Are You The Most Important Person: The First Follower?

This video is a must to watch. It is more than worth the minute or two of time it takes. In a nation obsessed with leadership, leaders, leadership qualities, "the smartest guy in the room"...here in this video is the counter argument: leaders are not the most important person in new trends. It is the first followers.

VOTE FOR THE BEST NORTH AMERICA CITY FOR MUSIC

North America is really good at creating music, and we are blessed with some awesome music centers. This country continues to produce and innovate with roots music, new music, traditional, classic and even pop music in its many forms. In our research, we have rounded up some of North America's best homegrown music centers - places that really excel in being a hotbed for talent, originality and a public that is unusually supportive.

If someone wanted to vacation in the best music scene in North America, where would you send them? We want to know, so please take the following 1 minute or less survey.

A Little Monday Morning Distraction

Good morning. We thought we may give you some irreverent "Monday Morning At The Office" humor, but that may hurt. So here is a precursor to the Star Trek Enterprise set, courtesy of Jib Jab.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Some of Our Favorite US B&B's.

Bed & Breakfasts in major, and some minor city destinations seem reserved only by the select few of us. When have you last reserved a B&B? Was it for an occasion? Anniversary? Face it, like me you think of the consistent convenience a hotel chain offers. Like a restaurant chain that serves comfort food uniformly across the country, we go there because we hesitate to step into the local flavor. Bed & Breakfasts often allows the lodger a stay in history rubbing elbows with the locals in a way that deepens the experience. And as most provide the comforts of a hotel (AC, WiFi, Maid, Cable TV etc) and a breakfast that simply can not be beat by any hotel, maybe it's time to reconsider a B&B for your next business or leisure trip?
Here are some of the favorites in the US we have in our files:

Morgan State House, Albany New York
http://www.statehouse.com
The Morgan state House Inn is an excellent example of late 19th century elegance and design. It has been restored to provide the most unique accommodations in the Capital District. Voted "Best in the Capital/Saratoga Region", The Morgan State House is an Inn honoring the European tradition. Our beds are our signature. Feather mattresses, down comforters and soft cotton sheets provide the ultimate nights rest.

Anniversary Inn, Salt Lake City Utah
http://www.anniversaryinn.com
Here's a unique place. Plan a little adventure, without the airfare, in the Mysteries of Egypt Suite or the Arabian Night's Suite. Sleep in a treehouse in our Swiss Family Robinson Suite or watch a movie on the big screen while lounging in back of a pick-up truck in Rich's Drive-In. They have two locations in SLC, and one in Boise. They have two in Salt Lake, one in Boise, Idaho and another in Logan Utah. One of the best B&B's we have ever come across. Certainly one of the most unusual.

The Governors House, Charleston SC
http://www.governorshouse.com
You could argue that Charleston and Savannah are the capitals of Southern B&B Charm. There are many. And all have some rich history to share. Among Historic Charleston inns, only Governor's House Inn offers the rare pleasures, aristocratic comforts and romantic grandeur of a pre-Revolution National Landmark combined with legendary Charleston hospitality.

The Gastonian, Savannah GA
http://www.gastonian.com
The Gastonian, located near Forsyth Park, consists of two adjoining Regency-Italianate-style mansions built in 1868. Today, The Gastonian is a four-diamond, award-winning bed and breakfast inn, recognized by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine as one of the finest places to stay in the world. Its intimate 17 guest rooms are uniquely furnished and named after prominent Savannah natives such as Flannery O'Connor, Juliette Gordon Low and Mary Telfair. All guest rooms have working fireplaces. Guests are given personalized breakfast menus, and can choose either a silver tray service or may join other guests for family-style breakfasts. A complimentary selection of tea, hors d'oeuvres and wine, is served each afternoon. Desserts and cordials are served in the evenings.

Elves Manor, St Louis MO
http://www.elvesmanor.com
Much more than a room with a view, Elves Manor is an entire house all your own in St. Louis’ most urbane and cosmopolitan historic neighborhood, the Central West End. As a 21st century “alley house” or latter-day “carriage house,” Elves Manor continues the St. Louis tradition of a dwelling built at the rear of the lot line, behind the main house–the main house in this case being a 1904 Tudor Revival cottage located within the West Pine-Laclede National Register Historic District.

