Brilliant Business People: Mover and Shaker Perry Kessler, Piano Man and Director of Sales and Marketing at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Our Coverage Sponsored by Bergen Linen
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Mover and Shaker Perry Kessler is Director of Sales and Marketing at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, which is known for high level hospitality, a towering presence and a premier location in the heart of Center City. He is an industry veteran, having worked in every type of hotel from Upscale to Resort, Extended Stay to Select Service, Lifestyle to Conference, and Suburban to Urban and Big-Box Convention. In the late 80's you might have found him playing piano throughout the cities of Philadelphia or Boston.
Raised in Philadelphia, Kessler moved to Boston with to start his career as a “Piano Man”. He found part time work bouncing (checking ID’s) and eventually began to bartend at a Boston dive while also playing music in lounges. One day while bartending, Kessler was recognized as “the pianist” by a hotel waiter who had seen him play in one of the restaurants. The hotelier was shocked to learn that Perry had a “real talent” at making drinks! Kessler was offered a job.
Perry joined Marriott in 1989 and moved up the ranks from Bar-Back to Bartender, Banquet Captain to Convention Floor Manager. Starting a family, he transferred around working in Catering Sales, Convention Management and soon became a Director of Event Planning at one of the city’s largest hotels. Learning the business while gravitating towards sales he became a Sr. Account Executive, a Sales Director and then an Area Director over two properties. From there he was selected for a pre-opening to create, deploy and lead a sales team of an exciting new build lifestyle brand in the city. Following a successful launch he was awarded his first seat on an executive committee as he transferred to Director of Sales and Marketing at a New England Resort and Spa. Later, during Marriott’s sales transformation, Kessler was chosen to pilot a global sales team and to oversee communications and stakeholder relations for eight different hotels simultaneously. After a few years of earning accolades he was recruited by a large, upper-upscale hotel as Director of Sales and Marketing.
In 2015, Kessler moved back to his home town of Philadelphia where he was invited to oversee sales and marketing for the largest hotel in the state of Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Marriott Downtown is a 1408 room convention hotel containing 100,000 Sq. Ft of versatile function space, connected to the Philadelphia Convention Center.
Perry doesn’t play the piano (much) any more but sometimes he “tinkers”. With two children grown, he and his wife reside in South Philly, only a few blocks away from where they first met (in high school). We could not be more thrilled to present to your our latest Mover and Shaker graduation into Brilliant Business People, a feat few progress to! Peachy Deegan interviewed Perry Kessler for Whom You Know, and her only regret is that she didn't know him when she lived in Boston!
Peachy Deegan: It is pretty rare to find an individual today that has been at one brand for as long as you have. What do you attribute your Marriott success to?
Perry Kessler:
Well, I’ve been with Marriott for a long time but Marriott has many different hotels and brands so I’ve grown my career by moving around! I was really fortunate (all those years ago) to have stumbled into a company that allows you to grow and helps you to do just that; I’ve been able to work many positions in hotels of various types, styles, brands and locations. Moving into sales (from operations) I’ve had opportunities to lead several kinds of teams and have just never slowed down. My success has grown out of the opportunities that were given me; I have been able to learn, develop and stay challenged. I've not had to sit still and I think that the way that I was able to move (from the ground up) has allowed me perspective that makes me a better leader, mentor and businessperson.
How did you meet your wife in high school?
She was the welcoming committee! It was my first day of 11th grade at a new and very small school. She and a friend were waiting on the steps for newcomers. They greeted me and showed me around and were so friendly that I thought it was a little bit creepy. But I liked her enough to shoot spitballs at her in class and I am sure that she found that charming. We didn’t date until years later but I’m pretty sure that it was my style (spitballs) that urged her to look me up during her family trip to Boston, where I was in college. We had our first date and not too long after I was able to convince her to visit for a while in the summer… basically I just sort of kept her after that; I won her over and we’ve been married since 1990. We have two wonderful children, ages 23 and 21.
When Billy Joel finally works on a duet with you of course in Madison Square Garden, what songs will you agree to and how will they be arranged when you each play a grand piano on stage?
