Overheard

Gail Myer, vice president of operations for Myer Hotels, stood alongside Highway 76 wearing a chicken suit Oct. 20. He must have lost a bet, right? Well, sort of. The escapade was the result of a challenge Myer presented to the managers of Myer Hotels’ five properties earlier in the year. If the hotels were awarded the highest service honors from their respective chains, Myer said he’d stand on the side of the road in the most outrageous chicken suit he could find and thank the Myer Hotels team. Both the Best Western Center Pointe Inn and Best Western Music Capital Inn received the Director’s Award for perfect housekeeping scores. The Comfort Inn West received a Platinum Award, the Comfort Inn & Suites received a Platinum Best of the Brand Award, and the Comfort Inn & Suites was named a Choice Inn of the Year finalist – one of three properties out of 1,400 nationally.

Heer’s Offer

Heer’s owner Vaughn Prost is offering six months of free rent to lure office and retail tenants to the historic downtown structure. Prost has said a $20 million loan commitment by Bank of America is pending commercial tenant leases. He just hasn’t been able to hit the magic number the bank is seeking. Several executives at another area bank received the move-in bonus offer via a direct-mail piece that also touted a moving allowance of $3 per rentable square foot and tenant improvements at cost. The offer is good through Nov. 15. But will it be too little, too late for Prost and his real estate team? The city continues to wrangle for ownership of the building.

Diversity in the Workplace

Springfield Area Human Resource Association is accepting nominations of local companies that advance diversity in the workplace. The group is recognizing innovative diversity initiatives viewed as key elements of a company’s vision and values. The initiative also must have made differences in employees’ lives. Nominations are accepted through Nov. 30, and recognition will be made at SAHRA’s January meeting. For more information, contact Susan Thiessen at (417) 831-5600 or susan.thiessen@dieselexchange.com.

Business Hall of Fame

Drury University is accepting nominations through Dec. 1 of alumni and faculty for the college’s Breech School of Business Hall of Fame. Eligible candidates must have made a positive and significant mark on the field of business and must have attended or taught at Drury within the past 10 years. They will be judged on leadership, professional conduct and efforts to improve the community. Past inductees include Ernest R. Breech, former chairman of the board and CEO of Ford Motor Co.; John L. Morris, founder and president of Bass Pro Shops Inc.; and David and Larry O’Reilly of the O’Reilly Auto Parts family. Nomination forms are available online at www.drury.edu/breech or by calling (417) 873-7508.[[In-content Ad]]