HSMAI to Honor GCommerce With 5 Silver Adrian Awards for Outstanding Travel Marketing
HSMAI | December 5, 2019
Wingspread Retreat & Executive Conference Center Takes Top Honor in 2019 Stella Awards
Wingspread Retreat & Executive Conference Center | December 3, 2019
Industry Happenings
The Key to Recruiting & Retaining: Personalized Career Development
Ron Mitchell | October 9, 2019
There are so many economic, technological and political factors that are putting job seekers in control today. Massive job boards and social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn offer easy one-click applications and greater transparency for candidates to assess a company without even having to interview. All of this combined with a healthy economy has many employers - especially in the hotel industry - wondering if they’ll ever be able to have a sense of selectivity or lasting confidence in the workforce that they hire. With the job seeker in control, it’s up to employers to make their case as to why they are the best company to ...
Jim Biggar Joins eXceed Hospitality Asset Advisors As Partner
eXceed Hospitality Asset Advisors | October 8, 2019
Leading independent asset management firm adds depth to leadership team Washington, DC., October 8, 2019– eXceed Hospitality Asset Advisors, a leading hotel and resort advisory firm, announced today that Jim Biggar has joined the firm as Partner. Exceed distinguishes its advisory service by providing highly experienced principals as sole contact with both the client ownership groups and their respective property leadership teams. In making this announcement, Troy Bennett, eXceed Hospitality Asset Advisors Founder said “Today’s lodging environment is increasingly complex and high net worth ownership groups and small investment com...
HSMAI Introduces New Rising Sales Leader Council
HSMAI | October 8, 2019
(McLean, VA, October 08, 2019) HSMAI has launched an all-new Rising Sales Leader Council. The Council is a professional development and advocacy group comprised of up-and-coming professionals working in a mix of hospitality sales roles across a variety of organizations including hotel on-property, regional, corporate, DMO, DMC, Management Company, brand, partner, and more. Eight hospitality and tourism professionals comprise the inaugural Rising Sales Leader Council, each with years of experience in the industry. “This Council is part of the HSMAI Sales Advisory Board’s work to cultivate the next generation of industry leaders by provi...
Hotel Industry Marks Significant Progress Toward 2020 Nationwide Implementation of Safety Devices
AHLA | October 8, 2019
One Year After Announcing 5-Star Promise, 230% Increase in Participating Hotel Companies WASHINGTON (October 8, 2019) – One year after a historic announcement pledging to increase safety and security at America’s hotels, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today announced a 230 percent increase in members participating in the 5-Star Promise, growing the commitment to 56 hotel companies. Participating hotels have made significant progress over the past year in deploying employee safety devices (ESDs), with devices already provided in several markets, including New York, Washington, Chicago, Seattle and Miami Beach, an...
Fuel’s Stuart Butler Selected to Participate as Expert Panelist at Triptease Direct Booking Summit Miami
Fuel | October 8, 2019
Fuel COO to weigh in on budget considerations during discussion on how hoteliers can optimize their return on investment in direct booking strategies Myrtle Beach, SC - October 8, 2019 – Fuel, the premier provider of hotel marketing software and digital agency services for the hospitality sector, has announced that Stuart Butler, the company’s COO, will serve as an expert panelist at the Triptease Direct Booking Summit, scheduled for October 22-23 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. The two-day summit, which is one of four global events, brings hoteliers together to strategize, network and drive the direct booking movement forward. The age...
Condé Nast Traveler Reveals Winners of the 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards
Condé Nast Traveler | October 7, 2019
The World’s Best Hotels, Resorts, Spas, Countries, Cities, Islands, Airlines, Airports, Trains, and Cruise Lines Ranked by 600,000 Readers New York (Oct. 7, 2019) – Condé Nast Traveler today announced the winners of its annual Readers' Choice Awards, ranking the best hotels, resorts, destination spas, countries, cities, islands, trains, airlines, airports, and cruise lines in the world. The Readers' Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. In its first year as one global brand, Condé Nast Traveler combined the annual surveys in the U.S. and U.K. into one global Re...
