I N N S I D E TORGERSON

PROPERTIES
Spring/Summer 2011

Torgerson Properties continues its commitment to being environmentally responsible

In the spring of 2009, Torgerson Properties established an environmental mission statement designed to aggressively accept a greater responsibility for becoming a more environmentally responsible organization. Although the economy has posed numerous challenges to this initiative over the past two years, TPIs commitment has not wavered. Today, TPI is working diligently to execute the environmental mission statement and continue in its efforts to become a better partner with our environment. The TPIenvironmental mission statement is: Torgerson Properties is committed to protecting the environment, the health and safety of our employees, and the environmental condition of the communities in which we conduct business. It is our policy to work to implement improvements throughout our business operations to lessen the impact on the local and global environment by conserving energy, water, and other natural resources; reducing waste generation; recycling and purchasing recycled products; and reducing our use of toxic materials. We are committed to improving our methods of pollution prevention and meeting or exceeding all environmental regulatory requirements. We are also committed to a Continuous Improvement Process in an effort to attain a higher degree of environmental stewardship through the development and maintenance of an Environmental Management Plan intended to further reduce environmental impacts of our business operations. Executing this mission statement is not only the right thing to do, but it also makes tremendous business sense as well. The following paragraphs briefly summarize a few of the initiatives that TPI is currently undertaking. Beginning in 2009, TPI introduced multiple flex-fuel vehicles to the company fleet. Combined, company vehicles travel over a quarter of a million miles annually. Since a flex-fuel vehicle using ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by almost 50%, these vehicles provide a more environmentally friendly alternative. TPI has partnered with MNtap, the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program, to intimately inspect each of TPIs hotel locations and provide a detailed report on how each hotel could become more responsible in their community as well as more economically efficient. This six-month study has already uncovered significant opportunities throughout our individual hotel locations. The final company-wide report, which will be completed early this summer, will illustrate the enormous impact TPI can make on our environment, as well as on our financial statements. This summer, TPI will join forces with the Global Soap Project. This organization assists in the collection of used bars of soaps left behind in hotel rooms, and provides a process to turn these old, discarded bars into fresh, new soap that is distributed to millions of needy people world-wide. Headquartered in Atlanta, the Global Soap Project was founded by Derreck Kayongo, a humanitarian relief expert whose own family fled Uganda and the tyranny of Idi Amin in 1979. During this tragic era, close to one million people lost their lives. Many, like Derreck, were displaced in refugee camps. ...continued on page 5

Real time communication is a game-changer

Tom Torgerson identifies the importance of several new TPI initiatives
Hello to all the proud and passionate associates of TPI that make this company such a great place to work and who also create great experiences for our guests! TPI just keeps getting better all the time at delivering great guest experiences. We reinvent ourselves through the many significant renovations of our properties that are occurring or are about to occur. We also reinvent ourselves through better systems of delivery which almost always center on quicker real time communication. Quicker real time communication is the name of the game as our competitors get more and more aggressive at trying to steal our loyal guests. Our recently reinvented Event Guest Survey is a good example of quicker real time communication. This new communication system sends our event guests an e-mail thanking them for their business and asking them to take one minute of their time to click on a survey link to tell us how we did and how we can improve their next visit. The initial response has been better than we could have even imagined. The guests are responding at a very high participation level Tom Torgerson Chief Executive Officer and it is rare to see a comment that says we disappointed them. They are actually telling us Torgerson Properties, Inc. how great the associates of TPI are! These surveys are e-mailed to the guest within a day of the event and the responses are immediately routed to the e-mails of Tom, Mitch, the Corporate Operations Team and to the GM, DOC and DOS at the specific location the event took place. Our ultimate mission is to further improve our service delivery. We believe that this real time communication will result in further ensuring that when there is a guest issue, TPI associates will make sure whatever it is will be corrected immediately. We understand that everything doesnt always go as it should, and in the case where we have let the guest down, what is most important is we make it right, in their eyes, before they leave our properties. This will result in 100% of these new real time Event Guest Surveys being pats on the backs of TPI associates. Another recent initiative we have undertaken to improve our real time communication is centered on your General Managers. Recently, each TPI General Manager was equipped with a smart phone that provides them real time access to their businesses. Real time access whether they are on property or not, as our business demands are 24/7. We dont expect our GMs to be on property all the time, and actually that would not be desirable as they would wear down and become crabby. However, our GMs responsibility for their operations is 24/7. Now, in addition to voice connection, they will have e-mail and text connection to their properties when they are not there and to the Corporate Operations Team as well. Some of the GMs were a bit apprehensive initially, but they quickly found it to actually provide them a greater sense of comfort and piece of mind that their operations are running smoothly when they are not there. This is resulting in a better quality of life for them while simultaneously providing the support TPI associates need and deserve. Switching gears on you a little bit, we have even more exciting things going on at TPI! This newsletters purpose is all about the greater TPI family of associates being informed of what is going on across the company. The articles within are intended for that purpose. You can learn all sorts of things about your fellow associates. Some more things I would like to share with you have to do with TPIs health, post Great Recession, and new developments on the horizon. First, on OUR health; it looks good. That is the short story. The longer story tells you we have made it through the Great Recession intact without any defaults in our relationships. We made sacrifices and adjustments, but no blemishes to tarnish our reputation going forward. We are now firmly down the road of recovery which has us putting the hammer down on our many deferred PIP/franchise mandated renovations. By the end of this year, we will have fully completed such renovations for HIA-TL-ACC, HIF-GMF, CYR, SHSR, SSB, SSAL and partially for SSE and SSN. By the end of 2012 it is our plan to have 100% of these deferred renovations completed. These renovations are essential to not only maintain the franchises at our hotels, but also to keep our guests returning. Lastly, on OUR new development front; we are laying the groundwork for new construction projects to occur down the road. While we are very cautious about any expenses associated with new developments now, we have to balance that approach with being strategic and having vision for the future. If we have an opportunity to start the process on a project now and prevent other companies from infringing on our markets, we will proceed with caution to advance our future developments of new hotels. For example, towards the end of last year we prepared property adjacent to our Courtyard Rochester hotel for another hotel. This step involved demolishing the old buildings on the site, and then doing environmental abatement and soils correction. Now, the site pad is ready to start construction when we feel the timing is right. continued on page 7...

