talking about the year - Milwaukee

20
09
A s s o c i at e
Annual report
c o m m i t m e n t
05 06
07 08 09
$0
$0
$5
Ta l k i n g a b o u t t h e y e a r
$400
$20
$15
$30
$20
$50
Revenues
$25
4. 3 4 $
$40
5 .3 8 3 $
6.723 $
1.173 $
1.762 $
$300
$30
$35
Operating Income
Con
with steve and greg marcus
The Associate Annual Report team recently sat down with Steve and Greg Marcus to talk about their insights
Fiscal
2009
Fiscal 2008
Operating
Income
Fiscal2009
2009 Revenues
Fiscal
Revenues
Operating Income *
Marcus Hotels
and Resorts
on fiscal 2009 and where The Marcus Corporation is headed in the coming years.
18.2%
56.1%
Steve Marcus: For me, it was that in spite of the recession, we were able to
invest $36 million in maintaining and enhancing our properties. As a result,
when the recession is over, we will be in a good position to attract more
customers and increase market share. Making the decision to put this much
money into our hotels and theatres in a slow economy was not easy, but it
was the right thing to do for our future.
Greg Marcus: The highlight of the year for me was how well we weathered
the storm. Our ability to make progress on our growth strategies and
maintain a solid financial position during a very challenging time showed
how strong this company really is. And I don’t mean strong just from a
financial standpoint. As my grandfather always said, our people are our
greatest asset, and I believe that as well. This was a tough year for our
associates, especially our teams in the hotel division. Everyone worked
harder and smarter and did more with less, while at the same time giving
an extra effort to keeping our customers satisfied. This past year confirmed
something that I always knew ­— we have an outstanding team of associates.
Greg Marcus: Because of our strong financial position, we have the ability to
pursue opportunities in both of our divisions that could arise in this economic
environment, which has the potential to be very positive for us. Thanks to
our people and our positioning, we’re going to come out of the downturn a
strong company, ready to move ahead with our long-term growth strategies.
Regardless of the economy, next year will be a great year from another
aspect — we’ll be celebrating our 75th anniversary. Our associates will all
be involved in celebrating this milestone, so watch for more information in
the months ahead. Thank you again for all your hard work and extraordinary
efforts in fiscal 2009!
Fiscal Year
Fiscal Year
May 28, 2009 May 29, 2008
Percent
Change
Operations (in millions)
Net Earnings
$300
Cash
Dividends
$200
0.58 $40
.34
$30
0.68
.34
(14.7) %
-
$43.4
Per Common Share (diluted)
$47.7
$ 383.5
$ 371.1
3.3%
Operating
43.4
47.7 Income(9.0) %
17.2 $50
20.5
(16.0) %
Revenues
Operating Income
Revenues
Net$400
Earnings
$41.1
Steve Marcus: I believe better times are ahead. Recessions always come to
an end, and we are starting to see signs of optimism about the economy.
Lodging industry analysts are indicating we’ll see improvement in the hotel
business later in 2010. That’s not as soon as we would like, but at least
there’s some light at the end of the tunnel. On the theatre side, we need
the industry to continue to release a broad slate of good pictures at a steady
pace throughout the year.
Fiscal
2008 Operating
Income
*Excludes
corporate items
$39.5
What do you see for fiscal 2010 and beyond?
Fiscal
2009 Items
Revenues
0.3%
Corporate
$38.9
What was the highlight of the year for each of you?
Steve Marcus: Another reason is that we’ve never lost sight of our core
philosophies of maintaining a strong balance sheet, owning the majority
of our properties and continually investing in our facilities and our people.
These principles have served us well historically and are continuing to
support our business today.
Marcus
Theatres
$383.5
Greg Marcus: As in the past, we benefited this year from the diversity of
our two businesses. Marcus Theatres® had a record year, which went a long
way in compensating for the downturn in the lodging industry. Lodging was
also down after 9-11, but it rebounded much more quickly then compared
to now. Our diversity is a two-way street — there have been years in the
past where lodging has helped to make up for a down period in the movie
business. Overall, our diversity provides stability and enables us to weather
the ups and downs of the economy, as we are doing right now.
81.8%
Marcus
Hotels and
Resorts
$371.1
Greg Marcus: A key reason is our financial strength. Our level of debt is
lower than many of our peers and we had over $100 million in available
credit lines at the end of the year. This gives us some breathing room to
work through the challenges and to remain focused on what is best for
the company, our associates and our customers over the long term.
Marcus
Theatres
$327.6
Steve Marcus: It was a tough year — in fact I’ve never seen anything
like it in the 47 years I’ve been in the business. We’ve been through
recessions before, and we’ll make it through this one, but this truly is
an unprecedented time for the U.S. economy.
43.6%
$289.2
Why is our company handling the recession better than others?
$267.1
How would you describe fiscal 2009?
0
$10
2 .982 $
$200
07 08 09
$10
$100
t h e m a r c u s c o r p o r at i o n
05 06
1.14 $
$0
7.74 $
O n e
b u s i n e s s e s
9.83 $
T w o
g e n e r a t i o n s
5.93 $
T h r e e
$25
$20
$15
$20
$10
$100
$0
$35
$30
$10
05 06
07 08 09
$0
Steve (left) and
Greg Marcus
05 06
07 08 09
$5
$0
T HE M ARCUS COR P ORA T ION
T h r e e g e n e r at i o n s , T w o b u s i n e s s e s , O n e c o m m i t m e n t
(From left to right): Steve Mackey Jr.,
rooms division manager, Jeff Strook, chief
engineer, and Tim Smith, general manager,
accept the InterContinental Milwaukee’s
Travel Green Wisconsin certificate.
