TORGERSON

PROPERTIES

INNSIDE

FALL / WINTER 2012

Heart & Soul!

TPI recognizes the Heart & Soul of the team - page 3

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: TPIhonored by The Arc of Minnesota Where is your retirement plan? 2012 Humanitarian award Dave Zellmers 25 years A Hurricane arrives! Whatever it takes... A look back in time The TPIcelebration TPI Scholarships Inn The News

TPIs 2012 Heart & Soul award recipients Malee Wolf and Cassie Gaul

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The holidays are quickly upon us and the seasons have changed again, I think winter has arrived. This is a time when all of your warmth and personality can really be impactful. Its a great time to cheer people up with the memorable meal experience and the outstanding hospitality you always deliver!
Tom Torgerson Chief Executive Officer Torgerson Properties, Inc.

It is also the time of year we are deep into developing our operations plans for the next year. As 2012 has unfolded, we have seen a slowing down of revenue as the year burns on. Your managers are proposing to Mitch and me that this slower revenue stream will continue thru 2013 as they budget only 0% to 2% increases. I think we all realize that 0% to 2% revenue growth does not keep up with increasing commodity prices and human resource costs. Food and fuel are two of the highest increase areas recently. We are very fortunate to have some relief due to lower interest rates on loans that are maturing this year and next. However, the net result shows our 2013 operating budgets to be very tight. We are still working hard on trying to create more jobs. At this point, it looks promising that we will have three large projects begin construction in April. The projects are the Homewood Suites in Rochester, the Hampton Inn and Suites in Minnetonka and the Willmar Legacy Property Repositioning. Additionally, in February, we will open our second Hurricane Grill & Wings location; this one is in Minnetonka. We are shopping for more Hurricane locations, and have three other hotel projects in the development pipeline. Those potential projects are in west Bloomington, Roseville and Wayzata.

Mitch Peterson President of Operations Torgerson Properties, Inc.

With another summer behind us it is now time to brace for the winter months and look to what we are hopeful will be a successful new year. Speaking of successes, I would like to congratulate each of the award winners from our recent TPIAwards Ceremony held in New Ulm. Also, kudos to the entire New Ulm team for successfully hosting the event. Your attention to detail and spirit of hospitality were greatly appreciated.

There was a new twist at this years event with the addition of a professional speaker. This change was clearly the highlight for everyone in attendance. Walter Bond, former Minnesota Gophers basketball and NBA player, offered some incredible insights into leadership and accountability. Of all the speakers that I have heard throughout my career, Walter has to be the most down to earth and relatable presenter I have experienced. He spoke about a number of key characteristics that lead to both individual and organizational success. One of the most prominent points that Walter spoke about was the amazing power of the likeability factor. The likeability factor refers to our ability to be friendly, empathetic and genuine. There is tremendous power in possessing these key personal characteristics. In reality, they are the foundation for achieving success at any level in life. For over ninety minutes, Walter smiled the majority of the time as he was speaking. His smile had all of us fully engaged in his message. He asked one simple, fundamental, question, Do you brighten a room when you enter it, or when you leave it? Obviously, those that truly understand this concept always brighten a room, and they are much more likely to succeed as a result. As a company, we are in the midst of examining the value of the likeability factor as it relates to our overall success. We are beginning to look into how we can incorporate, evaluate, and leverage this concept to our advantage. Most certainly, one application that we can clearly see that has value is in the area of recruiting and hiring. For years it has been a core belief of ours that we can train the mechanics of a job, but we cannot train, or mold, a personality. It is more obvious to us than ever before that we need to have a high priority on recruiting, hiring, and evaluating individuals based on their potential. Simply put, it means placing less emphasis on what a potential associate is today, and more emphasis on what we believe they can be in the future. I suspect that what we learned from Walter will significantly begin to alter TPIs philosophies today, and for many years to come. As always, this is my opportunity to thank each of you for your great contributions to TPI. You are an awesome team and I am proud to be associated with you. Heres wishing you and yours a fantastic Holiday season! P.S. Dont forget to smile! ~ Mitch

An initiative that you may not all be aware of is our TPI general manager council, which we created three years ago. This initiative provides eight general managers with the opportunity to be elected by their peers and serve a two-year term. The council meets quarterly with the TPI corporate team to examine issues facing our businesses. An example of topics discussed include items such as our performance and compensation plan, benefits, safety, engagement surveys or policy changes. Recently, the council spent a great deal of time becoming familiar with the Affordable Health Care Act. It is nice to gain as much perspective as possible and together mold our own internal policies and plans as to how we move forward as a company. An awful lot of good has come out of this council! The times have been extremely challenging to say the least, and working together towards a common end becomes all the more important. Thank you for all you do to make TPI, for a third year running, one of the Best Places To Work in Minnesota. And, thank you for all you do to cause our great guest responses on the social media networks, along with the many awards that have been bestowed upon our businesses and company as a whole this last year. Thank you for being on this great TPI team! ~ Tom

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Torgerson Properties honors its Heart & Soul
Cassie Gaul and Malee Wolf are recognized for thier amazing commitment

Mitch Peterson and Tom Torgerson present the 2012 TPI Heart & Soul award to Cassie Gaul from Perkins Austin. Below is her nomination letter submitted by the Perkins Austin team.

Mitch Peterson and Tom Torgerson present the 2012 TPIHeart & Soul award to Malee Wolf from Comfort Inn/Hampton Inn Fairmont. Below is her nomination letter submitted by the Fairmont team.

When Cassie Gaul joined the Perkins Austin team, we knew right away that she was a great addition. She was warm and welcoming to both guests and employees, and she brought her A game to every shift. Cassie has a strong commitment to making our team better by upholding standards. She is dedicated to our team and to our guests. Rarely does a shift pass that Cassie doesnt sincerely state I love my job. To Cassie, every shift provides another opportunity to wow the guest. She is great at doing the little things that make guest service outrageous. She makes the meal an experience with things like offering a balloon to every child every night and not just on kids night, going out of her way to make sure that a particular ladys soup is always extra hot, asking about a regular customers sick mother, singing to the birthday girl, and the list goes on and on. Cassie takes the time to make a personal connection with her guests. She genuinely cares that they get more than just food, and her guests know it. Our guests often tell us how awesome, great, or super their server Cassie was. As a supervisor, Cassie focuses on helping her fellow associates develop their skills through well-organized pre-shift meetings and ongoing individual coaching. If a teammate needs help, Cassie is often the first to know and assist. When shifts need covering, Cassie can be counted on to do it with a smile. Each morning following Cassies shift there is a note in the office from Cassie saying, If you need anything just call. Helping her fellow employees extends beyond Cassies scheduled hours. She has been known to babysit, dog sit, provide counsel in hard times, and even volunteer her boyfriend to repair cars, lawnmowers and bicycles. Having Cassie on our team has made us stronger. Her great attitude, love of her job, and love of people make her a joy to work with and make her the Heart & Soul of Perkins Austin.

