Kurt Cobain Watches “Smells Like Teen Spirit” For 1st Time @RSHotel
Brian & NYC Team Take Chevy Roadtrip to SXSWi
Posted on 08. Mar, 2010 by AdamWallace in Community
Brian Simpson (@bsimi) of the Roger Smith Hotel (@RSHotel) left today as captain for the New York team (#NYChaos) for the Chevy Road Trip to South By South West (#ChevySXSW). The team will be driving to Austin, TX and have to complete a series of challenges along to way and they are competing against teams from all other areas of the country.
The New York team, NYChaos, has four other people in addition to Brian: Jessica Randazza, Sarah Simmons, Nick Mcglynn, and Khayyam Wakil.
Stay in touch with the teams trip and adventures here: http://nychaos.tumblr.com/
Also become a fan of our Facebook Fan Page NYChaos
…and to all of our NYC friends coming to SXSWi please support us and help us win! There are bragging rights at stake here and we know none of you want to lose to Detroit, Chicago,
North Carolina, Florida, Atlanta… need we say more 
GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF THE SEVEN OTHER TEAMS !!!
- Team North Carolina: @jakrose @waynesutton @theRAB @nikisnotes
- Team Detroit: @balanon @bchesnutt @walkerau @davemurr
- Team Atlanta: @tessa @kimber_regator @linneamc @scott_regator @chris_regator
- Team Chicago: @timjahn@michaelcourier @pragerd @TheScottBishop
- Team Lansing: @betsyweber @callkathy @snagit @mulka
- Team San Diego: @brassfield @briandrandles @venesslynn @stolenumbrella @jessiemarcel
- Team Florida @tammycamp
Honored To Be A Shorty’s Finalist
Posted on 04. Mar, 2010 by BrianSimpson in Community, Hotel, Lily's Restaurant
A year ago Adam Wallace and I (Brian Simpson) and the TEAM at The Roger Smith Hotel barely knew what the Shorty Awards were and we sure in hell were not getting into the event! Note: Last year even Julia Roy was left in the cold, literally. Fast forward one year and we find ourselves one of five finalists in the category of Customer Service. Although the Shorty Awards are a Twitter based awards recognition, we at RSH know that customer service goes way beyond what can be conveyed in 140 characters. Our on-line presence has certainly been instrumental in finding new friends, converting them into guests and following up to ensure satisfaction. It is fitting that the day after the event Tamar Weinberg has a blog post that expresses this same message. Tamar quotes Joseph Jaffe as saying “Roger Smith Hotel, through their bevy of ‘humans,’ actually participates. They go out of their way to welcome any social media-initiated guests in person…”
OUR ROGER SMITH FAMILY
We were honored to be a part of The Shorty Awards and be listed in the Customer Service Category alongside:
and of course, and big congrats to, Winner ComcastBonnie
Thank you again to all that have supported us and make our jobs here at RSH more fun because we are surrounded by greatness everyday!
See you next year… with a lead image photo from behind the podium
Party For A Purpose ~ “Cents of Relief”
Posted on 01. Mar, 2010 by BrianSimpson in Community
Yesterday, via Twitter, I learned my friend John ‘Speed’ Raser was having an event here in NYC. I was bummed out when I realized the date conflicted with my trip to SXSWi. John is super excited to be having this event here in New York City and is anticipating a great turnout! Because of John’s passion and commitment to his friends I feel compelled to share his enthusiasm in a blog post. As a bonus I am including a great video from John’s YouTube channel… It has nothing to do with the event but everything to do with John and his awesomeness. Enjoy the video and please come out to support John and his friends on March 11th.
Cents of Relief (501c3) was founded by John Raser’s highschool buddy, Anup Patel and his fiance Rina Patel to help provide healthcare to women and children caught up in human trafficking / sex trade. John says “Anup is one of the most brilliant, hard-working, and compassionate people I have ever come to know.”
He credits his fiance, Rina, as being the driving force behind the organization. “She is such a strong, sweet, and dedicated woman.” says Anup. I’m happy to help such unselfish and deserving friends.
If you live in New York City, or will be there March 11, 2010, we would love it if you came out to support this worthy cause. I mean it’s at Jay Z’s 40/40 Club and tickets are only $25 bucks in advance ($30 at the door). Not to mention there is a free vodka hour and free Aveda mini day spa included! Need I say more?!?! I’ll be there with some friends from Orlando and would love to throw back some Cristal with you!
You can buy tickets here
Meet Marc Vilalta
Posted on 28. Feb, 2010 by admin in Community
Marc is a member of the Roger Smith Community who will be actively creating content for the Roger Smith Social Media program at the Roger Smith Hotel. Reporting from Spain Marc will be encouraging global engagement. His return to the Roger Smith Culture after being an intern for almost two years is exciting.
@highville on twitter, Marc is a Roger Smith Super Star. The quote below was recently posted to his tumblr.com account and provides a bit of insight into his sensibilities.
“Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteers be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.”
