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Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25, 2024
Industry Happenings
FRHI Hotels & Resorts Unveiled as Challenge Provider to the Upcoming Young Hoteliers Summit 2014
YHS | January 31, 2014
MONDAY 17TH – WEDNESDAY 19TH MARCH 2014, IN LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND Lausanne, 31st January 2014 – The Young Hoteliers Summit has officially launched with major partners for the 2014 Edition announced. FRHI Hotels & Resorts, encompassing the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts brands, have partnered as the 5th Edition Challenge Provider, this coming 17th – 19th March. The 5th Edition summit represents a special anniversary for the Young Hoteliers Summit. 29 international hospitality management schools & university will be present, with Cornell School of Hotel Administration, Heidelberg Hotelfachschule, Flori...
Hotel Industry Outlook by Teague Hunter
Hunter Hotel Advisors | January 31, 2014
On the heels of a strong 2013, the best year for Wall Street since 1997 due to a 29.6 percent increase in the S&P 500 and 23.9 percent decrease in the CBOE Volatility Index ("fear index"), we anticipate that the 2014 hospitality investment landscape, like 2013, will be dominated by Wall Street capital. Apprehension from top executives heading into 2013 proved unwarranted as stocks soared despite discord in Washington. With the economy showing signs of life, resulting in the Fed's decision to begin tapering its monthly bond purchases, firms are beginning to gear towards growth. Several hospitality companies took advantage of the stre...
Outrigger Enterprises Group Makes Five Appointments to Global Marketing Team
Outrigger Enterprises Group | January 31, 2014
January 31, 2014 - WAIKIKI, HONOLULU, HAWAII - Outrigger Enterprises Group, one of the largest and fastest growing privately-held leisure lodging and hospitality companies in the Asia-Pacific and Oceania regions, announced five new additions to the company to complete its global marketing team. Bitsy Kelley has rejoined the company as vice president, corporate communications. Jasmine Tso joins the team as vice president, global brand services, and Tammy Uy has been hired as executive creative director. Sun Wong has been promoted to corporate director, global marketing, and John Limper has joined Outrigger as vice president, sales and ma...
Pegasus’ John Owens Speaks at Travelport’s e-volve ‘14
Pegasus Solutions | January 31, 2014
DALLAS (January 31, 2013) – John Owens, senior vice president, distribution sales for Pegasus Solutions, spoke this week at Travelport's e-volve '14 in Monte Carlo. Owens discussed current industry trends at the event. "Following the World Tourism Organization's report that last year's 1.09 billion tourists will increase by 4.0 to 4.5 percent this year, the Monte Carlo summit helped travel industry leaders learn how to take advantage of that growth," said Owens. "I was honored to share Pegasus' view based on what we're seeing in the year ahead – from global, regional and channel trends to best practices for burgeoning mobile growth....
Mandalay Bay Appoints Matthew Chilton General Manager of Delano Las Vegas
| January 31, 2014
LAS VEGAS (January 31, 2014) - Mandalay Bay has appointed Matthew Chilton General Manager of Delano Las Vegas, the all-suite hotel that will introduce the effortless luxury and unparalleled service of the renowned Delano South Beach to the Las Vegas Strip. In his new position, Matthew will bring Delano Las Vegas' intimate experience to life with an unrivaled level of personalization in an environment defined by understated luxury, sophistication and style. Matthew has been in the hospitality industry for nearly two decades and joined Mandalay Bay as Hotel Manager prior to the resort's 1999 grand opening. Most recently, he served as Vice...
Crestron and Polycom® Partner on High-Performance Unified Communications Solutions
Crestron | January 31, 2014
Companies team up to deliver Crestron RL™, the ultimate group video, voice, and room collaboration solution Crestron announced today that they have expanded an existing partnership with Polycom Inc. to market and resell the Crestron RL system. Polycom will sell Crestron RL™ through their IT-centric channel, and promote the system's ability to natively integrate with Crestron systems. Together, Crestron and Polycom deliver the ultimate group video collaboration experience for high-productivity conference rooms. Crestron is the global leader in intuitive conference room control, automation, and enterprise management. Polycom is the gl...