3 Mitch Peterson reflects on todays world, as well as the influence of Tom Torgerson Sr.
In my communications over the past three years I have referenced the three stages of what is now commonly referred to as The Great Recession. These three stages were; survival, recovery and full health. Thankfully, as communicated previously, we have survived. We are now in the recovery stage and likely will be for another 12-18 months. This stage is less painful, but remains challenging for TPI and each of its associates. What makes this stage better is that fewer sacrifices are needed and we are able to honor our commitment of returning what we asked you to forgo in the survival stage. We will continue to evaluate ways to insure that TPI is providing the quality of life that reflects your outstanding commitment! Reflecting upon our recent history, I clearly recognize that the world has changed as a result of the economic reset we have experienced. Businesses such as ours were forced to change how they operated just to survive. Waste was eliminated, efficiencies were created and productivity Mitch Peterson was increased. One of the more curious by products of these changes is that, as the dust President of Operations settles from the survival stage, I realize that the world simply is moving at a faster pace than Torgerson Properties, Inc. before the recession. What that means is, in order for us to outperform our competition, we need to not only be better but, clearly faster in everything we do! It is also clear that this condition is not going to change any time soon. To my point, only a few years ago, word of mouth meant just that. In the past, customer feedback was from one person speaking to the next person who would then communicate the message to whoever was next in line. This style of communication could take weeks or months to spread a message from one side of the community to the other. We now live in a time where social media (Facebook, TripAdvisor, Twitter, etc.) are the new word of mouth. In literally an instant someones opinion can be shared with the entire world! It is absolutely amazing to consider this concept. It is estimated that over 40% of U.S. Citizens have a Facebook account! The number of accounts has tripled over the past few yearsthats astounding! We need to understand that communication (written word, photos, videos, etc.) is now instantaneous and global! In order for us to continue to stay ahead of our competition it is imperative that we embrace this concept. In addition, with this type of real time communication, the burden is on us to satisfy our guests on the spot. If we dont do this the world may likely develop an opinion about what we offer before they ever have an opportunity to experience one of our properties. Social media can help a small company grow larger, but it can also make a large company grow smallerin almost an instant. We must respect the potential impact of this and respond accordingly. Over the years I have made a point of communicating to you that you have the power to do whatever it takes to provide outrageous guest service. This is a rare and profound authority given to you in todays world. Bear in mind though, with this power also comes a great responsibilityyou must use that power to blow our guests away! The interaction you have with any guest may be the last one that occurs before they send out a message to the world through the many social media outlets. Its up to you, and your actions, to determine what the world will learn about us. The world is waiting to read about what a tremendous hospitality professional you are! With all that being said, I would ask that you allow me to travel a different path with my dialogue. As of this writing I have recently learned of a great loss to the TPI family. In another part of this newsletter you will find the obituary for Tom Torgerson Sr. For those of you that dont know, Tom Sr. is the father of the Tom Torgerson (Tom Jr.) you know. I first met Tom Sr. in 1988 and was absolutely overwhelmed with his sheer presence. Through the course of time I was able to become familiar with the many different aspects of who he was. An adventurer, an entrepreneur, and a driven man with an absolute passion for everything he did. Over the past number of years I learned an even deeper side of the man that founded this hospitality company (TPI). Time, and age, had changed and softened the man that I met so many years ago. In the week before his death he had two events that he spoke to me about. One was the Royal wedding (which I cannot believe he would have been interested in 20 years ago) and the other was the upcoming boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley. On one hand I am glad that he was present for the wedding, yet on the other hand I truly wish he was blessed with just one more week to see what he referred to as the fight of the century. In his memory, and with a very heavy heart, I will watch this fight and know that Tom Sr. will be with me when Manny wins. Tom Sr. will be missed by many and definitely remembered by everyone he touched and influenced. As I recently heard Tom Jr. say, Wherever he went, he left a big footprintand if he couldnt leave a big footprint he wouldnt go there. He left a large footprint with me and I am clearly better for having known him. I will especially remember the last few years of his life and the impact they had upon me. I ask that you pay respects to the man and the legacy that he has left behind. May he rest in peace and may God bless his soul. As always, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your passion, commitment, contributions and sacrifices as we collectively work towards making TPI the most well respected hospitality company in the industry! Until next time, all the best. ~Mitch

Influenced today and over many years

Thomas Bruce Torgerson, the patriarch of todays Torgerson Properties, passes away
Tom Torgerson was born to Mary and Ray R.E. Torgerson at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, Minnesota. He became active in the outdoors at an early age, hunting and fishing with R.E. and older brother Bob. He also shared R.E.s love for horses. He was active in Boy Scouts and became an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Willmar Senior High School in 1949 and enrolled at the University of Minnesota where he obtained a bachelors degree in Business. He pledged Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and became the house treasurer. He met Carol Suzanne Suzie Thomson of Minneapolis, also a student at the U of M and they wed following Toms graduation. Tom fulfilled his military commitment following college, serving two years in the United States Army and was stationed briefly at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. He served from 1956 to 1958 before discharging as a 2nd Lieutenant. Tom and Suzie moved back to Willmar where he joined his fathers firm, R.E Torgerson Clothing Co. He eventually bought out his brother Bobs interest following his fathers death, acquiring sole ownership of the stores in Willmar and Montevideo. He would later add locations including a mens store in Hutchinson, C. Suzannes in Willmar and another mens and womens store in the Kandi Mall, Torges. With friends, Tom chartered Citizens National Bank in Willmar. Together with Kelly Forstrom, they opened a second Citizens National Bank in Lake Lillian, Minnesota. With the development of Holiday Inns in Willmar & Fairmont, Minnesota, selling his clothing stores to Gildners of Mason City, Iowa and acquiring Forstroms interest in the Holiday Inn of Willmar, Torgerson transitioned the 2nd generation company from being largely a retail clothier to a hospitality company. As his son, Tom, became involved in the company, Torgerson later developed additional hotels and restaurants before the company transferred to third generation heirs and exists today as Torgerson Properties, Inc. Torgerson was an outdoor enthusiast all his life, enjoying both hunting and fishing. He enjoyed numerous safaris to Africa and excursions to South America. He enjoyed big game hunting throughout the western United States taking trophies from southern Arizona to points north of the Arctic Circle, registering big game trophies with Boone and Crockett as well as Safari Clubs International. He became involved in tournament deep-sea fishing on the Sea of Cortez where he maintained a home in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico. Baptized and confirmed in Vinje Lutheran Church, Tom would later become involved on the church building committee leading to the church breaking ground and building at its current location. Torgerson and his wife, Sue, became active in breeding and showing purebred Arabian horses, competing in regional and national shows in the US & Canada. At its peak, Torgersons Arabian Horse Farm topped 30 head. Torgerson was involved in the Willmar Chamber of Commerce during the height of his retail clothing career. He was later an avid supporter and contributor to the Friends of Western Art when he lived primarily in Tucson. He was a charter board member of St. Gregory College Preparatory School in Tucson from which his youngest son, Daniel, later graduated. He was also very involved in the Minnesota Retail Merchants Association. Torgerson was philanthropically inclined and his giving included charitable contributions to various interests including an emergency room at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar as well as donations to Fairmont Community Hospital and The Mayo Clinic. Torgerson was preceded in death by his mother and father, R.E. and Mary Torgerson and brother Robert Torgerson. He is survived by 5 children and their families, Lynn and Tom Johnson of Spicer, Tom Torgerson and Mari Beam of Spicer, Dan and Heather Torgerson of Shorewood, Dave and Sara Torgerson of Plymouth and Fatima Torgerson Urias of San Carlos, Sonora Mexico. He has eleven grandchildren: Chris Johnson, Bob Johnson, Mike Johnson, Jackie Johnson, Sarah Torgerson, Laura Torgerson, Davis Torgerson, Grace Torgerson, Marit Torgerson, Briana Torgerson, Bryce Torgerson and Ashlee Beam.