—
If You Can Raed Tihs, You Msut Be Raelly Smrat
(via bcnnyc)
You should follow Marc and engage with him online. By participate in the growing culture that is Roger Smith you are contributing to its global buzz. Post a comment and share with a friend. Thanks for engaging.
John Knowles
Killington, Okemo & Ski Vermont Tweet-Up
Posted on 24. Feb, 2010 by BrianSimpson in Community
Thursday February 25th 6-8 p.m.
Join Killington Resort, Okemo and Ski Vermont for a New York City après at the Roger Smith Hotel. We’ll talk about how much snow is falling on two of Vermont’s best mountains while we are in the City drinking and talking about skiing and riding, and why we all need to get out of the City for the weekend and enjoy a Powder Day!
2 for 1 vouchers, free passes, wearables and much more!
Although there may not be any snow on the ground here in NYC…Check out the LIVE view from Killington Mountain, VT !
Also take advantage of Henry’s Birthday Room Special
Click on my tummy for my special discount code
$99 Now – March 3rd !
A Picture Is Worth A Thousand ‘Check-Ins’
Posted on 20. Feb, 2010 by BrianSimpson in Community, Hotel, Lily's Restaurant
Last Thursday afternoon I received a call from my friend Julia Roy. Julia had been approached by Susan Dominus, of The New York Times, to participate in an article Susan was doing on the social network FourSquare. Julia asked if it would be O.K. to do the interview at Roger Smith Hotel. Her reasoning was to hopefully include other FourSquare users in the article. (on most nights there is someone here “Checking-In” on FourSquare) This gesture alone shows why people like Julia excel in social media. FourSquare is a way of sharing your dining, shopping, traveling, museum hoping, train riding and sight seeing experiences with other people.
FourSquare is about the strength of community. To quote Kenneth Hartley Blanchard “None of us is as smart as all of us.” Julia could have done the interview on her own and it would have been great. She would have shared it, the twitterverse would have re-tweeted it and the world would continue to spin about one thousand miles per hour. Instead, Julia recognizes the greater strength and potential energy of community. Everyone has an audience: Damien consults on building your companies brand. Clay has studied under Seth Godin and now assists a variety of businesses with their overall strategies. Jill has a loyal community on YouTube as a videographer that surpasses most of its users. I (Brian Simpson) work at Roger Smith, a hotel that has become a go-to business for all types of social media personalities.
Collectively the story became what platforms like FourSquare stand for… connecting friends and strangers with commonalities to create conversation.
Jill Hanner's NYSC Mayorship
It was a great night and we at The Roger Smith Hotel wanted to thank Julia for including us. I/we would also like to thank Jill, Clay and Damien for sharing their unique and individual insights as to why FourSquare is important to them.
“Beyond Twitter: An App That Truly Lets You See City”
JOIN FOURSQUARE NOW: Here
Susan Dominus
Special thanks to: Susan Dominus, writer for the NYT and Nicole Tung Photographer for the NYT
One Night Only a Benefit for Haiti
Posted on 16. Feb, 2010 by aleksdegtyarev in Arts, Community
February 21, 2010 7pm-12am
Roger Smith Hotel | 501 Lexington Ave. New York, NY
16th Floor Solarium Gallery
$20 suggested donation
As Social Media Enthusiasts, The Finderz enjoys doing their “Social Good”. We find what’s interesting in the world and on the internet – which includes finding causes we want to support. After the tragedy in Haiti, we want to gather our resources & spread the word about helping out.
Since the Roger Smith Hotel is so socially connected, we’re honored to partner with them in our endeavor to collect unused or unwanted clothing for Haiti. We’ll be distributing donations to the Red Cross, Yele, and other charitable foundations.
Join us for a night of “social good” with a taste of the arts, drinks, & good company!
————
Dee Nuncio
Social Media Adviser & Writer
Half-to-Help has teamed up with the Roger Smith Hotel, Panman Productions, and Action Against Hunger | ACF-USA to bring you our first Haiti relief art show and concert. The benefit will begin at 7pm. Musicians Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys and Charlene Kaye will be performing. Exhibiting artists include Carl Avidano, Lazarus Nazario, and Shawn Taylor. The artists are donating half of the net proceeds from any art sale to support Haiti earthquake survivors via Action Against Hunger | ACF-USA. $20 suggested donation at the door. 100% of suggested donations will go to Action Against Hunger | ACF-USA for Haiti relief.
Live Video Performance collaboration by FreakCast.
Music:
Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys
Artists:
Sponsors:
Action Against Hunger | ACF-USA
Live Video:
Beauty Pearls For Chemo Girls Fashion Show
Posted on 04. Feb, 2010 by BrianSimpson in Community, Hotel, fashion
What comes to mind when someone mentions cancer to you? I (Brian Simpson) am a cancer survivor and my first thoughts range from being bald to living on the bathroom floor. When I observe conversations about cancer I see sullen faces and hear tones of empathy. Thankfully people like Debbie Kiederer and Marybeth Maida look at the world through rose colored glasses. They have collaborated on an amazing book, a book that sends a message much bigger than its pages. “Beauty Pearls For Chemo Girls” is a book to inspire, educate and encourage woman who have to go through the ordeal of cancer treatment and the angelic people that stay by their sides and assist.