Peachy, I am very rusty and Billy is not! Although I hardly play anymore I will still walk by the piano in my living room and strike a chord here and there… and while my fingers aren’t the best my ear still works. Knowing that, Billy would have to adapt me and not vice versa. We would have to write a few songs together and arrange them in a way for him to make me look good... I mean, he is going to look good no matter what, right? Maybe we could follow a 1, 4, 5 blues progression in an easy key; start off with a slow, bluesy, ballad and call it “Blues for Peachy” … then…, when the moment is just right we could groove into a boogie-woogie and jam the “Peachy Deegan Blues”! This should bring the house down.
Is there a piano player in your Philadelphia Marriott?
Nope! Folks who know my history tend to joke around about bringing back a baby grand and having me sit there… trust me, everyone is better off not knowing how rusty I am! Musicians are hired (per occasion or event) from a local agency but having a “house pianist” is past its time. We pipe music into our lobby which puts everyone into a good mood; there is some talk about adding some live entertainment in the lounge which might be fun!
What are your favorite Ray Charles songs and why?
There are TOO many!! I love his arrangements and I love his voice and his renditions of other artist’s songs are brilliant and amazing. His version of “America the Beautiful” is SO soulful, and his voice in “Some Enchanted Evening” gives me shivers and his “You are my Sunshine” is the coolest ever! Hey, if you ever want to really treat yourself get his last album “Genius Loves Company”, it was an amazingly well produced album of him doing duets with Nora Jones, James Taylor, Elton John, Willie Nelson, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, Michael McDonald, Gladys Knight, Van Morrison, BB King, Johnny Mathis and more. Peachy, I guarantee you will love this album!! I think it was released shortly after he died. It won several Grammys!
What aspects of the hotel industry do you like the most and why?
Events, Conventions, Ballrooms, Entertainment, Trends, Styles, Culinary, Restaurants, Lounges… what is not to like? I love that I’ve seen monumental conventions (like when the Pope, DNC or NFL Draft came to Philadelphia) and that I get to connect with travelers from all over the world. Every now and then I am part of someone’s life changing moment - special events (such as weddings) happen often. Watching these things, learning about people, culture, and diversity never gets old.
What differentiates a successful professional in hospitality from one who is not?
Know your audience! The best of the best are great listeners. There are a million reasons why people come into a hotel. Some travel for leisure, some for business, some for a meeting, conference or event. Whether you are in operations, food and beverage, or in sales and marketing, the greatest professionals have an innate ability to determine the “who, what and why” of the guest… not just to be hospitable but to enhance the experience of whom they serve.
What are your favorite piano bars in the world and why?
Nostalgia would force me to say Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans (birthplace of a very serious drink called “the hurricane”). The place is a landmark and I’ve not been since my honeymoon in 1990. There were dueling pianos and it was such a party! But Peachy, you have inspired me. Philadelphia is a musician’s city and while I’ve been to several concerts, seen shows, listened to street performers I have yet check out the piano bars and I am sure there are some good ones. I will let you know!
How has the hotel industry changed for the better and worse during your career?
The only thing constant is change, right? Trends are fun to watch and to participate in. From dark woods, glass and brass to light woods, metals and steampunk…fried foods to healthy, lavish buffets to market style, big plate to small bites, crushed ice to glowing cocktail cubes, up lighting, down lighting, spotlighting, pin spotting…and don’t get me started on music! It is just fun to see the different designs, meals, and lifestyles that the industry adapts to. The reasons people travel remains the same yet the environment has to stay nimble. The industry is impacted by the economy, politics and the business climate. Things like safety and security have become paramount and we’ve invested millions to be sure that we have cutting edge technology. My 1,408 room hotel just moved to a mobile check-in option and there are several other changes that make travel easier and more streamlined. We operate in a rapidly changing world which can be exciting, yet there is a lot to stay on top of.
How did you know back in the day before so much technology when someone was using a fake id in Boston, college capital of the world (and for the record, Peachy never had one)?