AB InBev and IHCL Partner to Open Microbreweries in India
October 4, 2019
One of the world's largest brewers AB InBev on Friday said it has signed an agreement with hotel chain The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), to launch a chain of 15 microbreweries over the next five years to sell craft beer at the hotel chain's top properties in India. The partnership between the two is estimated at ?150 crores. The two are trying to capitalise on the emerging global trend of craft beers that has also found resonance with millennials in India. The microbreweries will be conceptualized by ZX Ventures, that is AbInBev's global innovation and investment team, the two said in a press release on Friday. "We look fo...
Carver Companies Launch New, Expanded Website With Interactive Capabilities for Clients, Consultants & Candidates
the Carver Companies | October 3, 2019
ATLANTA, GA – October 3, 2019 – The Carver Companies, the hospitality infrastructure powerhouse, recently introduced a new, more robust website, http://thecarvercompanies.com, featuring increased user capabilities, specific client and consultant pages, additional media resources and industry information. Overall, the original site was updated to be more user friendly with improved functionality and a wider breadth of information available for all audiences in a crisp, easy-to-read format. Since beginning in 2013 the Carver Companies’ business subsidiaries and offerings have increased and evolved so there was a need for each busine...
Drury Hotels Provides Update Regarding Third-Party Service Provider Security Incident
Drury Hotels Company | October 2, 2019
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 1, 2019 -- Drury Hotels announced on May 24, 2019 that it was notifying certain guests of a security incident that occurred on the network of a third-party technology service provider. The incident involved information related to transactions made through some third-party online booking websites. Despite the service provider's assurances that the incident only involved transactions sent through the service provider's network between December 29, 2017 and March 13, 2019, the service provider has now informed Drury Hotels that transactions between December 28, 2017 and June 2, 2019 are involved. After the service provider...
Tourism Tidbits: Crisis Recovery
Dr. Peter Tarlow | October 1, 2019
By Dr. Peter Tarlow The recent devastating hurricane that struck the Bahamas in September is one more example that tourism industry leaders must constantly be mindful of potential crises. From acts of terror and crime to earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis and weather related issues, industry leaders must have plans as to face both natural and man-made crises. Tourism crises come in multiple forms and there is no part of the world that is free from a potential crisis. Often the crises are unexpected. For example, in past years tourism officials worried about not enough tourism. Today in some parts of the world, the tourism industry must...
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Honors Hoteliers With Inaugural Awards
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | September 27, 2019
World’s largest hotel franchising company recognizes exceptional franchisees with new Wyndham Humanitarian and Wyndham Developer awards LAS VEGAS, Sept. 27, 2019 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) – the world’s largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries – introduced two inaugural awards honoring franchisees who embody its mission to make hotel travel possible for all at its first global conference as an independent hotel company. The two new awards, The Wyndham Humanitarian Award and The Wyndham Developer Award, recognize franchisees who show leadership in each area b...
Penn National Gaming’s Chief Financial Officer, William J. Fair, Announces Plans to Step Down
Penn National Gaming | September 27, 2019
WYOMISSING, Pa.--September 27, 2019 --Penn National Gaming, Inc. (Nasdaq: PENN) (“Penn National” or the “Company”) announced today that William J. (“BJ”) Fair, will be stepping down as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) at the conclusion of his current employment contract term, which expires March 31, 2020. Mr. Fair, who has served in his current role as CFO since 2017, joined Penn National in 2014 as Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer. Mr. Fair has agreed to stay with the Company through the end of the first quarter 2020, which will allow time for the Company to conduct a formal s...
