Before I came to Global I had no idea that this type of product was even available! I was used to working in the hospitality industry. Let’s face it, in Florida, most people are associated with hospitality in one way or another.  I have always worked in hotels and times shares, and I can tell you there is such a world of difference.

The best thing about being with Global is the people. At so many large companies you become just another number. Here we get to know people, both co-workers and guests. I have many guests that return each year, some to the same home. Many have been staying with Global longer than I have been with the company, and when I speak with them they ask questions about the people they used to deal with. It truly feels like being part of family.

Another thing I would say is the value to our guests. If you compare what you get staying at our resorts with what you get anywhere else, there is nothing to compare it with. That makes my job easier in so many ways. You get all the comforts of living at home while staying with us. While no two of our homes are exactly alike, they are kept to a high standard that people enjoy staying in. I can’t say there are never any problems and that leads me to my last point.

I love to help people. When I’m working in a unit, either doing routine maintenance or a repair for a guest, I’m not just “patching a wall.” I’m helping someone’s vacation be better. We all wish for a flawless vacation, but we live in a real world where things do break. That’s where I come in. I get to talk to the people, find out what’s wrong, and get it fixed as fast as humanly possible. If it can’t be fixed, it gets replaced. We work with our owners to make sure everyone has a great time and a great place to stay.

In short, I love my job and I love doing it right here, right now. This is my second family and I can’t see being anywhere else.

- Aaron Tripp, Maintenance Department

The best way to describe how we feel about Global is the following:

G – is for good working ethics.

L – is for the love of the family atmosphere we maintain.

O – is for the “over-the-top” attitude.

B – is for always trying to be the best we can be.

A – is for all of us working to together to improve things.

L – is looking towards the future and how we can make things better and continue to grow.

At this time, Dave is working in the maintenance department and enjoys all of the guys & ladies that he works with. I am working at the front desk at our Formosa office, in the field with maintenance a few days, and helping where ever I am needed in the office. We are still enjoying our jobs, even though sometimes it gets hectic – but that goes with the territory in the hospitality business. We feel that Global is our extended family and have loved working for Global and hope to continue in the future. Their values and relationships with employees exceeds many companies that we have worked for in the past. We hope Global feels the same way about us.

- Pat & Dave Hess,  Front Desk & Maintenance Staff

- Adam Costner, Director of Customer Service

- Lisa Boxe, LBV Receptionist

I do reservations for retail clients. This involves persuading new and potential clients to stay with Global vs. the competition.  Sales is very complex and it takes a lot of positive energy. I have to be in a good mood everyday in order to keep the callers attention and materialize the call. Some leads are not as easy to close as others, so I do an intense amount of following up and emailing to make sure that I am not leaving any money on the table. In addition to sales, I assist guests with all of their needs from the time they book until they check-in. I answer general customer service calls, adjust files and problem solve when needed. I also send off personally written thank you letters to all of my clients, and advertise on Craig’s List to generate leads.  My job involves many processes.

I love working for Global because of the people here. I am very close with all of my co-workers and they are a bunch of very compassionate people. If one person sees the other in pain, everyone is there to lend a helping hand. It is a very comfortable environment where everyone embraces you for who you are and appreciates your unique attributes!

-Molly Burns, Vacation Home Specialist

- Susan Lattimore, Vacation Home Specialist

I carried my biased opinion throughout my early adulthood.  I refused to participate in the office Halloween party, would not eat any Halloween candy, and on Halloween nights I turned off my lights and hung a big sign on my front door that read “WE DON’T CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN.  Not surprisingly, my home and car were targeted on more than one occasion for an occasional egg washing with a toilet paper accent.

I was adamant in my “anti-Halloween” sentiment, until I had children.  For the first five years of child rearing, it was easy, until that one fall afternoon when my 5 year old daughter returned home from school, with a wild look of excitement in her eyes as she declared she was going to be a “Princess Angel” for Halloween.  Her three year old younger sister piped in that she too was going to be an angel.  Then they looked at me with innocent, thought provoked eyes and asked the question I feared would be asked, “What’s Halloween?”