Back then we were told to stick with “in-state ID’s” but, as you pointed out, doing that in a college capital was not so easy; there was an element of “use your judgment” and I was pretty young to be using judgment (in a dive bar!)! Those were different times Peachy..., too much fun and verrry different. I really do have the best memories! I had no idea back then the direction of which I was heading. It turned out well, thank goodness (smile).
What are your favorite drinks to make and why?
I don’t really bartend anymore but sometimes I “tinker” (just like with the piano). I like clear drinks (vodka, gin) in the summer time and darker drinks (scotch or bourbon) in the wintertime. I drink white wine in the summer, red wine in the winter - you get the picture. My one exception is with beer, I love Guinness enough to drink it all year long (but I do like different lagers, wheat beers and IPA’s).
I have begun to develop a taste for summertime gin. I’ve been trying to get away from too much sugar and since “muddling” is “in”, I’ve started playing around with it. Here’s goes:
Muddle some cucumber and top it with gin, it’s already an interesting combination but then add just a splash of elderflower liquor on top. The elderflower is syrupy but it is not super sweet and its floral taste mellows some of the gin’s bite. Then add a splash of seltzer for a slight fizz and if you want you can add just a shot of sour mix… I prefer to just squeeze in fresh lemon/lime. Chill that baby and you can shake it or stir it or do what makes you happy. Sometimes I’d strain it and have as a martini but other times I might pour it on the rocks and have in a cool glass with some funky ice cubes. I don’t know if this drink has an official name but you can call it “summer heaven”!
What are the biggest mistakes people make in trying to understand their audience when marketing a hotel property?
A great man once said that we were given two ears but only one mouth for a reason! We need to know what it is that will make ourselves and our clients highly successful and that comes more from listening than talking. The biggest mistakes in marketing, and in sales, come from assuming we know what a customer needs or wants without doing enough research. Mistakes also come from trying to be all things to all people and not working towards long term big picture goals. Know your product, know your audience. Develop focus groups, ask questions, study demographics, stay knowledgeable, understand change…then…and only then… you can develop great communications to earn trust and build win/win relationships. Misperceptions risk reputation. Credibility and relationship are everything. Be true to your brand and protect it.
What should everyone in Manhattan know about Philadelphia and why should we visit?
Did you know that Philadelphia is a shopping haven where apparel and shoes are tax free?
Did you know that US News & World Report recently ranked Philadelphia #2 as “best place to visit” in the USA as well as “best historic destinations in USA”? #1 ranked was New York City!
Did you know that Philadelphia is less than a two hour drive from Manhattan (and within a day’s drive of FORTY PERCENT of the United States population!)?
Did you know in late 2015 Philadelphia was designated as the first and only UNESCO World Heritage City in America? There are 250 World Heritage Cities in the world and thanks to its culture, history, preservation, developments and more Philadelphia is has joined the likes of Paris, Florence, Jerusalem, St. Petersburg, and Prague in this designation!
Did you know that the best bagel is a Philly Pretzel?
What do you love most about the Marriott Philadelphia?
The people! Our hotel employs nearly 700 people. We are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year; it’s a 1,408 room hotel with about 100,000 square feet of function spaces and it has restaurants, lounges, concierge, room service, housekeeping, front desk, kitchen, sales and events offices, and much, much more. It’s just a huge operation and a total team effort. Each associate strives to become a master of their craft and the training and dedication that goes into “making it happen” is incredible…. I mean, our hotel is “all action” and it is just amazing to watch, learn and participate. We have such hardworking people who genuinely care about providing great service; the camaraderie is contagious and it is inspiring too. Hard work gets recognized; folks are promoted frequently and as that happens the next generation is inspired … this translates into great, long, happy careers as well as exceptional customer service.
What honors and awards have you received in your profession since your Mover and Shaker interview?
Joining this team was an honor; being interviewed by Peachy Deegan is an honor… and… as I proudly approach 25 years with the company I shall soon receive membership into Marriott’s “Quarter Century Club” and that will be a huge honor.
The hotel recently won Meetings Today “Best of” Awards” (for the seventh time) AND we recently received a litany of awards from Meetings and Conventions Magazine such as: Gold Elite (top vote getter) for “best Hotel/Resort in the Northeast”, and another Gold Award for “Best On-Site Support Staff in the Northeast” and still another for “Best Green Initiatives”!