Lost, but never forgotten

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Green Initiative, continued from page 1... Today, millions of people around the world still live in compromised environments, with limited or no access to clean water and soap. Recycling soap is a simple concept that provides enormous benefits. The Global Soap Project raises awareness about the lack of sanitation and its consequences in many parts of the world. You can learn more about the Global Soap Project at www.globalsoap.org. With almost five million hotel rooms nation-wide, an estimated 2.6 million soap bars are discarded every day. By participating in the Global Soap Project, TPI diverts waste from the local landfill and provides a vital necessity to those in need. Hotel managers, housekeepers and guests become more environmentally conscious and more sensitive to the needs of vulnerable populations. Although the Global Soap Project has just been introduced at TPI, we are confident that it will have a significant long-term effect on our hotels, our associates and more importantly, on those people receiving this daily necessity. In addition to the previous initiatives, TPI has also establish a paperless reporting program. This initiative provides each location with the ability to collect, file and distribute daily reporting without using any paper. All of the needed information is updated and stored electronically. Literally tons of paper have been eliminated annually, along with the cumbersome task of storing all of the printed reports. This not only makes the daily reporting more efficient, but allows each individual location to avoid having to store numerous boxes of printed materials. Torgerson Properties continues to look for and utilize new initiatives that allow us to execute our environmental mission statement and support our local communities. Its not only a good business practice, its just the right thing to do!

For I was hungry and you gave me food...Matthew 25:35

Homewood Suites New Brighton offers a helping hand to those in need
In December of 2010, Mitch Peterson (President), Joel Vogler (Vice President of Hotel Operations) and Lisa Giaimo (Vice President of Sales & Marketing) wanted to acknowledge the Homewood Suites New Brighton team for their efforts in securing group business for 2011. Rather than going to a local happy hour to celebrate, Elizabeth Feuerborn (Campus Director of Sales) suggested that the group donate their time to the local chapter of Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) in Coon Rapids, MN. It turned out to be very memorable event for all involved. FMSC is a non-profit organization committed to feeding hungry children around the world. The approach is pretty simple: volunteers hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and the meals are shipped to nearly 70 different countries. With the input of scientists from major food companies in the Twin Cities area, including Cargill and General Mills, FMSC developed a food mixture that is easy and safe to transport, simple to make with only boiling water, and culturally acceptable worldwide. Packaged in small pouches, this easy-to-prepare food blend has won rave reviews all over the world. A single bag of food, which provides highly nutritious meals for six children, costs around $1.44 to produce with 94 percent of all donations to FMSC going directly toward the food program. The Torgerson Properties group spent two hours helping out at the Coon Rapids packing facility. In that short time they were able to package enough meals to feed over 6,000 needy children! Wow! What an amazing way to make a difference.

Donating their time to Feed My Starving Children were Lisa Giaimo, Elizabeth Feuerborn, Joel Vogler, Todd Roy, Lee VanLith and Mitch Peterson.

120 current TPI associates have provided outrageous guest service for over a decade

Torgerson Propertiescelebrates the Decade Club

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...Tom Torgerson, continued from page 2 In Minnetonka, along I-394, we have a site under contract and plan to prepare the site this year for construction of a hotel at a future date, again, when we feel the timing is right. For this location we are in the process of applying for the Hampton Inn and Suites franchise to replace the existing Hampton Inn down the street which will be going out of the system shortly. When the time is right, we believe that these projects will be great additions to our campuses in those markets, and will strengthen the overall health of TPI. I hope this Newsletter finds you and your family in good health and enjoying life! Take care, ~Tom

Is your retirement looming in the not-so-distant future?

Sweet Financial Services offers some proactive decisions you may want to think about
Critical Choices Precede Retirement As retirement looms, crucial financial and lifestyle decisions you may have put off for years suddenly assume more importance. You no longer have decades to decide whether you will keep a large house with its upkeep costs, or whether your current level of debt is appropriate or whether you should pay off your mortgage. Before you actually hang up your career, its time to do some real planning. You might begin with lifestyle decisions. These decisions, to a large extent, depend on the financial foundation youve built. While these are personal decisions, successful retirements share at least one common element they are rooted in reality, not fantasy. Consider some possibilities. Will you plan to relocate? Will developing family or financial considerations make that idea less attractive? Do you need to maintain and insure more than one vehicle? Do you expect to travel extensively in your early years of retirement, when you may be healthier and more likely to accept the rigors of travel? Finally, can your lifestyle plans be supported by your portfolio? If not, now is the time to make adjustments rather than later. Evidence shows that retirees who scale back their expectations are far happier in retirement than those who wake up already retired and find they cant really do all that they had planned. Retirement Bottom Line You have been watching your finances for years, and while you may have had intermediate goals, funding a pleasing retirement lifestyle has probably been a long-term objective. As you near your last day on the job, its time to make adjustments. First, you may want to realign your portfolios asset allocation, especially if youve been an aggressive investor with a high tolerance for risk. In retirement, your time horizon is shorter, recovering from major market downturns is more difficult, and you will probably want a regular income stream to pay your bills. Your retirement could be lengthy, so if your wealth is sufficient, you may consider dividing your portfolio into two parts. One would be devoted to producing a regular income, while the other would be allocated for growth. Ideally, this part of your portfolio would help you overcome the effects of inflation, which historically has moved along at approximately 3.1% per year. As you calculate how much youll need, keep in mind that retirement specialists suggest drawing down no more than 4% to 5% of your portfolio each year. This provides the best chance of supporting a long retirement. Remember, part of your annual income will come from any required minimum distributions that the IRS requires you to take from your traditional IRA assets. No matter what your retirement decisions are, the time to work toward them is before your retirement party. Your partners at Sweet Financial Services work closely with TPI and are here to help! Feel free to contact the advisors at Sweet Financial today at 1-800-658-2507.

Whatever it takes for outrageous guest service...

A letter received at Holiday Inn Express Eagan... Having been a road warrior for over 25 years, I have real appreciation for having a good experience when staying at a hotel for the first time. It is easy to bring a complaint to the front desk, but it is important to bring our compliments as well. I chose to stay at your hotel the past two nights primarily because of your front desk person, Angie. Usually, when I have not stayed at a particular hotel I will not use the 800 number. I want to talk with a real person at the actual location. I spoke with Angie when I called to make my reservation and felt confident that I would be satisfied with your hotel. Not because she had the script down, but because she was genuine, enthusiastic, helpful and believable. When I arrived I met Angie. I recognized the smile in her voice before I saw her name tag. Again, she was all about inviting me to be a guest. She looked at me, smiled, and as she thanked me for being a Priority Club member, she handed me a cold bottle of water. Nice touch. The hotel is well maintained. The front door approach and signage is not visible until you are right there. The lobby is attractive and clean, and as I said, the experience with your staff is most welcoming. I was given the room I had requested. It was a nice size and again, attractive, well-furnished and clean. Every corner of the room and bathroom was clean. That is greatly appreciated. The beds, sheets and towels were all of good quality. The breakfast area was kept clean through the morning and the food was fresh and appropriately hot or cold. It was a very nice start to the morning. The pool area was perfect. Clean, attractive and very nicely maintained. Parking was certainly adequate. Again, thank you for providing everything I needed. I will definitely consider this hotel the next time I do business/pleasure in this part of the Twin Cities.

When I arrived I met Angie. I recognized the smile in her voice before I saw her name tag. Again, she was all about inviting me to be a guest.

