Top Team Member: Mat Euretig – Holiday Inn Desert Club Resort, Las Vegas
As the Manager of Activities and Events at the 658-unit Holiday Inn Club Vacations Desert Club Resort in Las Vegas, Mat Euretig has transformed his resort’s activities program from a moderately used option to a full-fledged daily entertainment and exercise activities center. But that’s only part of his story!
After serving 4-years in the famed US Army 82nd Airborne Division – including a 15-month deployment to Iraq – Mat truly understands the benefits of discipline. “Serving in the Army gave me a ton of perspective,” he explains. “It helped me understand the importance of getting things done right away and correctly. Few jobs in the civilian world are tougher than field time and military deployments, so in comparison you realize the real benefits of this type of career. You also learn how to keep yourself composed and not react too strongly to any adverse circumstances that come your way and to complete the mission, no matter what.”
All of this is perfectly natural to Mat as an “Army Brat” who was raised on military bases all over the country as his dad, brothers, and uncles were also career military, helping install a strong work ethic.
In his current position for nearly two years, Mat previously worked as a pre-teen program director at Nellis AFB Youth Center in Nevada and was activities supervisor and an F&B assistant manager at Wyndham Grand Desert in Las Vegas, NV. He earned a BS in Recreation and Sports management from UNLV and is married with two children. He loves sports, outdoor activities, and is involved in coaching youth sports including basketball, baseball and flag football.
With so many fun things for owners to do in Vegas, how does Mat keep his owners participating in resort activity programs? He accomplishes this by offering things at his property they can’t find anywhere else in Vegas. He established popular weekly magic shows, introduced free popcorn hour in his lobby during peak check-in times, free BINGO where guests can win money, and coordinated live music and karaoke events.
With his team of four activity professionals, Mat guides other programs like Zumba fitness classes, yoga, water aerobics, arts and crafts, ping pong and air hockey tournaments, Family Feud, Minute-To-Win-It, trivia, and water volleyball. There were 2035 participants in July 2018, with a monthly average of about 1000 guests
“Our programs are intentionally inclusive for everyone – no matter their age or mobility levels. We provide a welcoming, fun environment with little to no cost for all of our activities,” says Mat. “I love the fact that we can have a positive impact on people’s lives and hearing later that a family loved their vacation because of what we provided them. We see some owners up to four times a year; many come to our activity center as soon as they check in just to say hi.”
To keep his guests on their toes, every morning he creates a positive guest experience by leading a power walk across the resort’s beautiful 20 acres. During this walk, he enjoys one-on-one time with guests, making suggestions for dining, and shows to see. As one of the Certified Academy Trainers on property, he facilitates orientation and other classes and is the resort Corporate Social Responsibility Ambassador, coordinating all campaigns. Mat has collected over $7000 in donations for Toys for Tots, Breast Cancer Awareness, local elementary schools, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth and various events for Christel House, giving back to his resort, organization, and community. His efforts have been acknowledged by Holiday Inn Club Vacations by naming him his resort’s Heart Travels Ambassador and honoring him with their highest award, the Wilson Award, named after company founder Kemmons Wilson.
Congratulations to this military veteran for continuing to serve his company by helping resort guests enjoy fabulous vacations, year after year!
cell 702 480-7630 MEuretig@holidayinnclub.com
