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
AAHOA Rebrands and Repositions Its Leading Event Series as Hotel Owners Conferences & Trade Shows
AAHOA | April 26, 2024
ATLANTA, Ga., April 26 – In a landmark move, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) is proud to announce the rebranding and repositioning of its leading event series, Regional Conferences & Trade Shows, to resonate more with member needs and the association’s ongoing evolution. These nationwide conferences, now known as Hotel Owners Conferences & Trade Shows, mark a historic moment in AAHOA’s journey toward redefining the standard for hospitality events and underscoring AAHOA’s role in the industry as the only organization representing and exclusively dedicated to serving the needs of hotel owners. The redef...
Canadian Business Travel Is Forecast to Return to Pre-Pandemic Levels in 2024, Reaching $25.9 Billion USD and 13.5% Annual Growth
GBTA | April 25, 2024
GBTA’s Canada Conference spotlights the resurgence in business travel spending, evolving industry trends, recognition of association volunteers and introduction of new regional leaders Business travel in Canada is poised for a strong, evolving future, according to the takeaways and forecasts unveiled during the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Canada Conference 2024 held in Toronto this week, April 22-24. As the premier trade association and “voice” of the global business travel industry, GBTA welcomed business travel professionals, companies and guests from across Canada and beyond to the Beanfield Centre for its 20th ann...
Coast Hotels Celebrates Its Top Achievers
Coast Hotels | April 25, 2024
Vancouver, B.C. – April 25th, 2024 – Coast Hotels Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of APA Hotel Canada, Inc. and one of North America’s fastest-growing and one of Canada’s largest hotel brands, has announced the recipients of its 2023 Coast Hotels Awards during its annual brand conference, held at the Coast Nisku Inn & Conference Centre, Nisku, AB. Coast Hotels recognizes and celebrates Ambassadors, hotel teams, and leaders who demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence, outstanding guest experience, and business performance each year. “Our Ambassadors and operators truly went above and beyond last year and we are de...
AHLA: DOL Overtime Rule Will Hurt Hotels and Limit Employee Opportunities
AHLA | April 24, 2024
WASHINGTON (April 24, 2024) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey issued the following statement today after the Department of Labor (DOL) released its final overtime rule to raise the minimum salary threshold under which all employees must be paid overtime for any hours worked over 40 in a week. “This rule is part of a growing list of aggressive federal regulatory efforts that are making it even harder for hoteliers to operate their businesses in this challenging environment. The impacts of this regulation will risk the elimination of jobs and make it more difficult for employees to ...
Tripadvisor Announces 2024 Travelers’ Choice Hotels Award Winners: Check-In to the Best of the Best Places to Stay Around the World
Tripadvisor, Inc. | April 23, 2024
NEEDHAM, Mass., April 23, 2024 -- Today, Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform, unveiled the elite group of winners of its annual Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Hotels Awards, celebrating this year's highest rated hotels in the world based on Tripadvisor reviews. Leading the pack, achieving the No. 1 Top Hotel in the World designation, is Brazil's Hotel Colline de France, a boutique hotel renowned for its personalized service and French elegance in the middle of the mountain town of Gramado. Tripadvisor's Best of the Best hotels are among the top one percent of the 1.6 million hotel listings on Tripad...
HSMAI Takes Commercial Strategy to the Next Level With Commercial Effectiveness Organizational Assessment
HSMAI | April 23, 2024
McLean, VA (April 23, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has announced the launch of the Commercial Effectiveness Organizational Assessment, a tool providing a structured framework for assessing where a hotel organization’s commercial structure is strong and where improvements are needed. The tool and accompanying report, Taking Commercial Strategy to the Next Level, are a free member benefit for HSMAI members and available to the industry for purchase. The goal of the HSMAI Commercial Effectiveness Organizational Assessment is to allow a hotel organization to assess and score their impleme...
HFTP Announces 2024 CHTP of the Year Award Recipient: Troy Morton
HFTP | April 22, 2024
HFTP is thrilled to announce that Troy Morton, CHTP has earned the 2024 Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP®) of the Year award for attaining the highest score of the year. Morton will be recognized for his achievements during HITEC® Charlotte 2024, taking place June 24-27 at the Charlotte Convention Center. Troy Morton’s Background As part of the Aimbridge Hospitality group certification partnership, Troy pursued CHTP certification because he felt it would make him more well-rounded within the hotel technology field and more knowledgeable in his current role with Aimbridge as a senior IT project manager. With a pr...
2024 BC Hotel Association Awards of Excellence Finalists Announced
the BC Hotel Association | April 22, 2024
Whistler, BC (April 22, 2024): The stage is set for an exceptional celebration of hospitality excellence in British Columbia as the finalists for the prestigious 2024 BC Hotel Association Awards of Excellence have been announced. The winners of these coveted awards will be celebrated in style during the Awards Gala on the evening of May 2, 2024—part of the 2024 BCHA Summit, taking place May 1-2, 2024, at Fairmont Chateau Whistler. The two-day Summit is an unparalleled industry event that brings together the most influential figures in British Columbia's accommodation sector, providing delegates with an opportunity to network, hear f...