A guest comment received at Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington... I just wanted to let you know about the AWESOME service I received at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bloomington! It was a BLIZZARD day with white out conditions. I called the front desk at 9:30am and asked if I could check in early due to weather. They allowed me to check in immediately upon my arrival. My stay continued to be great with great staff and customer service. Upon my departure, the staff shoveled my vehicle out of a three-foot snow bank! It was a great experience! Kudos to the entire staff. I will return to the Hilton Garden Inn on my next trip to Bloomington.

A guest service story, as told by Larry Eisenberg, General Manager at Perkins Austin... Yesterday, a guest came in and told me a great story! She said Your day manager last Wednesday, Kandice, was so nice! This guest came into Perkins Austin at 6:30 in the morning and wanted a French Silk pie. Kandice told her that the French Silk pies were not available yet, but that it could be ready in about an hour. The guest told her she was on the way to work, so Kandice offered to personally deliver the pie to her at work when it was ready. Then, Kandice charged her for the pie and, as promised, delivered it within an hour to her at her place of employment! This guest came in yesterday to have breakfast and was so excited to tell me the story the second she walked in. Kudos to Kandice Shaw for doing whatever it takes!

A guest comment received at Staybridge Suites Bloomington... We think Carin at the front desk is a particularly good representative for Staybridge Suites. We have become familiar with her through our visits over the past couple of years and shes great! We stayed at your hotel a year ago over Christmas when our first grandchild was born (as did the other set of grandparents), and Carin recognizes our families from that experience (a very happy one) which makes our return a particularly enjoyable event. We appreciate her as we do the incredible job your breakfast attendant does. Great job by the entire Staybridge Bloomington team!

...YOU have the power!

A guest comment received at Country Inn & Suites Willmar... My father passed away on Christmas Eve morning. I had to travel with my family back to Willmar to take care of funeral arrangements and many other affairs. Over the past five years the staff at the Willmar Country Inn and Suites has become like my family away from home. During this difficult time they were extraordinarily accommodating and sensitive to our needs. They should all be commended for the outstanding service and friendship they provide while maintaining their professional standards. If your company honors specific properties with awards or rewards for going above and beyond the normal tasks of their professions, this group of people at the Willmar property deserves huge kudos. Since my fathers passing closes a chapter of my life in Minnesota, I will not be visiting this property as much in the future. This makes me rather sad, since I will miss the people who became my friends.

A guest comment received at the Hilton Garden Inn Eagan... In this day of mediocre service, I would like to highly compliment your staff at the Hilton Garden Inn in Eagan. From the moment we arrived, my wife and I noted the friendly and competent service, starting at the front desk. Every employee said Hi or Good Morning whenever we passed them in the hotel. We had the buffet all three mornings and Kari was a charm. Friendly, efficient and informative are the immediate adjectives that come to mind. She certainly helped us start our day in a cheerful manner. The Housekeeping staff, while not speaking the best English, were both friendly and accommodating. My wife even commented that they cleaned her makeup mirror, something she had never seen before, even in the best European hotels. A very nice touch. Our visit to our daughter and grandchildren was great, thanks in part to your staff. We will certainly stay at the Hilton Garden Inn the next time were visiting our family. Thanks again for a most pleasant experience.

A guest comment received at Holiday Inn Austin... My husband and I recently stayed at your hotel for a wedding over New Years Eve weekend. We had a clean and comfortable room, but most importantly, the staff truly went above and beyond the call of duty. While at the wedding ceremony, our dog mysteriously escaped the room. The staff, including Jesse, Sherri, Joe, Kerri, and Sri all helped catch our dog and get her back to the room safely. We cannot thank you enough for taking care of our dog when she escaped. We have never stayed at a hotel with a more friendly and welcoming staff. Thank you!

A guest comment received at Hampton Inn Fairmont... We stay at hotels a lot, literally three months out of the year between business and pleasure. We have stayed at many wonderful places, but never at one so fantastic that it compelled me to write a letter. Absolutely everything about our stay was fantastic! From the way we were greeted upon check in and how our pets were welcomed, to the immaculate room we stayed in and the delicious breakfast. Everything was great. We will go out of our way to stay at this hotel again. It was truly a pleasure! When we checked in, our girls were presented with a doggie gift bag made by Lizzie and her Grandma Jean as a way to make money for the local animal shelter. Because of their creativity and work, and the Hampton Inn supporting such a great cause, we made a donation tonight to the shelter. We are truly thankful that you welcomed our animals, you support a local organization and great cause, and you made our stay so personal. We felt valued by the staff, and that will not be forgotten.

We felt valued by the staff, and that will not be forgotten.

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Whatever it takes for outrageous guest service...

A letter received at Holiday Inn Express Eagan... Recently, I had an experience at your Holiday Inn Express in Eagan and I think you need to be aware of it. On January 2nd, I had my truck towed from a truck stop to Freightliner and I asked if there was a hotel close by. They recommended your hotel. They gave me your brochure, but said they would call for me because I was very sick. They told me a courtesy van from the hotel would arrive in about thirty minutes. Your driver arrived about twenty minutes later. By this time I was very, very sick. I was shaking and had trouble walking. Your driver, Mike Rhinehart, helped load me into the van. He was very concerned as to what was wrong with me. He asked if I was a diabetic, and I told him I was. (When you have diabetes, you dont necessarily think clearly when your medications are off). Mike said he thought that probably was my problem. He said, Im taking your to the emergency clinic first. He called the hotel and got Patrick to call ahead to the clinic. When we got there, they were waiting with a wheelchair and took me inside. When the clinic got me straightened out, they called Mike and he was there in no time. Back at the hotel, Patrick arranged for a room close to the office since they were concerned for my well being. Mike came to the room twice that night to check on me. Mr. Lincoln, Mike and Patrick are to be commended as great employees and representatives of the Holiday Inn Express. To Mike and Patrick, I again say thank you for what you did for me. I will never forget you.

A guest comment received at Courtyard Arbor Lakes... First, let me say that I have never written a letter like this before. However, I wanted to send you a quick note to tell you how much my wife and I enjoy staying at your hotel. We try to stay two or three times a year and we are always impressed by the personal attention extended by your employees. This past weekend, Aaron Kuns took very good care of us and made us feel like special guests, as he did with everyone. We could stay anywhere, but we choose your hotel time and again because of the hospitality extended by your staff. Your customer service level is second to none. Thank you, and rest assured that we will come back again.

A guest comment received at SpringHill Suites Rochester... I am writing to compliment the service I received at this location last Saturday night. I arrived close to 10pm and the gentleman on duty, Nick Haskin, was super friendly and helpful. He recommended a good restaurant that was still serving and offered to keep the pool open a little bit longer if I wanted to take a quick swim. After being on the road for several hours, this was greatly appreciated. Cheers to Nick and the SpringHill Suites!

A guest comment received at Staybridge Suites Naples...

You truly have a welcoming staff and as I mentioned, Trevor is an asset to your business.

