by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
NFL players say they love being on Monday Night Football because when they are, they’re on center stage.
That level of attention also helps business at the local hotels, especially hotels that specialize in catering to the needs of business travelers. Sunday nights can be the slowest of the week and check-ins don’t usually peak until late in the day Tuesday.
“It can be a soft night, so we love Monday Night Football. It means we will sell out,” said Wendy Priesand, the Omni’s director of Sales and marketing.
She added it’s not just rooms – Monday Night Football fans also like to eat and drink when they’re on the road following their team.
“We’ll do great business in the bar before the game and Tuesday morning breakfast is always big,” she said.
Being the hotel closest to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, the staff at the Hyatt plans the last four months of the year around football games. As soon as the NCAA and NFL schedules are released, they can tell you certain dates when there will be no rooms available unless you book months in advance.
“We’re always sold out when Monday Night Football is here,” said Lindsay Waldrop, individual travel sales manager at the Hyatt, who added, “The Colts travel well, so we’re always sold out even if it’s a Sunday game. That makes this one a double whammy.”
Across the river on the Southbank, the Crowne Plaza is also gearing up and getting everything ready for Colts fans. Some additional interior decorating is planned just for the occasion, said Director of Sales and Marketing Janice Dailey.
“We love the Colts fans, but we’ll be all teal here at the hotel when they arrive,” she said.
“We’re booked about half groups and half individual travel for Sunday and Monday nights. We know the majority of our single-room bookings are because Monday Night Football is here.”