Travel Outlook Offers Complimentary Registration for the Four Pillars of Heartfelt Hospitality Webinar by Kennedy Training Network
Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center™ | March 13, 2023
HSMAI Adrian Awards Celebrates the Next Great Chapter
HSMAI | February 24, 2023
Industry Happenings
HITEC Entrepreneur 20X Competition Comes to Toronto In 2023
Alan Young | February 17, 2023
By Alan Young World’s largest hospitality technology conference brings highly anticipated startup competition to the Canadian tech hub When you think of the city of Toronto, what comes to mind? For starters, Toronto may conjure images of the CN Tower, world-class food, and entertainment, or lyrics to one of Drake’s many songs in which he highlights the city he calls home. But over the last decade, Toronto has become recognized for more than its architecture, events, food, and local celebrities; it’s become the Canadian tech hub. In 2019, Toronto was named one of the fastest-growing tech markets in North America and, since then, ha...
Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming Release 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility Report
Hard Rock | February 17, 2023
HOLLYWOOD, Fla., February 17, 2023/ Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming today announced the release of its 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility Report: Fifty Years Forward. Social purpose has propelled Hard Rock since its inception in 1971, guided by its founding mottos: Love All-Serve All, All Is One, Save The Planet, and Take Time To Be Kind. “Our brand mottos have shaped who we are as a brand for the past 50 years while setting the foundation of our future,” said Paul Pellizzari, Vice President of Global Social Responsibility at Hard Rock International. “Today, Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming operate 250+ cafes, hotels and c...
New: Weak Travel Trade Balance Points to Urgent Need for Federal Action
U.S. Travel Association | February 16, 2023
New data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce reveals the country’s travel trade surplus slipped to just $4 billion in 2022—down from an all-time high of $85.9 billion less than a decade ago, underscoring the urgent need to rebuild inbound travel and regain its associated economic benefits. “Travel has historically generated an annual trade surplus that meaningfully reduced the U.S. trade deficit,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “The latest trade data is a wake-up call for immediate federal action to boost this essential industry and increase travel exports to benefit the entire U.S. economy...
Sheila Johnson, Founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, Named 2023 Keynote Speaker at the 34th Hunter Hotel Investment Conference
Hunter Hotel Investment Conference | February 14, 2023
ATLANTA (February 14, 2023) – The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference is pleased to announce Sheila Johnson, Founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, will take the main stage as the Keynote Speaker at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on Wednesday afternoon, March 22, 2023. Johnson established her footprint into the hospitality industry by purchasing 340 acres in Middleburg, Virginia. This property became the site of the luxurious, equestrian-inspired Salamander Resort & Spa, which has gone on to achieve both Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond ratings. Johnson now oversees an extensive portfolio of luxury properties center...
HAMA Asset Management Achievement Award 2023
HotStats | February 13, 2023
The Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) Europe is a forum for European hospitality asset managers to share knowledge, experience, and best practices and to put asset management at the forefront of the real estate industry. Our membership roster includes representation from institutional funds, individual owners, private equity investors, and real estate groups —all dedicated to the hospitality industry. HAMA Europe is delighted to announce the launch of the 2023 HAMA Europe Asset Management Achievement Award. This award was established to recognise the key role played by hotel asset management in sustainably growing asset value...
AAHOA Announces Largest Trade Show in 34-Year History
AAHOA | February 9, 2023
ATLANTA, Ga., Feb. 9 – The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), the largest hotel owners association in the world with nearly 20,000 members, announced today that it has already secured a record level of booth sales for the Trade Show at AAHOACON23, April 11-14, 2023, making it the largest in AAHOA history. The 2019 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show, AAHOA’s previous biggest show to date, which celebrated the association’s 30-year anniversary, totaled 77,500 square feet of exhibit space. This year, with many weeks remaining for industry partners to secure space, AAHOACON23 already sits at 81,900 square feet of sold exhib...
Industry Hospitality Veteran Thomas McCarthy Dies at 90
HSMAI | February 9, 2023
McLean, Virginia, February 9, 2023—The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has revealed the passing of their past President, Thomas Tracey McCarthy, Jr, on January 20, 2023. Thomas had a long and illustrious career in all phases of hotel marketing. After graduating from Villanova University, he started his career as a room clerk at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia, joining Hilton Hotels two years later. He was a sales representative at Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria, a sales manager of the Beverly Hilton and director of sales at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C, eventually becoming a member of the Wal...
U.S. Travel Applauds House Passage of Bill to End Vaccine Mandate for International Visitors
U.S. Travel Association | February 9, 2023
WASHINGTON (February 9, 2023)—U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on the U.S. House passage of H.R. 185, a bill to immediately end the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requirement for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international visitors to the United States: “The need for this requirement has long since passed, and we appreciate the bipartisan action by the U.S. House to end this outdated policy. U.S. Travel also sees no reason to uphold the requirement until May—particularly as visitors from around the world plan spring and sum...