Hotel Association of NYC Foundation Annual ‘Red Carpet Hospitality Gala’ Lights Up Big Apple
HANYC | April 17, 2024
NEW YORK--April 17, 2024--The Hotel Association of NYC Foundation, charitable arm of the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC), hosted its annual “Red Carpet Hospitality Gala” at The Intercontinental Barclay in Manhattan on Monday, April 1, recognizing Hyatt Hotels and Resorts U.S. and Canada President Susan Santiago with its Hospitality Award and Robin Hood Foundation’s CEO Richard R. Buery, Jr. with its Humanitarian Award. Attended by more than 300 of the city’s hotel owners, executives, labor leaders and industry influencers, the event also featured keynote remarks delivered by former New York Governor David A. P...
NEWH Presents Pinnacle Award to Anita Degen at Leadership Conference
NEWH | April 17, 2024
Degen also stands among a distinguished group of individuals inducted into the NEWH College of Fellows Shawano, WI — April 17, 2024 — NEWH, Inc. is excited to announce that long-time member Anita Degen, IIDA, Managing Principal of her namesake firm, Degen & Degen Architecture and Interior Design, was honored with the NEWH Pinnacle Award at the organization’s leadership conference. Receiving not one, but two honors, Degen was also inducted into the association’s College of Fellows alongside four other new members, bestowed during NEWH’s biennial Leadership Conference on February 17, 2024 in Nashville. The NEWH Pinnacle A...
HFTP Announces Participating Startups for Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) at HITEC 2024
HFTP | April 17, 2024
Eight Startups to Compete for $5,000 Prize and Exposure to Industry Leaders Austin, Texas (April 17, 2024) – Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), producers of Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), has announced the eight outstanding startups participating in Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) Charlotte held on June 26, 2024 at HITEC Charlotte. Technologies being showcased in the HITEC 2024 cohort run the gamut of streamlining both back- and front-of-house operations, building guest profiles for enhanced stay experiences and strengthening property-vendor relationships. Participating in Entrep...
Travel + Leisure Announces the 2024 It List of Best New Hotels
Travel + Leisure | April 16, 2024
NEW YORK, April 16, 2024 – Today, Travel + Leisure announces the 19th annual It List, a meticulously curated list of the best new and renovated hotels across the globe, which for the first time includes newly launched luxury cruise ships. In-depth coverage of this year’s It List is now available online, and in the May 2024 issue of Travel + Leisure, which hits newsstands April 19. This year, Travel + Leisure’s guide to the can’t-miss openings (and re-openings) covers everything from boutique hotels in Morocco and Portugal to grand resorts along the serene beaches of Mexico and Greece. The selected hotels and cruise ships span 39 c...
Hilton Announces 2023 Americas Development Award Winners
Hilton | April 15, 2024
Today, Hilton revealed its 2023 Americas Development Awards which recognize the achievements of owners, development partners, and hotel teams in the Americas across several categories. These annual awards celebrate the resiliency and commitment of our owners and team members who spread the light and warmth of hospitality. “We are thrilled to celebrate our owner and development partners who are the recipients of the 2023 Americas Development Award,” said Danny Hughes, president, Americas, Hilton. “Over the last year, we’ve seen travel continue to grow across the Americas, creating even more opportunities for our partners to welco...
AHLA Rallies Industry in Support of Hotel Tax Relief
AHLA | April 15, 2024
WASHINGTON (April 15, 2024) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today is leading an industry-wide Tax Day of Action in support of the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, H.R. 7024. The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act would extend critical tax relief for hotels that would incentivize new investments in properties and employee hiring and help keep hoteliers competitive at a time of economic uncertainty. The bill passed the House in January with a broad, bipartisan vote and is currently pending in the Senate. The Tax Day of Action membership mobilization push complements AHLA’s consi...
HITEC Announces Compelling Charlotte Headliner Sessions Schedule
HFTP | April 12, 2024
Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) is stepping into its next era with three transformative Headliner Sessions in the form of Dr. Bryan K. Williams, Glenn Haussman, Anthony Melchiorri and another exciting installment of E20X. Produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), HITEC Charlotte will take place from June 24-27 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina USA. “In a rapidly evolving industry like hospitality technology, the right keynote speakers aren't just voices on stage — they're the architects of our collective future,” says HFTP CEO Frank W...
Hotel Association of Los Angeles Recognizes Industry’s Brightest Stars
the Hotel Association of Los Angeles | April 11, 2024
HALA President & CEO Dr. Jackie Filla and KTLA's Wendy Burch pose with the 2024 HALA Stars of the Industry Awards winners. LOS ANGELES, CA – (April 11, 2024) —The Hotel Association of Los Angeles (HALA) celebrated the best and brightest of the industry Tuesday night at the second annual HALA Stars of the Industry Awards. Wendy Burch, KTLA’s star veteran reporter, MCed the dinner gala at the Omni Los Angeles with her unique flair, announcing awards from Best Housekeeper to Best General Manager. Across all roles, winners were recognized for hard work, dedication, going beyond their normal duties, and—most importantly—supporting ...