Robert Fedorko, executive chef at the
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, planted an
herb and veggie garden on hotel property
to support farm-to-fork dining.
A Family Business
G eneration
after G eneration
In January 2009, Greg Marcus was named chief executive
officer of The Marcus Corporation, following in the footsteps
of his father, Steve Marcus, and grandfather, Ben Marcus.
Greg’s appointment came on the eve of the company’s
75th anniversary, which will be celebrated in 2010, and
marks the third generation of Marcus family leadership.
This milestone got us thinking about our associates. Do
any of our associates have family members that have also
worked for the company? We asked, and you shared some
very interesting stories about generations of families working
for The Marcus Corporation. Here are a few of our favorites:
Am a n da Pag e
Timber Ridge Lodge and Waterpark, Lake Geneva, Wis.
My dad, Alan, has been a night manager at the ski
hill here for 29 years. I have been with The Marcus
Corporation for over five years, and my brother,
Deane, just joined the company, working at the
Grand Geneva’s golf course.
Dav i d A n d r e w s
Grand Geneva® Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva, Wis.
I have worked for the hotel since 1979. I’m currently an
engineer and started as a bus boy and food runner in the
former Playboy Club restaurant. My sisters Beth and Laura
worked here as well. My wife Penny worked in the spa,
and our three children have also worked here. Our oldest
son, Anthony, started in 1997 as a bar porter and later
worked at the bell stand and in security. My middle son,
Joe, started working at the bell stand in 2000 and now
works as a supervisor in the Grand Café. My youngest,
Amberly, worked as a golf cart attendant, beverage cart
girl and at the ski chalet. For us, Marcus has truly been
a family affair!
Ja m e s D o r s c h
Elgin UltraScreen® Theatre, Elgin, Ill.
Our whole family of four has worked at the theatre.
My wife, Charlene, started at the location before it was
owned by Marcus and stayed on after the sale to do
promotions. My son, Aaron, got his first job here running
movies. My daughter, Heather, started as a booth
operator and became assistant manager for the theatre.
I have worked in the maintenance department here for
over five years now, making repairs and keeping the
theatre in top shape.
M o r g a n Co s t e l lo
Marcus Cinema Oshkosh, Oshkosh, Wis.
Growing up, my siblings and I heard stories about our
mom’s first job as a box office cashier at the theatre in
Oshkosh. She would tell us about midnight shows, special
premieres and the great friends she made working there.
I’d always thought your first job was supposed to be
horrible, but hers actually sounded fun. So last year,
I applied for a job here and was luckily hired, and have
been having as much fun working here as she did!
J u s t i n ER h a r dt
Renaissance Cinema, Sturtevant, Wis.
My mother worked at the Regency Cinema when it
first opened and my older brother worked at Westgate
Cinema, as well as here at the Renaissance Cinema,
where I have worked for two years now.
At The Marcus Corporation, It’s Easy Being Green
In today’s world, consumers and industries alike are making pointed efforts
to adopt more eco-friendly lifestyles and operations. The Marcus Corporation
supports this trend and has taken a proactive approach to incorporating
sustainable business practices into its hotel and theatre operations.
During fiscal 2009, three Wisconsin-based hotels in the Marcus® Hotels
and Resorts portfolio earned green certifications from Travel Green Wisconsin,
a first-of-its-kind voluntary certification program that recognizes tourism
businesses for reducing their environmental footprint.
The InterContinental Milwaukee, The Pfister® Hotel
and the Grand Geneva® Resort & Spa all earned the
certification, solidifying their commitment to sustainable
hotel operations.
F r o m Fa r m to F o r k
One example of the company’s green commitment is at the Grand Geneva
Resort & Spa, where executive chef Robert Fedorko has planted a natural
vegetable and herb garden on the property. “Not only does the garden grow
high-quality produce for our restaurants, but we are also facilitating the farmto-fork process right within our own hotel, which is dramatically reducing our
carbon footprint,” said Robert. “So if you dine with us, there’s a very good
chance that part of your meal is hand-grown right here at the resort!”
Other hotel properties across the country are also doing their part when
it comes to greening their businesses and communities. For example,
The Beverly Garland Holiday Inn in North Hollywood, Calif., planted 50
trees in conjunction with the American Forest Global Releaf Project. The
InterContinental Milwaukee also offered a scooter package for its guests
this summer so they could tour the city in eco-friendly style.
theatre begins. Marcus Theatres has a longstanding partnership with one of
the “greenest” construction companies in the United States, and the two
companies work closely together, starting at the very initial planning stages,
to pinpoint green design and build elements for a new project. For example,
eco-friendly materials, lighting, water, heating and cooling systems are
used in all new Marcus Theatres projects, and other green strategies are
implemented depending on the specific project. Plus, once the construction
is complete and the theatre opens for business, associates are trained to
recycle materials and minimize waste on a day-to-day basis.
F i n a n c i a l ly-S o u n d St r at eg i e s
Not only do green practices benefit the environment, but The Marcus
Corporation has also been able to realize cost savings and improve the
return on its investments by using more efficient systems. Sometimes using
energy-efficient materials and equipment is more costly upfront, but the
savings realized over a few years or a life cycle of a system more than
pays for the upgrade.
For example, The Pfister Hotel was able to match the traditional bulbs used in
its antique lighting fixtures with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, which
are much more energy efficient. The hotel partnered with Wisconsin’s Focus
on Energy Commission on a rebate program that partially offset the new bulb
cost and changed all the fixture light bulbs to CFLs. This change dropped the
wattage per bulb from 60 watts to 13 watts, resulting in a net energy savings
of over $10,000 per year!
Not only do green practices benefit the environment,
but The Marcus Corporation has also been able to realize
cost savings and improve the return on its investments
by using more efficient systems.
