Seattle Hotelier John Oppenheimer Honored by the Seattle Hotel Association / February 2006

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report Seattle Hotelier John Oppenheimer Honored by the Seattle Hotel Association SEATTLE – Feb. 13, 2006 – John and Deanna Oppenheimer were honored by the Seattle Hotel Association (SHA) Saturday, February 11, at the “Evening of Hope” Gala Dinner & Auction at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle.   Association officials say the event raised more than $700,000 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the beneficiary of this year’s gala.   SHA – comprised of 48 hotels in Seattle – honored the Oppenheimers for their support of the group and its various communi...

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  JMBM's Global Hospitality Group® to Host The Hotel Developers Conference™ LOS ANGELES - February 16, 2006- The Hotel Developers Conference™, an annual meeting of hospitality industry leaders, sponsored by the Global Hospitality Group® of Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro llp (JMBM), will take place March 8-9, 2006, at the Rancho Las Palmas Marriott Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif. “There is tremendous industry demand for a forum where hotel and resort developers can share cutting-edge strategies and discuss lessons learned,” said hotel lawyer Jim Butler, chairman of JMBM’s Global ...

Manugistics Scientist Dr. Jon Higbie to Address Travel Pricing Strategies at Res-Expo; Manugistics to Showcase Best-of-Breed Solutions spanning the H

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  Manugistics Scientist Dr. Jon Higbie to Address Travel Pricing Strategies at Res-Expo . Manugistics to Showcase Best-of-Breed Solutions spanning the Hospitality, Airline and Travel Industries Res-Expo  Dallas, Texas    March 7-9 Manugistics Booth #50-51 . ROCKVILLE, Md. – February 28, 2006 –  Manugistics Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:MANU), a leading global provider of supply chain and revenue management solutions, today announced that Manugistics Scientist and Consulting Services Director, Dr. Jon Higbie, will be speaking at Res-Expo 2006, the travel industry’s premier technology eve...

Benchmark Appoints Joshua Brown Director of Sales & Marketing at The Chattanoogan / February 2006

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report Benchmark Appoints Joshua Brown Director of Sales & Marketing at The Chattanoogan The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, February 8, 2006 Benchmark Hospitality International has announced the appointment of Joshua Brown as director of sales & marketing for The Chattanoogan, Tennessee's Urban Resort and Conference Center located in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Scott Spann, general manager, made the announcement. "This is a well deserved promotion for Josh, who has been a terrific director of sales for The Chattanoogan," stated Mr. Spann.  "We look forward to his continued success in this new ro...

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  Test Driving” New Co-Workers Through Internships By: Denise Moretti and Kathryn Phelps, February 2006 “Why get involved with an internship program? We say… “Why wouldn’t you?” The Hamister Group, Inc. has joined a growing list of companies that are participating in internship programs sponsored by local colleges and universities. This program not only provides advantages to the interns, but also to the companies that sponsor the interns, a concept we refer to as a “test drive.”  From our perspective, posting a job opening and interviewing candidates requires a lot of time and resour...

HSMAI's Travel Internet Marketing Strategy Conference Set for New York City on April 19, 2006 / February 2006

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  HSMAI's Travel Internet Marketing Strategy Conference Set for New York City on April 19, 2006 Day-Long Workshop Held in Conjunction with TIA’s TravelCom MCLEAN, VA (Feb. 15, 2006) – The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International’s (HSMAI) Travel Internet Marketing Strategy Conference, one of the most successful events on the annual event roster, will be held for the sixth time in New York City on April 19, 2006 at the Hilton New York. Taking place in conjunction with TIA’s TravelCom, the Travel Internet Marketing Strategy Conference will feature a “state of the interne...

New Survey Reveals How Sales and Revenue Managers Handle Internet Marketing and Distribution; 10% of Hotels Still Do Not Have a Dedicated Web Site / F

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report New Survey Reveals How Sales and Revenue Managers Handle Internet Marketing and Distribution; 10% of Hotels Still Do Not Have a Dedicated Web Site  MCLEAN, VA (Feb. 23, 2006) – An insightful online survey of sales and revenue managers explores how Internet marketing and distribution is being handled by the U.S.  Presented by the HSMAI Foundation, NYU and TIG Global, the “Survey of Attitudes and Approaches: Hotel Internet Marketing and Distribution” is a free, comprehensive overview of the current attitudes about costs and benefits of online distribution from a unit level perspective in th...

Collegiate Hospitality, LLC, Completes First Year As the Hospitality Management Company for The Inn at Harvard, Owned by Harvard University / February

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  Collegiate Hospitality, LLC, Completes First Year As the Hospitality Management Company for The Inn at Harvard,  Owned by Harvard University   Cambridge, MA (February 27, 2006) - With its customized approach to guest service and unique property culture, Collegiate Hospitality, LLC, marks its first successful year as the hospitality management service company for The Inn at Harvard, owned by Harvard University and located on its Cambridge campus. Founded in January 2005 by long time hospitality professional Richard Carbone, Collegiate Hospitality was awarded the contract to operate the Inn...