MDM Hotel Group Names Sonia Fong Vice President of Sales & Marketing
MDM Hotel Group | April 11, 2024
Industry veteran will lead efforts across MDM’s hotel portfolio MIAMI (April 11, 2024) – MDM Hotel Group, one of the nations’ most respected hotel owning companies and operators, has named Sonia Fong Vice President of Sales & Marketing for MDM Hotel Group. Fong will be leading the sales and marketing efforts across all of MDM’s properties, which include the JW Marriott Marquis Miami, Hotel Beaux Arts, JW Marriott Miami, Miami Marriott Dadeland and the Courtyard Miami Dadeland Hotel. The 25-year industry veteran was most recently Senior VP of Convention Development with Louisville Tourism, where she led a team of 22 across...
Senate Votes to Overturn Job-Killing Joint-Employer Rule
AHLA | April 11, 2024
WASHINGTON (April 11, 2024) – American Hotel & Lodging Association Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey released the following statement today after the U.S. Senate passed a resolution to overturn the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) destructive joint-employer rule. The House of Representatives passed the same resolution in January, and it now heads to the president’s desk for consideration. Additionally, following a lawsuit filed by AHLA and other business groups, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on March 8 blocked NLRB’s implementation of the rule. “Today’s bipartisan Senate vote i...
Global Meetings Industry Day on April 11 Champions Value, Benefits of Business Events and Meetings
U.S. Travel Association | April 10, 2024
WASHINGTON – Under the banner theme of “Meetings Matter,” Global Meetings Industry Day is April 11, a day dedicated to championing the undeniable professional, personal and economic benefits of business meetings, trade shows, conferences and conventions. “In-person meetings and events are essential to the success of businesses and individuals across every industry,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “Global Meetings Industry Day is an opportunity to highlight how this critical sector fuels local economies, business profits, individual growth and the professional relationships that advance commo...
Travel Uptick: Three-Quarters of Americans Plan to Take a Trip in the Next Year
MMGY Global | April 9, 2024
Positive travel sentiment increases despite cost pressures according to MMGY Global survey The travel industry continues to boom, with a significant increase in travel intentions among U.S. adults in 2024 according to new research from MMGY Travel Intelligence. In the latest edition of the firm’s Portrait of American Travelers® study, three-quarters of Americans (76%) report they plan to take a vacation in the next 12 months, a notable increase from 70% observed this time last year. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds (64%) of these travelers plan to take a trip in the next six months – a significant boost from 58% reported in October 202...
Company Culture Earns Hospitality America USA Today ‘Top Workplaces 2024’ Award
Hospitality America | April 9, 2024
Third-party hotel management company is recognized for fostering a workplace culture where team members feel valued, supported, and empowered GREENVILLE, S.C. – April 9, 2024 – What earns a hotel company the best-place-to-work designation? For employees of Hospitality America, it is “culture and coworkers,” “flexible scheduling,” and “respect, understanding and value given to my work” that enabled the third-party hotel management company to win the coveted “Top Workplaces 2024” award, co-sponsored by USA Today and Energage™. The Top Workplaces USA awards recognize midsize and large organizations with operations in mu...
AHLA Welcomes New AAHOA Board Members, Officers
AHLA | April 9, 2024
WASHINGTON (April 9, 2024) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey released the following statement today after the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) finalized its new roster of board members and officers. “Congratulations to AAHOA on its 35th anniversary and to its new board and officer team on a successful convention and leadership elections,” said AHLA Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey. “This dedicated group of leaders will play a vital role in driving innovation and future growth while advancing the economic success story of the AAHOA community and a...
Hoteliers To Gather in Toronto for Maestro PMS’s Sold Out ‘Accelerate 2024 Users Conference’; Game-Changing Tech to Be Showcased
Maestro PMS | April 9, 2024
Invitation-only event will feature expansion to sought after all-in-one solutions by this popular PMS provider; NEW Maestro Embedded Payments Solution and NEW Client Reference Incentive Program to be introduced among other new features Markham, Ontario, April 9, 2024 — Next week users of the widely popular Maestro PMS platform, a Web Browser based cloud and on-premises all-in-one property-management system, will gather at the King Edward Hotel in Toronto for the SOLD OUT “Accelerate 2024” users conference. The four-day event, to be held April 15 to 18, will enable attendees to exchange ideas, build alliances, and leverage innovative ...
Analysis: Hotels Projected to Pay Record Taxes and Wages in 2024
AHLA | April 8, 2024
Click here for state-by-state hotel tax revenue projections Click here for state-by-state hotel wages and salary projections Click here for state-by-state hotel guest spending projections Click here for state-by-state hotel employment projections WASHINGTON (April 8, 2024) – America’s hotels are projected to generate record levels of federal, state, and local tax revenue this year while paying employees historic totals of wages, salaries, and other compensation, according to state-by-state projections released today by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. The data show hotels are projected to generate a total of nea...