Su s ta i n a b l e D e v e lo pm e n t
The Marcus Theatres® team is also committed to sustainable business
practices, and their green focus starts even before construction for a new
Construction of the Marcus Majestic Cinema, shown here from 2007, is one example of a
project in which Marcus Theatres used green-building strategies and materials.
Impressive United Way Results
In fiscal 2009, The Marcus Corporation launched a company-wide initiative
in support of United Way, a national non-profit organization committed to
advancing the common good by focusing on education, income and health.
As a result, every hotel property and theatre location made a contribution
to the corporate giving campaign, raising a total of $231,000! The company
also hosted a United Way golf outing at the Grand Geneva® Resort & Spa,
with all the proceeds going to the charity organization.
The remarkable fundraising efforts of our associates prove that there is
power in numbers, and that even a small donation can go a long way
when everyone pledges their support. In addition to the many individuals
who contributed financially, there were 34 Marcus associates who were
true superstars in the campaign efforts, making personal contributions of
$1,200 or greater.
Every hotel property and theatre location made
a contribution to the corporate giving campaign,
raising a total of $231,000!
“Thank you to all of our associates for your generosity and support of
United Way,” said Dave Merritt, senior vice president of development
for Marcus Hotels and chair of the fiscal 2009 United Way campaign.
“Without you, we would not be able to meet our corporate giving
and philanthropy goals and support the communities where you
work and live.”
The United Way golf event at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa was very well-attended and
served as a major revenue generator for the fiscal 2009 campaign.
2
M a r c u s t h e a t r e s®
A c h i e v i n g b l o c k b u s t e r r e s u lt s
The new stand-alone Zaffiro’s
Pizzeria & Bar at the North Shore
Cinema is the first of its kind
in the Marcus Theatres’ circuit.
The new Take Five Lounge at the
North Shore Cinema in Mequon, Wis., is a
great place for cocktails and conversation.
Fiscal 2009
H ighlight R eel
In May 2009, Marcus Theatres® completed a major
renovation project at the North Shore Cinema in
Mequon, Wis., that transformed the 11-screen complex
into a complete entertainment destination. New features
include the circuit’s thirteenth signature UltraScreen®
with premium reserved seating, updated auditoriums,
a Hot Zone serving burgers and sandwiches, and the
company’s second Take Five Lounge offering a variety
of wine, beer and spirits.
The North Shore Cinema renovations also introduced
the circuit’s very-first stand-alone Zaffiro’sSM Pizzeria
& Bar! The restaurant, located directly off the theatre
lobby, serves Milwaukee’s delicious, thincredibleSM Zaffiro’s
pizza and a variety of other Italian dining favorites for
moviegoers and the general public to enjoy.
The Marcus Oakdale UltraScreen Cinema in Oakdale,
Minn., opened Marcus Theatres’ first food-court concept
dining area called the Hollywood Café. Guests can order
a wide range of items, from Zaffiro’s pizza to burgers and
ice cream, and enjoy them in a café seating area or while
watching a movie.
®
Digital 3D movies and alternate programming continues
to be a focus for Marcus Theatres. During the year, an
additional 13 digital 3D systems were installed across the
circuit, bringing our total to 27. Additional expansion plans
are under consideration.
We “Sand” Together
When the Red River flooded in the spring of 2009
and inundated eastern North Dakota, Marcus Theatres®
associates from the Fargo-Moorhead area rose to
the occasion.
For days on end, several associates left their own waterlogged homes to join in community flood-fighting efforts,
filling sandbags and building dikes to prevent further
damage. Anytime a call for volunteers was made, there
was a good chance of finding a Marcus associate among
them, including Century 10 general manager Derek Pikop
(a.k.a. “the sandman”) and West Acres general manager
Rick Solarski. These men demonstrated outstanding
leadership and decision-making skills during the challenge,
and Rick was recently honored for his efforts with the
Marcus Theatres Spotlight on Excellence Award.
Kudos to all Fargo-Moorhead associates for your selfless
efforts, and thank you to the entire Marcus Theatres family
for your heartfelt support during this hard time!
A One-on-One with Bruce Olson
How did Marcus Theatres®
perform from a financial
standpoint in fiscal 2009?
Despite the recessionary environment
that has impacted nearly every industry,
Marcus Theatres performed exceptionally
well during fiscal 2009, achieving record
results for the year. Our results benefited
from several hit films, including The
Dark Knight, Wall-E, Hancock, Gran Torino and Twilight. Movie attendance
was also strong, as budget-conscious consumers turned to the movies
as a relatively inexpensive, out-of-home entertainment option that offers
an “escape from reality.” The 83 screens in Nebraska we acquired in
April 2008 also contributed to our excellent year.
How did our associates help support the company’s success last year?
In difficult economic times, there is nothing that differentiates a service
provider from its competitors more than its people. Marcus Theatres is
lucky to have the most talented team of theatre associates in the industry.
I’m honored to work with such a great team and continue to be impressed
by your service-driven attitude and unyielding support of our customers in
every one of our theatres.
president of Marcus Theatres®
What stands out to you as a personal highlight for the year?
A resounding number of you shared on your associate surveys this
year how much you enjoy being a part of this company and how you
think Marcus Theatres is a great place to work. I speak for the entire
management team in saying that we were humbled by your comments,
and want you to know how much we value your contributions and
commitment to our business.
What is your outlook for the coming year?
As we close the book on fiscal 2009, the future for Marcus Theatres
continues to be bright. There are many exciting movies with great
potential in the pipeline for fiscal 2010, including about a dozen 3D
pictures. We will continue working together to achieve our goals and
provide Marcus Magic for our guests. I’m looking forward to another
successful year. Thank you for all that you do to make Marcus Theatres
America’s Finest Theatres!