Malee Wolf began working for Torgerson Properties as a Room Attendant at Super 8 Fairmont in 2008. In 2010, she joined the teams at Hampton Inn Fairmont and Comfort Inn Fairmont, where she is currently a Housekeeping Supervisor. Malee is without a doubt one of the hardest working people in our company. She is like a tornado when it comes to housekeeping services. She is constantly moving and always has three things in her hands. Malee is helping the Hampton Inn and Comfort Inn teams to continually improve the cleanliness and teamwork at our Fairmont locations. She always does a great job of training our new associates and she constantly seeks new ways to help our guests. Malee not only works full time for Torgerson properties, but she has a second full time job. Her work ethic and commitment to others is what makes her such an amazing asset to the Fairmont team. Malee loves spending time with her daughter and working in her large garden. She is truly one of a kind and we are thankful we get to work with her every day. Thank you, Malee, for being our Heart & Soul!

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Arc Minnesota supports Minnesotans with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Erickson said. "A number of times, within two to five years, there's a management change and jobs get eliminated. Or the new people that come on are not comfortable with people with disabilities, or the job description 'changes,' and the person is let go. So being almost 25 years at the same job is unusual." Mr. Thompson said, "I get along with everybody, and it's a good-paying job. They keep giving me raises, they have been supportive and there has always been recognition." Along with retaining people with disabilities, Torgerson Properties has hired some younger people with disabilities through the local high school's career exploration program. That is how Suzanne Sukalski got her job as a morning hostess at the Hampton Inn. After volunteering at the Holiday Inn for three years, and being observed by other Holiday Inn employees, she was given an application for the hostess position at the Hampton Inn. "Angie Garbers recommended Suzanne as a great match for the hospitality business," said Suzanne's mother, Diane Sukalski, in an essay recommending Torgerson Properties for the honor. "General manager Jason Subbert had seen Suzanne's graduation picture in the Sentinel with her post-graduation plans to include work. She came home one day with an employment application; I assumed it was for practice. But she was scheduled to have an interview." Mr. Subbert said, The experience allowed us to see that Suzanne had the right kind of personality to work with the guests. When we have these students, we're also looking for potential future employees." Leeann Erickson commented, "I noticed that Torgerson fits people with positions that work with their personalities. One of the newest members to the Torgerson Properties team, Milena Sewill, transferred from MRCI. Gina Carroll, supervisor of housekeeping at the Holiday Inn and Super 8 hotels, said, "They told me they were giving up one of their best cleaners, so we had to treat her well." As it turns out, many of the directors and supervisors at the Fairmont Torgerson Properties locations have had experience with people with disabilities, from working with places such as REM and STEP Inc., to having family members or friends who have disabilities. "They've all made that extra effort to make it work," Erickson said. Many thanks to the Torgerson Properties teams in Fairmont for your ongoing commitment to supporting people with disabilities. In addition, thanks to the teams in Maple Grove, Rochester, Eagan, Willmar and Austin for choosing to make a difference. Your commitment has made a positive impact on the lives of countless people in your communities.

TPI is The Arc Minnesota Employer of the Year

TPIaccepts the 2012 Arc Minnesota Employer of the year award. Pictured are Jason Subbert, General Manager of the Fairmont hotels, Rena Sarigianopoulos, Master of Ceremonies and KARE-11 co-anchor, Bruce Thompson, Arc Minnesota supporter and 25-year associate at Perkins Fairmont, Pete Bromelkamp, Vice President of Associate Training & Development.

Recently, Torgerson Properties was recognized as the 2012 Arc Minnesota Employer of the Year. The Arc Minnesota Employer of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding work an organization does to create a better Minnesota for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Through the efforts of properties located in Fairmont, Maple Grove, Rochester, Eagan, Willmar and Austin, Torgerson Properties employs dozens of individuals through organizations such as MRCI, eQuality, Ability Building Center, ProAct and Focus House. These individuals perform a variety of job duties that help them realize their goals of where and how they live, learn, work and play. Torgerson Properties was nominated by LeeAnn Erickson, Director of Arc Southwest in Fairmont. She has witnessed first hand what an amazing impact the Fairmont team has made on the lives of so many challenged individuals. The following article was published in the Fairmont Sentinel and announces the recognition of the Fairmont team. People with disabilities face more challenges than others in the job market. So when a company not only takes a chance, but also offers them extra support, it deserves recognition. "I have nominated Torgerson Properties before, but this year they are being honored as ARC Minnesota's Employer of the Year," says LeeAnn Erickson, director of ARC Southwest in Fairmont. "The Arc Employer of the Year award recognizes businesses that realize that people with disabilities are good employees and make the effort to employ them, and if they needed a little extra support, they will do that." One reason Torgerson is being recognized is the longevity of one of its employees. "Bruce Thompson has been with Perkins restaurant for nearly 25 years,"

Torgerson Properties Flashback

Do you know your TPI history? Be the first to submit the answers to the following three questions to pete@tpimn.com and you will win a $25 Hurricane Grill & Wings gift certificate. Hint: You will have to examine the picture very closely, and maybe even polish up on your TPI history. Good luck! 1. Where was this picture taken? 2. What was the exact date the picture was taken? 3. Name at least one person from this picture

The Chief Maintenance Engineer has been a fixture on the Fairmont campus since 1987
The Fairmont team shared in the celebration of Dave Zellmers 25 years of service to TPI with a pizza and cupcake party. Anyone who knows Dave knows that he enjoys a Captain Morgan & Coke now and again. We really couldnt give Dave flowers for his big milestone, so he was presented with 24 miniature bottles of Captain Morgan and one nice bottle of private stock. He also received a great T-shirt, and since any good maintenance guy needs good work boots, he received a pair of official Captain Morgan drinking boots. Congratulations, Dave, on a great career with TPI. You have really built a legacy of trust, respect and dependability over the years, and Im thankful to be on the same team with you. 25 years is a huge accomplishment. Congratulations! - Jason Subbert, General Manager Holiday Inn Fairmont
The Fairmont team recognizes Dave Zellmer, Chief Maintenance Engineer for the Fairmont Hotels, as he celebrates his 25th anniversary with TPI.

Dave Zellmer celebrates 25 years with TPI

A Blast From The Past!

Although were always looking to the future, once in a while its fun to remember the past. This section of the newsletter features pages from past editions of Innside TPI. Below is the front page of the 1994 summer/fall edition that covers famed Beatle Paul McCartneys visit to Holiday Inn Fairmont. Wow! Also notice the number of brand logos that TPI operated in 1994.