Interstate Hotels & Resorts Reports 4th Qtr 2005 Net Income of $7.2 million; Incentive Management Fees Up 40.2% / Hotel Operating Statistics / Februar

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report Interstate Hotels & Resorts Reports 4th Qtr 2005 Net Income of $7.2 million;  Incentive Management Fees Up 40.2% Hotel Operating Statistics ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 22, 2006 - Interstate Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: IHR), the nation's largest independent hotel management company, today reported strong operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2005. The company's quarterly results exceeded its earnings guidance for the fourth consecutive quarter. A summary of the company's robust performance for the fourth quarter and full year include the following (in millions...

InterContinental Hotels Group Receives 12 Awards for Marketing Excellence During the 2006 Adrian Awards / February 2006

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  InterContinental Hotels Group Receives 12 Awards for Marketing Excellence During the 2006 Adrian Awards ATLANTA (February 9, 2006) – InterContinental Hotels Group was recognized for excellence in 12 categories at the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International’s (HSMAI) annual Adrian Awards gala. Regarded as the world's most renowned and prestigious advertising, public relations, and Web marketing competition, the Adrian Awards honor creative brilliance and best practices in hospitality, travel and tourism-related marketing.  “HSMAI is the hospitality industry’s leading inte...

WORLDHOTELS Selects ICE Portal for E-Marketing & Distribution / February 2006

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report WORLDHOTELS Selects ICE Portal for E-Marketing & Distribution February 2006 - FRANKFURT, GERMANY – WORLDHOTELS, one of the world’s leading global hotel groups for independent hotels and regional hotel brands, has selected ICE Portal (ICE) to provide production, hosting and distribution of rich media content for nearly 500 hotels in 70 countries.  ICE will help WORLDHOTELS manage and distribute rich media content, including virtual tours, via ICE’s extensive network of travel sites and search engines. ICE will provide all WORLDHOTELS with customized content delivery their brand sites and to...

Dieter Huckestein Appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Yellowstone Club World, LLC. / March 2006

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  Dieter Huckestein Appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Yellowstone Club World, LLC.  BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - March 8, 2006 -- Yellowstone Club World announced today that 35-year lodging and hospitality industry veteran Dieter Huckestein has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Yellowstone Club World, LLC. In this role, Dieter Huckestein will be responsible for operation of the existing Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Montana as well as all operations, marketing and development of the soon-to-be launched Yellowstone Club World, an exclusive portfoli...

Hotelex Shanghai on April 4-7, 2006 Expecting 30,000 hospitality Decision-makers from Over 70 Countries / February 2006

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report Hotelex Shanghai on April 4-7, 2006 Expecting 30,000 Hospitality Decision-makers from Over 70 Countries February 28, 2006 - Professionals of the hospitality industry in Asia are looking forward to the opening of Hotelex Shanghai on April 4-7 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. In its fifteens session the show is coming back with enlarged exhibition space, with 1000 companies covering some 50.000 sqm. Extremely favorable markets, fuelled by increasing business and leisure travel as well as a strong trend towards out-of-house dining have brought many international and local exhibito...

Hotel Capitalization Rates Continue to Plunge / USRC 2006 Hotel Investor Survey / February 2006

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report Hotel Capitalization Rates Continue to Plunge February, 2006 - US Realty Consultants, a national real estate appraisal and consulting firm specializing in the hotel industry, has released its Winter 2006 hotel investor survey. The survey has historically been released annually, but will now be released every six months.  According to Jeffrey Walker, MAI, CHME, Principal and Managing Director of US Realty Consultants, “We recognize that rapid changes in investment parameters within the industry require us to be even more timely and pro-active in assessing capitalization and yield trends. Movin...

Hilton Hotels Corporation Names Jim Holthouser SVP of Embassy Suites Hotels, Rebecca Wyatt SVP of Homewood Suites by Hilton / February 2006

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report Hilton Hotels Corporation Names Jim Holthouser SVP of Embassy Suites Hotels,  Rebecca Wyatt SVP of Homewood Suites by Hilton  BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Feb. 23, 2006 -- Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) announced today that Jim Holthouser has been named to the position of senior vice president of brand management for Embassy Suites Hotels and that Rebecca Wyatt will succeed him in the position of senior vice president of brand management for Homewood Suites by Hilton. Wyatt previously served as senior vice president of electronic distribution and customer relationship management.  Both Hol...

Design Goals for New 1,190-room Hilton San Diego Convention Center Hotel Was to Create a Hotel that Would Become a True Urban Resort / February 2006

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  Design Goals for New 1,190-room Hilton San Diego Convention Center Hotel Was to Create a Hotel that Would Become a True Urban Resort ATLANTA, Ga., February 21, 2006 – John Portman & Associates, Inc. (Portman) today unveiled details of its innovative design for a unique urban resort--the new 1,190-room Hilton San Diego Convention Center Hotel that has just broken ground.  Officials believe it will be one of the largest hotels to begin construction in the U.S. in 2006, with a construction budget of $230 million and innovative design that creates a resort atmosphere in the cen...