I am writing today to commend you and your hotel on reaching the pinnacle of service and satisfaction for this guest and his family during our recent vacation. From the moment we walked into the lobby and heard the exceptionally welcoming greeting from Trevor, we knew that this would be a wonderful vacation. The excellent accommodations in our two-bedroom suite that walked out onto the pool and Steve always having a drink on the ready at the Chickee Bar made our stay particularly memorable. The eighty degree weather did not hurt either! You truly have a welcoming staff and as I mentioned, Trevor is an asset to your business. As the manager of a 50-million dollar business, I understand the true value of an employee who is happy in their work and strives daily to meet the company objectives. Trevor is truly the right man for his job and you are fortunate to have him. Thank you very much for a fabulous stay in the wonderful city of Naples. We cannot wait to visit you again as we look forward to another relaxing stay at your hotel. Thank you!

...YOU have the power!

A guest comment received at Holiday Inn New Ulm...

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I am with the Omaha Jr. Lancers Bantam hockey team, and we had the distinct pleasure of staying at your New Ulm Holiday Inn November 12th through the 14th while attending a hockey tournament in your town. I can tell you without a doubt that this will be one of the most memorable weekends we have had with our team. Your staff is first class and goes above and beyond anything I expected from the day I booked the room block until our team checked out on Sunday. You have a fine group of people working for you and should be proud that they provide top notch customer service, have great attitudes, constant smiles and never stopped asking if there was anything else they could do for us. I have and I will continue to tell my fellow hockey managers to book a tournament in New Ulm whenever given the opportunity. Staying at the Holiday Inn is a must for a multitude of reasons. I cant thank you enough for making our weekend so fantastic. To ice the cake, we took third out of the 12-team bracket, so we even brought home a trophy! Thank you again for a great experience. I hope we are back next year for another tournament. I look forward to coming back to your fine hotel.

A guest comment received at Holiday Inn Fairmont... So many times, people are quick to call or write a complaint for poor service. I just want to thank you for the outstanding, above and beyond service we experienced at the Holiday Inn Fairmont. First, I want to thank the person that took my reservation. I was apprehensive because I was using partial priority rewards for my stay, but she handled it perfectly. Second, I was pleasantly surprised at the cleanliness of the room. Kudos to the Housekeeping department. Lastly, I want to thank the staff that was more than accommodating for our group by providing us with tables and chairs along with plastic cups for us to use. It was so wonderful for us parents to be able to visit with each other while the children played. We all had such a fantastic time! Thank you for helping the children with the broken game in the arcade room too! Your staff at the Holiday Inn Fairmont is amazing. THANK YOU!

A guest comment received at Holiday Inn/Green Mill Willmar... I want to thank you and the entire Holiday Inn Willmar staff on a wonderful job this weekend. Everyone who assisted us and answered questions were professional, courteous and just plain awesome. I had the opportunity to converse with Sarah and Kim, both of them were on top of everything. I also want to acknowledge Chris, who handled the incident at the pool Saturday night. Chris was tactful and very professional about the situation. I also do not want to leave out the great staff at the Green Mill for the pizza party. It was well done and everyone in our party was impressed. Again, please acknowledge the entire Holiday Inn staff along with the staff at the Green Mill for a job well done.

A comment received at mitch@tpimn.com concerning Holiday Inn Express Eagan... I just wanted to send a letter of commendation to you regarding my unexpected stay at this location on the evening of 12/3/10. I had called from a towing company in Apple Valley where my disabled vehicle was towed to. After freezing in my van, which was not running for five hours in the winter storm, I called your Holiday Inn Express in Eagan and was welcomed with a very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful front desk employee named Katie. Even though we did not arrive until 11:15pm, she was as accommodating as anyone could possibly be. Your friendly shuttle driver actually took me over to the Burger King because they would not allow me to walk up and order because the dining room was closed. Angie at the front desk on Saturday was most helpful and friendly also. I will definitely recommend this property to anybody looking for a location to stay, whether they are local (as we are), or from out of town. Your property is very well maintained and very comfortable. As you know, the staff will ultimately make or break any business that is of a customer service nature. Your staff, with their great attitudes, will definitely make this location a success well into the future. It definitely appears that they enjoy their work.

Your staff, with their great attitudes, will definitely make this location a success well into the future.

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Whatever it takes for outrageous guest service...

A guest comment received at Ottos New Ulm... I want to properly thank you for Hannahs and Chads wonderful wedding reception. The entire staff did an outstanding job! The room was beautiful and I think that was the best dinner I have ever eaten! Everything was at the height of perfection. Everyone commented on how delicious it was. Please thank the chef for us. I especially want to thank her for going out of the way to prepare sauces for two dinners that we wanted to try when we were deciding on the menu. Everything we tried was wonderful and I really appreciate all of your help and suggestions. After the gift opening, our families swam in the pool and it was so nice to just sit on the deck and watch them all have fun while my sister and I relaxed and talked. My sister said it was one of the most relaxing and enjoyable weddings she had ever been to. Even though the wedding reception was small, it was beautiful and elegant. It was everything we had hoped it would be. Thank you for all of your hard work, we appreciate it immensely!

A guest comment received at Staybridge Suites Bloomington... I am writing to compliment you on the fine customer service I received from one of your front desk clerks at the Bloomington Staybridge Suites, Tess Peterson. She was welcoming, pleasant and went out of her way to be helpful towards us. I am a very frequent traveler and have come to appreciate fine hotel staff like yours. I will definitely recommend the Staybridge Suites to others.

An e-mail received at tpiopinions.com concerning Perkins Austin...

Your staff was great - from the hostess who seated us and took our drink order (great feature, dont change that!!) to our very friendly, happy waitress. She was very nice and we felt she sincerely loved her job.

I just wanted to take a moment and let you know that during a recent trip, my wife, father-in-law and I found ourselves visiting your Perkins restaurant for breakfast before heading home. We were there around 10 am on Friday, April 8, 2011. We have several Perkins restaurants in the Appleton, WI area, but we have witnessed their decline in service and quality over time and have stopped patronizing them. We had complained about the service and quality of food, only to receive coupons & gift certificates - which we didnt want. We wanted to see the quality of food & the service get better and make it worth our while to revisit the local restaurants, but we hadnt seen it happen. We stopped at your restaurant to fuel up for our final leg of our trip and although I was a little skeptical, I was immediately impressed with the way your bakery section was stocked. I have not seen a better stocked muffin & cookie display in any other Perkins, ever. The restaurant was clean - floors, tables, bathroom. We ordered three different items and all came hot, exactly what we ordered and they all tasted very good. Your coffee was very good as well. We left that store filled up with very good food and ready to complete our journey. Your staff was great - from the hostess who seated us and took our drink order (great feature! dont change that!!) to our very friendly, happy waitress. She was very nice and we felt she sincerely loved her job. I just wanted you to know that on that particular day, we were treated very well, were served by great people and had great food. It may be because you are a great boss, you have an awesome managerial staff, or the people who choose to work for you are great, but I would think a combination of all of those would equate to you having a very nice store. Congratulations to you. Your store and your people have led me to revisit the local Perkins and they appear to have improved. They are not at your caliber, but I am hoping they continue to improve their quality and service. Thank you for an awesome experience!!

...YOU have the power!

A guest comment received at Courtyard Arbor Lakes... We had an amazing experience. Your customer service was among the best I've ever received. We were eating breakfast this morning, March 13, and MacKenzie handled herself with a difficult group, so incredibly well. She maintained her poise and did whatever she could to assist the customers with a difficult request. She was polite and kind and went above and beyond her expected job. Everyone has been delightful and polite. We will surely be staying with you again.