Suddenly, my thesis on the evils of Halloween seemed so inappropriate and totally irrelevant.  Certainly, my children weren’t evil, nor their classmates, nor teachers, nor MOST of my neighbors.  We weren’t going to draw a circle of fire in the backyard, recite ancient incantations, and sacrifice our puppy. 

“What’s Halloween?”  I realized it’s a time of imagination, pure fun, and an excuse to eat an unbelievable amount of candy in one day.  It’s also an American tradition, as American as apple pie, baseball, and Thanksgiving.

My personal convictions, still keep me opposed to the ideas of blood and gore, I won’t purchase the “hatchet in the back” costume, nor do I enjoy an “Angel of Death” wielding a bloody knife chasing me down a corridor.  For me, life is full of things to be afraid of, natural disasters, diseases, Wall Street needing government assistance, and my bank going bankrupt?!!!…. So to willingly make myself afraid isn’t my idea of a good time.  But that’s my personal choice and I understand now that other people have the right and freedom to think and feel otherwise.

I’ve also discovered that there are local churches that offer alternative options for celebrating Halloween minus the fright.  One such church is Real Life in Clermont FL.  This Halloween, the church will have a “Fall Festival” where children can dress up like Biblical or Historical characters, enjoy hay rides, roast marshmallows, listen to live music, and yes partake in eating immeasurable amounts of sweets.  This church is one of many in the Central Florida region that offer fright-free Halloween fun.  Next week, I’m taking my family to “SeaWorld’s Spooktacular” which is a month-long celebration of Halloween, and another fun and safe alternative.  I will be sure to write about that experience, from a child and adult’s perspective.  Happy Halloween!

The National Training Center in Clermont is a campus designed for athletes, teams, and individuals looking to train at a state-of the-art facility.  It is a 300-acre, sports, health, fitness and education campus with a  37,000 square foot training center. It features an aquatic center, fitness center, track and field complex, cross country course, multi-purpose athletic fields and softball/baseball quadraplex.  This complex hosts a variety of events, from triathlon camps and clinics, track and field meets and a variety of children’s events and programs.  The National Training Center combines sports and athletic facilities with a hospital, medical office building, community college, and a four-year university.  It is an amazing concept and attracts athletes from all over the world.

The Glenbrook Resort is a private pool vacation home property and only 10 minutes from the NTC, located in Clermont.  If you are in the Clermont area, why not sign up for one of the many classes offered at the NTC.  If you are a visiting athlete or team and want to experience a training facility like none other, feel free to contact the NTC.

We are proud to recommend Linda Page, a member of the USPCA (United States Personal Chef Association) and owner of the chef service, “A Chef of Your Own”.  Linda graduated first in her culinary school and did a 3 year 6,000 hour apprenticeship with Westin Hotels and the American Culinary Federation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  She has served as an Assistant Pastry Chef, junior Sous Chef at a gourmet restaurant, and teaches a variety of cooking classes.

Just imagine coming back home from a busy day at the parks, opening the door and smelling the aroma of chicken marsala with rice pilaf, fresh baked rolls, and homemade lemon pie.  Linda’s menus are vast and can satisfy a variety of palates.  If you are more of connoisseur of gourmet foods, you might want to try her Greek chicken with raisins and feta, or maybe a specialty salad made of romaine lettuce, goat cheese, and toasted almonds. If you are in the mood for good old’ comfort food you might request a menu with broccoli cheddar soup, pigs in a blanket, barbecue pulled pork, homemade baked beans, and potato salad, then finish the meal with some of Linda’s homemade cookies.

So, next time you vacation with Global, treat yourself to “ A Chef of Your Own” Bon Appétit!!!  Visit http://www.mychefsite.com/achefofyourown .