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Hospitality Industry Leader Thomas Penny's Story
Thomas Penny is the president of Donohoe Hospitality Services. He operates a portfolio of eleven business class hotels in partnership with Marriott, Hilton and InterContinental Hotels Group. He is a very busy man who serves on various boards such as the American Experience Foundation, education think tank NAF, DC Central Kitchen, Raise DC, Global Scholars Foundation, DC Public Education Fund and more. Mr. Penny has an inspiring life story. He started off as a dishwasher and then became a van driver, restaurant supervisor, restaurant manager and a food and beverage instructor. He was a young kid who had determination and many managers saw this in him. Mr. Penny was born in Washington, DC and was raised in Seat Pleasant and Temple Hills. Growing up in this area was rough, at the time it was an unsafe neighborhood. He attended high school at Crossland and was the first to graduate from high school in his family. At the same time as his graduation, Mr. Penny’s brother died. This was a very traumatic experience for him, but he let the pain from his brother’s death fuel his ambition to become successful and to make him proud. He made a commitment to his brother that inspires him to this day. Aside from his brother motivating him, his parents motivate him as well. They both worked incredibly hard and he cherishes all his parents’ sacrifices saying, “My parents and my brother are my greatest source of inspiration." His leadership abilities have definitely shined during this pandemic. Hotel revenues are down 80%-90% at his hotels. This is the most challenging time in Mr. Penny’s career. It’s inspiring hearing about Mr. Penny waking up at 6:30 a.m. every day during quarantine and attending different types of meetings to persist through this pandemic. He works at his laptop for the majority of the day and doesn’t end work until late at night. Mr. Penny and his team have provided temporary hotel housing for health care workers. He says, “I feel like doctors are doing so much and I was motivated by the understanding that no matter what condition we find ourselves in, there is always something to give.” Mr. Penny’s favorite quote is by Dr. Lerone Bennett: “Whatever you’re doing, you’re not doing enough. Whatever you’re thinking, you’re not thinking enough. Whatever you’re reading, you’re not reading enough. Whatever you’re writing, you’re not writing enough. Do more, think more, read more, write more, achieve more.” Mr. Penny applies this quote to his life thoroughly. He believes he has more to accomplish in life and he has a burning desire to learn more. He is excited for my generation and looks forward to guiding us along our career path. “There’s still quite a bit to be done.” I was honored to have talked to Mr. Penny, and have learned a big lesson during my interview with him: Resilience and determination can get you anywhere in life. Hearing Mr. Penny’s story was very motivating – not only is he successful, but he is humble and a leader. His last words for me were “invade the impossible.” I will definitely keep that in mind while exploring different walks of life around me and stepping toward my future.
How Associations Can Help Shift the Narrative on Climate and Galvanize Action
Surili Sutaria Patel Former Director, Center for Climate, Health and Equity, American Public Health Association Key Takeaways: Climate change is negatively impacting the lives, livelihoods and health of families across the world. Further, climate change exacerbates health inequities, disproportionately harming the most vulnerable among us. But there are actions we can all take to improve health conditions: Make climate-healthy choices, easy and accessible choices. Raise awareness of how climate change can impact the health of your staff and community so that they can take actions to protect themselves and their health. Look for green alternatives when planning your next meeting or event. Please join us in being a part of the solution. Additional Resources: Greening Your Meetings and Conferences Guide https://www.apha.org/climate
How Can I Tour the Monuments & Memorials in Washington, DC?
Touring DC’s iconic attractions When you come to DC, especially if you’re a first-time visitor, it’s likely that our world-famous monuments and memorials will be at the top of your must-see list. Most of these major attractions are located on the National Mall, which extends from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, with many of them running along Constitution Avenue. Many of the monuments and memorials are open 24-hours a day, 365-days-a-year and you do not need to make advance reservations. These include the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, National World War II Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the FDR Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. These National Park Service (NPS)-run memorials are usually staffed by NPS Rangers who can answer your questions from 9:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Rangers also conduct various tours and special programming throughout the year. Visit the National Mall calendar page for more information. Tours that require tickets There are several major attractions that do require advance tickets. These tickets are usually free or have a minimal charge. Tickets are required to go to the top of the recently reopened Washington Monument. Tickets may be ordered online for tour dates up to 90 days in advance, while additional tickets listed as "Not Yet Released" are made available the day prior to the desired tour date at 10 a.m. EST. Same-day tickets are also available on a first-come, first-served basis daily starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Washington Monument Lodge, located on 15th Street between Madison Drive NW and Jefferson Drive SW. Tours of the U.S. Capitol also need to be arranged in advance. Free reservations can be made via the visitthecapitol.gov website. Guided tours begin at the Capitol Visitor Center and include a 13-minute intro film, along with visits to the Crypt, the Rotunda and National Statuary Hall. Visitors can also request a staff-led tour through their Senator or Congress person. When court is not in session, visitors can take free, self-guided tours of the Supreme Court. Trained docents are on-hand to give courtroom lectures every 30-minutes from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. Visitors are also invited to attend oral arguments when court is in session. These seats are extremely limited. Visitors must wait in line the morning of a courtroom session. See the Visitor’s Guide to Oral Arguments page for more information. Admission to both the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (see where U.S. dollars are made!) and the National Archives (home of the original U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights) are free and open to the public. In busier months, you’ll need to queue in an outdoor line to get inside. Please visit our touring the White House guide for more information on booking a tour (Note: these tours must be booked well in advance). Great options for guided tours The highly acclaimed Unlimited Biking offers daily, three-hour guided bicycle tours of the monuments with stops at all of the major attractions along the National Mall. Unlimited Biking also offers tours after dark so that visitors