A Fun Fact about Bruce Olson’s Favorite Flicks:
“I’m a proud Italian, so no surprise, my favorite movies of all time
are Godfather I and Godfather II, but Godfather III is actually my least
favorite. To me, there’s no better movie snack than a big tub of Marcus
Theatres popcorn, and no better sound than a whole theatre full of
people crunching kernels.”
Marcus Theatres® – A Class Act
We know that our people are a cut above the rest, but during fiscal
2009, several of our associates and theatre locations made noteworthy
contributions to the company, our customers and the communities we
serve. Some highlights from the year were:
Mike “Spider” Ryan, an associate at the Ridge
Cinema in New Berlin, Wis., earned national
recognition from Box Office Magazine. Mike was
awarded the publication’s first “Front Line Award”
for the exceptional job he does when serving
Marcus Theatres’ customers. Mike was featured
in the March issue of Box Office Magazine.
Associates at Marcus Safari 7 in Moorhead, Minn., deserve special recognition
for the donation they made in the aftermath of the Red River flooding in
the Fargo, North Dakota, area. After taking second place in the 2009 Marcus
Popcorn Bowl, the annual concession incentive contest across the Marcus
Theatres circuit, Safari 7 associates decided to donate $250 of their winnings
to the Fargo-Moorhead Food Bank to help their fellow residents in their
time of need.
Mike “Spider” Ryan earned a
Funset Boulevard®, our family entertainment
“Front Line Award” from Box
center in Appleton, Wis., was honored with the
Office Magazine.
“Best Family Fun” award by Appleton’s Business
Magazine and the Company Magazine – Green Bay.
Usher Mike Halili from the Orland Park Cinema in Orland Park, Ill., helped
one moviegoer sleep a little easier at night after he recovered and returned
$1,000 in cash that was left in one of the theatre auditoriums.
Funset Boulevard associates (from left to right) Sithichok Chang, Cory Lehman,
Christy Lingnofski and Eliza Lo with the location’s “Best Family Fun” award.
Bringing the Movies to Life
Thanks to associate Mike Cairns, audiences at Ridge Cinema in New Berlin,
Wis., never know what larger-than-life artwork they will enjoy during their
trip to the theatre. Mike is a booth manager by day, but at night, he crafts
fantastic window paintings, hanging sculptures and outdoor creations to
showcase current movies.
Derek Pikop (left) and Rick Solarski (right) made extraordinary efforts
for their communities during the Red River flooding last spring.
Among his recent handiwork are a lit roof-top figure of the Incredible Hulk,
wolverine window paintings from X-Men Origins: Wolverine, a window
painting of a scene from Up, and two giant Ice Age squirrels dangling from
the lobby’s ceiling! Mike’s work is so impressive that it’s been featured in
local, regional and statewide newspapers and blogs.
Moviegoers at the Ridge Cinema are often greeted by Mike Cairns’ artistic
re-creations of popular movie scenes, such as this scene from Up.
3
M ARCUS ® HO T ELS AND RESOR T S
Positioning for the future
The recently completed renovation at
the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa includes
a dramatic new outdoor pool.
A complete transformation of all the
guest rooms at the Hilton Milwaukee
City Center is currently underway.
A One-on-One with Bill Otto president of Marcus
®
It’s no secret that the travel industry
has suffered dramatically from the
economic downturn. How did this
impact Marcus® Hotels and Resorts?
Fiscal 2009 was one of the most
challenging periods on record for the
lodging industry, and in turn, it was
a very difficult year for Marcus Hotels
and Resorts. Although our revenue per
available room declined with the rest of the industry, we performed
slightly better than our peers. We attribute this to the fact that many
of our hotel properties are in secondary markets, rather than major
destination areas like Florida and Hawaii, and that our people have
done an incredible job of weathering this storm.
What is your message to associates?
First and foremost, our associates deserve a resounding “thank you”
for their efforts during the past year. It’s been a very trying time for our
business. We have asked you to work harder and smarter with fewer
resources, and you’ve delivered with flying colors. You’ve been able
to do more with less while continuing to take exceptional care of our
guests. This is especially important in this recessionary environment,
as every guest is more important than ever. I also want you to know
T he H ighlights of
Hotels and Resorts
that we personally understand the weight of the sacrifices you’ve all
made over the last year. There’s a saying that tough times pull people
together and this is certainly true for our company. We truly appreciate
all that you are doing to help us get through these challenges.
Do you believe the lodging industry can recover? What do you see
in the coming months and years for Marcus Hotels and Resorts?
Absolutely, the industry will recover. Industry analysts are looking for
a rebound in 2010. In the meantime, we’re focusing on the things we
can control. We are a very financially stable company and have the
resources to continue investing in and improving our existing properties
and to pursue opportunities that may arise. We have gained market
share at many of our properties. This is an outstanding achievement that
shows our strategies are working. It’s hard to be patient, but travel and
tourism will be back. I’m confident that when the numbers return, we’ll
be there, stronger than ever and positioned to grow.
Did you know?
Bill Otto’s favorite place to travel is Italy. “The people are wonderful,
and the history and uniqueness of the country makes a visit something
to remember. The approach to life is so refreshing and the food and
hospitality is terrific!”
Doing Well by Doing Good
Marcus® Hotels and Resorts associates are loyal supporters of many
community organizations and non-profit groups. Some examples of
our associates’ commitment to caring for their communities include:
The team from the Hotel Phillips in Kansas City raised over $10,000 during
the 2009 United Way campaign season!
The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wis., purchased tables at several charity
events that were hosted at the hotel during the year, and donated over
$300,000 worth of gift cards for its accommodations, restaurants and spa
to non-profit organizations and fundraising events.