Meliá Debuts in Austria with February 2014 Opening of 253-room Meliá Vienna
January 31, 2014
Palma de Mallorca, January 31, 2014 - Vienna's new landmark skyscraper - the Donau-City (DC) Tower - will be home to Meliá Vienna when it opens in mid-February 2014. The stylish 253-room hotel, with design by eminent Parisian architect Dominique Perrault, will be Meliá Hotels International's first property in Austria, adding to a global portfolio of more than 350 city and resort hotels. Designed by the famous Parisian architect Dominique Perrault, the DC Tower is Austria's tallest skyscraper, rising at an impressive 820 feet over the New Danube River. The exterior offers a glazed, clear structured, minimalistic monolith resembling a g...
PGA Shoots a Hole in One with UniFocus Labor Management Systems
PGA National Resort & Spa | January 31, 2014
PGA National Resort and Spa has selected workforce management solutions from UniFocus to more effectively manage its workforce, which will ultimately help the award winning resort achieve higher levels of customer service and profitability. PGA National selected the UniFocus Labor Management system based on their industry expertise and proven regression models for successfully forecasting, scheduling, planning, budgeting, and reporting. UniFocus' LMS analytics track labor-related expenses in real time helping to control labor costs, minimize compliance risks, and improve productivity with accurate scheduling while reducing overtime. "By...
The Newly Built 189-key Embassy Suites Elizabeth-Newark Airport Opens in New Jersey
Embassy Suites Hotels | January 31, 2014
Owned and Operated by Sun Development and Management Corporation ELIZABETH, N.J. and MCLEAN, Va.- January 31, 2014 - Embassy Suites Hotels, the Hilton Worldwide brand of upscale all-suite hotels, today announced the opening of Embassy Suites Elizabeth-Newark Airport, a new-build hotel with 189 two-room guest suites, three all-purpose meeting spaces and the convenience of easy access to both Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City. "We are proud to bring the only full service all-suite hotel to the Newark market," said John Rogers, global head, Embassy Suites Hotels. "This hotel features our innovative Design Option III an...
Hospitality Conversations™: The Legacy of Tony Marshall
John Hogan | January 31, 2014
And Insights to Today's Most Pressing Legal Issues for Hotel Owners and Managers By Dr. John Hogan, CHA CMHS CHE CHO January 31, 2014 "I think mistakes are the essence of science and law. It's impossible to conceive of either scientific progress or legal progress without understanding the important role of being wrong and of mistakes." Alan Dershowitz American lawyer, jurist, and political commentator. We launch this year's Hospitality Conversations™ with a look at the legacy of Dr. Anthony G. Marshall, or simply "Tony" to those of us who were fortunate enough to have worked with him or known him personally. He was hired in 1972 as...
ERG JFK Hotel Completes Renovations, Opens the 330-key Crowne Plaza® JFK Airport New York City Hotel
January 31, 2014
Owned by ERG JFK Hotel, LLC, and Managed by Gemini Hospitality 31 January, 2014 - ATLANTA – InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announces the opening of the Crowne Plaza® JFK Airport New York City hotel. The property has undergone a significant multi-million dollar renovation funded by ERG JFK Hotel, LLC, featuring a unique interior design with runway murals on the lobby ceilings, guest room carpets and accent walls, and a modern glass design for the exterior façade. Located at 138-10 135th Ave., this nine-story Crowne Plaza hotel is the brand's seventh in the metro New York City area. The hotel offers amenities that make it easy to...
SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts Opens DoubleTree by Hilton West Edmonton in Alberta, Canada
SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts | January 31, 2014
January 30, 2014 - ALBERTA, Canada and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide and DoubleTree by Hilton today announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton West Edmonton following a comprehensive multi-million dollar property-wide transformation of the former Mayfield Inn and Suites. Located 28 miles from the Edmonton International Airport and just 5.6 miles from the city center, the hotel is convenient to the area's key business and leisure destinations, including West Edmonton Mall just 2.8 miles away and featuring more than 800 stores and entertainment options, including an amusement park, waterpark, casino and bowling alley. DoubleTree by Hi...
