HFTP® Acquires Leading Hospitality Industry Brands: Hospitality Upgrade, Hotel-Online, The CIO Summit and The Executive Vendor Summit
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25, 2024
Industry Happenings
HFTP® Acquires Leading Hospitality Industry Brands: Hospitality Upgrade, Hotel-Online, The CIO Summit and The Executive Vendor Summit
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25, 2024
The popular brands will seamlessly merge with HFTP, further solidifying the association’s position as a leading provider of resources and events for the global hospitality community. June 25, 2024 (Charlotte, N.C.) — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), the global association for finance and technology professionals in the hospitality industry, has announced the strategic acquisition of several prominent hospitality industry brands. The acquisition includes Hospitality Upgrade, Hotel-Online, the CIO Summit and the Executive Vendor Summit, further solidifying HFTP's position as a leading provider of resou...
It’s Never Been Better for Investment in the Hotel Technology Industry
HFTP | June 24, 2024
By Frank Wolfe, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), HFTP Just as the hospitality industry evolves, so too must the format of its conventions, especially one as influential to the hospitality industry as HITEC. This year, the senior team at HFTP has expanded the tradeshow’s depth and impact with the inaugural HITEC Technology Investment Conference, taking place immediately after the main event on Thursday, June 27 and Friday, June 29. While it’s been in the making for a long time, we couldn’t have hoped for a better year to debut this addition. Why is 2024 particularly ripe for investment in this sector? Needless as it may be to the ment...
Expedia Report Finds Americans Win the Gold Medal for Taking Fewest Vacation Days in the World
Expedia Group | June 20, 2024
24th Annual Vacation Deprivation Report finds Americans are more vacation deprived than ever; unveils tips from around the world to help U.S. travelers get more out of their time off and save on their next trip According to Expedia’s 24th annual Vacation Deprivation Report,1 released today, roughly half of Americans don’t plan on using all their time off this year (53%), despite receiving just 12 days off annually — the fewest of any country surveyed. Expedia’s report has been analyzing time-off trends around the world for 24 years, and while American vacation deprivation (defined as the feeling of not having enough time off) has...
AHLA, Questex Announce New Speakers, Programming for The Hospitality Show
AHLA | June 20, 2024
Early bird pricing is available through June 28. Register here. NEW YORK (June 20, 2024) - The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex have announced an updated slate of speakers and events for The Hospitality Show (The Show), the world’s premier hospitality operations and technology event, which will be held Oct. 28-30 in San Antonio, Texas. New confirmed speakers for The Show include: NFL reporter and TV personality Erin Andrews, who will lead a discussion with sports and hospitality stars titled “Game Changers: Power Plays in Sports, Media, and Hospitality” Wyndam Hotels & Resorts Preside...
Marriott Bonvoy & The J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott Foundation Provide $500K Donation to World Central Kitchen for Disaster Response Effort
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL | June 19, 2024
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program, and The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott (JWASM) Foundation are combining forces to donate $500,000 to World Central Kitchen (WCK), the non-profit organization founded by renowned chef José Andrés. The donation is expected to greatly enhance WCK’s ability to provide meals in the wake of natural disasters and crises around the world, helping those in need receive the nutrition and support they require during challenging times. The donation builds on the company’s and the Marriott family’s longstanding support for WCK. Anthony Capuano, President and Chief Execu...
U.S. Travel Association’s Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel Identifies Five Bold Steps to Boost National Travel Competitiveness and Benefit V
U.S. Travel Association | June 19, 2024
Expert panel will urge U.S. government to advance emerging security initiatives between the United States, United Kingdom and other nations to address travel pain points WASHINGTON (June 19, 2024)— The United States stands on the cusp of major, long-awaited innovations in travel security and facilitation—developments that will enhance the country’s ability to more aggressively compete for global travelers and reverse a lagging rate of recovery as other nations excel, according to work underway by the Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel and the U.S. Travel Association. “It’s time for U.S. officials to make a leap forward an...
GBTA U.S. Legislative Summit 2024 Brings the Voices of Business Travel to Policymakers to Advance Industry Priorities
GBTA | June 17, 2024
100+ GBTA Members Share Industry’s Economic Impact and Urge Legislators to Support Decarbonizing Air Travel and Improve the U.S. Visa System for Those Who Travel for Work Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Representative Sam Graves (R-MO) Receive “GBTA Navigator Award” for Championing Business Travel in the U.S. Members and constituents of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) converged last week in Washington D.C. for the GBTA U.S. Legislative Summit 2024 where over 100 participants met one-on-one with U.S. Senators, Representatives and their staff to share data-informed insights and advocate for policies that supp...
Takeaways From the 2024 Boutique Hotel Investment Conference by BLLA: Reviving the Spirit of Boutique Hotels
MARCUS R. LEE | June 14, 2024
By Marcus R. Lee, Patricia Shih, and Lizzette Casarin FIAF Florence Gould Hall Theater was bustling in early June with another successful Boutique Hotel Investment Conference. Kudos to the BLLA team for executing a great event! This article presents some key takeaways from HVS attendees Patricia Shih (HVS Consulting & Valuation) and Marcus Lee (HVS Asset Management & Advisory). In the ever-evolving landscape of hospitality, the term “boutique hotel” has transformed. Once synonymous with personalized service, unique design, and intimate experiences, “boutique hotels” as a phrase has recently blended with some nation...