On Thursday, February 11th, BP4CG will be hosting a wonderful evening at The Roger Smith Hotel. From designers to make-up artists the night will consist of ‘making-over’ two strong and courageous women currently undergoing cancer treatment.
Debbie and Marybeth are two women that we respect and support for all their efforts in such an important yet difficult arena.
Click on the link for all the details and to register for the event – we hope to see you here. If you can’t make it please spread the word, follow them on Twitter and become fans of their Facebook page.
The Noel Foundation and Beauty Pearls for Chemo Girls invite you to celebrate and support women facing cancer with our first ever chemo girl makeover fashion show.
February 11, 2010
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Roger Smith Hotel
501 Lexington Avenue
New York City
Join us for cocktails, food, fashion and fun featuring expert advice from the groundbreaking new book and community website Beauty Pearls for Chemo Girls — live streaming video coverage to the street and the web.
Come meet Louis Philippe and Christine DeAngelo — two of our Beauty Pearls Experts.
Goody bags include a signed copy of the Beauty Pearls for Chemo Girls book with chocolates* to celebrate the Valentine’s tradition.
Show the Love!
Proceeds will benefit the Noel Foundation
The NOEL Foundation was created to commemorate the extraordinary life of Noel de Caprio. Faced with spectacular success and frightening challenges, Noel always maintained a creative, courageous approach to life. Faced with obstacles or told that “things look bad”, she would smile and politely ignore the message. Regardless of the situation, she had an uncanny ability to turn disaster into opportunity. Her inspiration remains. Her charm still lingers. Her presence is missed. And so, to encourage that same, slightly irreverent behavior in others and to ease the financial pressures that usually accompany the physical realities of living with cancer, The NOEL Foundation was founded. We help cancer survivors with quality of life issues. This is a local foundation that helps within this community. We have a volunteer board and all monies donated find their way to people who need our help.
B.WËLL
In a medical setting that sometimes loses humanity in the interest of expediency, b.wëll seeks to bolster spirit and encourage strength. b.wëll’s immediate concerns are the physical changes that often occur during treatment. Our staff are experts in the design and care of wigs, and can also help with skin care and makeup to minimize the obvious signs of treatments. b.wëll also offers wellness services that have proved to be effective allies during treatment. It is our profound hope that b.wëll will someday be out of business. For information concerning our work…203.321.1469 x339…wig consultations can also be scheduled through our reservation line at 203.322.3445.
To learn more about Noelle, visit www.noelle.com
To learn more about Beauty Pearls for Chemo Girls, visit our website at www.beautypearlsforchemogirls.com
Beauty Pearls for Chemo Girls Event Details and Registration
Marybeth & Debbie
Marybeth Maida is a journalist and breast cancer survivor who has worked in television, film and web for more than 20 years. She is Chief Operating and Strategy Officer for Public News Service, an independent, state based network dedicated to producing news in the public interest; President of the Beauty Foundation for Women’s Cancer Care, and vice president of the Red Bank Borough Education Foundation. Marybeth lives in New Jersey with her husband and children.
Debbie Kiederer is a 25 year veteran of the retail cosmetics industry, a digital strategist, and Founder and Principal of ChalkDust Consulting. She is an executive board member of the Hunt Hill Farm Trust, Skitch Henderson’s Cultural Center; an advisory board member of the New Canaan YMCA Diving Parents’ Association; board member of the Beauty Foundation for Women’s Cancer Care, and a
member of Cosmetic Executive Woman (CEW) and the Metropolitan Executive and Professional
Registry. Debbie lives in New York with her husband and children.
From Hackers to Brand Evangelist; Tormod Askildsen tells a story about LEGO
Posted on 02. Feb, 2010 by AdamWallace in Community
When I (Adam Wallace) was recently in Amsterdam representing the Roger Smith Hotel at Enterprise Social 2.0 I had the pleasure to meet Tormod Askildsen and hear his great story of how they created an extremely loyal community of fans, by during around a situation that initially seemed very negative for the company.
Tormod Askildsen is the Senior Director for Community Development at LEGO. He tells a story of how LEGO’s software got hacked in the 1990’s and the way that this threatened the company. Eventually they started to realize that they could leverage this excitement and new use of their tools that their fans were doing. They made a big turn around and ended up engaging their fans and creating a whole vibrant scene and community of LEGO enthusiasts.
Roger Smith in Madrid: Cornell GMP Dinner
Posted on 30. Jan, 2010 by AdamWallace in Community
Hi everyone, this is Ek Wongleecharoen from the Roger Smith Hotel. This time, I got back from FITUR in Madrid, where I joined members of the Cornell General Managers Program from the class of 2004, 2008, and 2009. It was wonderful to be able to reach out to the other members of Cornell GMP. There is nothing better than extending our circle. When people get together once in a while, good always happens.
We are here to share our experiences, our thoughts, and our friendship. Sky is the limit. If any of you are coming to New York City, please come and say hello to me at the Roger Smith Hotel. My door is always open and I will always have time for my friends.