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A letter received at Holiday Inn Austin... Over the past year, I have been personally involved in recruiting to fill an executive position here at our Hormel corporate headquarters. This has involved bringing several candidates to Austin from all over the country. The person we chose to fill the position is actually moving here from overseas. While we bring hundreds of job candidates into Austin throughout the year, I am rarely involved in the arrangements, so I wanted to compliment you on the experiences I have had with Sherri Stencil and your front desk staff. They have been very responsive and accommodating in my requests, and I have received nothing but positive feedback from my guests. This has held true with Sherri and the staff that has been working to get our current guest settled into her extended living arrangement. Please extend my appreciation to your staff for their superior service that I am sure all of our Hormel guests receive.

We had an amazing experience. Your customer service was among the best I've ever received. We will surely be staying with you again.

A comment as told by a guest at Perkins Red Wing... Stephen King was helping move tables as we entered the restaurant and acted as our host. He was also seen throughout the restaurant seating guests and setting tables and at the cash register. Later during our meal, Stephen stopped by our table to visit with my husband. He asked my husband, "How are things out at (the workplace he knew my husband from)?" My husband said he no longer worked there. He had been let go last week after 19 years. Stephen was so nice to my husband and said he was sorry and surprised and wished my husband well. He came back again later and offered very encouraging words to my husband. He told him he knew how it was because he had gone through the same thing recently. He reminded my husband that something good will come from it. He was very sincere and encouraging. We later found out from Kayla that Stephen had paid for his meal. He stopped by one more time. My husband thanked him for the meal. Stephen said he was just trying to brighten his day. It turns out that the very next day, my husband received a call saying that they had reconsidered their decision and they wanted to offer his original job back to him! Sometimes things just seem to work out in the end. Many thanks to Stephen for showing such concern and compassion.

A letter received at Ottos New Ulm... I am from New Ulm and come back to visit three to four times a year. Unless there are no rooms at the inn, I stay at the Holiday Inn. In general, the service and reception is excellent. However, on April 17 it was exceptional. A high school classmate and I, in town to visit friends, arrived without a reservation and inquired about the availability of a room for the evening. The young woman working the reception desk was very welcoming, friendly and accommodating. We were in our room in less than ten minutes. She was knowledgeable and efficient and I was very much pleased with the minimal time that it took to get settled into the room. I had just spent nearly six hours on the road that afternoon. Special kudos, however, should go to Hugh Carbert, who I suspect was the Manager on Duty in Ottos. He was friendly, attentive and definitely knew how to do his job. Both my friend and I remarked to each other that his general demeanor is a genuine asset to both Ottos and your Holiday Inn. I travel quite a bit and have often experienced bartenders, even at high-end facilities, that give the impression that they are doing you a favor by serving you a beer! Hugh is the exact opposite of that attitude and behavior. He went out of his way to make sure that we were comfortable and well served. My commendation to you as well, because it is my belief that quality leadership is the driving force behind any successful business or establishment.

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Homewood Suites St. Louis Park recognized by Hilton

Torgerson Properties location was chosen as the 2011 Opening Hotel of the Year
On March 22, Hilton honored Torgerson Properties Homewood Suites St. Louis Park with the Opening Hotel of Year award at the brands annual conference. The annual Hilton awards were announced during a national brand meeting in Las Vegas. The Homewood Suites St. Louis Park earned the Opening Hotel of the Year award for top performance of a new hotel in the areas of sales, quality, and guest satisfaction. The 125 all-suite hotel opened in January of 2010. Opening a new hotel is a challenge in good times. To be honored following an opening in tough economic conditions makes this award all the more meaningful for our company and our deserving managers and hotel team, said Mitch Peterson, president of Torgerson Properties. We are honored to be recognized as one of the best of the best within the Homewood Suites portfolio. Congratulations to the entire Homewood Suites St. Louis Park team for their amazing performance over the first year of operation. Were proud to have you on the Torgerson Properties team and we look forward to your continued success.

Opening Hotel of the Year

In Recognition of Top Performance of a New Hotel in the Areas of Sales, Quality and Guest Satisfaction

The Eagan campus says good-bye to a great friend

Richie Naylors warm heart and positive outlook touch many lives
The associates at the Eagan campus were heart broken when their great friend and co-worker, Richard N. Naylor (aka Richie) passed away on February 20, 2011. Richie joined Torgerson Properties in May of 2006. He bussed tables at the Hilton Garden Inn and drove the shuttle vans for the Eagan campus transportation department. Before joining the TPI team, Richie worked at multiple other hotels, primarily in security. Over the past five years, Richie warmed the hearts of countless co-workers and guests. He never had a mean thing to say, but always had a good joke to tell. Richie had the extraordinary gift of being able to make everyone he touched feel special. He was absolutely loved by all of his fellow associates in Eagan and will be greatly missed. Goodbye Richie, thank you for showing us all how to live.

Eagan Garden Inn Eagan celebrates going smoke free

It was a huge step, but on March 1, Hilton Garden Inn Eagan went 100% smoke free. The decision to go smoke free was made based on the ongoing comments made by guests staying at the hotel. With the vast majority of their guests looking for a smoke free environment, it only made sense to make this move. The Hilton Eagan staff and guests held a celebration of the event on April 7, as they were recognized by Smoke Free Lodging Minnesota for their efforts in providing a smoke free environment.

Theres no smoking here!

The Hilton Garden Inn Eagan team was recognized by Smoke Free Lodging Minnesota for their efforts in making the entire hotel smoke free.

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TPI develops a GM Council to provide ongoing leadership

The General Manager leadership group has helped to establish several key TPI initiatives
On February 11, 2010, the Torgerson Properties GM Council held its first official meeting. The council, chosen through nominations from all GMs, was established to provide ongoing leadership and increased GM participation as TPI continues its determined effort to out perform its competitors. The council consists of eight TPI General Managers who are elected by their peers. Upon being elected, the GMCouncil members serve one twelve-month term. The terms have been staggered to allow four new members to be elected every six months. Each representative on the GM Council is also assigned a group of fellow GMs, referred to as constituents. The council members then communicate regularly with their constituents to assure that all GMs are up-to-date with the happenings on the GM Council. The council meets in person on a quarterly basis and also communicates regularly via e-mail to maintain an open line of communication and to assure that decisions are made in a time-sensitive manner. The initial GM Council members included David Feist (Chairman), Patrick Bissen, Larry Eisenberg, Julie Fuller, Jason Hall, Mike Lamoureux, Travis Lohre and Bill McCollom. One-year terms ended on December 31 for Patrick, Jason, Travis and Bill. Beginning January 1, the new GMCouncil members included Dave Brott, Ian Freeburg, Jason Mercord and Marc Meier. The inaugural year of the GM Council has produced an intense examination of the inner workings of TPI. Spirited debate and carefully thought out strategy have led to some very proactive and effective initiatives. Here is a summary of just a few of the initiatives that were developed and approved through the TPI GMCouncil: Reinstatement of wages increases Reinstatement of funeral pay Reinstatement of holiday pay Establishment of an updated Safety First program Establishment and participation in the Global Soap Project Establishment of enhancements to the TPIperformance appraisal forms Establishment of a program to provide all GMs with a smart phone that provides access to the GMs e-mail

After just one year of existence, the GMCouncil has proven to be an extremely critical element of TPIs overall communication effort. The collective ideas and opinions expressed by the council act as an impetus for continued improvement and growth. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make the GM Council an important part of our ongoing success.