Mr. Biswajit Chakraborty Appointed as General Manager for Sofitel Mumbai BKC
Sofitel, World Class Hotels & French Elegance | January 31, 2014
Mumbai, 31st January 2014: Sofitel Luxury Hotels, Luxury Brand of the Accor Group has announced that Mr. Biswajit Chakraborty has been appointed the General Manager of their flagship property in India, Sofitel Mumbai BKC. Defining the concept of Life is Magnifique, Sofitel Mumbai BKC has always exemplified design, culture and gastronomy and Mr. Biswajit Chakraborty will lend his expertise and knowledge in transforming the current luxury landscape in the hospitality industry. Responsible in overseeing all the activities of the hotel, Mr. Biswajit Chakraborty joins Sofitel with over 25 years of hospitality experience. Known for his acumen...
Winegardner & Hammons Promotes Jason Kreul to Senior VP
Winegardner and Hammons, Inc. | January 30, 2014
CINCINNATI – Winegardner and Hammons, Inc. (WHI) is proud to announce the promotion of Jason Kreul to senior vice president – operations, after serving as vice president – food & beverage since 2011. Jason is responsible for overall hotel operations in addition to overseeing an industry best management team. "We are pleased to announce this well-deserved promotion for Jason Kreul," said Mike Conway, WHI president. "In his new role, Jason will leverage his significant industry experience to ensure a continued focus of operational excellence and exceeding customers' expectations." Jason joined WHI in 1993 as an assistant general...
1889 Algonquin Resort to Reopen in St. Andrews-By-The-Sea, New Brunswick, CA After $35 M Upgrade
the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership | January 30, 2014
NEW BRUNSWICK, Atlantic Canada, January 30, 2014 - At the turn of the century some 120 years ago, a small town on New Brunswick's southeastern coast on the Bay of Fundy drew titans of industry from New York, Boston and Montreal, government ministers and railroad barons like Sir William van Horne, the head of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Overlooking picturesque Passamaquoddy Bay, St. Andrews-by-the-Sea is now enjoying a second act as a summer resort. And when its iconic "Castle-by-the-sea" opens this spring, the resort town will draw even more visitors -although not necessarily only millionaires. Originally built in 1889 to accommodate ...
Hillgate Properties NV and Hyatt Hotels Open the 330-room Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport
Hyatt Place | January 30, 2014
A Brand Debut in the Netherlands CHICAGO (January 30, 2013) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and Hillgate Properties NV today announced the opening of Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport – the first Hyatt Place hotel to open in the Netherlands. The opening of the 330-room property marks a significant milestone for the Hyatt Place brand as it continues to expand outside the United States. New Hyatt Place locations have recently opened in Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, India and Mexico. In Europe, a location opened in Armenia earlier this year. "We have more than 180 Hyatt Place properties worldwide, but Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport marks ne...
EMEA Hotel Investment Volume to Grow by 20+% to $16 Billion in 2014 Forecasts Jones Lang LaSalle
Jones Lang LaSalle | January 30, 2014
January 30, 2014 - 2013 was a resurgent year for the hotel investment market in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), with transaction volumes up 17% to $13.2 billion and 2014 set to grow by more than 20% according to the latest figures released by Jones Lang LaSalle's Hotel & Hospitality Group (JLL H&H) in their Hotel Investment Outlook report. "With increasing confidence for EMEA-wide recovery and growth, we forecast hotel investment volume in the region to grow by more than 20% to approximately $16 billion in 2014. Although some markets are at different stages of the recovery curve, underlying sentiment is much more positive...
HSMAI Americas Names 2014 Executive Committee, Board Of Directors; Rob Torres Named as Board Chair
HSMAI | January 30, 2014
McLean, Va. (January 30, 2014) - The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), today announced its 2014 Americas Region Executive Committee and Board of Directors. In total, 38 members were elected or appointed to serve HSMAI in the coming year. This year's HSMAI Nominating Committee selected the 2014 members from nationally and internationally known entities ranging from convention & visitors bureaus, hotels, hotel management companies, research and / or marketing firms and universities to online travel agencies, search engines and social media platforms. Notably, 22 hotels and hotel management companies ar...