McC artney s Impress ed with Fai rmont H .I. Staff

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TPIwelcomes Hurricane Grill & Wings to the family
Minnesotas first Hurricane Grill & Wings location opened October 1st in Burnsville

On October 1st, Torgerson Properties introduced Minnesota to one of the fastest growing casual dining concepts in the country, Hurricane Grill & Wings. Hurricane Grill & Wings, whose trademark is "Live with Flavor," is known for its uniquely savory chicken wings, offered in five categories with a choice of more than 32 signature sauces. Menu items are cooked fresh to order with high quality ingredients and zero trans fats. Other menu options range from salads to certified angus burgers and grilled mahi-mahi, along with a full line-up of craft beers and wine. The original Hurricane Grill & Wings opened in Fort Pierce, Florida in 1995. Today, the island-inspired restaurant concept has almost 50 locations throughout Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and now Minnesota, with additional restaurants planned nationwide. The concept has been noted in multiple national magazines as one of the hottest restaurant brands in the United States. "Torgerson Properties is proud to be bringing the casual flavor vacation of Hurricane Grill & Wings to the people of Minnesota. Even during the cold winters, Burnsville locals will now be able to find themselves hanging out at their favorite beach," said Joe Kohaut, Vice President of Food & Beverage Operations for Torgerson Properties. "The friendly people of Minnesota are sure to embrace Hurricane Grill & Wings' dedication to providing an excellent overall guest experience." "As Hurricane Grill & Wings opens its first location in Minnesota, we are thrilled to continue spreading our brand across the country," said Martin O'Dowd, president of Hurricane Grill & Wings. "This new location plays a large part in our current plans for expansion and we look forward to the success it is sure to have in Burnsville. The Burnsville opening management team consisted of General Manager Troy Benesh, Assistant General Manager Tim Mattern and Kitchen Manager Joe Rempert. This

seasoned management team painstakingly searched for the best possible associates to become part of the opening team. They performed literally hundreds of interviews, and their efforts paid huge dividends as Hurricane Grill & Wings Burnsville opened with an amazing team. Their performance has been praised through numerous online guest reviews. Below is the opening management team: Assistant General Manager Tim Mattern (left), General Manager Troy Benesh (center), Kitchen Manager Joe Rempert (right). Congratulations to the entire team at Hurricane Grill & Wings Burnsville. Were proud to have you join the Torgerson Properties team and we look forward to watching your ongoing success.

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Inn the news at Torgerson Properties

Chad Williams recently joined the Staybridge Suites Naples team as their new Chief Engineer. Chads background consists of working at the Kennedy Space Center for the majority of his career, and he recently left a large Senior Living Facility to be a part of our team. Chad enjoys boating and spending time with his family on his days off. Welcome aboard Chad!

Emily Lorenz has joined the Willmar team as AGM of the Willmar campus of hotels. She grew up in Esko, MN, and most recently lived in Marshall. She graduated from SMSU where she earned her degree in Hospitality Management. Her most recent position was Director of Sales and Catering at the Marshall Ramada Inn. When Emily isnt at work she enjoys roller blading, shooting guns, and most outdoor activities. Her favorite quote is from Oprah Winfrey, Be thankful for what you have; youll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you dont have, you will never, ever have enough.

Dani Kainz has been promoted to the position of Front Desk Manager for the Holiday Inn of Fairmont. Dani has been on the TPI team for several years while working at Perkins and Green Mill. She joined the front desk staff at the Holiday Inn about a year ago, and recently accepted the position of Front Desk Manager. Dani has done business in the Fairmont area for many years, so her knowledge of the area and the business community will be a great asset. Dani has one daughter, Kyla, and she also just recently got engaged!

Congratulations to Trevor Armstrong, who has been promoted to Assistant General Manager at Staybridge Suites Bloomington. Trevor has been with TPI for four years, working first as a Night Auditor at Staybridge Suites Arbor Lakes, and most recently as Front Desk Supervisor at Courtyard Arbor Lakes. Congratulations on your new position Trevor, and good luck in your new role!

Amy Isaacson has joined The Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Golden Valley as General Manager. Amy is originally from Bloomington, where she started her hotel career with Embassy Suites. She has over 15 years in the hospitality industry and has worked in many roles, primarily in sales. In her most recent role prior to TPI, she was the General Manager at Cambria Suites Maple Grove. She currently lives in Minnetrista with her husband Jef and two sons, Gavin, 13, Garrett, 7, and their cat Oscar. In her free time Amy enjoys watching her boys play hockey and many other sports throughout the year.

Merilee Peterson joined the Corporate Administrations Office Staff on July 25. She lives in rural Atwater along with her family and their six dogs. Her other new job is mother-in-law, as her oldest of her three sons was married this past summer. Glad to have you as part of the team Merilee!

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Inn the news at Torgerson Properties

Tim Mattern began his career with Torgerson Properties ten years ago. He started out as banquet set-up in Willmar, and most recently helped manage the Green Mill in Shoreview. I know the Green Mill Shoreview team misses him, but Hurricane Grill & Wings Burnsville is lucky to have him as their new Assistant General Manager. Tim is the perfect spokesperson for outrageous guest service. He lives it every day. In his free time, Tim enjoys playing basketball and spending time with his family. Congratulations on your new position, Tim.

Terri Grussing joined the Corporate Administrations Office staff on August 6. She previously worked in the nursing field, but returned to school to get her associate degree in Accounting and Office Assistant. Evenings will find her in front of the TV watching her favorite show WWE Wrestling. Welcome Terri!

Holiday Inn Express Eagan recently received outstanding recognition from the Intercontinental Hotel Group. The Eagan team completed a twelve-month period with zero quality/service guest complaints. To fully understand the significance of this accomplishment, you must know that IHG is the worlds largest hotel company with over 4,500 hotels word-wide. Holiday Inn Express Eagan is one of only about 100 IHG locations world-wide to accomplish this feat. Wow! That is truely an amazing accomplishment. Kudos to the entire Holiday Inn Express Eagan team for making this award possible. Well done!

Pleshette Hurm has recently joined the Staybridge Suites Naples team as the Assistant General Manager. Pleshette is originally from New Jersey, but has lived in Naples for the majority of her adult life and wouldnt want to live anywhere else. She loves the beach and the beautiful sunsets that Naples is known for. Welcome to our team Pleshette!

Please welcome Lisa Widmark as the Leisure Director of Sales in Arbor Lakes. Lisa has worked in hotels for many years, holding positions including night auditor, front office manager, and controller, before moving to sales in 1997. Lisa enjoys working with the SMERF market and is truly the expert in the industry. Outside of work Lisa puts on thousands of miles taking her children to and from their sporting events. Welcome aboard Lisa!

Please help us in congratulating Chad Pemberton on his promotion to Sales Coordinator for the Arbor Lakes Hotels in Maple Grove. Chad started his career with Torgerson Properties in July of 2007 as a Guest Service Representative at Staybridge Suites Maple Grove. Guests often commented on Chads friendliness and knowledge of the area. Outside of work Chad enjoys bowling and joining friends in a noisy game of bingo! Chad is a tremendous asset to the sales team. Congratulations Chad!

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Inn the news at Torgerson Properties

Paul Carlson became General Manager of the Staybridge Suites Eagan in July 2012. Previously, he worked as the Assistant General Manager at the Staybridge Suites of Bloomington and Hilton Garden Inn of Shoreview. In May 2012, Paul earned his Masters degree in Hospitality Administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Prior to joining Torgerson Properties in 2007, Paul worked at the Bellagio and New York-New York Hotel/Casinos in Las Vegas. For fun, Paul enjoys traveling on cruise ships and short weekend getaways around the US. He resides in Maplewood. Congratulations, Paul!