®
The Sheraton Clayton Plaza Hotel in Clayton, Mo., launched an affiliation
program with Kid Smart, a local organization that provides school supplies
to schools and students that can’t afford to purchase their own supplies.
For the tenth year, the Grand Geneva® Resort and Spa teamed with the
non-profit group One Step at a Time and hosted a retreat for teenagers
who are fighting or have beaten cancer.
The Hilton Milwaukee City Center teamed up with Milwaukee Mayor
Tom Barrett’s Earn and Learn program, which is committed to providing job
opportunities to young people in the Milwaukee community. Together, the
city of Milwaukee and the hotel developed a certified lifeguard program,
which ultimately employed three young people as lifeguards at the hotel’s
indoor water park for the 2009 summer.
Fiscal 2009
Despite the weak economy, Marcus® Hotels and Resorts
continued to invest in its properties with two major
renovation projects. We also introduced new programs
and made good headway on our strategic growth plans.
Some highlights include:
The first phase of a major renovation at the Grand Geneva®
Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wis., was completed.
Enhancements include a new outdoor pool, Embers Terrace
— a California-style fire-pit and dining area, a complete
renovation of all the guest rooms, including the installation
of Séura television mirrors in the bathrooms, and upgrades
to our signature WELL Spa® & Salon.
Work was started on an extensive project at the Hilton
Milwaukee City Center that includes updating all the guest
rooms, corridors and main entrance.
New rewards programs for our frequent customers were
introduced to further strengthen our value proposition and
connection with our guests.
We launched new sales and marketing initiatives to drive
revenues, increase our visibility, expand our customer base
and build stronger partnerships with our communities.
An Unsung Hero
Wisconsin Hospitality Linen Service (WHLS) is a very
important, albeit low-profile, part of the Marcus® Hotels
and Resorts family. WHLS handles over eight million pounds
of laundry each year for Wisconsin-based hotels, both in and
out of the Marcus portfolio! We extend a special thank you to
all the WHLS associates for their support in keeping our hotels
stocked with fresh, clean linens for our guests. We couldn’t
do it without you!
Award-Winning Team
Several Marcus® Hotels and Resorts properties and associates earned
prestigious awards during fiscal 2009. Some of our award winners include:
Noe Zuniga Argueta from the Hilton Bloomington in the Minneapolis
area was awarded a Bloomington Diamond Service Award in the engineer/
maintenance category by the Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau. Seven
other associates from the hotel were also finalists in their respective categories.
Johann Lueke, guest service agent at the
Hilton Bloomington, earned the “Spirit of Hilton
Award,” the Hilton organization’s most prestigious
service award!
The Sheraton Madison Hotel was honored by
Madison’s InBusiness Magazine as the “Best
New Development or Hotel Renovation Project.”
Johann Lueke (left) is our
very own “Spirit of Hilton”
award winner!
Hotel Phillips was recognized by Kansas City
Magazine as the “Best Hotel in Kansas City.”
The Beverly Garland Holiday Inn in North Hollywood, Calif., received the “2009
Medium Business of the Year” award from the United Chambers of Commerce,
a coalition of businesses in the San Fernando Valley area. The hotel was also
inducted into the Valley Industry Commerce Association’s Hall of Fame.
The Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City was again
awarded the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award
in fiscal 2009. Its general manager, John Williams,
won the “GM of the Year Award” from the Oklahoma
Lodging and Hotel Association, and James Schelnick,
food and beverage director, was included in Oklahoma
City’s prestigious 40-under-40 listing.
The Pfister® Hotel in Milwaukee was awarded the
John Williams is Oklahoma’s
AAA Four Diamond Award – for the 33rd consecutive “General Manager of the Year.”
year! It was also recognized by Expedia as a “Top 1%” hotel and Cassy Scrima,
director of sales and marketing, was honored as one of The Business Journal
of Milwaukee’s top 40-under-40 leaders.
The Platinum® Hotel
was voted a top
Las Vegas hotel for
business travelers.
The Sheraton Madison
Hotel’s award-winning
renovation project.
�Artist-in-Residency program currently
�features the
The Pfister Hotel’s
PFISTER ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
REGINALD BAYLOR
work
of Milwaukee-based artist Reginald
Baylor.
T he Pfister Ar tist-In-R eside nce pr ogr am
co mbines the bea uty a nd va lu e of the
hotel's extensiv e h istori c Victor ian a rt
coll ecti on with th e ta lent of a curr ent
loca l Mil wa ukee a rtist. Crea te d as more
th an a sta tic ga ller y space, g uests and
th e com munity ar e encour ag ed to v isit
the studio space to witness the evolution
of each piece fi rst ha nd.
R eginal d Ba yl or w as bor n No vem ber
1966 in Milw au kee, Wi s. He a ttended
the Unive rsi ty of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
ma jor ing in fine ar t and ar t e duca ti on
with a n empha sis in sculptur e. Af ter
co lle ge, R eg inald r elo cated to Sou th er n
Ca lifo rnia w he re h e wa s ma rr ied to h is
wife , Jill, a nd wor ked for th e La gu na
Bea ch Art Mu seum and New po rt Be ach
Art Muse um.
Artist-in-Residency Program
Experie nce a r t a s it comes ali ve by th e
hands of our featured artist Reginald
B a y l o r. We i n v i t e y o u t o g e t u p c l o s e
and ask Reginald about his work and
inspiration. The Artist-In-Residence
S t u d i o i s l o c a t e d o n t h e f i r s t f l o o r,
adjacent to the Pfister’s classic Lobby
Lounge. Reginald is also available to
lead intimate group tours throughout
The Pfister, offering a unique exploration
into th e rich histo ry of the hotel’ s
extensiv e Vi ctor ia n a r t coll ecti on.