AHLA Message Following President Biden’s State of the Union Address
AHLA | February 8, 2023
Here’s a message from AHLA President and CEO Chip Rogers following President Biden’s State of the Union Address… Tonight, President Biden reassured the American people that the trajectory of the American economy is strong. The president outlined policy priorities he hopes will continue to build on the recovery of the past year. However, economic uncertainty is still a reality for the lodging industry. Inflation lingers and a critical staffing shortage is impacting nearly every hotel in the country. There is positive employment news. Americans are returning to work in significant numbers, but the hospitality business is still st...
ISHC Honors Alejandro Zozaya With the Pioneer Award at ALIS
ISHC | February 8, 2023
Los Angeles – February 8, 2023 — The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) in partnership with the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) presented Alejandro Zozaya, former Chairman of Apple Leisure Group, with the Pioneer Award which recognizes an individual annually who has made an outstanding contribution, achievement and/or improvement in the hospitality industry. Todd Leach, ISHC chairman and partner of Dedica Group; and Kristie Dickinson, ISHC vice president and managing director/EVP of CHMWarnick presented Zozaya with the recognition during the conference plenary session. Leach remarked, “What sets Al...
U.S. News Reveals the 2023 Best Hotels
U.S. News & World Report | February 7, 2023
Washington, D.C. – U.S. News & World Report, publisher of Best Vacations, Best Cruise Lines and Best Travel Rewards Programs, today revealed its annual rankings of the Best Hotels. The 2023 rankings highlight more than 35,000 hotels to help travelers find the hotel that’s right for them. For the first time, Acqualina Resort & Residences in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, takes the No. 1 spot in the Best Hotels in the USA ranking, which considers industry awards and guest reviews. The hotel stands out for its world-class pools, restaurants and convenient access to the beach. The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, a L...
Historic Jobs Report Underscores Travel’s Essential Role in U.S. Economic Recovery
U.S. Travel Association | February 6, 2023
U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman issued the following statement on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics January employment report, which saw the overall economy add 517,000 jobs and the leisure and hospitality sector add 128,000 jobs—more than any other sector: “Today’s jobs report—in which 25% of all new jobs were added in the leisure and hospitality sector—is further evidence that travel is essential to the U.S. economy. Travel’s success is the nation’s success, and robust travel demand is supercharging our nation’s economic recovery and job growth. “The industry currently has nearly 2 millio...
Geoff Ballotti, Wyndham President and CEO, Headlines the Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series at the 34th Hunter Hotel Investment Conference
Hunter Hotel Investment Conference | February 6, 2023
ATLANTA (February 6, 2023) – The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, Noble Investment Group, and Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration, Georgia State University are pleased to announce Geoff Ballotti, President and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, will join Mit Shah, CEO of Noble, for the 9th Annual Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series. Starting his professional journey as a dishwasher, Geoff Ballotti is now CEO of the world’s largest hotel franchisor with 24 brands, over 6,000 owners, and more than 9,100 hotels across 95 countries. His story is a testament to the power of hard work and a strong resolve. A widely...
Hospitality Industry Public Relations Leader David “Jerry” Daly Dies at 78
February 3, 2023
ASHBURN, Va., Feb. 3, 2023--Officials of DG Public Relations, LLC, today announced the death of company co-founder, David “Jerry” Daly on January 11, 2023, due to complications arising from aspiration pneumonia. While in graduate school at Boston University, Daly helped create the first Great American Smokeout, originally designed as a scholarship fundraiser for a local high school before he came up with the idea to get people to donate the price of a pack of cigarettes as the first step toward a commitment to quit smoking. Daly’s first job out of undergraduate school was public relations director for the Tulsa Area Chapter of the Ame...
U.S. Travel Backs Bill to End Vaccine Mandate for International Visitors
U.S. Travel Association | February 3, 2023
U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on the introduction of H.R. 185, a bill to end the requirement for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international visitors to the United States: “We have long supported the removal of this requirement and see no reason to wait until the May expiration of the public health emergency—particularly as potential visitors are planning spring and summer travel. Every day this policy remains in place encourages some travelers to avoid the U.S., costing us valuable visitor spending and delaying our efforts to reignit...
U.S. Travel Outlines Policies to Grow Domestic, International Segments, Boost Economy
U.S. Travel Association | February 2, 2023
WASHINGTON (February 2, 2023)—The U.S. Travel Association today launched a new quarterly press conference, led by the association’s President and CEO Geoff Freeman and incoming U.S. Travel National Chair and Hilton President and CEO Chris Nassetta. Together, they offered an industry perspective and recommendations across a set of issues critical to America’s travel economy, including U.S. visa processing, the domestic aviation system, as well as insights and projections for business and leisure travel. Each quarter, the association’s new Travel Outlook press conference will focus on pressing topics of importance to the growth of ...
