March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report VFM Interactive’s Innovation and Expansion Delivers Strong Client and Distribution Growth Reinforcing VFM Market Leadership Position Hotel Clients Soar More than 1000% in last year Average Number of Image Views Increase Three-fold  Growing Distribution Network tops 5,000 with Yahoo!, Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline, CheapTickets.com and first GDS Worldspan TORONTO, CANADA, September 26, 2005 – VFM Interactive, the leader in online media management, production and distribution for the travel industry, today announced its continued expansion and innovation have spurred significan...

VFM Interactive Expands Board of Directors Amid Record Growth; Appoints 20-year Veteran Michael W. McCormick to New Seat / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report VFM Interactive Expands Board of Directors Amid Record Growth;  Appoints 20-year Veteran Michael W. McCormick to New Seat TORONTO, CANADA, September 21, 2005 – As part of its continued expansion and growth path, VFM Interactive, the leader in online media management, production and distribution for the travel industry, today announced it has expanded its board of directors, appointing Michael W. McCormick, a 20-year travel industry veteran, to its now six-member board.   McCormick is president of MWM Capital, an investment group providing capital and advisory services for a growing portfol...

IMIC Hotels Opens the $13 million, 117 room Inn at USC; Students in Univerisity of South Carolina's School of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Man

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By James T. Hammond, The State, Columbia, S.C. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Sep. 18, 2005 - When the University of South Carolina began pushing across Pickens Street into the University Hill community in the 1960s, taking and demolishing homes that owners did not want to give up, many residents began to view the university as an enemy bent upon finishing what Union Gen. William T. Sherman had begun. The climax of the generation long feud came in 1974, when Mary Black, a longtime resident of Pendleton Street, challenged the taking of her...

Chinese Government Enlisting UNLV's Harrah College of Hotel Administration to Send Faculty Members to China To Provide Hospitality Management I

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Jennifer Robison, Las Vegas Review-Journal Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Sep. 28, 2005 - Chinese officials are looking to nab some serious American trade secrets. Expecting throngs of visitors during the Beijing Olympics and the Shanghai World Expo, the Chinese government is enlisting hospitality experts from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to impart details on the customer service that has made Sin City one of the world's most popular tourism destinations. Ed Polivka, director of hospitality outreach services at UNLV's Ha...

Senior Strategists to Debate Which Travel Distribution Business Model Will Dominate / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Senior Strategists to Debate Which Travel Distribution Business Model Will Dominate September 12, 2005 - With over 150 companies already registered, this year’s Travel Distribution Summit USA promises to be the place to network with the leaders in travel distribution.  Learn from the travel industry’s biggest and most profitable companies and make the partnerships you need to succeed in this highly competitive marketplace. Click Here for full Summit details Taking place on October 3-4 in Chicago this is your chance to meet, question and do business with the people who are revolutioni...

Christine Toguchi Appointed by HSMAI to Establish a Chapter in the Asia Pacific Region / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Christine Toguchi Appointed by HSMAI to Establish a Chapter in the Asia Pacific Region MCLEAN, VA (Sept. 9, 2005) – The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI), the world’s leading association providing information, networking opportunities and educational resources to the travel, tourism and hospitality industries, is expanding into a new market with the launch of an Asia Pacific chapter.  To spearhead that initiative, Christine Toguchi has been appointed by HSMAI Global as managing director, based in Singapore, to facilitate and drive the development of HSMAI member...

Cendant Timeshare Resort Group and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Creating new Timeshare Curriculum at the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Adm

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Cendant Timeshare Resort Group and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Creating new Timeshare Curriculum at the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration; Available to Students in the Fall of 2006 LAS VEGAS, Sept. 20, 2005 - Cendant Timeshare Resort Group (CTRG), the largest vacation ownership company in the world with more than 730,000 owners, has announced a unique partnership with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), in which both parties will design, structure and implement the school's new timeshare curriculum at the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. Schoo...

Highly Qualified New Orleans Hotel Professionals Transistion to San Antonio, Houston / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Melissa S. Monroe, San Antonio Express-News Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Sep. 27, 2005 - Coming to a new city after an ordeal such as Hurricane Katrina was overwhelming for many evacuees, but for a few who had hotel jobs in New Orleans, the transition to San Antonio has been a bit easier. Chains including the Hyatt and Crowne Plaza have found that despite the people's turmoil of being displaced, they are assets to local hotels. San Antonio hotels have played a significant part in helping many of the Katrina evacuees not only ...

Texas Hotels Work to Accommodate Evacuees and Future Guests / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Suzanne Marta, The Dallas Morning News Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Sep. 1, 2005 - Hotels throughout Texas are working to juggle the thousands of hurricane evacuees with guests who booked in advance for the holiday weekend. In some cases, evacuees are being moved to other area hotels. In others, hotels are trying to find alternative accommodations for incoming guests. Hurricane evacuees have flooded some 75 hotels between Texas and Northern Florida operated by Irving-based La Quinta Corp. "Our Houston market is pretty ...

