The Check-In with LBA: Featuring Judy Cluck
Judy Cluck, LBA’s Vice President of Sales, talks about motivating teams, launching Hyatt Studios, hosting impactful events, and celebrating personal milestones.
Q: What’s the key to keeping sales teams motivated and performing at their best?
JUDY: Our LBA sales team is among the best in the business, and staying at that level means staying ahead — both in strategy and in how we support our teams. Listening to the challenges our sales leaders face in their markets is essential. We keep them motivated through sales contests that encourage cross-selling within the LBA portfolio, face-to-face client engagement, and regular calls to share ideas and uncover opportunities. And we always take time to celebrate every win, big or small.
Q: How does launching the very first hotel of a brand, like Hyatt Studios Mobile, differ from a traditional hotel opening?
JUDY: Launching a brand-new concept has been such a fun and rewarding experience. We took a strategic approach, working closely with Hyatt and leading with a strong sales blitz to build relationships in the local community. We were fortunate to have a General Manager with deep roots in the area, which gave us a head start. Combined with our market knowledge and support from Hyatt’s commercial team, the excitement has been incredible. Unlike traditional openings, this one required proactive community engagement, personal outreach, and tailored marketing to build awareness and generate a buzz — and it’s working.
Q: What makes a ribbon-cutting event successful and impactful for sales teams?
JUDY: Success starts with a clear, thoughtful plan — months in advance. We make sure the local community knows what’s coming, and our sales teams use that momentum during calls and networking events. We partner with chambers and CVBs to drive attendance and always tie the event to a theme, which helps to tell the hotel’s story through marketing and sales efforts. Our teams come together throughout the process, making it a great team-building moment. Most importantly, we follow up. Post-event outreach from our sales leaders helps turn interest into real business — and that’s what makes it truly impactful.
Q: How do you balance a busy career with celebrating big personal milestones like your husband’s retirement and your daughter’s engagement?
JUDY: My husband’s retirement has been wonderful — he’s more relaxed, focused on his health, and finally checking off some of those long-standing home projects. The energy in our home has completely shifted. And my daughter — I just adore her. She and I are very close, and she’s a natural planner just like her mom. Planning her wedding together has been such a joyful experience. In just two months, we’ve nearly finished everything, and it’s made this season incredibly special. We’re all counting down to the big day next April.
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