Do you know of some special B&B's? I'm sure you do and we'd love to hear from you. http://www.thecarltonfiles.com/contactUs.php

Your Client's Use Of Smartphone While Traveling: SURVEY RESULTS

Our online survey conducted in July and August 2010 titled, "Your Client's Use of Mobile Device", where we asked several questions regarding your use, or clients use, of smartphone apps when traveling has netted some results we would like to share with other professionals.

From the responses we received the following net results:

- Respondents were mostly business professionals, executive and personal assistants; corporate travel agents.
- More than 2/3's of our respondents currently travel more than 5 times a year.
- 82% travel for business reasons, with 40% traveling for 1 - 3 days and 19% for more than 5 days.
- 80% use a smartphone for reasons other than email and voice mail.
- 37% use an iPhone, 33% use a Blackberry.
- 8% use an Android.
- 15% stated "other".
-Use of smartphone:
19% for maps
15% for tracking itinerary
14% for finding local businesses
11% Things to do while in a location
9% Entertainment

89% of the respondents approved of and were "more than likely" to purchase a service such as The Carlton Files that deliver all of the functionality of destination management and information, such as maps, local businesses and services, best entertainment, bars, restaurants, emergency information and more.
See a pdf of the survey here: The Carlton Files.

The Best BBQ in Texas

Texas is a big state, where a big appetite for BBQ has evolved. Through our research, and contributions we have compiled a list of the best barbeque ribs, pulled pork, brisket and other BBQ be found in the great state of Texas. We are of course sure there is more, and we may not cover those towns in our database. If you know of others please do drop us a line:

Salt Lick BBQ
18001 Farm to Market Road 1826
Austin, TX United States of America 78619
Telephone: (512) 858-4959
http://www.saltlickbbq.com

Stubb's Bar-B-Q Restaurant
801 Red River Street
Austin, TX United States of America 78701
Telephone: (512) 480-8341
http://www.stubbsaustin.com

Bill Miller Bar-B-Q Inc
101 W Commerce St
San Antonio, TX United States of America 78205
Telephone: (210) 229-9519
http://billmillerbbq.com/

County Line Barbeque
111 W Crockett St Ste 104
San Antonio, TX United States of America 78205
Telephone: (512) 327-6748
http://www.countyline.com/

Hickory Hollow Restaurant
101 Heights Boulevard
Houston, TX United States of America 77007
Telephone: (713) 869-6300
http://www.hickoryhollowrestaurant.com

A Few Trends With Boomers, Gen Xers, Millenials & All In Between....

Here are a few interesting notes we gleaned from iconoclture...market trend watchers extrordinare.

Millennials Market

Mobile app EpicWin gets players tackling real-word chores by rolling to-do lists into a role-playing game format. Users set up a list of real tasks they need to tackle (do the dishes, walk the dog, etc.), and then receive virtual rewards and level-up opportunities for their EpicWin avatar upon...

Gen Xers Market

Make food, not war: Conflict Kitchen serves takeout with a side of understanding....
Pittsburgh’s Conflict Kitchen offers only one menu item, but its mission goes way beyond food. The tiny takeout shop was created by a group of local artists. Their idea? Choose a country that America is in conflict with and serve up one of that country's traditional foods. Every...

Boomers/Matures Markets

Time to plant? Service sends seeds to your door....
Is it too late for cucumbers? When should the celery go in? SproutRobot takes the guesswork out of gardening by sending seeds and reminders when it's time to plant.
Gardeners enter their zip code to get a regionally optimized planting calendar. They can either register for free email reminders...

Multicultural Markets

Broadway sets the stage for bigger black audiences.....
The bad news: Broadway attendance was down 3% for the 2009-10 season (NYTimes.com 6.27.10). The good news: Producers are using diverse strategies to draw African Americans, and it's starting to pay off.