Carver Announces Branding Update
Carver | February 1, 2023
ATLANTA, GA – February 1, 2023 –CARVER, the hospitality Task Force and Executive Search powerhouse has announced updates to their brand including a new logo and enhancements in their one-of-a-kind app. Joel Carver, Chief Executive Officer announced that effective in January, the individual brands of Carver Hotel Group and Carver-Olson Hospitality Search will combine into the single brand, Carver. Along with these announcements, Carver comments, “I’ve always believed that there is nothing more powerful than your customers defining your brand, and that’s exactly what’s happened here. Over the past nine years, we’ve operate...
Global Business Travel Forecast 2023: Bookings, Spending and Optimism on the Upswing, GBTA Poll Shows
GBTA | January 31, 2023
New research points to continued industry recovery, easing of supplier staffing constraints, and mixed outlook on China travel Global business travel is forecast to see an uptick in 2023 versus 2022. Companies are expected to send more employees on trips and travel suppliers anticipate an increase in corporate travel spending. Sectors such as finance, insurance, professional services, and consulting are showing stronger signs of growth in business travel spending. Despite potential economic challenges and uncertainty surrounding the post-COVID return of China−the world’s largest business travel market–the industry remains optimistic ...
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Announces the 11th Annual Pebby Award Nominations
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust | January 31, 2023
HOLLYWOOD, Calif.-- Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) (the “Company”) today announced the nominations for its Eleventh Annual Pebby Awards. The Pebby Award nominees were chosen for their outstanding accomplishments in 2022, as determined by the Company. This year’s nominees feature a diverse mix of urban hotels and resorts. Numerous properties have earned several nominations, including Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, The W Boston, The Westin Copley Place, Boston, and The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. This impressive list of nominees promises to lead to one of the most competitive Pebby Award ceremonies in history. “...
Agilysys Inspire23 Conference to Bring Together Leading Hospitality Organizations to Explore Solutions and Strategies to Maximize Returns on Guest and...
Agilysys | January 31, 2023
Digital Leadership Expert Erik Qualman Will Be Keynote Presenter ALPHARETTA, GA — Jan. 31, 2023 — Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of hospitality software solutions that deliver High Return Hospitality, today announced registration is open for its Inspire23 User Conference. This customer event is designed to help hospitality organizations learn how to maximize their Return on Experience (ROE) for guests and staff alike. The annual three-day educational and networking conference will be held Feb. 28 – March 2, 2023, at Caesars Palace resort in Las Vegas. The conference features more than 60 educational...
ALIS Kicks Off 2023, With Most Expecting the Year’s Best Days to Come in the Second Half of the Year
Rod Clough | January 30, 2023
By Rod Clough Another ALIS is in the books, and a busy one at that, with nearly 3,000 in attendance. If you weren’t one of those lucky thousands, here are our takeaways. I had the pleasure of moderating the panel “Leadership - Accountability in a Changing World” on Tuesday morning with Geoff Ballotti, President & CEO, Wyndham; George Limbert, President, Red Roof; Mark Laport, President, Concord Hospitality Enterprises; and Michael George, President & CEO, Crescent Hotels & Resorts. We had a great conversation and agreed that keeping an exceptional leadership team in place that embraces environmental, diversity,...
AHLA Foundation Welcomes New 2023 Board of Trustees
The AHLA Foundation | January 30, 2023
WASHINGTON (January 30, 2023) – The AHLA Foundation today announced its newly elected 2023 Board of Trustees, which includes a diverse slate of senior leaders from across the hotel industry who are committed to changing lives and building the hospitality workforce of tomorrow. Tom Bardenett, chief operating officer for RLJ Lodging Trust, will continue his role as the chairman of the board; Julienne Smith, chief development officer, Americas, at IHG Hotels and Resorts remains vice chair; and Anu Saxena, president and global head of Hilton Supply Management, will continue to serve as secretary and treasurer. “It is a privilege to be Ch...
AHLA Announces 2023 Officers, Board, Executive Committee
AHLA | January 30, 2023
RLJ Lodging Trust’s Leslie D. Hale Named Chair WASHINGTON (Jan. 30, 2023) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today announced its 2023 Officers, Board of Directors and Executive Committee, which include top leaders representing all segments of the hospitality industry. RLJ Lodging Trust President & CEO Leslie D. Hale was named chair of the board; Hilton Chief Financial Officer and President, Global Development Kevin Jacobs was named vice chair; Aimbridge Hospitality President & CEO Michael J. Deitemeyer joins as secretary/treasurer; RLJ Lodging Trust Chief Operating Officer Tom Bardenett will remain chair...
Destination HITEC® 2023: Toronto
Alan E. Young | January 26, 2023
Largest International Hotel Technology Conference To Be Held In Toronto, Canada Jun 26 – 29 By Alan Young, Hospitality Industry Advisor, College Professor, and Co-Founder of Puzzle Partner They say the only guarantees in life are death and taxes, but if you work in the hospitality technology space, at least one other certainty exists - the annual meeting of the minds that is HITEC®. For over 50 years, the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) has become an industry staple, giving attendees a unique opportunity to witness new product launches and innovations while listening to expert panels, partaking in ex...
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