When Ben Marcus bought The Pfister® Hotel in 1962, he had
a vision of restoring the hotel to its original splendor, which
included an expansive Victorian art collection. Since then,
The Pfister has become the most esteemed hotel property
in Milwaukee, and its commitment to the arts lives on.
In 19 95, R eg ina ld,h is w ife and two sons
mov ed to Chica go, Ill. T her e he b ega n a
car eer as a n o wner -oper ator for Ma son
Dixo n T ru ck ing w hil e conti nu ing to
pr odu ce or igina l ar twor k. He r etur ne d
to th e Milw au kee ar ea with h is fa mil y
in 1998 a nd o wns a stu dio i n dow ntow n
Milw aukee in th e Th ird War d – Mar sha ll
Bu ildi ng . He is r epre sente d by Su zanne
Zada of B ev erl y Hills, Ca lif, and R acqu el
Chev r emont of New York , NY.
THE PFISTER
When B en Ma rc
Hotel in 1963, h
The Pfister’s or
included a spec
Pfister Art Coll
o f mor e tha n 80
o f te n r efer r ed t
a rt coll ection of
w orl dwide .
Fr om Ado lph Sc
Knigh t, th e col l
pro minent a rtis
American. Piece
public areas of th
guests to a histo
l ike no other in
pr eser ve s the le
In fiscal 2009, The Pfister launched its Artist-in-Residency
program, which currently spotlights the work of local artist
Reginald Baylor and transforms part of the hotel’s gallery
space into a working studio. Hotel guests and community
residents alike are welcome to visit the hotel, meet Reginald
and watch the artist bring his pieces to life.
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O u r l o c at i o n s
Marcus Theatres®
Seventh largest theatre circuit in the U.S.
Average 12.5 screens per location
● 663 screens (owned or managed) at 53 locations
in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, North Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska
●
●
Marcus® Hotels and Resorts
Company-Owned Properties
● F
our Points by Sheraton Chicago Downtown/
Managed Properties
Magnificent Mile, Chicago, Ill.
Grand Geneva® Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva, Wis.
● Hilton Madison Monona Terrace, Madison, Wis.
● Hilton Milwaukee City Center, Milwaukee, Wis.
● Hotel Phillips, Kansas City, Mo.
● The Pfister® Hotel, Milwaukee, Wis.
● InterContinental Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wis.
● Skirvin Hilton, Oklahoma City, Okla.
● Brynwood
Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn, North Hollywood, Calif.
Country Club, Milwaukee, Wis.
● Crowne Plaza - Northstar, Minneapolis, Minn.
● Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington, Bloomington, Minn.
● Hilton Garden Inn-Houston Northwest, Houston, Texas
● The Platinum® Hotel & Spa, Las Vegas, Nev.
● Xona Resort Suites, Scottsdale, Ariz.
● Sheraton Clayton Plaza Hotel, St. Louis, Mo.
● Sheraton Madison Hotel, Madison, Wis.
● Timber Ridge Lodge and Water Park, Lake Geneva, Wis.
● Westin Columbus, Columbus, Ohio
● Orange Lake at Lake Geneva, Lake Geneva, Wis.
●
●
M a r c u s T h e at r e s ®
Other Operations
●
Wisconsin Hospitality Linen Service, Milwaukee, Wis.
From Our Valued Associates
Earlier in the year, every Marcus associate should have received a survey asking for your input for the 2009 Associate Annual Report. Thank you to everyone
who submitted responses! We wish we could share every one of your stories, but here are some that we thought you’d be especially interested in reading.
If you see your response here, you will receive a $25 Target gift card as a thank you. Gift cards will be sent to associates at their work location within the
next few weeks.
Describe an experience you had during the last year that
demonstrates The Marcus Corporation’s commitment to
its guests, associates and communities.
B ec k y R u d e , Lakes Theatre, Hermantown, Minn.
Our manager, Stefany Besse, along with the other two managers in
the area, put together a picnic for all of us associates as a gesture
of appreciation. They planned lunch, several fun events, games with
prizes and other giveaways for the event.
Peg g y L e e , Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Grand Geneva, Wis.
During a busy time at the ski hill, a disabled couple waited 45 minutes
for our trolley to take them back to their hotel room while their children
skied. I felt so bad for them that I escorted them back to their room
with my own car. They were extremely grateful and commented I was
like Jennifer Lopez’ character in Maid in Manhattan — going beyond
what’s expected to make a customer happy.
®
K i m B r ya n , Eastgate Cinema, Madison, Wis.
One of our assistant managers used her dollhouse-making skills to
recreate the house from Up. We sold the house to benefit Habitat for
Humanity. It was a huge success and we received a lot of positive
customer feedback on the effort.
K ath y Siford, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Grand Geneva, Wis.
Kelly Harris in the Grand Café always thinks ahead for her customers.
For example, a regular guest, Larry, was in with his wife to meet one
of his wife’s friends from college, who she hadn’t seen in over 15 years.
Larry came in to say hi and Kelly had two roses waiting – one for him to
give his wife, and one for his wife’s friend. Larry was thrilled and his
wife still talks about how thoughtful it was!
M a r y Sau n d e r s, Saukville Theatre, Saukville, Wis.
I started working for the company a couple of months before the new
X-Men movie was released. As a reward, our management planned a
special showing of the movie for the associates. It was such a simple
thing, but it made me and my colleagues feel very special.
Johanna Rahim, Marcus Theatres® Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis.
My manager and supervisor took me and a colleague out to eat to show
us that they value our hard work and dedication to the company.
M eg a n Sta n k u s, Four Points by Sheraton Chicago
Downtown/Magnificent Mile, Chicago, Ill.