Please welcome Joe Rempert as the new Kitchen Manger of Hurricane Grill & Wings in Burnsville. Joe brings over twenty years of restaurant experience to the Burnsville team. He spent many years with Timber Lodge and the Cheese Cake Factory. Joe graduated from Lahaina High School in Maui, Hawaii and then moved to Minnesota shortly after graduation. He enjoys spending time with his four kids and family. During football season, youll find Joe keeping track of every play from every game. Frisbee golf also keeps Joe busy during the beautiful Minnesota summers.

Kathy Shaw has joined the SpringHill Suites Rochester team as their new Executive Housekeeper. Kathy has lived in Rochester the majority of her life. After obtaining her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, she took a job in the hospitality industry. It was meant to be a source of income until she could secure a teaching position. That was over 30 YEARS ago. Kathy says, It is always rewarding to manage a housekeeping department that strives for excellence. Welcome to the team Kathy!

Rebecca Gross has been promoted to our newly created Director of Sales Support position for the metro hotels. Rebecca started with us at the Homewood Suites New Brighton as a SMERFE sales manager and has done an excellent job of growing our weekend business at the hotel. She is very excited to help out our metro area hotels when we have a vacancy or leave of absence. Congratulations, Rebecca!

On November 1st, Riley Kvam, former General Manager at Courtyard Arbor Lakes, transferred his General Manager talents across town to Staybridge Suites Arbor Lakes. This is an ideal situation for the Arbor Lakes hotels due to Rileys significant extended stay experience from his past duties with Torgerson Properties. Riley will be celebrating his 21st anniversary with TPI in December. Congratulations Riley, on your new responsibilities.

In conjunction with Riley Kvams move acrosss town, Tom Rost, former General Manager at Staybridge Suites Arbor Lakes, has brought his General Manager skills to Courtyard Arbor Lakes. Tom brings a wealth of knowledge from his previous experience with food & beverage and full service hotel operations. He recently completed his third year with Torgerson Properties and looks forward to getting to know his new team and different surroundings. Best of luck in your new role, Tom.

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Inn the news at Torgerson Properties

Jason Jay Junker has recently transferred from being the Assistant General Manager of the Holiday Inn/Super 8 Fairmont to being Assistant General manager for the Hampton Inn/Comfort Inn. Jay is married to Michelle and also is a new father to little Jameson. Jay and Michelle also have two other children, Brett is 8 and Kaitlyn is 11. Jay has over twenty years of experience in the hotel business and has made a huge impact on the Fairmont campus. Thank you very much for your efforts in helping the Fairmont team grow revenues, develop our associates, and improve our quality.

Please welcome Troy Benesh as the new General Manger of Hurricane Grill & Wings in Burnsville. Troy brings over fifteen years of leadership experience to the Burnsville team. Most recently, Troy helped grow the Dickeys Barbecue Pit brand in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with degrees in East Asian Studies and Japanese. Troy has lived in Japan and Korea, and of course, speaks Japanese. Troy enjoys spending time with his family and traveling. He also is active in Twin Cities VW Club. Welcome to TPI Troy!

Kjerstin Knutson recently joined the TPI team as the new Social Media Coordinator. She is a recent graduate of Arizona State University and is looking forward to working with each of the Torgerson Properties locations to enhance and expand their online image, as well as generate new ideas and opportunities for TPIs overall social media and marketing development. Graduating with a degree in Travel & Tourism Development and Management, Kjerstin has developed a passion for the travel industry and enjoys reading new articles, blogging and staying up to date with current trends.

Muna Rajbhandari, a senior at Southwest Minnesota State University, recently completed a hotel management internship in Fairmont. Muna did an amazing job learning all the departments of hotel operations. The majority of her time was spent learning Hampton Inn front desk operations and Holiday Inn housekeeping management. Muna also spent time with our housekeeping, front desk and maintenance teams, and was part of a market study and a promotional event at the Fairmont Raceway. Muna has a bright future in Hospitality, and we are very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with her.

Cindy Meany is the new Assistant General Manager at the Holiday Inn and Days Inn properties in Austin. Cindy brings more than twelve years of experience in the hospitality industry as well as a broad background in sales training. Cindy was born and raised in Austin and has great connections throughout the community. She has three children and two grandchildren who also live in the Austin area. Welcome to the Austin team Cindy!

In July, Kyle Hannan joined Homewood Suites New Brighton as a front desk agent, and through his dedication to learning he quickly progressed to a Front Desk Supervisor. Kyle also worked at the front desk of the Hilton Garden Inn Rochester, and served our country in Iraq as a radio operator and truck driver, an experience that surely contributes to his give back attitude. Kyle has aspirations of someday becoming a General Manager. I just treat guests how I would like to be treated, focusing on customer service for each guest. Kyle enjoys mountain biking, Frisbee golf and reading political thrillers.

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The high-energy, enthusiastic event saw eleven different properties
The 2012 TPIAwards Ceremony was hosted by the New Ulm team on Monday, September 17, and once again, the Torgerson Properties team showed they really know how to celebrate in style! 165 key members of the TPI management team gathered for an evening of motivation, recognition and celebration. It proved to be a very memorable event in many ways. The theme for this years event was Hiring and Recruiting Likeability. This theme stands to remind us of the importance of hiring associates who not only have the technical tools to execute their roles, but possess the innate likeability that makes the TPI experience second to none. With this theme firmly in mind, TPI was honored to introduce Walter Bond as the keynote speaker for the event. A former NBA athlete, Mr. Bond rose from being a reserve player coming off the bench at the University of Minnesota, to become the first rookie-free agent ever to start for the Dallas Mavericks. His astonishing journey established a foundation for the principles he teaches, principles that help empower people in their own personal journey. Mr. Bond is widely recognized as one of the worlds preeminent experts on personal accountability, and he has impacted hundreds of thousands of people in his rapid rise to the top of the speaking industry. His 90-minute presentation captivated the entire TPI team, as he told of his experiences growing up and the challenges he faced. From stories as a child, where Walter always knew he needed to be home before the street lights came on, to his current experiences with corporate America, Mr. Bond delivered a strong and often emotional message that stressed the importance of Likeability in any organization. He went on to remind the team that they are leaders, and challenged them to lift up their co-workers much like Walters dad lifted him up when he was a child. Mr. Bond made a unique connection with the TPI team, and left the entire room buzzing with energy. After his presentation, Mr. Bond provided a personally autographed copy of his book All Buts Stink to everyone in attendance. Wow! What an amazing experience. Mr. Bonds message promises to live on in the TPIculture for a long time to come. The TPI team gained invaluable insight on the importance of Likeability, and was reminded how essential it is for them, as leaders, to help their co-workers grow by lifting them up and mentoring them to realize their potential, meet their goals and become the best they can be.

