Thanksgiving Game - Lodging Newsletter October 31, 2025
Published: 10/31/25 Topics: Comments: 0
Twenty years ago, I found myself in a 3-day, adult-child basketball game on a college campus in Spokane, Washington. With my own then too young to attend, I tagged along with my brother and his children. Little did I know what I had gotten myself into, or how that would lead to other games conducted by National Basketball Camps. (NBCcamps.com)
In addition to non-stop basketball drills, games, lesson, discussions, songs during meals, I was introduced to Coach Fred Crowell, who I later learned had become a life-changing inspiration to the 300,000 players who would attend his camps over 50 years.
The adult-child sessions have an added component where Fred provides short talks to both kids and parents. Every year as Thanksgiving approaches I remember a profound thing he said that day.
Coach explained that we all fail to say "thank you" as often and as vociferously as we should. To do better, he invited us to learn "The Thank You Game." Here is how it works:
Whenever your family, or friends, or even co-workers get together, start the meal or meeting with the Game. Going one by one, each person is to explain just one thing they are thankful for. After all have spoken, each person is asked again for another thanks to give.
The game continues until all have exhausted their thoughts. That means the game can go on a very long time. Eventually, the comments become fun or even silly. But that is OK, because by then comments have become heartfelt compliments that are treasured and remembered for a lifetime.
So how about this, as we all are traveling to Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving, or while cooking up a storm, or while sitting at a table covered with the great food that we all take for granted, start the Thank You Game. Every person will appreciate it.
In addition to non-stop basketball drills, games, lesson, discussions, songs during meals, I was introduced to Coach Fred Crowell, who I later learned had become a life-changing inspiration to the 300,000 players who would attend his camps over 50 years.
The adult-child sessions have an added component where Fred provides short talks to both kids and parents. Every year as Thanksgiving approaches I remember a profound thing he said that day.
Coach explained that we all fail to say "thank you" as often and as vociferously as we should. To do better, he invited us to learn "The Thank You Game." Here is how it works:
Whenever your family, or friends, or even co-workers get together, start the meal or meeting with the Game. Going one by one, each person is to explain just one thing they are thankful for. After all have spoken, each person is asked again for another thanks to give.
The game continues until all have exhausted their thoughts. That means the game can go on a very long time. Eventually, the comments become fun or even silly. But that is OK, because by then comments have become heartfelt compliments that are treasured and remembered for a lifetime.
So how about this, as we all are traveling to Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving, or while cooking up a storm, or while sitting at a table covered with the great food that we all take for granted, start the Thank You Game. Every person will appreciate it.
Lodging Newsletter by William May
October 31, 2025 - The Thank You Game this Thanksgiving.
The first comments in the game will be big and boisterous, such as thanks for safety and security and sustenance. Eventually, they will become tiny or even trite, but those are the ones remembered forever.
Clients - Thanks for allowing us to manage your homes. Thanks for friendship in the demanding lodging industry. Thanks for the compliments, feedback, and patience when the work load is busy.
Guests - Thanks to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who have chosen to stay with us. Thanks for reminding us you are having a great time on vacation.
Lodging Managers - Whooping big thank you for being committed to the success of every property. Your can-do attitude is not often seen, but we know how valuable it is.
Housekeepers - Thanks for cleaning homes so rigorously and reliably, often on weekends and even holidays. Be proud of yourselves.
Maintainers - Here is our thanks for keeping each and every home up and running, from hot tubs to repairs. We could not operate without you.
Guest Services - Thanks for answering hundreds of calls, answering thousands of questions, and processing accurate bookings. You are well mannered even in stressful times.
Accounting - No one comprehends else the thousands of transactions, channel bookkeeping, payroll, taxes, reimbursements, and more. Thank you for keeping on schedule without fail.
Yield Gurus - Thank you for mastering the science to achieve the highest rates during high season and good income in shoulder and off seasons. You have astounding insight.
Production - Thanks for ensuring each detail of each property is up to date and accurate. Onboarding and rebounding require you to be quick and careful. Thank you.
Graphics - It is easy to say thank you for the great logos, graphics, print products, and sales materials you build of such quality. Our competitors don’t do it because they can’t do what you do. Very good.
Photography - The quality of our photos, videos, 3D tours and websites is higher quality than competitors could ever do. Thank you for your skill and creativity.
Software - Thanks for your science-based engineering that enhances reservations, accounting, and the hundreds of websites we operate. You do it at the highest quality.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Here is a comment from that first Thank You Game, 20 years ago: "You are not going to believe this, I am thankful there is a restaurant that serves pancakes for dinner."
Clients - Thanks for allowing us to manage your homes. Thanks for friendship in the demanding lodging industry. Thanks for the compliments, feedback, and patience when the work load is busy.
Guests - Thanks to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who have chosen to stay with us. Thanks for reminding us you are having a great time on vacation.
Lodging Managers - Whooping big thank you for being committed to the success of every property. Your can-do attitude is not often seen, but we know how valuable it is.
Housekeepers - Thanks for cleaning homes so rigorously and reliably, often on weekends and even holidays. Be proud of yourselves.
Maintainers - Here is our thanks for keeping each and every home up and running, from hot tubs to repairs. We could not operate without you.
Guest Services - Thanks for answering hundreds of calls, answering thousands of questions, and processing accurate bookings. You are well mannered even in stressful times.
Accounting - No one comprehends else the thousands of transactions, channel bookkeeping, payroll, taxes, reimbursements, and more. Thank you for keeping on schedule without fail.
Yield Gurus - Thank you for mastering the science to achieve the highest rates during high season and good income in shoulder and off seasons. You have astounding insight.
Production - Thanks for ensuring each detail of each property is up to date and accurate. Onboarding and rebounding require you to be quick and careful. Thank you.
Graphics - It is easy to say thank you for the great logos, graphics, print products, and sales materials you build of such quality. Our competitors don’t do it because they can’t do what you do. Very good.
Photography - The quality of our photos, videos, 3D tours and websites is higher quality than competitors could ever do. Thank you for your skill and creativity.
Software - Thanks for your science-based engineering that enhances reservations, accounting, and the hundreds of websites we operate. You do it at the highest quality.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Here is a comment from that first Thank You Game, 20 years ago: "You are not going to believe this, I am thankful there is a restaurant that serves pancakes for dinner."
Blog #: 1046 – 10/31/25
Sponsor: Vortex VIP –
Comments: 0
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