The Best Rooftop Lounges of New York City

Drinks, Views & Lofty People
New Yorkers have always enjoyed their self professed status as the country's Top Shelf City. "The Big Apple," "The City That Never Sleeps," "The World’s Second Home" (that's a new one) say it all. Arguably, New Yorkers enjoy looking down on most everything West of the Hudson, if such a place even exists. So what better perspective could you get on New York than a cocktail perched above the city, looking down on all others below? And there are some decidedly impressive places to drink under the stars, surrounded by lights and elbow to cheek with beautiful people. Although not the sole domain of of hotels, the "rooftop lounge" scene is dominated by them in good locations and tall buildings.

Hotel on Rivington
This is classic "exclusive" NYC, as it is by invitation only. Mostly private parties dominate this rooftop. It is hiden like a speakeasy that requires the right connections, the right night and the right outfit. But that's just the start - get to the hotel, take an elevator to the 20th floor, walk a narrow hallway through to a penthouse bar area, go up a plexiglass staircase, through another bar space, and then up another, steeper stairway. You are there.

Mad46
Mad64 is what most would call a "classic" rooftop lounge par excellence with night views that can't be missed: A contemporary rooftop lounge meets classic Roosevelt Hotel's rooftop. Located atop the 19th floor of the hotel, a separate entrance and private elevator will get you there.
If the heat this year is too much for you, a welcomed addition of two separate, air-conditioned escapes from city heat and humidity called "Uptown" and "Downtown" offers a dry refuge from those occasional summer showers. Doors open at 5pm Monday through Friday with food service from 5pm to 10pm daily. Throughout the season on Saturdays mad46 opens the doors from 8pm to 2am with a live DJ and dancing. There is never a cover charge to get in but please note that final admission is always subject to venue capacity limitations. Reservations are not required but are recommended for groups of 6 or more guests.

Gramercy Park Hotel
The Gramercy is one of New York's oldest and most prestigious boutique hotels...and that is saying volumes, as there are many in New York. The Private Roof Club and Garden, an original and unique indoor and outdoor space, with a retractable roof 16 stories above the city, is akin to a private salon or drawing room offering personal comfort and the intimacy of a private home. It offers a more personal and intimate version of the lobby as a new kind of gathering place as introduced by Ian Schrager almost 20 years ago. This combines all the charm of London's private gentlemen's clubs and the Bohemian bustle of a Viennese coffee house. It recalls the celebrated roof top garden life popularized at the turn of the century in New York City at such places as Ziegfeld's Club at the New Amsterdam Theatre, Stanford Whites roof top garden at the original Madison

Salon de Ning, Peninsula
The Peninsula hotel combines Eastern and Western hospitality with a great view (atop a great hotel) in NYC's midtown. This place is more for business people rather that the typical tourists. Like all rooftops in NY the drinks are not cheap..think $24 for two crummy domestic beers. The staff (mostly Irish) is attentive and not snooty at all.

Top of the Strand
Top of the Strand Hotel lounge and bar - Top of the Strand will include a sliding roof element and is designed by Lydia Marks. The rooftop lounge and bar is an urban oasis among the concrete buildings of the garment district, offering visitors an opportunity to relax and take in the stunning skyline views of New York City.

Plunge Bar, Hotel Gansevoort
Combining the elements that make most every Caribbean hotel popular, namely a pool and bar, the Gansevoort has upped its game with the other hotels of the area. Located in West Chelsea near the High Line, views are 360 from many floors up.

Hudson Terrace
Discreetly tucked at the edge of midtown along the Hudson River, this spectacular haven of serene opulence offers unforgettable venue amenities. The Hudson Terrace event venue imaginatively unites intimate interiors with all-season exterior spaces. Erected from imported heirloom woods, handcrafted tiles and treasured stone, the venue promises nothing short of uncompromised artistry.

Press Lounge, Ink48 Hotel
The Kimpton in Hell's Kichen is not to be outdone by the smart money on the East Side. Located on the 16th floor atop Ink48, Press Lounge presents spectacular views and light fare in a casual setting. Manhattan and Hudson River views from a glass-enclosed lounge, spacious deck with outdoor seating and a captivating reflecting pool, with food and drink to match.