The Torgerson Properties te

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accept awards for their outstanding performance over the past year
The buzz from Mr. Bonds presentation carried into the social hour, which again this year included a silent auction and raffle to benefit Give Kids The World. Each TPI location was invited to provide a gift basket consisting of goods they were able to have donated from their local area. The creativity was amazing! Because of their efforts, the TPI team was able to generate over $3,000 for Give Kids The World, bringing their three-year total to nearly $15,000. Hilton Garden Inn Shoreview received the Most Creative award for their red neck themed basket, and Staybridge Suites Naples received the prestigious Torge Award for generating the largest donation. The TPI team showed once again what makes them special...great teamwork and unbeatable creativity. The evening continued with a fantastic German-themed buffet dinner prepared by the Ottos New Ulm team. It featured chicken, pork, speatzle, sauerkraut and even Ottos famous apple strudel! It was the perfect combination to prepare the team for the main event of the evening, the 2012 TPIAwards Ceremony! The energy reached a feverish pitch as the awards portion of the evening began with a photo montage of the TPI teams set to the music of Jon Bon Jovis, Livin On A Prayer. Now, it was time for the long-awaited awards. Over twenty locations received a nomination for one of the ten awards presented during the ceremony. This year, eleven different locations were able to take home an award plaque. A rare Humanitarian Award was presented to Torges and the Austin Conference Center for their efforts is organizing a benefit event that raised $25,000 for a local mother who had tragically been shot and was experiencing severe medical and financial challenges. This marks only the fourth time that this award has ever been presented to one of the TPI teams. In addition to the property awards, TPI also recognized its 20-year associates and presented the 2012 Heart & Soul awards. You can see details of these awards in other areas of Innside Torgerson Properties. The 2012 TPIAwards Ceremony was truly a celebration. It was a time to recognize the accomplishments of the past year, but more importantly, it was a time to celebrate what makes the TPI team so special.

eam takes time to celebrate!

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Students receive scholarships to assist with their Hospitality Management degree

TPI Awards Annual Scholarships

Basanta Shah

Each spring, Torgerson Properties, in conjunction with Hospitality Minnesota, awards scholarships to outstanding students who are pursuing post-secondary education for careers in restaurant or hotel management. Torgerson Properties believes that it is essential to attract bright, passionate individuals into the hospitality industry. By providing financial assistance in the form of a scholarship, Torgerson Properties helps these students offset the ever-growing cost of a post-secondary education. This year, three scholarships were presented on behalf of Torgerson Properties, Hot Hotel Deals and Hurricane Grill & Wings. Each of the four students are pursuing a career in the hotel or restaurant industry and have displayed outstanding performance in the classroom and in their communities.

Basanta Shah - Maple Grove, MN

Southwest Minnesota State University

Ellaina Henke

Ellaina Henke - Owatonna, MN

University of Wisconsin - Stout

Jacob Youngblood - St. Paul, MN

University of Wisconsin - Stout

Jacob Youngblood

Success does not exist without teamwork. Torgerson Properties would like to recognize all of the locations that were nominated for an award at the 2012 TPIAwards Ceremony. It is through your commitment to the team concept that TPI continues to lead the way for others to follow.

Austin Conference Center Country Inn & Suites Willmar Days Inn Austin Days Inn Willmar Green Mill Fairmont Green Mill Willmar Hampton Inn Shoreview Hampton Inn Fairmont Hilton Garden Inn Eagan Holiday Inn Arbor Lakes Holiday Inn Express Eagan Holiday Inn New Ulm Holiday Inn Willmar Homewood Suites New Brighton Otto's New Ulm Perkins Austin Perkins Red Wing Staybridge Suites Arbor Lakes Staybridge Suites Bloomington Staybridge Suites Naples Torge's Live Austin

Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. - Helen Keller

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Whatever it takes for outrageous guest service...
Tracy in the pool area is an amazing employee. She was very friendly and accommodating.
A guest comment received at Country Inn & Suites Willmar... We stayed at the Willmar Country Inn & Suites on August 17 and 18. The facility is very attractive and our room was clean and comfortable. Our stay was made even more memorable because of two of your employees. Tracy in the pool area is an amazing employee. She was very friendly and accommodating. When anyone was anywhere near the slide, she was monitoring and attentive. When no one was using the slide, she was not idle. She picked up towels, cleaned table areas and even cleaned the windows. The employee in the breakfast area provided not only a wonderful and attractively displayed variety for our selection, but the area was neat-as-a-pin. I never saw a drip or spill and all the food areas were kept neat and well stocked. Well done!

A guest comment received at Courtyard Arbor Lakes... I was a guest this past weekend at your Courtyard Arbor Lakes while in Minnesota for a wedding. I just wanted to take a minute and let you know that your staff was phenomenal throughout our stay. Shari on the overnight in particular was wonderful, but your entire staff was so friendly and helpful that my wife and I both were blown away. I know the wedding group I was with was loud and spent a lot of the night in the bar on Friday and late into the night on Saturday, and your staff was great to us. I always like to hear how my own staff is doing, and as a result, always like to commend another staff for a job well done. Tell them to keep up the great work.

A guest comment received at Staybridge Suites Naples... My husband and I recently stayed at your Staybridge Suites in Naples, Florida. We have been coming to your hotel as a get away vacation since your hotel opened. We absolutely love the experiences we have had while visiting. We have introduced family, friends, and relatives and all have enjoyed their stays. When you first opened, our three kids were in elementary and middle school. The suites with full kitchen accommodations, together with Publix being next door and the use of the BBQ grills by the pool, made this an extremely affordable vacation. My youngest child recently graduated from high school and is off to Florida State University in Tallahassee, so it was just the two of us for our most recent visit. As usual, Lindita was FABULOUS! She has been there since we have been coming. She is always very personable and always willing to suggest places for us to eat and visit. We met Kerri this time, and she was very congenial and helpful as well. We will continue to visit and recommend your hotel to all of our friends. We both have stressful jobs, and it is always a pleasure to come relax. Our favorite things about your hotel are #1 - the cleanliness, #2 - my husband cant wait to wake up and go down for the complimentary breakfast, #3 - the friendly, courteous, and helpful staff, #4 - the pool with Tiki Bar, and #5 - sitting in the living room area downstairs in the mornings reading the complimentary newspapers and local magazines. There are many other reasons that we continue to visit your hotel, but I just wanted to mention a few. As you can tell, we will be making many more trips to visit the Staybridge Suites. Thank you so much for making our visits so relaxing and enjoyable

A guest comment received at Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington... I just wanted to drop a quick note commending the customer service of Kendra Alfonso at your Hilton Garden Inn of Bloomington. I am a frequent guest at this property and, while I generally find the staff both friendly and professional, Kendra showed herself as particularly service-oriented on my last visit. After many delays, I arrived a little after 10 p.m. and, having not had any chance to stop for dinner, I was hoping for a quick meal upon arrival. Sadly, your kitchen had just closed. When Kendra saw me looking around your pantry for something that might represent my dinner, she offered to see if the kitchen was still open. It wasnt but, she came back and said she would try to get someone to make me something simple like a burger & fries. That was perfect and, 20 minutes later I had my dinner to take up to my room. I later found out that she was actually my cook! So, I know you have a good team at the Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington but, I wanted to single out Kendra for her attention and professionalism.