BCD’s Travel Buyer Survey Reveals Shifting Priorities in Corporate Travel Policies
BCD Travel | June 13, 2024
UTRECHT, The Netherlands, June 13, 2024 – Leading global travel management company BCD Travel’s recent study explores modern corporate travel policies and changes happening due to shifting priorities and trends. The results are based on an online survey from April 2024 of more than 200 travel buyers worldwide. The top three travel program priorities include duty of care, policy compliance and cost control. All three ranked highly in 2023 and have since gained importance. However, the ratings of other priorities went slightly down. Traveler satisfaction dropped in importance as one of the top priorities from 2021 to 2023 to fourth in 2024...
Nominations Open for the ISHC Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting
The International Society of Hospitality Consultants | June 13, 2024
June 13, 2024: The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) announced that nominations are being accepted for the Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting. Launched in 2015 in honor of Lori Raleigh, founder of the Travers Group and executive director of ISHC 2000-2013, the award honors young, successful industry professionals with leadership qualities and a perceived bright future in hospitality consulting. Candidates for The Lori Raleigh Award must be 35 years of age or younger at the time of the award presentation and meet the criteria for ISHC’s associate membership. They also must be recogni...
Jim Butler Asks Mark S. Adams for Update on California Junk Fee law: Would SB 1524 Gut SB 478’s Honest Pricing for All?
Mark S. Adams | June 12, 2024
Mark S. Adams is the go-to senior lawyer in JMBM’s hospitality litigation team for assessing legal exposure, pursuing legitimate claims, and defending a client’s rights involving hospitality matters. Jim Butler caught up with Mark to find out what all the fuss is about over California’s Junk Fee law (SB 478) and a proposed amendment by SB 1524 that has consumer advocates for transparent consumer prices in an uproar. Jim Butler: As a hospitality litigator and advisor, you have been at the forefront in junk fee matters for many years, and have written extensively about the latest developments. Tell us what all the fuss is about c...
Agilysys To Speak on “Revenue Beyond the Room” at HITEC 2024 and on “The Agilysys Turnaround Story: 2017 – 2024” at HITEC IC 2024
Agilysys | June 12, 2024
Agilysys SVP Frank Pitsikalis will present Tuesday, June 25th and CEO Ramesh Srinivasan will present Thursday, June 27th ALPHARETTA, GA (June 12, 2024) — Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of hospitality software solutions and services, today announced two executive speaker sessions, one at the HFTP HITEC event June 24 – 27 and one at the HITEC Technology Investment Conference (HITEC IC) June 27 – 28, both to be held at the Charlotte Convention Center inCharlotte, North Carolina, USA. Produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), a global non-profit hospitality association, HITEC ...
Now Accepting Nominations for the 2024 Rising Star Award Asia Pacific To Be Presented at HICAP
ISHC | June 12, 2024
Singapore (12 June 2024): The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC), in partnership with the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP), is now accepting nominations for the Rising Star Award Asia Pacific to be presented at HICAP on 16-18 October 2024 at the Fairmont Singapore & Swissotel The Stamford in Singapore. Candidates must meet the following criteria: 35 years of age or younger, born on or after 16 October 1989 Have a minimum of five years in a hotel development and/or investment-related field with a minimum of one year with the current company Recognized by leaders in the hospitality field ...
House Passes No Hidden FEES Act, a Major AHLA Legislative Priority
AHLA | June 12, 2024
The legislation would establish a comprehensive single standard for transparent and mandatory fee displays across the lodging industry – from short-term rental platforms, to online travel agencies, metasearch sites, and hotels. WASHINGTON (June 12, 2024) – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the No Hidden FEES Act, a major American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) legislative priority that would ensure lodging cost transparency for consumers. The legislation would establish a comprehensive single standard for transparent and mandatory fee displays across the lodging industry – from short-term rental platforms, to...
HFTP Announces Hospitality Code of Digital Responsibility
HFTP | June 11, 2024
Global nonprofit to develop guidelines for the industry. Austin, Texas (June 11, 2024) — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), the global spokes group for the industry’s hospitality technology segment and producers of the HITEC® brand, announced today a new project that will develop a code of digital responsibility for hospitality. Earlier this year, HFTP commissioned the University of Houston College of Global Hospitality Leadership to write a white paper on digital responsibility, which is featured in the inaugural issue of HFTP’s Tech+Fin Hospitality Magazine available at HITEC 2024 and on the associatio...
Pricing Transparency Without Hidden Mandatory Junk Fees. Does This Apply to Restaurants Too?
Mark S. Adams | June 10, 2024
New California proposed law (SB 1524 ) says “No!” Can this be right? By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com Note: If you are a consumer with a Junk Fee issue, please do NOT contact us! We do not represent consumers against hotels, restaurants, or other business owners. We are part of the fabric of the hospitality industry and are committed to informing, educating, and assisting the industry. We represent business owners, helping them to understand and comply with applicable laws and defending them from consumer charges. Pricing transparency without hidden mandatory junk f...