The Roof Garden, Metropolitan Museum of Art
One of the best kept secrets on the East side, and now a popular tourist destination is the Metropolitan Museum of Art rooftop sculpture garden. There among a clutch of sculptures (not to mention an enormous bamboo walking sculpture that towers above the rooftop below - you can walk up but requires a special ticket and time) and over looking the city to the West is a cheesy kiosk for poor American beer and small bottles of third rate wine. Why the Met doesn't upscale their drinks to match the upscale atmosphere and views is a question we all have. The best time to be there is at sunset.

Take Our Survey and Win An iPod....

We are doing a survey right now for how our members are using their mobile devices when traveling...either for business or leisure.

To sweeten the deal, for your participation you will be entered into a drawing for a 2 Gig iPod shuffle (all appropriate questions need to be answered). This survey will be open through August. So that's when we'll give away the shuffle.

To make it easy we have a 10 question offline survey (professionally administered) that will take less than 1 minute to answer. Go to http://surveys.verticalresponse.com/a/show/680244/3b3663d59e/0 You need not be a member to take the survey.

Thanks and see you there.

The 50 Best Restaurants In The World 2010

The business of the best in culinary arts is a competitive one. Foodies and celebrity chefs closely follow the leading guides of gastronomy: The coveted Michelin 3 Stars, are handed out rarely, France prefers its Gault Millau, Asia follows the newcomer Miele Guide, Italy has its Touring Club suggestions and America prefers the Iron Chef spectacle.


But all of these are topped by the annual presentation of "San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants."


The list is created from The World's 50 Best Restaurants Academy (organized by Restaurant magazine and funded by S.Pellegrino), an influential group of over 800 international leaders in the restaurant industry. The Academy comprises 26 separate regions around the world, and each region has its own panel of 31 members including a chairperson to head it up. The panel is made up of food critics, writers, chefs and 'gastronomes' each of whom have five votes. Members vote for five restaurants, at least two of which must be used to recognise restaurants outside of their region.


"And The Envelope Please!"


For 2010....the winner of the "Best Restaurant In The World"....is....
Noma, Copenhagen Denmark! El Bulli, a Spanish coast restaurants with a waiting list as long as its balance sheet, took the big fall to a number two position after a few years of being at the top. Blame it on thier current renovation. The third best in the world goes to The Fat Duck, located just West of London. Number Fifty (which is arguably is a great place to be too): Eleven Madison Park, New York, USA.

The Euro Falls To Its Lowest Level In 4 Years

Once thought to be unstoppable in expanding value, the euro is on an unstoppable slide against the dollar and other world currencies. Although entirely unrelated to the strength of the US economy and real value of the US Dollar, the euro has slipped to .812 or nearly 1 USD = 1.23 Euro. A 4 year low.

This is great news for the many Americans that have sat on the sidelines waiting for that more "affordable" European vacation through nearly a decade of global uncertainty, recessions, bubble busts and a devalued dollar. Suddenly that trip to Europe doesn't seem so unthinkable, and may even be cheaper than staying at home...what? For the luxury market that held off on those many luxury European made goods whose cost soared along with the euro since 2002, good times are here again. And the poor folks in Europe who depend on the hospitality economy, suddenly their lives look rosy. Across the board everyone is happier, unless you export to Europe.

And the cause has nothing to do with "America is back", or "the strength of the dollar". It's the Iceland ash cloud that continues to cast a pall over the continent and parts of its economy, Greece's recent near bankruptcy and spotty EU deficits that plague respectable partners (Italy, Spain, Portugal etc). It's a mess over there.

And what about the Euro's future? "There is little reason to expect an end to the free fall of the euro," a team of Commerzbank analysts led by Ulrich Leuchtmann wrote in a note to clients today. "It is becoming increasingly clear that fiscal consolidation will only be obtainable at the cost of a massive recession."

Actually the euro continues its slide through May.