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...YOU have the power!
A guest comment received at Hilton Garden Inn Shoreview... We are writing to let you know how pleased we were with our recent wedding reception at the Hilton Garden Inn-Shoreview. Our event was held on June 30th and included a social hour, dinner, dance, and brunch the next day. From the time we began planning this event last summer, the entire staff was very attentive to our needs and ideas. Sheila Stuart (catering director), Kory Lesnick (campus director of sales), and Sarah Martin (head chef) were particularly helpful. We met with Sheila and Sarah more than a few times during the year to work out the details. Every meeting was friendly and productive. They put us at ease that everything would work out beautifully, and it did! Their attention to the details that we wanted was outstanding. The comments from guests were equally positive about the food, the accommodations for guests, the front desk staff, the reception room, the attentive (and fun!) wait staff, the cleanliness of the facility, and the Sunday brunch. Please acknowledge the staff at the Hilton Garden Inn Shoreview for a job VERY WELL DONE!

A guest comment received at Homewood Suites New Brighton... I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for some amazing customer service. My team informed me that Leah was very helpful with the check in procedure, and also very nice to answer all of their questions patiently. She was really good to my team, and I got this feedback without me asking the team about the service. Last but not the least, the purpose of me writing this note to you is that I really wanted to thank you for making me and my team feel like VIP customers. I have been to a lot of hotels in acrosss the United States and never experienced such levels of customer service. I envy my team right now, and wish that I could also join them to receive such hospitality. Please do let your staff know that I really appreciate everything. You are just super duper awesome!!! Just like someone told me once, Minnesota Nice.

A guest comment received at Staybridge Suites Eagan... We just completed our 2012 stays at Staybridge Suites Eagan in June and August. Once again, we enjoyed our time. When we returned in August, we were really impressed with the crispness that was felt in this stay. Your new manager at this location, Paul Carlson, is making an impact! It was also appreciated that the popcorn was not offered in the rooms. This meant less fire calls because guests did not know how to use the microwave. In June, we had two fire alarms due to this problem. As always, the entire team made us feel real comfortable and they displayed a real positive attitude about Torgeson Properties. We are looking forward to the remodel!

A guest comment received at Hilton Garden Inn Eagan... I just had to tell you about my recent stay at the Hilton Garden Inn of Eagan, MN. I spend more nights on the road each year than I do at home, so I visit over twenty different hotels each year. Most of them are ok, a few fall short, and every once in a while one stands out. I am writing to tell you that this Hilton Garden Inn stood out. From the minute I walked in the door and was greeted by the front desk personnel, I felt like I was at a home away from home. The place was clean, clean! Everyone was so friendly. The food was great too. I do want to mention two individuals by name, but in no way does this distract from the collective contribution of everyone at the hotel. Jason Davy and Ronnie Lubich were particularly outstanding in their personal service and attention. It means so much to me, as a constant traveler, to feel that relaxed when on the road. It helps me to sleep and to perform better on the job and ultimately improves my quality of life. I was to going to ask you to please take the time to tell your staff how much of a difference they make in the life of a traveler, but somehow I think that they already know. So I guess the real reason that I am writing is to let you know that they already have that figured out, and I appreciated every bit of it!

From the minute I walked in the door and was greeted by the front desk personnel, I felt like I was at a home away from home.

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Whatever it takes for outrageous guest service...
A guest comment received on Facebook for Hurricane Grill & Wings Burnsville...

I would very highly recommend them! The food is amazing and so are the people!

I am sure you all have had some sort of bad experience at a restaurant before, and maybe after you complained, you finally got good customer service. Well, tonight I ordered take out at the new restaurant right by us, Hurricane Grill & Wings in Burnsville. I have ordered take out from Hurricane quite a bit since it opened at the beginning of October, and I instantly loved the food, far more than what used to be my favorite restaurant, Buffalo Wild Wings, which Hurricane has now taken the spot as my favorite! But like I was saying, I ordered food there tonight and they had gotten my order wrong and charged me for stuff that I didnt get (I didnt know it was extra because it was never extra before). Needless to say, I was not happy, but rather, hungry and annoyed. I called and talked to the General Manager, Troy, and explained everything. He apologized and told me if I could come back they could remake all my food for me! Ten minutes later I headed down there to get my food, and not only did they have my food ready, but they refunded all my money!! It was hands down the BEST customer service experience I have EVER received!! The general manager, Troy Benesh, was so great and kept apologizing for their wrong doing. I will be continuing to order from Hurricane Burnsville and will be telling everyone I know about the GREAT customer service I received. I would very highly recommend them! The food is amazing and so are the people!.

A guest comment received on TripAdvisor concerning Hampton Inn Fairmont... This place has turned me into a Hampton Inn fan for life! I was making a long 2,500-mile road trip by myself from Michigan to Seattle, Washington. My first day, I drove for 14 hours and pulled off in Fairmont, MN to stop for the night. I quickly found the Hampton Inn. I arrived late and was treated amazingly by the kind woman at the desk. She had family in Seattle and could suggest where I should stop the next two nights, and I did (at Hampton Inns!) The best part was that after a long day in the car my body was aching (Im not as young as the last time I made this drive ten years ago) and was desperate for a long soak in a bath tub. To my surprise, their hot tub/pool was open 24 hours! Perfection! Id never stayed at a hotel before where this was the case. It wasnt the case at the next two Hampton Inns I stayed in the following nights (which was slightly disappointing, but those driving days were shorter and I made it there in time for my soaks). Regardless, the Hampton Inn of Fairmont, MN is this girls favorite hotel EVER! If I make this drive again in another ten years I will be sure to stay here! I only wish I lived closer. Id make a special trip just for the 24 hour hot tub. I firmly believe all Hampton Inns should adopt this 24 hour hot tub idea. Theres nothing better after a long day of travel than a good soak, and theres nothing worse than missing the cut off time and getting to your room and discovering that theres no bath tub either! Kudos Hampton Inn, Fairmont. One day, Ill be back!

A guest comment received Holiday Inn Express Eagan... I would like to commend a gentleman named Dennis Swanson. Dennis was one of the morning breakfast attendants at the hotel. He did a wonderful job of making our family and many others feel right at home. He was very cheerful, helpful, and willing to chat and say hello to everyone who came for breakfast. He represented the Eagan Holiday Inn Express very well.

A guest comment received at Holiday Inn Express Golden Valley... I have been staying at your Holiday Inn Express at 6020 Wayzata Boulevard in Golden Valley on and off since April 18th of this year because my son has been diagnosed with liver cancer and I am taking him for chemo treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. During that time, and throughout the rest of this summer and fall until he has surgery, we will continue to stay at your Holiday Inn Express. Assistant General Manager Lindsey Thompson and the rest of the staff at the Holiday Inn Express in Golden Valley have been very positive and helpful to my wife and me. I have continually witnessed the staff going that extra mile to help guests. Your company definitely has a tremendous asset in the staff at this site.

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...YOU have the power!
A guest comment received on TripAdvisor concerning Perkins Red Wing... We stopped in for breakfast mid-morning on a Saturday. We were greeted, seated immediately, and given menus. Our greeter asked about coffee and water before telling us our server would be with us shortly. And shortly it was, our server brought us our coffee and water and pleasantly took our order. To keep this review short, this dining experience was everything one could hope for. The restaurant was clean, the service was excellent, with a genuine and knowledgeable staff. The food was above average, and I got a feeling the morale was high with the staff. Our servers name was Crystal. I can tell this Perkins is being managed well and recommend it to anyone traveling or living in this area.