Our hotel formed a team for the Breast Cancer Network of Strength Walk on
Mother’s Day. The team raised almost $4,200 for the cause. As captain of the
team, I was extremely proud of our efforts and teamwork. We are looking
forward to the walk next year and hope to raise even more for the cause.
M i c h a e l N e w m a n , Hilton Bloomington, Bloomington, Minn.
Our general manger, Jim Waldvogel, is always out on the floor, visiting
with our guests and talking with city groups and other clients doing
business with the hotel. I have never in my 15 years in the hotel business
seen a general manager so involved with client, city and guest relations.
Dav i d K n u dt s o n , Century 10, Fargo, N.D.
For over 30 years, I have volunteered for the Minnesota State University
in Moorhead, Minn., playing live music scores for classes that screen silent
films. The school is very well-known for its film studies program, and it’s
a wonderful way for me to combine and share my love of music with my
love of the movies – both new and old!
If you could share something about your experience as an
associate of The Marcus Corporation, what would it be?
E s t h e r B u r g e s o n , Parkwood Cinema, Waite Park, Minn.
I enjoy working for Marcus Theatres®. It’s been an honor and a pleasure
to work for a company that values and respects its employees, as well
as its customers.
S h aw n I n g r a m , Marcus Cinema, Addison, Ill.
I moved from the Pickerington Theatre to take a new position with
the Addison Cinema in June 2008 and Marcus made the entire process
seamless. John Brannan was awesome and very helpful, as well as
Kim Barengo and Jenny Brenkus.
Marcus ® Hotel s and Resor ts
Marcus
Rocks
2009 UPAF Campaign
The United Performing Arts Foundation, serving
southeastern Wisconsin, held its 2009 corporate giving
campaign in the spring, and The Marcus Corporation
stepped up in a very big way. Thanks to the support
of Marcus® Hotels and Resorts, Marcus Theatres® and
corporate headquarters associates, the company was
one of a select few that was able to increase its
corporate giving in 2009, compared to 2008!
In total, Marcus associates raised over $87,000 during
the UPAF campaign. Donations came in from over 750
associates, and many, many more participated in and
contributed to the special events that were held at the
Milwaukee-area hotels and at the corporate offices. The
Renaissance Cinema in Sturtevant, Wis., was the topdonating location in the 2009 campaign, and as a result,
earned an associate appreciation event for their generosity.
“These are outstanding results and we should all be very
proud of what we accomplished,” said Michael Kohler,
corporate counsel for The Marcus Corporation and chair of
the Marcus UPAF committee. “Thank you to everyone for
your creativity, enthusiasm and support for UPAF.”
A lyssa K a su l k e , South Shore Cinema, Oak Creek, Wis.
I’ve noticed that people meet their husbands and wives working here.
It seems that over the years, several colleagues have started dating
while working at the theatre and now are married and have families!
M o l ly Pe t e r s o n , Village Pointe Cinemas, Omaha, Neb.
I think Marcus Theatres is a great place to work. It’s a fun and welcoming
environment and I feel comfortable working with all the great people here.
Spe n c e r M a d e r , Rosemount Cinema, Rosemount, Minn.
Our associates always strive to help our customers in any way possible.
We work well together, always do our best, and even have fun.
S o n ja R h o d e s, Skirvin Hilton, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Our HR department is the best! They help us get involved with several
community organizations and I am so proud to be part of the Skirvin.
G a i l N e l s o n , The Pfister® Hotel, Milwaukee, Wis.
In the WELL® Spa, we often have guests who visit us on their birthday or
to indulge for a special anniversary. If we are aware of the occasion, it’s
an ongoing practice to surprise those guests after their visit with a small
treat, like a piece of dessert from one of our restaurants. The guests really
appreciate us going out of our way for them, and it’s the small things like
this that set Marcus apart.
Associates at the Renaissance Cinema were treated to an associate
appreciation event, complete with Clint Wisialowski, director of sales,
dressed as a ballerina for their “tu-tu kind” donations to UPAF.
5
T HE M ARCUS COR P ORA T ION
T h r e e g e n e r at i o n s , T w o b u s i n e s s e s , O n e c o m m i t m e n t
From Our Kitchens to Yours
Panzanella
Panzanella is a classic Italian
salad that is often referred
to as a “leftover salad.” Try
this hearty salad for a healthy
and delicious way to clean out
your refrigerator and get your
family eating vegetables. This
Steve Schnur
version of Panzanella was created by Mark Weber, executive
chef of The Marcus Corporation, and can be found on the menu
at the Zaffiro’s Pizzeria at the North Shore Cinema, where
Steve Schnur serves as the executive chef.
Chicken
Breasts alla
Margherita
Craig Summers,
executive chef at the
Hilton Madison Monona
Craig Summers
Terrace, recommends this
heart-healthy chicken dish for a quick dinner the whole
family will enjoy. Serve this dish with risotto or rice
and a fresh green vegetable.
Wellness Benefits
4 c. Roma tomatoes, sliced into wedges
Ground black pepper and salt (to taste)
2 c. cucumber, diced
Italian lettuce, washed
1/2 c. yellow onion, diced
2 oz. shaved parmesan cheese
1/4 oz. fresh basil, julienned (sliced into
thin strips)
12 sprigs fresh Italian parsley
4 oz. black pitted olives
4 oz. olive oil
1 tsp. garlic puree
6 oz. balsamic vinaigrette salad
dressing
4 c. croutons (homemade or store bought)
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. fresh ground pepper
4 T. butter
2 oz. sliced prosciutto
4 oz. Fontina cheese, thinly sliced
1/2 c. white wine
1/2 c. chicken broth
1 T. brandy (optional)
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Clean chicken. Combine the flour, salt and
pepper on a plate or shallow bowl and
lightly cover the chicken breasts with the
mixture. Heat the butter in a heavy skillet.