What is your favorite place to be in Philadelphia?
Center City is the greatest! There’s something like 400 restaurants from fine dining to casual, probably half of them have outdoor café seating and there are many that are BYOB. Upscale, casual, light, heavy, vegetarian, vegan, ethnic, you name a style or type it’s a foodie city and the nightlife is happening too. There is a festival for “something” almost every weekend. Diversity is honored. Every single culture is celebrated. Some of the world’s greatest museums are here. If you like music, theater, dance or art… there’s an actually “Avenue of the Arts” where all the theaters and Universities reside. Culture, beer gardens, fine dining, street performers, food trucks, shopping, you name it and it’s all in walking distance. There’s a ton of history and tourist attractions too. Center City is “the place” to be. Every minute that I am not at work I feel like I am on vacation.
What is your favorite shop in Philadelphia?
It’s not a shop, it’s a market...Reading Terminal Market is adjacent to my hotel. We are talking about an indoor farmers market with something like 90 merchants – and by that I mean bakeries, dairy/cheese, produce, flowers/plants, housewares, restaurants, specialty foods, seafood, meats, day stalls, ethnic foods, crafts & gifts and more. You must go there for breakfast or lunch…the place is incredible and for about eight bucks you can buy a sandwich large enough to feed your family for a week…but it’s not just the size, it’s amazingly delicious and award winning quality (seeing is believing)!!!
How is the Guinness at your hotel and do they have a PK Burger? Peachy wants to try the PK Burger and is also wondering what meat vendor you would use to source it and how the burger would be designed.
Hahaha – I am impressed, you are recalling a conversation that we had a long time ago!!
Listen, my hotel has the most incredible culinary team! Our Chef (Robert Price) cures his own meats and makes his own pastramis; steak is an art form as are many other things. So our restaurant (“13 Restaurant”) features a “signature burger” and it is made from house ground brisket topped with an amazing local cheddar, sriracha-candied bacon, roasted garlic aioli, heirloom tomato and arugula. It is served on the most beautifully tasteful roll on a piece of slate with a knife sticking out of the top (which keeps it together because it’s stacked high).
Peachy, it looks amazing but it tastes so good that your eyes will tear and you will probably weep as you bit into it. I am tearing up now just thinking about it.
So no, they don’t have a “PK burger” because the Signature Burger is THAT good; but yes they serve Guinness beer. Philly is a craft beer city although when you eat a burger like this I would definitely recommend a Guinness! We serve some great Sam Adams and incredible awesome micro brews too. The restaurant is called “13” because at one point there were thirteen beers on tap!
What is your favorite restaurant in Philadelphia?
Besides the one we were just talking about (13 Restaurant) this is a really hard question, there are HUNDREDS! I direct most folks down Thirteenth Street because within a block or two of the hotel you will find the best few Mexican, Asian, Mediterranean, Indian, Steak, Sushi, Vegan and more. You really can’t go wrong! Also though, I love the Italian restaurants in South Philly and there are some amazing Vietnamese places (especially if you like Pho). I’m sorry I can’t narrow it down because there is at least 2-3 of every type, kind and price range that I love. I’m a foodie depending on my moody!
What is your favorite Philadelphia book or favorite character in Philadelphia literature?
Does the movie “Rocky” count? OKAY, I know it’s not literature but Rocky is the favorite character of Philadelphia. He may be fictional but some folks think he’s real! He represents the underdog and the “feel of PHL”; Peachy, watch the original “Rocky” and then skip all the others and jump to “Creed” which was recently released. If you do that you will see an amazing before and after; not just in the story but in the city; Philadelphia has changed so dramatically. I think the movie “Creed” really honors modern day Philadelphia showing many of the different areas. It is fascinating and fun!
Who would you like to be for a day and why?
My wife! She is brilliant, caring, beautiful, fun, and funny and she wins most of the arguments!
If you could have anything in Philadelphia named after you what would it be and why?