A guest comment received at Homewood Suites St. Louis Park... I would like to let you know how pleased we were with our stay at the Homewood Suites in St. Louis Park. When we checked in we were greeted by Kyle Roach. He was friendly and pleasant, and he also recognized others who needed help. When I found out we had no shower cap in the room I checked with the front desk, again Kyle was willing to help, not having one at the front desk he was willing to check on the cleaning cart. Not able to find one, he offered to go buy one at a store near by. I really did not need one that bad, however, his customer service was outstanding. Im not sure if the hotel no longer keeps shower caps around, but that doesnt really matter at all. We wanted to let you know how happy Kyle made our stay. We were attending the SCS Divisional sport climbing event. Needing to leave at 7am it was very nice to be able to get breakfast that early. The staff working in the breakfast area had things ready before 7am and didnt make us feel bad at all that we were getting food before 7am. Kudos to them as well. Thanks again!

A guest comment received at Holiday Inn Arbor Lakes... Room Service was excellent. It was very fast and the food was great. It was a bit spendy, but it was prompt. Our waitress in the restaurant, Rachel Holm, was one of the best waitresses we have had in a long time. I liked the layout of the balcony suite we stayed it. The gentleman at the front desk was amazing. The housekeeping staff was so nice and helpful. I didnt catch our housekeepers name, but my daughter enjoyed talking to her. Thank you!

A guest comment received on TripAdvisor concerning Staybridge Suites Naples... We have stayed at several different hotels in the Naples, Florida area over the past five years. Our hotel experiences have been indifferent and disappointing. However, three years ago we consulted TripAdvisor to view customer comments for the Staybridge Suites Hotel in Naples. The comments we read were in general very favorable. Our expectations were somewhat indifferent to the comments that we read, but the prices quoted were very reasonable for a suite with full kitchen facilities and the extras being offered like a full-cooked breakfast, complimentary hot food snacks, happy hour which included free beer and wineunbelievable!!! When we first arrived our first impression was yes, its just another standard hotel chain. Well, we were wrong! It could honestly be said, that from the moment we entered the hotel, the greetings from the staff were both honest and genuine. Even when we first arrived, as strangers from another country, the United Kingdom, we were being treated like long lost friends by the bar management. Steve and Sarah quickly introduced us to the local regulars and other travelling hotel guests when they arrived. Steve is an encyclopedia when it comes to local knowledge, and is always ready to offer help and guidance. There are many excellent restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, and a supermarket almost next door, which is very useful. General Manager Tracy Neumeyer must be complimented on the work ethics of her staff and the helpful, friendly and courteous charms they display. We have now taken a holiday in Naples for the past three years, and the Staybridge Suite is always our hotel of choice. Thank you so much for providing our home away from home!

It could honestly be said, that from the moment we entered the hotel, the greetings from the staff were both honest and genuine.

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Whatever it takes for outrageous guest service...
A letter received at Homewood Suites St. Louis Park...

The team at the hotel provided first-class service during my five-week stay, often going above and beyond the standard I have seen in hotels around the world.

My long-term stay at the Homewood Suites in St. Louis park was impeccable. As a one-time Diamond member with stays at Hilton properties in 20 countries, I rate this hotel among the best I have ever visited. The outstanding and attentive management and staff, as well as the quality of the hotel, its amenities, and its surroundings, are, in my mind, the most important factors that differentiate Homewood Suites in St. Louis Park from the rest. The team at the hotel provided first-class service during my five-week stay, often going above and beyond the standard I have seen in hotels around the world. The front desk is familiar with the neighborhood, informed about transportation options, and knows the needs of its guests. A telling moment was when a manager took the time to manually light the outdoor grill for me when the ignition was not working on a Saturday evening. This example shows they are customer-focused, thoughtful and extremely friendly. They also show discretion and respect their guests privacy. In addition, basic needs such as mail collection, bag handling, and safe deposit box coverage were flawless on every occasion. The property is new, modern, and spacious, with rooms that meet the quality I have come to expect with Homewood Suites. On-site amenities such as large outdoor grilling stations, a modern sport court, a good selection of free DVDs, and a spacious exercise room are some, but not all, of the things that set this hotel apart. Plus, within a few seconds walk are fundamental needs of a long-term traveler, such as a grocery store, a bank, and a bus stop. For entertainment, many quality restaurants, a variety of apparel and furniture shops, a few bars, and movie theaters are just a few steps further, and the highways are two streets away. Overall, the people and the property at the Homewood Suites in St. Louis Park are best in class. Thanks for making my long-term stay so wonderful. Keep up the great work!

A guest comment received on TripAdvisor concerning Courtyard Rochester... My husband recently had surgery at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, MN. We chose Courtyard by Marriott for its close proximity to the hospital. St. Marys is directly across the street. We stayed in room 500, a one bedroom suite with a king bed. There was a closet in the bedroom along with a dresser. A chair is also provided in the bedroom. The room was very spacious and located on the backside of the building facing north. It was a very quiet location. The room was very clean and was kept that way for the whole week. I ate at the Saints on Second restaurant three times while my husband was in the hospital. I found the staff to be very pleasant in the restaurant and at the Bistro. The Bistro is great for picking up breakfast items to eat there or take with you to the hospital. There is free coffee/tea in the lobby and an assortment of newspapers. The front desk staff was equally pleasant and helpful, saying hello each time I left and returned. We will surely be returning here for our lodging/meals for any future surgery.

A guest comment received at Hampton Inn Shoreview.... I wanted to take a brief moment to praise your entire staff! Recently, I stayed at the Shoreview Hampton Inn for two nights while on a business trip and received excellent customer service. I enjoyed the very relaxing environment your hotel provided. The rooms were great, and I always felt right at home! The gentleman who welcomed me on Monday evening, I do apologize that I did not get his name, got me all set up in my room was very kind and hospitable . Sherry Meuller, at the front desk, was also very helpful early one morning when I was searching for band aids before heading to my office. The team truly went above and beyond when the shuttle got stuck in traffic, and Renee Howlett was kind enough to run me over to the office, even though Im guessing it wasnt one of her typical job responsibilities. All of the staff members I came into contact with during my stay were very welcoming and I enjoyed my stay immensely! Please extend my thanks to your entire staff for their phenomenal hospitality!