Study: Millions of Americans Could Be Affected by REAL ID Deadline in 2020
U.S. Travel Association | September 26, 2019
U.S. Travel Launches Initiative to Get Travelers #REALIDready WASHINGTON (September 26, 2019) — Almost three out of four Americans are unprepared for the October 1, 2020 deadline for full implementation of REAL ID, and millions could be prevented from boarding a plane because they do not have the required identification, according to a study commissioned by the U.S. Travel Association. Next October 1, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will implement the last phase of enforcement of the REAL ID Act—the law originally passed in 2005 which will require travelers to present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or other approved f...
Generation Z Takes Flight: Youngest Travelers Say Spontaneity, Thrill-Seeking and Sustainability More Important Than Luxury Hotels and Airplane Comfor
Priceline | September 25, 2019
Priceline Generation Travel Index reveals that youngest travelers turn to social media for travel inspiration, but also stress over posting “the perfect travel pic” NORWALK, Conn.--September 25, 2019 --If given an extra $100 to spend on vacation, Generation Z travelers say they would spend that money on an experience, versus a nicer hotel or more leg room on a flight. They believe WiFi should be free, “sustainability” is critical, and the “perfect photo” is a vacation priority. These were among the findings, summarized below, of the Priceline Generation Travel Index, an independent study of American travelers spanning four gene...
Amid Brexit Fatigue, Hoteliers Converge in Manchester to Talk UK Market
David Eisen | September 23, 2019
By David Eisen It’s wild times in the UK. At least that’s the perception of this here Yankee. Regardless of politics, ever since Jan. 20, 2017, the U.S. has been on a rambunctious ride of its own, and now, with the appointment of Boris Johnson as UK prime minister on July 24, 2019, the UK has gotten to join in the rollicking fun, as the calendar moves closer to Oct. 31, the day the UK is slated to leave the EU bloc. How ironic that the withdrawal date coincides with Halloween; yes, it’s scary times! It’s also precarious times. As reported, British lawmakers voted in favor of a proposal requiring the governme...
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Announces the Death of Barron Hilton
September 20, 2019
Chairman Emeritus of the Hilton Foundation, Retired Chairman, President & CEO of Hilton Hotels Corporation Dies at age 91 Hotelier and philanthropist Barron Hilton died on Thursday, September 19, 2019, of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles. He was 91. He succeeded his father, Conrad Hilton, as chairman, president & CEO of Hilton Hotels Corporation in 1966, and dramatically expanded his domestic hotel empire. He was also the founding owner of the Chargers of the American Football League, and helped forge the merger with the National Football League that created the Super Bowl. Hunting, fishing and flying were Hilton’s fa...
A Look Ahead – The Lodging Conference 2019
Andrew Hazelton | September 18, 2019
By Andrew Hazelton and Matt Peterson Later this month the 25th Annual Lodging Conference will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona, an event that historically caps off the “conference year” for many in the hotel business. It is a time to reconnect with industry friends and colleagues, but it also gives us a few days to pause and reflect on the past year and speculate on the year to come. Heading into the event there are a number of agenda items that pique our interest, so let’s dive in. The State of the Union: Like many of those attending, we have a high level of curiosity as to how key leaders and economic experts feel about the ge...
NextGuest Wins Four 2019 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards
NextGuest Digital | September 18, 2019
NextGuest was honored with four awards in the Travel Weekly 2019 Magellan Awards. Each year, the Magellan Awards acknowledge the extraordinary travel professionals who provide the best products and services in the industry. We are pleased to be recognized among the top industry organizations and professionals. NextGuest received the following Magellan Awards: Gold Awards: Heritage Hotels Website: Heritage Hotels is a collection of New Zealand properties that each offer best-in-class Kiwi hospitality. To promote the brand’s 14 unique destinations and convey its unparalleled service, all while driving more direct bookings, NextGues...