Carlson Appoints Matt Zaruba as Chief Information Security Officer
Carlson | January 30, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 30, 2014) -- Carlson, a global hospitality and travel company, today announced the appointment of Matt Zaruba as chief information security officer for Carlson. He will report directly to Steve Brown, chief information and innovation officer, Carlson. "Matt brings us broad experience in risk assessment, information security examination, internal audit and disaster recovery throughout a variety of industries," explained Brown. Zaruba will lead the company's information security strategies to create and maintain an environment that safeguards the assets, confidential information and intellectual property of Carlson. He w...
The Generation Companies Launches Renovation of 77-room MainStay Suites Charlotte North in NC
The Generation Companies | January 30, 2014
January 30 , 2014 - CHARLOTTE, NC - The MainStay Suites Charlotte North, located off Arrowood Road near the airport at 7926 Forest Pine Drive, is undergoing a large renovation. The 77-room extended stay hotel, owned and managed by The Generation Companies, a real estate developer, owner, asset manager and operator of extended stay hotels, is updating its decor and adding new furniture. The extensive renovation includes installing new flat screen TVs, carpet and bedding; freshening bathrooms with new paint; refreshing kitchen and bathroom cabinets; upgrading the continental breakfast area with new, colorful dishware and containers; and i...
To Open Q4 2016, the 168-room Radisson Blu Hotel Kingston upon Hull to be Developed in the U.K.
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | January 30, 2014
BRUSSELS (Jan. 30, 2014) - Carlson Rezidor, one of the most dynamic and largest hotel groups worldwide, strengthens its portfolio in the United Kingdom and announces the Radisson Blu Hotel Kingston upon Hull in conjunction with the developer Manor Property Group. The new-built property will feature 168 guest rooms, scheduled to open in late 2016, and will bring Carlson Rezidor's United Kingdom and Ireland portfolio to 51 hotels in operation and under development. Radisson Blu is Europe's largest upper upscale hotel brand. "The United Kingdom is a key mature market for us, and we are delighted to bring our core brand, Radisson Blu, to Ki...
InvoTech Systems Installs Uniform, Linen, and Laundry Management Systems at Canouan Resort
InvoTech Systems | January 30, 2014
Luxury Caribbean Resort Implements UHF-RFID Inventory Tracking Systems to Control High-Value Uniform and Linen Assets LOS ANGELES, CA - January 30, 2014 - InvoTech Systems, Inc. announced that the luxury Canouan Resort on Canouan Island Heart of the Grenadines installed the InvoTech UHF-RFID System for managing the resort's uniforms, linens, and laundry operations. InvoTech is a leading provider of systems that integrate the latest RFID technology to increase profitability for hotels, casinos, hospitals, and commercial laundry operators. Click here for more information on InvoTech's Linen, Uniform, and Laundry Systems. InvoTech Uniform,...
Marriott Sells Interests in Renaissance Barcelona Hotel for $107 Million
Renaissance Hotels | January 30, 2014
Retains Long-term Management Agreement January 30, 2014 – Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced that it has sold its leasehold interests in the Renaissance Barcelona Hotel to an affiliate of the Qatar Armed Forces Investment Portfolio (QAFIP) for approximately €78 million including €45 million ($62 million) cash and the assumption of €33 million ($45 million) of related obligations. The hotel will continue to be operated by Marriott under a long-term management contract. "Through the sale of the Renaissance Barcelona Hotel we are delighted to welcome a new partner and owner to our Marriott portfolio," said A...
Marcus Hotels to Open 226-key AC by Marriott Chicago Converting its Four Points by Sheraton Property
Marcus Hotels & Resorts | January 30, 2014
Jan. 30, 2014 - MILWAUKEE - Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), today announced it will convert its Four Points by Sheraton Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile hotel located at 630 N. Rush Street into one of the first AC Hotels by Marriott in the U.S. with an anticipated opening in spring 2015. "We are excited to bring one of the first AC Hotels by Marriott in the U.S. to Chicago's River North area," said Thomas F. Kissinger, interim president, Marcus Hotels & Resorts and senior executive president, The Marcus Corporation. "This stylish, urban lifestyle brand brings together a contemporary ...