Tennessee Pet Friendly Hotels Join BringYourPet.com / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Tennessee Pet Friendly Hotels Join BringYourPet.com  Knoxville, TN – September 20, 2005 – BringYourPet.com announces the recent addition of three pet friendly hotels located in Tennessee to its Web site; the Super 8 Airport Motel in Nashville, TN, the Holiday Inn – The Crossings in Antioch, TN and the Baymont Inn & Suites in Brentwood, TN. "These hotels, the Super 8 Nashville Airport, Holiday Inn – The Crossings, and the Baymont Inn & Suites in Brentwood are wonderful additions to the BringYourPet.com directory of world-wide pet friendly accommodations,” comments Company spokesperson for...

Tecton Hospitality Appoints Three to GM Posts / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Tecton Hospitality Appoints Three to GM Posts MIAMI, Sept. 26, 2005 – Tecton Hospitality today named Doramir Martinez general manager of the Miramar Courtyard by Marriott in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Cybelle Agostini director of sales and marketing.              Martinez previously was a general manager with RIU Resorts, for which he was responsible for properties in the Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Jamaica. Prior to this, she was a human resources consultant for hotel management companies.              Prior to joining Tecton, Agostini was senior sales manager w...

Tallahassee Hoteliers Politely Informed Evacuees to Leave; FSU-Miami Football Fans Need the Rooms / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Mary Ellen Klas, The Miami Herald Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Sep. 1, 2005 - TALLAHASSEE - Hundreds of Katrina evacuees who fled to Tallahassee seeking refuge from the storm have been politely told by their hotels and motels to leave this weekend to make room for a football game: FSU vs. Miami. Hotel space is traditionally scarce any time the Florida State Seminoles take on the University of Miami Hurricanes, one of the choicest tickets on the college football schedule. But with hotels packed with families from Louisiana and ...

The State of Texas Waiving Hotel Occupancy Taxes for Evacuees for Sixty Days / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Purva Patel, Houston Chronicle Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Sep. 8, 2005 - Katrina evacuees staying in Texas hotels are getting a break on their bills. Aside from a federal aid program that reimburses hotels and victims for up to two weeks, the state has lifted the hotel occupancy taxes for evacuees for two months as of Sept. 2. Harris County, the city of Houston and other taxing entities are also waiving the tax, which, when added up, can shave a considerable amount off a bill, or $306 a month for someone spending $60 a nigh...

Terry Rufer Appointed Vice President Sales & Marketing, North America, Corinthia Hotels International / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Terry Rufer Appointed Vice President Sales & Marketing, North America, Corinthia Hotels International September 23,2005 - New York, NY - Corinthia Hotels International, as part of its expansion into the American Market, appointed Terry Rufer, Vice President Sales & Marketing for North America based in New York. Corinthia, a Malta-based hospitality chain of four- and five-star hotels in 11 exciting destinations, spanning Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean Basin, has opened four regional sales offices since 2005: US, Austria, Sweden and India.    Terry Rufer brings to Corinthia extensive ex...

Tynette Lynch Named Director of Sales and Marketing for the Wynfrey Hotel at Riverchase Galleria, Birmingham, Alabama / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Tynette Lynch Named Director of Sales and Marketing for the Wynfrey Hotel at Riverchase Galleria, Birmingham, Alabama BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (September 2005) -- Tynette Lynch, an 18-year hospitality veteran who has served as chair of the Birmingham Convention and Visitor's Bureau, has joined the award-winning Wynfrey Hotel at Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, Ala., as director of sales and marketing. In her new role, Lynch will oversee the sales and marketing efforts for the 329-room meetings and conventions property.  The AAA Four Diamond hotel, which is connected to one of the region's largest indoo...

TIG Global to Exhibit at International Hotel Conference in Monaco / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report     TIG Global to Exhibit at International Hotel Conference in Monaco - Internet Marketing Firm Offers Web Presence Management and Marketing Solutions for Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Washington, D.C. – Sept. 7, 2005 – TIG Global, the leading provider of interactive marketing services for hotels and resorts worldwide, will exhibit at the International Hotel Conference in Monaco, Monte Carlo from Sept. 12-14. The IHC conference focuses on new methods of hotel management, development, and investment, providing an excellent forum for TIG Global to share its wealth of knowledge on strate...