Joint Venture Partners Hilton Hotels Corporation and ING Clarion Partners Hold Groundbreaking for the 1,190 room Hilton San Diego Convention Center /

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  Joint Venture Partners Hilton Hotels Corporation and ING Clarion Partners Hold Groundbreaking for the 1,190 room Hilton San Diego Convention Center SAN DIEGO – January 27, 2006 – Hilton Hotels Corporation announced today the groundbreaking of the Hilton San Diego Convention Center, a 30-story, 1,190-room hotel on the edge of the San Diego Bay that will connect directly with the San Diego Convention Center. Hilton Hotels Corporation has formed a joint venture with ING Clarion Partners, a leading real estate investment advisory firm to own and operate the hotel. The project is being co-develo...

Remington Undertaking $10.5 million Renovation and Rebranding of the Radisson Hotel Fort Worth to Hilton / February 2006

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report Remington Undertaking $10.5 million Renovation and Rebranding of the Radisson Hotel Fort Worth to Hilton  DALLAS, Feb. 24, 2006 - Known for its care of historic lodging landmarks throughout the country as well as the proven ability to tailor revenue enhancing renovations for its clients, Remington announced plans to remake history once again with a rebranding and $10.5 million renovation of the Radisson Plaza Hotel Fort Worth in Fort Worth, Texas. Registered as a national historic landmark, the hotel will be converted by Remington to the Hilton brand and renamed the Hilton Fort Worth when t...

Hilton Hotels Corporation Names its Top Developers for its Focused Service Brands – Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn and Hom

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  Hilton Hotels Corporation Names its Top Developers for its Focused Service Brands - Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites by Hilton BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., January 31, 2006 – Hilton Hotels Corporation announced its top developers and hotels during its Focused Service Brand Conference for Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn® and Homewood Suites by Hilton® held in Orlando, Florida, January 17-18, 2006. The conference was attended by more than 1,100 guests, including owners, operators and Hilton corporate team members.  Each brand reco...

Charlotte Experiencing Mini-boom in Hotel Development, Three Full Service Properties Expected to Open by Late 2008 / February 2006

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Doug Smith, The Charlotte Observer, N.C. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Feb. 27, 2006 - Question of the Week Charlotte is experiencing a mini-boom in hotel development, with three additional properties expected to open uptown by late 2008. In a lodging market still recovering from a business travel slump following 9-11, you have to wonder: Are we looking at oversupply? The experts most familiar with supply and demand in the Charlotte area don't think so. The new hotels are coming just as occ...

The Harp Group Acquires the 215 room Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles International Airport for $30.5 million / February 2006

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  The Harp Group Acquires the 215 room Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles International Airport for $30.5 million CHICAGO—(February 16, 2006)—The Harp Group, a Chicago-based real estate investment and development company specializing in hospitality and retail projects, announced today that it has acquired the Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles International Airport in El Segundo, Calif. for a purchase price of  $30.5 million.  Colliers International Hotels’ Irvine and San Francisco offices brokered the deal.  The 215-room hotel with 4,500 square feet of meeting space will retain the Doubletree flag a...

Peter Morton's Planned $1 billion Condo Hotel Expansion of the Hard Rock Hotel Canceled; Sales Staff Let Go, Buyers Offered Refunds / February

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Hubble Smith, Las Vegas Review-Journal Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Feb. 24, 2006 - The planned $1 billion condominium-hotel expansion of the Hard Rock Hotel has been postponed and buyers are being offered a refund on their deposits, Hard Rock owner Peter Morton said Thursday. The sales center for the Bungalows, Flats and Residences, a 1,200-unit project that was announced last year, is closed and the sales staff has been let go, broker Raymond Ware confirmed. Morton said he has received offers to buy the Hard ...

Hampton Opens 13 New construction Hotels in December 2005 and January 2006 / February 2006

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report Hampton Opens 13 New construction Hotels in December 2005 and January 2006 MEMPHIS, Tenn., February 13, 2006—Hampton, the national brand of more than 1,300 mid-priced Hampton Inn® and Hampton Inn & Suites® hotels, has opened 13 new properties representing 1,028 new rooms in December 2005 and January 2006.The 13 new openings, all franchised and newly constructed hotels, include seven Hampton Inn hotels and six Hampton Inn & Suites.In addition to the new openings, Hampton also broke ground on 17 new hotels in the past two months. “W...

John Q. Hammons Building a 150-suite Residence Inn by Marriott Kansas City International Airport / February 2006

January 30, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report John Q. Hammons Building a 150-suite Residence Inn by Marriott Kansas City International Airport KANSAS CITY, Mo., and SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – February 7, 2006 – Mr. John Q. Hammons today announced his plans to break ground on the new four-story, 150-suite Residence Inn by Marriott® Kansas City International Airport in Kansas City, Mo.  Slated to open in fall 2006, the hotel will be owned by Mr. Hammons and will be managed by Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, LLC, the nation's leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resort...