The Holiday Inn Fairmont associate was recently honored for her ongoing commitment
Barb Young from Holiday Inn Fairmont celebrated her twenty year anniversary at the Holiday Inn on March 6, 2011. She definitely knows her way around, as she has worked in the Housekeeping department since March of 1991. Wow! That is an impressive accomplishment. Barb said she has really enjoyed all of the work and people that she has worked with. The Holiday Inn Fairmont team celebrated the special day with Barb and her co-workers. In addition to a special anniversary cake, Barb also received twenty red roses, presented by two other members of the twenty year plus club, Mark Neubauer and Dave Zellmer. Other Holiday Inn/Green Mill associates with over twenty years of service include Steve Fausch, Jerry Goblirsch, Tena Schultz and Brad Bearson. Everyone listened as Barb told some great stories about her twenty years at the Holiday Inn. The entire Torgerson Properties team would like to congratulate Barb on this amazing accomplishment. Thank you Barb, for all of your hard work and dedication over the past twenty years. We are very proud to have you on the Torgerson Properties team!

Barb Young celebrates twenty years

Mark Neubauer (left) and Dave Zellmer (right) welcome Barb Young to the Twenty Year Club by presenting her with twenty red roses. Barb has worked with Mark and Dave since her first day at the Holiday Inn. Mark joined TPI in 1985 and Dave came on board in 1987. Wow! Now thats experience!

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Inn the news at Torgerson Properties

After many years cutting his hospitality teeth in the Wisconsin Dells wild world of waterparks, go-carts, homemade fudge, roller coasters, and moccasin shops, Jeremie Slagle moved on to a more quiet and much more secluded life running a small, remote destination resort near the Iowa/Missouri border. In December of 2009, he and his wife Jill and their four-legged furry son Montana answered the irresistible call to Spam Town USA where he joined Torgerson Properties and the great team at the Austin campus as General Manager of Torges Live, The Bistro and the Austin Conference Center.

Amelia Oliva has joined the Staybridge Suites Naples team as their new Executive Housekeeper. Amelia has a diverse background in the hotel/resort industry in the housekeeping field. She came from the Naples Grand Hotel before joining the Staybridge Suites Naples team. The Naples team is very fortunate to have her has part of their family. Welcome Aboard Amelia!

In an attempt to give back to their community, the Holiday Inn Willmar team recently began donating their time to the local Meals on Wheels program. On the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, the Willmar team spends one to two hours delivering hot meals to those people who may not have the ability to prepare a hot, nutritious meal. It has proven to be a very rewarding experience for everyone involved. Congratulations to the entire Holiday Inn Willmar team for creating this amazing experience. What a great way to connect with your community and feel good about being able to make a difference.

The Eagan Campus of Hotels is proud to announce that Emily Schlueter has been promoted to the Outside Corporate Sales Manager. Emily has been with the Eagan campus for a little over six months and was eager to take on the challenge of the Outside Sales Manager position. She is excited to take the Eagan hotels to the next level. Good luck Emily! We know you will make it happen.

Matthew Putz has joined the Holiday Inn and Days Inn team in Austin as Executive Housekeeper. He recently transferred from Fairmont where he held the same position. Matthew has spent the last six years working in hotel environments between the front desk and housekeeping departments. He started with Torgerson Properties in 2005 at the Eagan campus, then spent a few years moving around the country with Embassy Suites Hotels. He and his wife Amanda are excited to be expecting a baby this September.

Becca Gross is our new Sales Manager at Homewood Suites New Brighton. Most recently, Becca was a Catering Coordinator at Bon Appetit, working at Medtronic, for three years. Prior to that, she was an Event Assistant at Plains Art Museum in Fargo, North Dakota. She is a graduate of North Dakota State University with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Welcome aboard, Becca!

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Inn the news at Torgerson Properties

Jay Junker has recently joined the Fairmont team as Assistant General Manager for the Holiday Inn and Super 8. Jay brings with him twenty years of experience in the hospitality industry. Most recently, Jay was the General Manager of the Holiday Inn Express in Worthington, MN. He enjoys golf, bowling, throwing darts, Texas Holdem and spending time with his ten year old daughter. Jay loves meeting new people and is always looking for new things to learn. Please welcome Jay to Fairmont and TPI!

The Eagan campus of hotels is proud to have Michael Engel as their new Sales & Events Coordinator. He started in the hospitality industry at the Hampton Inn in Shakopee. From there he moved to the fabulous Homewood Suites in Saint Louis Park. He is getting comfortable in his new position at the Eagan campus and is looking forward to his first anniversary with TPI in August. Michael currently resides in the southwest metro areamwith his girl friend Lisa and their very energetic two-year-old German short-haired pointer, Dash. Welcome to the Eagan campus Michael. We know you will do well!

Tom Ashbaugh joins us as the General Manager at the Holiday Inn and Days Inn of Austin. Tom is married to Melanie and they have a son who is a Junior at Mayo High School in Rochester, and a daughter who was born in November 2010. Tom brings with him more than twenty years of hospitality management in both the full and select service environments. He has ties to the Austin area as he attended the Community and Technical College in Austin before transferring to Bemidji State for his Bachelors degree. Tom says he enjoys traveling, spending time with his family, fishing, and four-wheeling.

With the Fairmont area national guard scheduled to deploy overseas on June 2nd, the Fairmont Holiday Inn, Green Mill and Perkins locations coordinated a Red Bull Rodeo scheduled the night before the group was to deploy. The event will benefit the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon group that helps support service members and their families while they are serving over seas. Complete with a chuckwagon buffet, electric bull riding and calf roping for the kids, it promises to be a night to remember. Kudos to the all three Fairmont teams for making a difference in the lives of others.

Lucas Smith III, the current Executive Housekeeper at Holiday Inn Express Eagan, has recently been promoted to Assistant General Manager. Lucas has been with Torgerson Properties for almost two years and his passion and dedication has spoken for itself. He has worked in the hospitality industry for over ten years in housekeeping, at the front desk and in management. We know he will do a great job. Lucas will continue to manage the housekeeping department as well. Please join us in congratulating Lucas on his new position.

The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites of Golden Valley welcomes Lindsey Thompson as their Assistant General Manager. Lindsey brings over ten years of hotel operations experience. She started her career in Rochester as the Executive Housekeeper at the Sleep Inn & Suites, then opened The Grand Lodge Hotel & Water Park of America as Assistant Director of Front Office. After two years as the Front Office Manager at the Hilton Garden Inn City Center Hotel, she was the AGM at the Clarion South St. Paul Hotel. She enjoys spending time with her 3-year old nephew and traveling with friends.

