitality industry. Nassikas spent three years studying the industry and how to run hotels at the Swiss Hotel School, where he also got a chance to work at the finest restaurant in the world at the time, the GIRARDET. Nassikas has learned many things about food and fine wine and spirits for his guests, including these three basic ways to pair food and wine or spirits:

If it grows together, it goes together. Traditional wines from Europe were always made to go with the local cuisine there. William Nassikas uses this principle as a rule of thumb when he doesn’t know where to turn. He pairs wines or spirits from certain regions to food from those regions when in doubt.

Something of contrast. Sometimes the flavors of the wine or spirit go well with a dish if the flavors are more contrasting, playing off of each other rather than helping one another strike the same flavor note.

Like with like. Other times, it’s best to stick with similar tastes and flavors. The tang of tomatoes goes well with a similar taste of acidity in a good red wine, for example. It all depends on the dish and how it was prepared.

William Nassikas loves to help his guests at his resort properties with food pairings.