Good times are here again for those that like to travel to the old world.

Nashville Flood Update - Nashville is Open For Business

Update on the hiistoric Nashville flood of the Cumberland River: in regards to the hotels, entertainment venues and business services listed in The Carlton Files for member's reference and use. All the hotels are back open at this time receiving guests and that includes the historic Hermitage Hotel which had closed temporarily we are told. Additionally the Hutton remained open during the storms and flood of May 2010, as it is a safe distance from the river. Many of the small venues and businesses in the Nashville "District" (along Second Avenue, Third Avenue, and Broadway) remain closed. That includes Schermerhorn Center, Country Music Hall of Fame, Encore, Pinnacle and the Bridgestone Arena as well as many small honky-tonks near the Cumberland. The Mercy Lounge is open with a full calendar of talent, as well as the Station Inn and The Stage on Broadway. Basically Nashville is open for business, so no reason to not go downtown if you are there on business.

NPR reported that the Soundcheck music instrument storage building was inundated with Cumberland flood waters, further devastating the Nashville music scene and heritage. Not only did the Grand Ole Opry House have to close with no reopening date set, and the Nashville Symphony losing two Steinways when its basement flooded, but the Musicians Hall of Fame was forced to store its collection of instruments at Soundcheck after the city acquired its downtown property to make way for a new convention center. Lost in the flood to history: Jimi Hendrix's Stratocaster guitar and the bass used in Hank Williams' "Your Cheating Heart." In all, the Soundcheck flood affected an estimated 600 musicians.

CMAfest, Nashville's annual showcase of country music from June 10 - 13, wrapped up the festival with mega hit Brad Paisley. The tone of the town is "we are back open for music business."

The Sky Bar That Tops All Sky Bars

There are some interesting Sky Bars out there in the world, which we have included in our database. You may know some of these sky bar places, or at least know the concept: bars and restaurants located on top of tall buildings or towers with these great views over the city. There are famous ones like 58 Tour Eiffel located at the top of The Eiffel Tower, the Willis Tower Skydeck (formerly Sears Tower) in Chicago, The Jumeirah, Muntaha Restaurant or the Gunnewig in Dusseldorf, a rotating restaurant nearly at the top of a radio tower standing 172.5 meters above the city. There's a bunch of them out there. But this one in Vienna Austria, in a complete opposite manner, tops them all in kitsch. The Sky Bar in Vienna is a whopping seven stories up. Seven! Listen, Vienna is not a tall city and "Sky Bar" has a relative meaning here. But the best part, we think, is the kitschy music they put on their website ion hopes of luring people into the place. Click on the The Sky Bar link and check out the theme song written just for the restaurant and bar....seven stories up.

Ash Wednesday a la Iceland

The volcanic ash plume that has drifted from Iceland over Northern Europe, halted nearly all air traffic but has also caused a rush to other means of travel - that of train and car. Even with additional trains added, a surge in reservations up 50% or more in a day, has overwhelmed much of Europe and Great Britain, creating a shortage of available seats. The same impact is now being seen on the roads with an increase in traffic as travelers find rail impossible to book.

Our suggestion for those members or clients that may be in Europe on business during this period, and seeking to return to the US or fly to other destinations, is to watch the weather patterns, especially wind patterns coming out of the north Atlantic and anticipate where the skies will be clear as their point of departure. For example the afternoon of Friday, April 16, Ireland is having a resumption of flights departing for points west. If you are unable to use air, rail or roads, sit tight, use the Internet and enjoy a cafe.

Links:
Rail - Eurostar, Virgin Trains
Coaches - In Europe


Back story - If you didn't know, the Eyjfjallajokull Iceland volcano, starting on Wednesday April 14, sending plumes of super fine ash resembling microscopic glass into the stratosphere where jets fly, at about 20,000 to 30,000 feet. The ash when clogging jet engines can cause catastrophic damage to engines, resulting in the closing of 1000's of airports across northern Europe, with more closing as the winds bring the ash rolling south east across Europe. Resulting in some 28,000 flight cancellations a day.