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Anything is possible if you have the will to succeed

TPIs Biggest Loser, Pam Kirby, shares her amazing weight loss story
My weight lose journey began in December of 2009. My two grandchildren at that time were at my house and having a great day. At one point the 18-month old was on the floor playing and began to cry and the 4-year old was in the restroom calling for Grandma. In an attempt to pick the 18-month old up from the floor and get to the restroom to attend to the 4- year old, I found myself unable to bend over and could not move fast enough to see what the 4-year old needed. I felt terrible! What kind of a grandma cant take care of two active little boys without huffing and puffing and being unable to move fast enough? It really got me thinking about how long I would be around to see these children grow up and love any future grandchildren that come into our lives. Being a single parent since 1985 and raising three children on my own, family is very important in my life. I decided I wanted to be around to enjoy my three grown children and their families. I realized I could not do this alone and would have to reach out for assistance. I am the oldest of seven children and one of three girls in the family who have struggled with weight problems all our lives. I gathered information from three facilities in our area that have workout equipment combined with fitness programs and weight management counseling. I put together a list of pros and cons for each facility and took a couple of days to review my notes and reflect on the personal visit had with each facility. I knew in my heart that it would have to be the right fit for me if I was going to be committed to this journey and make it work. In January of 2010, after a two-week complimentary visit to a local Curves club, I signed on the dotted line. It is an all-women organization and I didnt need to have a skinny body to walk in the building. I have never looked back over these past sixteen months and I know now it was the right fit for me. There are certainly days when I did not feel like going, or days I would feel sorry for myself or doubt myself at a weekly weigh in. But through these struggles I could see the results of my hard work and persevered. The journey also created a new life style change in what I ate each day. Our grocery stores and restaurants offer so many options for people that want to eat healthy compared to years ago, so that part of this program was very interesting and I have learned so much about reading labels and what parts of the store are good to shop in and what parts are not so good. The amount of books and recipes that we have at our disposal is amazing. Its easy to make better choices when you plan out your meals and snacks in advance. Many people ask me, Did you have surgery?, Are you sick? or Are you OK? I reassure everyone that I have never felt better and I owe it all to a major life style change of better eating and exercise! One works with the other and the combination of an awesome support system, which you can secure from a great workout facility, and the change in your eating habits can help you feel better. I plan to be around a long time to enjoy those grandchildren and do things I have not done for many years. Two things that are back in my life are riding a bike and dancing! I am living proof that at no matter what age you are or what size you are, you can get on a healthier, more rewarding track of life. The key is to stay focused and know that you will succeed! I have made great strides in my program, and today I am 112 pounds lighter, with 15 more to go until I reach my ultimate goal. Shopping for clothes is fun again! Riding my new bike eight or nine miles at a time, working out five to six times a week, shopping in the healthier sections of the grocery stores and making better choices when we eat out all help to keep me on track. Best of all, I can spend time with those busy grandchildren for many more years! I want to thank my Torgerson Properties family for giving me this opportunity to share my story. Everyone that I work with each day has been a big part of my success. Their love, support and words of encouragement have been an inspiration for me to make this program work. I could not have gotten this far without all of your help! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Pam Kirby (left) prior to beginning her weight loss journey that began in December of 2009.

Pam Kirby, 112 pounds later in May 2011. Wow! What an amazing accomplishment! Congratulations Pam, you are truely an inspiration.

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The Bistro, with a trendy and efficient coffee shop atmosphere, opened recently in Austin
On Friday, February 18, a new and exciting concept joined the TPI family. The Bistro, located in the Holiday Inn Austin, opened with an attitude! Replacing the former Harvest Buffet, The Bistro boasts the look and feel of a modern, trendy coffee shop atmosphere. New stylish furnishings, flat panel TVs and a vast array of menu choices make The Bistro a convenient stop for hotel guests looking for a bite to eat, or Austin residents looking for just the right spot to enjoy a relaxing beverage or meal. We spoke with General Manager Jeremie Slagle to find out more about how and why The Bistro concept was developed. Q: Why change from a buffet concept to a coffee shop concept? A: The Bistro concept came about as a result of our perception of guest preferences and current industry trends. In addition, the concept afforded us the opportunity to create operational efficiencies which would benefit the business. The concept pulls together a number of different elements from fresh brewed Caribou Coffee to unique grab and go food offerings for todays busy traveller. It really allows our guests to control the experience they have when they stay with us. Our guests are able to have it their way and on their time. Q: How did you choose the name The Bistro? A: Through all the discussion of how to transform the space, it kept being referred to as a Bistro, so we decided to keep it simple and go with The Bistro. What better plan than to brand it exactly what it is. Lisa Giaimo provided the creative genius in creating the logo. Q: How has this changed things on an operational level? A: Like with all of the recent Holiday Inn renovations, the staff takes a huge amount of pride in our new property. Its a very modern, casual and comfortable environment and the entire staff is excited to offer our guests a new food and beverage experience. Almost all of the Harvest Buffet associates are still with us, but in a new role. Q: How do you utilize the old Harvest Buffet dining area? A: The Harvest Buffet dining area has been transformed into the Harvest Room, a flexible private meeting and dinning venue that can seat up to 80 people. We also use the space as overflow when The Bistro runs at high volume. Q: What products does The Bistro offer to its guests? A: The Bistro offers a wide variety of gourmet specialty coffee drinks as well as fresh brewed Caribou Coffee, smoothies, gourmet sodas, cocktails, beer and wine. In addition, we have a selection of fresh made muffins, soups, salads and ciabatta sandwiches. The Bistro also provides the Holiday Inn standard Best For Breakfast menu. Q: Has this change affected Torges Live? A: One shift we have experienced is that in the evening, some guests enjoy being served from the Torges menu, but while seated in The Bistro. This combines the great Torges food in a little quieter, more private venue. The Torges team is always available to assist guests in this manner.

TPI unveils a new concept at Holiday Inn Austin

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Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal honors Lisa Giaimo

The TPI Vice President of Sales & Marketing is recognized as a 40 under 40 honoree
Each year, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal honors forty of the sharpest, most successful local professionals under forty years old. Torgerson Properties is proud to congratulate Vice President of Sales & Marketing Lisa Giaimo for being selected to this exclusive group for 2011. A record number of Minnesotans were nominated this year, but not all made the cut, said Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Managing Editor Mark Reilly. "If we have 41 dynamite candidates, and we had many, many more than that, then some very deserving nominees wont get picked. And they werent," he said. Reilly continued, Picking our honorees for the annual 40 Under 40 project is always difficult, but never more so than in 2011. We received a record number of nominations, well over 400, making our selection process about as selective as Princeton University or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In some ways its more competitive. If Princeton has room for 2,000 freshmen and gets 2,010 cant-miss applicants, it will take the extra ten people. We dont have that option. Each of the honorees were profiled in a question and answer section of the March 18th edition of the popular Twin Cities business magazine. Those selected join an elite membership of up-and-comers in the Twin Cities business world. Congratulations to Lisa Giaimo on this well-deserved recognition. We are extremely proud and fortunate to have Lisa as a member of the Torgerson Properties team.

Whatever It Takes For Outrageous Guest Service ...You Have The Power!

At Torgerson Properties, we believe in our associates...

Torgerson Properties, Inc. Waters Edge Professional Building 103 15th Avenue NW Suite 200 P.O. Box 1020 Willmar, MN 56201 Phone: 320-235-7207

Check out our web site at www.torgersonproperties.com