Today we’d like to introduce you to Martha Neibling.
Martha, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After graduating college with a degree in public relations and completing my internship at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, my goal was to work for a non-profit organization where I could help others – but that was not in the cards for me. Instead I found myself working in the hospitality industry, first with Hyatt Hotels and then with Gaylord Hotels. I originally thought that my dream had changed course, until I realized that you do not have to work for a non-profit organization in order to help support and inspire others.
In my role as the marketing and public relations director at Gaylord Texan Resort, I have had the opportunity to create relationships with so many wonderful organizations that need the support of corporate partners like mine. I have helped coordinate wish experiences for over 75 Make-A-Wish kids, ranging from ultimate slumber parties to meet and greets with the Dallas Cowboys. I also plan complimentary group tours through our holiday ICE! Exhibit each year for women and children living in abuse shelters, homeless families, hospital patients, children facing serious medical challenges, etc. These individuals are the most in need of some Christmas magic and an escape from the tough circumstances they are faced with, so nothing makes me happier than seeing their faces light up when they come inside our winter wonderland. However, I also realized while planning these events that there were people in need of Christmas magic that could not physically make a trip to the Gaylord. That really troubled me, so in 2018, I came up with a new idea called “The Joy Project” – in which I was able take that holiday magic outside of the Gaylord and share it with those that could not come. I tracked down Santa Claus from the North Pole and we made our way to Cook Children’s Hospital for some special gift deliveries for the kids, Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living community where we provided presents and table visits from Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick, and the Humane Society of North Texas where we dropped off loads of supplies while also getting in some good hugs with the animals there! To view a video documenting The Joy Project, click on this link: https://youtu.be/ekCP_I_vnpk.
Outside of work, I enjoy supporting other causes that are close to my heart – animal rescue, student mentoring, and mental illness awareness. I am an avid animal lover and have two dogs of my own at home, but I am also a furry foster mom – most recently, rescuing a special guy named Scruff who was found roaming the streets of Dallas. He was going to be euthanized the day before I was able to take him from the shelter, and six weeks later, he found his forever family who cannot imagine their life without him. I also serve as a fundraiser and volunteer for the Suicide & Crisis Center of North Texas. After losing a family member to this disease, I realized how much awareness still needs to be created in order to help those who are suffering from mental illness. And as a proud graduate of Texas Tech University, I am honored to serve as the vice chairman of alumni board for the department of Mass Communications. Through this, I am able to mentor students, help develop alumni programs, and create or find job opportunities for the amazing kids of our future.
But my “story” outside of my work and the causes that I love, is that I was a scrawny and quiet kid who wanted to fit in, never tried out for things I was afraid I would not achieve, and never spoke up for myself like I should have. It was not until adulthood that I found my voice, discovered my passions, and figured out who I was. I was never bullied, but I am troubled by the amount of bullying and pressures that kid’s face today. And I would tell them that who you are a kid has no impact on the adult that you can become – if you are shy, powerless, hopeless, or insecure, just know that you have an amazing future ahead of you where you can be anything you want to be. Where you can find your voice, your passions, your strengths, and your successes. So do not give up. Life changes and we change with it, which means your opportunities are endless. I thought that by not finding a job with a non-profit organization out of college, that my dream was lost. But little did I know at the time that the career path ahead of me would leave me with endless opportunities to fulfill my dreams of helping those in need. And in that, I was able to bloom.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have of course been challenges along the way. We all have them. I call those challenges “speed bumps” along our paths. There are some people that hit the speed bump and just roll back and stop. But there are others who hit that speed bump, and then rev up to climb right over it and back on their path forward. Speed bumps can be anything, from a bad boss or a lost job opportunity to an illness or lost relationship – but you cannot let them hold you back. Rev up! Life is a journey and our purpose is to grow into who we are meant to be, learn from others, become our best selves, and never take for granted those special people in our lives.
Please tell us about Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center.
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center on Lake Grapevine features 1,814 luxury guestrooms, four-and-a-half acres of lush indoor gardens, 490,000 square feet of meeting space, four award-winning restaurants, a 10-acre outdoor waterpark, a 43,000-square-foot nightclub, a 25,000-square-foot spa and salon, retail shops, annual special events including Lone Star Christmas, and much more.
The resort offers world-class amenities for meeting attendees and leisure travelers. With our “everything in one place” concept, we can accommodate groups of all sizes, from a family of four enjoying a getaway to a convention of 10,000 attendees. Although we have a spectacular facility for our guests to enjoy, what truly sets us apart is the exceptional service provided to them by our STAR employees.
In May, we proudly opened our all-new resort expansion named the Vineyard Tower. With this latest addition, Gaylord Texan Resort is now the third largest non-gaming meetings hotel in the United States and has created over 100 new jobs in our local community.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Some of my very favorite childhood memories are times with my grandfather, “Papa,” who was a minister and always so much fun to be around. He had a great sense of humor, he sang hymns with his booming voice, and he would play little tricks on us, and take us out for ice cream. He was also the best listener, advice giver, and always made us feel special and loved.
Contact Info:
- Address: Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
1501 Gaylord Trail
Grapevine, TX 76051 - Website: www.GaylordTexan.com
- Phone: (817) 778-1000
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaylordtexan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GaylordTexanResort/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/GaylordTexan
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