76% of Surveyed Hotels Report Staffing Shortages
AHLA | June 10, 2024
Hotels on hiring spree with higher wages, better benefits, more flexibility WASHINGTON (June 10, 2024) – More than three-quarters of surveyed hotels are experiencing a staffing shortage, and hotels are increasing pay, benefits, and perks to recruit and retain employees, according to a May survey of hoteliers conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Over the last six months, 86% of respondents have increased wages, 52% have offered greater flexibility with hours, and 33% have expanded benefits to cope with the nationwide workforce shortage. Nonetheless, 79% say they are still unable to fill open positions. ...
AHLA Workforce Report: Hotels Add 700 Jobs in May
AHLA | June 10, 2024
Hotels more than 190,000 jobs short of pre-pandemic levels amid economy-wide labor shortage WASHINGTON (June 10, 2024) – U.S. hotels added 700 jobs to their payrolls in May, according to the latest government data that shows the nationwide workforce shortage continues to make it difficult for hotels to fill open jobs. Total hotel employment stands at about 1.92 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s 191,500 fewer workers in the industry than in February 2020, just before the pandemic hit, a shortfall that reflects the scarcity of available employees since then. “Hotels are ready to grow and create more...
New Labor Challenges Arise in 2023
Robert Mandelbaum | June 6, 2024
By Robert Mandelbaum, Andrea Grigg The scarcity of employees has long been the primary labor concern for U.S. hoteliers, even before the onset of the COVD-19 pandemic. Historically, jobs in the lodging industry have had a negative perception as being too physically demanding, requiring too long of hours, and requiring work on weekends and holidays. The shortage of personnel was exaggerated during 2021 and 2022 as many of the employees that were laid off during the pandemic in 2020 opted not to return to the industry. The difficulty of attracting workers to fill line-level positions within hotels lessened somewhat in 2023. Reductions in ...
It’s Never Been Better for Investment in the Hotel Technology Industry
Frank Wolfe | June 5, 2024
By Frank Wolfe Just as the hospitality industry evolves, so too must the format of its conventions, especially one as influential to the hospitality industry as HITEC. This year, the senior team at HFTP has expanded the tradeshow’s depth and impact with the inaugural HITEC Technology Investment Conference, taking place immediately after the main event on Thursday, June 27 and Friday, June 29. While it’s been in the making for a long time, we couldn’t have hoped for a better year to debut this addition. Why is 2024 particularly ripe for investment in this sector? Needless as it may be to the mention at this point, the pandemic acce...
University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership To Launch Online Bachelor of Science and Doctorate at HITEC 2024
HFTP | June 4, 2024
The University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership, one of the world’s leaders in hospitality and tourism education, announced today that it will sponsor and exhibit at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) 2024, the world's largest and most influential hospitality technology event. The College will use this opportunity to launch its online Bachelor of Science in Global Hospitality Leadership and online Doctorate in Global Hospitality Leadership. These new additions align well with the existing online Executive Master of Hospitality Management. The online BS degree serves a...
HSMAI Global Launches Certified Hotel Sales Leader (CHSL) Certification
HSMAI Global | June 4, 2024
McLean, VA (June 4, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Global is proud to announce the launch of its Certified Hotel Sales Leader (CHSL) certification. This new program is designed to recognize the expertise of hotel sales leaders, emphasizing the most up-to-date sales and commercial principles, practices, and strategies. The CHSL certification is tailored for hospitality sales leaders who are proficient in leading high-performing teams, demonstrating overall commercial acumen, applying best practices in hotel sales to drive revenue growth, and more. The certification covers a wide range of top...
“Travel Works for America” Roadshow Visits Charlotte, North Carolina
U.S. Travel Association | June 4, 2024
U.S. Senator Ted Budd headlines anchor event joined by U.S. Travel and local and state leaders to highlight the essential contributions of travel industry WASHINGTON (June 3, 2024)—The U.S. Travel Association’s “Travel Works for America” Roadshow arrived in Charlotte on May 29-30, bringing a message of travel’s value to the success of North Carolina and the nation. U.S. Travel’s roadshow tour spotlights how travel powers nearly every industry and community across America. An anchor event, held on Thursday at the Charlotte Convention Center, included remarks by United States Senator Ted Budd, a member of the Senate Committee on...
Maestro Cloud & On Premises All-In-One PMS Showcasing Game Changing Innovations for Independents at HITEC
Maestro PMS | June 4, 2024
As a 20-year platinum sponsor of the hospitality industry’s premier technology tradeshow, the hotel industry’s preferred provider of property-management solutions for independent hotels will be available at Booth 1844 June 24 to 27 MARKHAM, Ontario, June 4, 2024 — Maestro PMS, the hotel industry’s leading Web Browser based cloud and on-premises all-in-one property-management system, will showcase the latest enhancements to its industry-defining technology at the upcoming HITEC 2024 event in Charlotte, N.C. Updated mobile functionality, enhancements to payment processing tools, and more will be on display at Booth 1844 at the Charl...