Cook the chicken slowly over medium-low
heat for 2-3 minutes. Do not overcook.
Remove from the heat and place chicken
Combine tomatoes, cucumbers, onion,
basil, parsley, olives, olive oil and garlic
puree in a bowl 30 minutes before
serving. When ready to serve, add
vegetable mixture and croutons to lettuce.
Toss with balsamic vinaigrette, mixing
lightly. Garnish with shaved parmesan.
Yields six two-cup servings.
in shallow, 2-quart glass baking dish. On
each piece of chicken, layer a thin slice
of prosciutto under a thin slice of Fontina
cheese.
In the pan with the brown juices leftover
from sautéing the chicken, add the wine,
chicken broth and brandy (optional).
Simmer until the liquid is reduced and
slightly thickened, about 5 minutes, stirring
frequently. Pour liquid into the baking
dish with the breasts.
Bake chicken, uncovered, for 15
minutes or until hot and bubbly.
NOTE: This dish may be
refrigerated after sautéing and
layering the chicken with the
cheese and prosciutto. Remove
the dish from the refrigerator 20
minutes before baking.
Reminder
The health and well-being of our associates is a top
priority for The Marcus Corporation. During the past few
years, we have worked diligently to launch and support
our ongoing wellness program, which includes initiatives
such as company-sponsored smoking cessation classes and
tools, free biometric testing and wellness discounts on our
benefit program premiums. The Marcus Corporation is also
a participating member of Wisconsin’s Wellness Council,
and is working with other Wisconsin-based companies
to build healthier communities through health promotion
programs in the workplace.
The Marcus Corporation’s human resources team wants to
remind all company associates that these wellness tools
are available for you! If you’re interested in learning more
about how you can take advantage of this great company
benefit, please contact your local HR person.
Spotted!
Several famous faces were spotted at Marcus® Hotels
and Resorts properties during fiscal 2009. Some of the
celebrity sightings were:
Rap artists Nellie and Akon were seen at the
Sheraton Clayton Plaza Hotel.
Several celebs were spotted at the Hotel Phillips, including Billy
Bob Thorton, Keith Urban, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, the American
Idol tour and the men’s and women’s U.S. Olympic gymnastic teams.
The Platinum® Hotel hosted Miley Cyrus and Carrie Underwood
during the year, and was also used to stage scenes for
Stephen King’s next movie, Dolan’s Cadillac,
starring Christian Slater.
Local Public Enemies Impact
75
The special advance screenings and the opening of Public Enemies were
especially important weekends for theatres in Wisconsin, as parts of the film
were shot in Madison, Milwaukee and Oshkosh. Wisconsin movie fans lined up
on opening weekend to see the movie and catch a glimpse of their hometown.
th
It’s Just Around the Corner
One of our theatres, the Marcus Cinema Oshkosh, worked with its community
to host a special Public Enemies event. Proceeds from the ticket sales went
to the Downtown Oshkosh fund, dedicated to supporting renovation efforts in
downtown Oshkosh. Local extras from the film came to the event in character
and dressed in their 1930s-style costumes to bring the “magic of the movies”
to life during the screening.
The Marcus Cinema Oshkosh hosted a special Public Enemies event, which was attended by
local extras from the movie.
In 2010, The Marcus Corporation will celebrate its 75th
anniversary! The company has grown dramatically since
1935 when Ben Marcus started the business with the
opening of a single movie theatre in Ripon, Wisconsin.
But one thing has stayed the same – the company’s
constant focus on its guests, communities and people.
We are planning several special events throughout 2010
related to this important milestone, so stay tuned for
more information about how you can help The Marcus
Corporation celebrate its 75th!
Our Communities can Count on Us
Marcus Theatres® is well known as a company that gives back to
its local communities, and in fiscal 2009, we continued to live up
to our reputation.
In Duluth, Minn., our associates at the Duluth Cinema teamed up with a
local theatre group called Renegade Comedy Theatre to raise money for the
non-profit organization. Duluth Cinema worked with Renegade members and a
local radio station to plan a weekend-long fundraising event called Dunk Tank
for Dink Tank, which was held in April. Moviegoers, theatre supporters and
community members were invited to see Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, starring
Matthew McConaughey, and buy tickets to send a Renegade volunteer or local
radio personality into a dunk tank. All the proceeds from the dunk-tank ticket
sales went to the non-profit group. As a result of the partnership with Marcus
Theatres, the Renegade Comedy Theatre was able to exceed their fundraising
goals and gained some valuable community exposure!
Associates at the Lincoln Grand in Lincoln, Neb., continued their theatre’s
longstanding partnership with the Nebraska Make-A-Wish chapter. The theatre
hosted a special event in conjunction with the opening of Hannah Montana:
The Movie in April, to help support Make-A-Wish. The Lincoln Grand and other
Marcus Theatres locations across Nebraska continued to solicit donations from
moviegoers throughout the summer and have
collectively raised almost $15,000 for wish
granting!
Campus Cinema in Ripon, Wisconsin
The 2009 Associate Annual Report was published by The Marcus
Corporation human resources department for company associates
and their families.
Duluth Cinema’s dunk tank fundraiser for Renegade
Comedy Theatre was a huge success and great for the
local community.
The Marcus Corporation
100 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1900
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
Marcus®, Marcus Theatres®, UltraScreen®, Grand Geneva® Resort &
Spa, Funset Boulevard®, The Pfister® Hotel, WELL Spa® & Salon and The
Platinum® Hotel are registered trademarks of The Marcus Corporation.
Zaffiro’sSM and thincredibleSM are trademarks of Zaffiro Pizza Company, LLC.
©2009 The Marcus Corporation. All rights reserved.
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