Oklahoma City KEY - Concierge of the Month

James Pranger
Holiday Inn Express

PROFILE: James Pranger is originally from Ohio. He grew up in a missionary home, and as a result, spent 12 years in the Far Eastern part of Russia. He moved to Oklahoma City three years ago to attend Heartland Baptist Bible College. He is currently just a few short months away from being a senior, majoring in Pastoral Ministries, with a goal of becoming a pastor/missionary upon graduation.

During the spring semester of his freshman year he applied and earned a job at the Holiday Inn Express off of Meridian. With limited customer service experience, he quickly learned how to meet and communicate with the guest from all over the world. He is fluent in Russian, which allows him the opportunity to converse with guests that are from Russia or a former Soviet Union republic, in their own native language.

Favorite OKC Restaurant: “Oklahoma City has many diverse restaurants to choose from. Within a mile of our hotel there are many restaurants varying from Italian, to Mexican, Oklahoma's finest steakhouse and BBQ. Perhaps the restaurant I recommend most often is Zio's Italian Kitchen. They have two locations – one just a few blocks from the hotel and the other in Bricktown. I'm rather partial to their Chicken Alfredo.”

Favorite Attraction: “When I am asked by a guest what there is to do in Oklahoma City, I simply reply what ever you want. Oklahoma City's attractions vary from walking the river walk in Bricktown, to visiting the National Memorial and Museum, to the Botanical Gardens, to the Oklahoma River Cruises, to Oklahoma's finest rodeos and roping competitions and the Stockyards. By far my favorite attraction and most frequent recommendation is the Bricktown area.”

Favorite OKC nightspot: “My favorite spot to spend an evening is Bricktown. Starting off at the Bass Pro Shop (you can park for free) and walking the riverwalk, passing Toby Keith's Bar and Grill, Harkins Theatre, the Ballpark and many other restaurants and coffee shops. After a great dinner at one of the restaurants, we end our evening at The Melting Pot – a great spot for dessert!”

“Whatever your taste, Oklahoma City has it waiting for you to enjoy.”

A concierge (pronounced kon-'syerzh) is the closest thing you can find to your own personal assistant in a fine hotel. The concierge in your hotel is there to make your stay in Oklahoma City more enjoyable and hassle-free. A Concierge can do more than call a cab. Through their contacts, locally, nationally, and internationally, a Concierge can:

Obtain dinner, events reservations and tickets when and where no one else can.
Set up itineraries for visiting business people.
Make suggestions for and help plan sightseeing by bus, car, driver, limousine, or on foot.
Provide access to secretarial and office services, including faxes, telexes and photocopies.
Arrange hair, barbering, nail and beauty appointments.
Call ahead to a store and have several outfits set aside if you guess wrong about the Oklahoma weather, then have your selections delivered.
Help families relocating to Oklahoma City obtain information on neighborhoods, schools, and homes.
Help with questions pertaining to other cities - you have a friend anywhere in the world where there is a Concierge.

The Concierge has grown to be a trusted resource in the finest hotels in the world. However, don't just take our word for it. Discover what a concierge can do by simply asking for assistance. You'll find that a concierge is capable of meeting the needs of every guest, no matter how discriminating. Concierges spread good will. Call a Concierge - they won't let you down! As the #1 visitor destination city in Oklahoma, Oklahoma City has lots to see and do and whether you visit the Cowboy Hall of Fame, Omniplex, National Bombing Memorial, our beautiful museums, or stroll along the River Walk in Bricktown, the concierge staff at your hotel is there to guide you.

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