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...YOU have the power!
An excerpt from a guest comment received at the Courtyard Arbor Lakes... I wanted to share my very positive experience staying at your Maple Grove property and I wanted to recognize one of your employees, Maureen Malone, who really made our stay a very wonderful experience. I believe an exceptional stay is when the staff at the hotel provides a very positive experience during challenging times. Maureen was really a key figure during our weekend stay and she exemplified the qualities that making staying at a Marriott property worthwhile. Maureens calm, polite and exceptional client service helped us through the problems we encountered during our stay. When my family and I arrived on Friday, the first problem we encountered was that the crib we had reserved was not available. When I first heard this, my initial concern was that I was not going to get help and a policy stating that its first come/first serve is the excuse that will be given. However, Maureen did not provide us that response and instead took it upon herself to tell us she would contact a nearby sister hotel for a crib. I truly and sincerely appreciate Maureen going out of her way to solve this problem. After a few hours, she was able to get us a crib and we didnt have to worry about spending time to search for it ourselves. Maureens actions are a great example of why I continue to go out of my way to stay at Marriott properties. She clearly understood my problem and delivered a resolution to it. That was a great first impression from Maureen and I personally was not upset or disappointed that I didnt have a crib when I checked in. Instead, Im still glowing on how well we were taken care of. The next problem we encountered was that the dead bolt to an adjoining room was broken. By this point, I already had a crib and I figured this wasnt a big deal since I was still happy about having my problem resolved. Again, Maureen helped us to understand that the adjoining room was not in use and reassured us that she will be taking care of the situation. The next day we had someone take a look at the situation and they also reassured us this would not be a problem. Another quality from Maureen is how she developed trust with me and my wife. Being able to deliver on the crib and now being able to assure us that things would get done helped me trust her in everything she would tell us. Even the other folks at the Courtyard were very helpful, supportive and provided great guest service. For example, the woman at the front desk who helped my wife get her glasses of wine, the gentleman who helped us at breakfast, the person who stopped by our room to check out the deadbolt, the gentleman from housekeeping who asked if we wanted extra towels, and to another woman who helped me microwave my popcorn because our daughter was sleeping and I didnt want to wake her up. So, this woman microwaved the popcorn in the kitchen! All of these folks contributed to such a positive and excellent stay at your property, and provided problem solving skills which were seriously just great. Id like to commend your team for committing to such consistent and superb client service. Finally, we want to give Maureen our sincere thanks for the assistance she provided to my family during this stay which really made this experience so great. I would hope there is something you can do to compensate her for her exceptional work, especially during our stay. It is people like Maureen who make me want to stay at Marriott properties and who easily help me make Marriott my 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice. Please feel free to share this with Maureen and let her know that she is greatly appreciated by the Trino Family! Because of her, we truly enjoyed our time at the Courtyard in Maple Grove.

A guest comment received at Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington.... I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you for making our experience perfect. I am the coordinator for a special group that travels annually for sporting events and other activities. There are many times that people call or write to complain about how bad their service may have been, however, I wanted someone in your organization to know how much we appreciate Beth Altergott. From the very beginning, Beth has been attentive and professional. She is always service oriented and focused on making sure that we are completely satisfied. We currently have a block of 25 rooms booked at the Hilton Garden Inn of Bloomington for the December 7th through December 10th weekend. Every challenging hoop we have presented to Beth she has jumped through with flying colors. If this was the Olympics, Beth would have won the Gold Medal in every event. Please, if you will take the time to let her and the entire staff know that The Powers Group is looking forward to spending our weekend with you at the Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington.

If this was the Olympics, Beth would have won the Gold Medal in every event.

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Vanguard Target Retirement investments are available with your TPI 401k retirement plan
Target Retirement Date investments are designed to address a particular challenge facing many retirement investors: constructing a professionally diversified portfolio. Many people lack time or interest when it comes to investment or retirement planning. They can become overwhelmed by the choice of investments available in a retirement plan lineup. Target Retirement Date investments are designed to help long-term investors achieve their goals and overcome these challenges. They are constructed on a number of investment best practices: the principles of asset allocation, diversification, transparency, and maintaining a balance among risk, return, and cost. Vanguard Target Retirement Funds are built in accordance with our overall investment belief that minimizing costs, maintaining a long-term outlook, and diversifying across asset classes are key elements of investment success. Our glide path illustrates our portfolios core investment strategy: Stock market exposure includes both domestic and international markets. Bond exposure increases over time, to reduce volatility and offset diminishing future years of workplace income as the participant approaches and goes beyond retirement. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) are added to the mix as an inflation hedge. Moderate stock market exposure is maintained in retirement for diversification and growth potential..

Is your retirement plan on target?

You can find more information on these investment opportunities by logging on to your Torgerson Properties Inc. 401k Retirement Savings Plan at www.alerusretirementsolutions.com, or by calling 800-433-1685. You can also contact Sweet Financial Services at 800-658-2507 for any of your investment related needs.

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2012 TPI Award Winners

Hotels Sales Achievement Presidents Top Gun Teamwork Outrageous Guest Service Closer Heart of the House Safety First First Impression Property of the Year

Restaurants

Days Inn Willmar Days Inn Willmar Staybridge Suites Naples Hampton Inn Shoreview Homewood Suites New Brighton Days Inn Willmar Homewood Suites New Brighton Staybridge Suites Bloomington Holiday Inn Arbor Lakes Days Inn Willmar

Perkins Austin Torges Live Austin Torges Live Austin Torges Live Austin Perkins Austin Perkins Austin Green Mill Willmar Torges Live Austin Conference Center Perkins Austin Perkins Austin

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The Austin team answers the call for a person in need in the their community
On June 1, 2012, Maja Iverson experienced a traumatic brain injury when a stray .22 caliber bullet struck her in the head while she was tending to chickens in a backyard shed. For 56 days Maya lay in St. Marys hospital in Rochester. The first few of them were grim, as Maja was in a coma. Her husband, Chad, was uncertain what may happen. He spent every day at the hospital. He slept there every night and only came home a few times. Maja was given a 20 percent chance of surviving surgery. Doctors also predicted her left side would be paralyzed and she would have no memory and minimal senses, even blindness. However, those outlooks soon began to change. There was a single day in particular where Maja completely turned the corner. It was like someone just seemed to turn the light switch on. Maja is now regaining her motor skills, remembers things and speaks as clearly as ever. The doctors initially said she might not be able to walk, but with help she can now do that too. Hopefully, within a year she may even be able to walk by herself. The Torges Live/Austin Conference Center team decided with no hesitation that they wanted to help in any way possible. With the help of Majas and Chads families and friends, they organized a much-needed benefit, as the couples medical bills had reached nearly three-quarters of a million dollars. The Austin team was able to rally together Tracy Blake and four other great bands to play without charge at Torges the day of the fundraiser event. Space was also provided for a silent auction. The Austin team wanted to do this for Maja and Chad so they could have some time to step away from reality, even if only for one afternoon, and hear the sounds of good music, the voices of friends and family and the comfort of a good time. It was a heart-warming moment to see Majas strength, and experience the love and support from the entire community. There wasnt a dry eye in the house when everyone watched Chad and Maja dancing together. She sure has come a long way! Through the efforts of the Torges Live and Austin Conference Center teams, and countless volunteers and donors, the fundraising event was able to generate over $25,000 to help the Iversons recover from this life altering tragedy. Congratulations to both teams for being chosen recipients of the 2012 TPI Humanitarian Award, and for your amazing commitment to people of your community at a time of need. We are very proud of your accomplishments!

Humanitarian award presented to Torges Live

Whatever It Takes For Outrageous Guest Service ...You Have The Power!

At Torgerson Properties, we believe in our associates...

Torgerson Properties, Inc. Waters Edge Professional Building 103 15th Avenue NW Suite 200 P.O. Box 1020 Willmar, MN 56201 Phone: 320-235-7207

Check out our web site at www.torgersonproperties.com