can experience magnificent views of the attractions illuminated at night. Big Bus Tours offers open-top sightseeing tours of the National Mall. Enjoy 24 or 48-hour hop-on, hop-off tours of the city's iconic landmarks. Along the way, you can learn about the city's history while listening to the entertaining and informative commentary. Your hop-on, hop-off ticket also allows you to exit the bus to explore and visit attractions up-close. Get an exclusive discount and save big on your next Big Bus Tour. Just enter the promotional code VISITDC for the best available deal and start exploring the nation's capital. Adventure DC Tricycle Tours offers live and entertaining historical narration as they transport you via pedicab to each monument and memorial. You can enjoy a customized tour that is pet-, child-, and mobility-impaired-friendly. Additionally, private golf cart and electric scooter tours are available. Public scooter tours are open to the general public on Saturdays, with limited availability. The code "DCFUN" will secure a discount on the public scooter tour. Cruise around the nation's capital in style on Washington, DC Urban Adventures' unique electric vehicles, where you can see the monuments and memorials on the National Mall by day or night. For a truly unique way to see the city, Capital Segway Tours offers guided experiences of the National Mall and surrounding sites. Visitors glide across town on a Segway, all while taking in the sites of Washington, DC. DC by Foot offers free, tip-based walking tours of Washington, DC. These informative tours are conducted by expert guides who make it fun and educational. In addition to the National Mall, DC by Foot takes visitors to the Tidal Basin, Pennsylvania Avenue and Capitol Hill. Visitors can also learn all about President Lincoln’s assassination or about Washington’s secrets and scandals. Contact Fiat Luxe Tours for an exciting private tour experience along the National Mall. Whether you want to learn the history of DC's most iconic landmarks or find the most perfect photo-ops, Fiat Luxe Tours has a tour for you. The company also conducts custom-made tours, too.
How Can I Tour the White House in Washington, DC?
Requesting a White House tour Touring the White House requires some advance planning. Public tour requests must be made through your member of Congress (find your member of Congress and contact information) and submitted up to three months in advance and no less than 21 days prior to your visit. If you're an international visitor and wish to schedule a tour, please contact your home country’s embassy in Washington, DC. You are encouraged to submit your tour request as early as possible as tours fill up quickly and a limited number of spaces are available. Tours are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. All White House tours are free. Please note tours are subject to last-minute cancellations based on the official White House schedule. Public, self-guided tours are 45 minutes and are run between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays unless otherwise noted. For complete details on White House tours, visit the White House tours and events page or call the White House Visitors Office 24-hour information line at (202) 456-7041. The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. What to expect on a White House tour If there is a tour slot available during your visit to DC, you will be given a specific date and time to arrive and be instructed on where to check in. All guests over 18 years old will be required to present a valid, government-issued photo ID upon check-in. Foreign nationals must present their passport. Please bring as little as possible (avoid backpacks, food, large handbags, bottled water, etc.). Note that smartphones and compact cameras with a lens no longer than 3 inches are permitted on the public tour route, but video recording devices and flash photography are not allowed inside the White House. Visitors will go through security prior to entering the White House. There are no restrooms available at the White House. The closest restroom is located at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion nearby. Public tours of the White House include the public rooms in the East Wing, which includes the Blue Room, Red Room and Green Room; the State Dining Room; the China Room; and a view of the White House Rose Garden. Secret Service members are stationed in each room and are available to answer questions about the history and architecture of each room. You can also visit the White House Visitor Center before or after your tour. How to get to the White House The closest Metro stations to the White House are Federal Triangle (Blue and Orange lines), Metro Center (Blue, Orange and Red lines) and McPherson Square (Blue and Orange lines). Please note there is NO PARKING near the White House. Public transportation is strongly encouraged. How to tour the White House Garden Another opportunity to visit the White House is to attend either its fall or spring garden tour. Check whitehouse.gov in early October and April. The announcement of the garden tours is usually made within a week or two of when they take place. Garden tours generally run for two consecutive days. They may be canceled due to poor weather. A ticket is required for all attendees (including small children). Usually, tickets are distributed by the National Park Service at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion on 15th and E streets NW on each tour day beginning at 9 a.m. Review the announcement for specific details. Will I still be able to see the White House without going on a tour? While visitors are not allowed entry to the White House without requesting a tour through your congressional representative, you will still be able to see the White House from Pennsylvania Avenue NW at Lafayette Square and view the White House and the South Lawn from the Ellipse. Please note that a new fence is currently under construction at the White House, as the current 6-foot fence is being replaced by a stronger, wider fence that will be 13 feet. Where can I store my belongings during the tour? It is important to note that security at the White House is extremely high. If your hotel is nearby, we suggest leaving your belongings in your room during the tour. If this is not possible, there are a few other options. You can designate one member of your tour group to hold everyone’s belongings. That person can take the self-guided tour once his or her group has finished the tour. If you're a ticketed Amtrak customer, you may be able to check luggage in advance at Union Station. These are located near Gate A. Lockers are available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. A photo ID is required and lockers must be paid for via cash or credit in advance. Rates are $3-$6 per hour per bag depending on the size of your bag. For questions on bag storage, please call 202-906-3000. Catch up on White House history with the free podcast The 1600 Sessions and enhance your trip with the White House Experience app from the White House Historical Association. The app offers three tour experiences, including a virtual tour of the White House (with rooms you normally don't see on the tour), a neighborhood walking tour and a room-by-room guide for visitors on an in-person tour of the White House. Now that you have read up on the White House, explore DC’s other awesome monuments and memorials.