Benchmark Hospitality Appoints Tom Cupo General Manager at Virginia Crossings Resort in Richmond, Virginia / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Benchmark Hospitality Appoints Tom Cupo General Manager at Virginia Crossings Resort in Richmond, Virginia THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS, September 2005 - Benchmark Hospitality International has announced the appointment of Tom Cupo as general manager of Virginia Crossings Resort, a AAA Four Diamond property located in Richmond, Virginia.  Ellen L. Sinclair, vice president for Benchmark, made the announcement. "It is with distinct pleasure that I announce the appointment of Tom Cupo as general manager for Benchmark at Virginia Crossings Resort," stated Ms. Sinclair.  "Tom's strong leadership skills, d...

Ferenc Szony Named the Gaming Industry's Top Performing Chief Executive Officer by HVS Executive Search / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Ferenc Szony Named the Gaming Industry's Top Performing Chief Executive Officer by HVS Executive Search RENO, Nev., Sept. 19, 2005 - The Sands Regent (Nasdaq: SNDS) today announced that the Company's CEO, Ferenc Szony, has been honored as the gaming industry's top performing chief executive officer by Keith Kefgen, President of HVS Executive Search, and Stephen Goebel, Managing Director, HVS Executive Search Las Vegas. The CEO award is presented each year to the gaming industry CEO who offers the best value to investors based on a pay-for-performance model designed by Mr. Kefgen. The model c...

Raffles International Appoints Four to Swissôtel GM Posts / September 5, 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Raffles International Appoints Four to Swissôtel GM Posts SINGAPORE, 27 September 2005 – Raffles International is pleased to announce the appointments of four General Managers within its portfolio of hotels and resorts.  This is in line with the group’s commitment to provide career development for its international pool of general managers.  Mr Tan Choon Kwang as GM, Swissôtel Nankai, Osaka and Area GM, Asia Pacific Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts  Mr Tan Choon Kwang is Swissôtel Nankai, Osaka’s new General Manager.  He also undertakes the responsibilities of Area General Manager, Asia Pa...

The Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center Replaces all 1,298 Guest Room Toilets; Resolves No. 1 Guest Complaint – Toilets that Flushed Incompletel

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive By John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  September 26, 2005 - Detroit's Super Bowl headquarters hotel is ready to offer visitors a super flush. The Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center recently completed the installation of new toilets in every one of its 1,298 guest rooms. The Kohler toilets were designed to correct the No. 1 complaint from hotel guests: toilets that flushed incompletely or not at all on upper stories of the 73-story Marriott, Detroit's tallest structure. The toilet problem and others like it are common to many ta...

Habits of Highly Successful Hotel Sales People / Carol Verret / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Carol Verret Consulting  and Training Consulting Training Seminars . . . . Habits of Highly Successful Hotel Sales People by Carol Verret, September 2005 Why do so many hotel sales people fail or fail to live up to expectations?  You know how it goes – a bright person interviews for the job, has a great smile, been ‘successful’ in other sales positions (always ask for numbers – don’t take their word for it) and at the end of ninety days hasn’t produced very much.  What is the ‘tipping point’ – that thing or series of things thing that makes one person successful and another less so?   When both ...

The Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center in Staunton, Virginia Opens after $21.1 million Renovation; Owned by the Persinger Family and Armada H

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  The Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center in Staunton, Virginia Opens after $21.1 million Renovation; Owned by the Persinger Family and Armada Hoffler September 23, 2005 - Crestline Hotels & Resorts, Inc. today announced the opening of the newly restored and expanded Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center. Situated in the historic downtown district of Staunton, the property is in the heart of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. The hotel's complete refurbishment includes 124 deluxe guestrooms and nearly 11,000 square feet of elegant meeting, pre-function space and dining space. The St...

ResortQuest Names Robert Stenhammer General Manager of ResortQuest Breckenridge / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  ResortQuest Names Robert Stenhammer General Manager of ResortQuest Breckenridge   NASHVILLE, Tenn. – September 27, 2005 – ResortQuest, the nation’s largest vacation rental property company, has named Robert Stenhammer general manager of ResortQuest Breckenridge in Colorado.  In his new position, Stenhammer will be responsible for the management of the company’s vacation rental properties, including mountain top homes and condominiums, as well as overseeing guest services. Stenhammer comes to ResortQuest from Intrawest Corp., where he served for nearly 6 years as director of lodging an...

StayOnline Receives $15 Million from Technology Investment Capital Corp. / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report StayOnline Receives $15 Million from Technology Investment Capital Corp. Atlanta, GA  – [9/6/05] – StayOnline announced today that it has received $15 million from Technology Investment Capital Corp. (NASDAQ:  TICC).  StayOnline is an Internet service provider offering high-end wireless high-speed Internet access solutions for the hospitality and lodging industry. StayOnline plans to utilize the funding to aggressively expand its footprint of wirelessly enabled hotels and resorts. StayOnline also plans to expand its offering of converged network services and applications for its hospital...