Hotel Real Estate: How Brands Are Re-Imagining Hotel Lobbies
M. Rein | September 17, 2019
Several reports show the astonishing growth in self workers, contract freelancers and consultants, according to Statista, 10.3% of the working age population is involved in entrepreneurial activities. Alongside this, project task forces are becoming more and more common, and companies are starting to become more agile in their operations, ING’s agile transformation started with the 3,500 staff members at group headquarters, Bart Schlatmann: former chief operating officer of ING Netherlands said, “we invested in tearing down walls in buildings to create more open spaces and to allow more informal interaction between employees. We have a ve...
Boutique & Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA) Soft-Launches New Websites and Programs for Members
BLLA | September 17, 2019
Includes Phase 1 of the official global Master List of bookable boutique hotels and city guides showcasing boutique business concepts Los Angeles, September 17, 2019 – BLLA, the official association of the world’s boutique hotels, is re-energizing and extending its leading brand with the debut of two bold websites offering a host of benefits and enhanced features for hotel members and boutique-loving customers. Continuing to successfully reinvent and expand the global boutique experience, BLLA has launched Stay-Boutique.com which offers the first-ever Master List of the world’s authentic boutique and lifestyle hotels that are bookabl...
IHG’s New Atwell Suites™ Brand Launches Franchise Sales in the U.S.
ihg | September 16, 2019
All-suites brand focused on thoughtful design and guest experience offers owners the opportunity to tap into growing upper-midscale segment IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announces today that it has launched franchise sales efforts for its newest brand – Atwell Suites™ – in the U.S. The new upper-midscale hotel brand targets an estimated $18 billion industry segment which has grown by 70 percent over the last four years. Atwell Suites was first unveiled in May 2019 to thousands of IHG owners and operators at its Americas Investors & Leadership Conference in Las Vegas. Elie ...
Cendyn Announces New Leadership Team
Cendyn | September 12, 2019
Thursday, September 12, 2019, Boca Raton, Florida – Cendyn, the leading innovator in CRM, sales, and revenue strategy for the hospitality industry, announces today a new leadership team to further drive innovation, development, and growth at Cendyn. The newly appointed additions to the team include: John Seaton as Chief Commercial Officer, Michael J. Bennett as Chief Marketing Officer, Olga Peddie as Chief Digital Officer, Steve Stearns as General Manager, APAC and Ron Lugo as General Manager for Rainmaker, a Cendyn company. "We are excited to announce our new senior leadership team today,” said Tim Sullivan, President at Cendyn. "Our ...
Americans Strongly Support Reforming Federal Law to Rein in Illegal Short-Term Rentals
AHLA | September 11, 2019
73 Percent of Americans Support Amending CDA 230 To Remove “Big Tech” Loopholes Invoked by Airbnb and HomeAway WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 11, 2019) – According to a new national survey, Americans overwhelmingly support amending federal law to remove loopholes used by short-term rental sites, like Airbnb and HomeAway, to avoid having to comply with local laws enacted by cities and other localities across the country. Three in four Americans (76 percent) believe short-term rental sites should be held accountable for complying with local laws, and 73 percent support an amendment to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA) ...
Access Point Financial Continues Growth Trajectory With Senior Management Team Additions
Access Point Financial | September 11, 2019
Recognized leader in hospitality-focused lending taps seasoned real estate and finance executives for further expansion of management team ATLANTA - September 10, 2019 - Access Point Financial, LLC (APF), a leading direct lender and specialty finance company focused exclusively on the hospitality industry, today announced the appointment of two new managing directors to its senior leadership team, including Justin Perry as Managing Director/Legal Affairs and Lori Tirado as Managing Director/Business Development. The new appointments come on the heels of senior leadership announcements made earlier this year, and are part of an overal...
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Building Your Hotel’s Bleisure Revenue
What Does the Expectation Economy Mean for Hoteliers in 2020 and Beyond?
Standing Out in This Era of “Silent Selling”: Six Ways Hotel Salespeople Can Use Video Email to Engage Prospects
Hospitality Financial Leadership: Chapter Three – The Flags
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