Hmm, tough question! Let me think… Philly has all of these town squares and different districts, parks, green spaces, beer gardens… BEER GARDENS! I would love to have a beer garden named after me! Why I don’t know… why not?
What has been your best Philadelphia athletic experience?
I just love to walk and recently I’ve had to learn how to again. I feel like an athlete when I do it... actually, I feel like Rocky! Three years ago I broke my ankle in a motorcycle accident which caused a painful arthritic problem in my mid-foot. Philadelphia is SUCH a walking city but a few blocks would cause me pain. It’s funny you know, everyone in the world is counting their steps. I bought myself a step tracker and became determined to beat this problem. I lost weight, discovered new shoe technology an after THREE years I managed to be able to move from 6,000 painful steps to 25,000 (nearly) pain free. On weekends my wife and I will walk the city for miles and miles and miles.
What is your favorite thing to do in Philadelphia that you can do nowhere else?
Did I mention the beer gardens? There are about 30 different beer gardens, maybe more. Empty spaces become landscaped; craft beers are served in beautiful outdoor settings. Besides the nature, beer and tranquility there is often music, local arts and crafts; sometimes games and usually food trucks or restaurant options that are trendy, delicious and fun.
There is something in the air in Philadelphia that makes a pretzel or a hoagie taste different.
I also love that almost every weekend there is a festival or celebration someplace!
My wife and I like to target a festival or two while bopping around from beer garden to beer garden, soaking in the sun and snacking along the way… this combines my passion for walking, eating, drinking, music, art and more… only in Philadelphia!
If you could have dinner with any person living or passed, who would it be and why?
B.B. King! I love his music and I don’t know enough about his life. He probably died with his guitar (named Lucille) on his lap. I was fortunate enough to see him play over three different decades and loved it every time. I’m waiting for his biography. He played nearly all year long; he piloted his planes! He was revered and studies by so many great musicians. He influenced the world. There has got to be a movie in this story, don’t you think? I wonder what he’d choose for his entree.
What has been your best Philadelphia art or music experience?
There is music and art wherever you go!! I once was invited to a private viewing of a French Impressionists Exhibit at the Museum of Art and it was breathtaking. The Rodin museum is an amazing experience too. I can’t narrow down a “best” music experience, there is too much! If search “Gamble and Huff” you will come across the greatest sounds of Philadelphia that helped put Motown on the map. But you will find great jazz, classical, rock, gospel, blues, soul, where ever you go here. Music is on the streets, in the theaters, in the restaurants, in the café’s, beer gardens or large scale venues…sorry, I just cannot narrow this question down.
What do you think is most underrated and overrated in Philadelphia?
Cheesesteaks, Hoagies and Soft Pretzels are NOT overrated. As I said earlier, there is something in the air that makes the bread here taste uniquely wonderful BUT there is so much more to eating in Philadelphia; the restaurant scene is spectacular with amazingly renowned Chef’s, all kinds of style’s and innovations. Dining here is becoming widely known as world class; folks who haven’t been to Philly in a while should come back and try something different…this is not your grandmothers Philadelphia!
Do you ever want to retire (we hope not we think you are one of the most awesome people in hotels!) and if so what do you want to do then?
Ha! I think maybe some people end up just like they started; for example, if you start out bald and in diapers then I think that there is a chance you might end up that way. So if that happens professionally I guess that I could end up bartending again (preferably on a tropical island someplace). Seriously, I am too young and happy doing what I do to answer this; I would love to travel! Someday.
Other than Movers and Shakers of course, what is your favorite WhomYouKnow.com column today and what do you like about it?
This is really hard to narrow down. WhomYouKnow is such a sophisticated lifestyle piece and has SO many categories that it is really hard to pick a favorite! I like to visit the “Literary” tab and then scroll down to “Quotable Peachy”. I can go there and find a phrase or thought that might impact my mood at a moment’s glance. In a fast-paced world sometimes an inspirational, quotable Peachy makes a difference!
What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?
The song “If you don’t’ know me by now”, by Howard Melvin and the Blue Notes just popped into my head. Peachy, I think you’ve asked it all!
How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers?
I can be found on LinkedIn. Thanks!
