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Industry Happenings
Destination Hotels & Resorts Appoints Jim O’Donnell as Director of National Sales, Northeast Region
Destination Hotels & Resorts | November 12, 2013
Englewood, Colo. - November 12, 2013 - Destination Hotels & Resorts announces the appointment of Jim O'Donnell as Director of National Sales for the Northeast region. In this new position, O'Donnell will focus on the Northeast Association, Pharmaceutical, Healthcare, Medical Device, and Technology industries. Prior to joining Destination Hotels & Resorts, O'Donnell served as the New York and New Jersey in-market National Sales Manager for Caesars Entertainment, representing twelve properties in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, NJ, including brands such as Caesars Palace, Paris Las Vegas, Harrah's, Planet Hollywood and more. During h...
Sophia Parker Named General Manager for the 222-room Holiday Inn Columbus – North in Georgia
Holiday Inn Columbus - North | November 12, 2013
COLUMBUS, GA. November 12, 2013 - Sophia Parker has been named General Manager of the Holiday Inn Columbus - North, a recently renovated 222-room full service hotel located next to I-185 in Columbus, GA. Sophia, having worked at the property since 1998, brings an outgoing personality and customer service expertise to the position. "Sophia has been a loyal, dedicated employee for 15 years," said Robert Holsten, Executive Vice President Of Operations, First Call Hospitality, Inc., which manages the Holiday Inn. "She has the experience and skills we need for our new General Manager in Columbus. Combine that with how she interacts with our ...
Nexus Hospitality Begins $1.5 Million Renovation of the 407-key Wyndham Indianapolis West in Indiana
The Wyndham Indianapolis West | November 12, 2013
Indianapolis, IN - Nov 12, 2013 - The 407-room, Wyndham Indianapolis West has started undergoing a $1.5 million dollar renovation to upgrade 35,000 square feet of event space and public space. The Wyndham Indianapolis West has selected a neutral and warm pallet for the comfort and appeal for today's meeting and banquet attendees. The hotel's lobby is being transformed with new front desk "pods" to further enhance the welcome experience at the hotel. As guests arrive to check-in to the hotel or attend a meeting or banquet the welcome experience will be heightened with more open interaction unlike no other. The owner of the hotel, Nexus H...
A Brand Debut in Indonesia, the 198-room Holiday Inn Express Semarang Simpang Lima Opens
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) | November 12, 2013
Singapore, 12 November 2013: InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened Indonesia's first ever Holiday Inn Express hotel in Central Java's cosmopolitan capital city of Semarang. The 198-room Holiday Inn Express Semarang Simpang Lima paves the way for the brand's expansion across Indonesia, with plans for 13 more Holiday Inn Express hotels to open across the country over the next few years. "Indonesia accounts for two thirds of the development pipeline for Holiday Inn Express in South East Asia and we are excited to debut the brand in one of the country's most vibrant cities. Semarang is a popular destination for both business and le...
Westin Returns to Singapore with the Opening of The 305-key Westin Singapore
Westin Hotels & Resorts | November 12, 2013
SINGAPORE - November 12, 2013 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced the opening of The Westin Singapore, marking the brand's return to Southeast Asia's financial and lifestyle hub. The much awaited return of the Westin brand to Singapore is a significant milestone for the brand's robust expansion as the hotel joins the ranks of over 40 Westin properties in Asia Pacific, with a further 20 properties in the pipeline. As Singapore's first-ever integrated hotel located within an office building, The Westin Singapore occupies levels 32 to 46 of the brand new Asia Square Tower 2 commercial development in M...
Face Time is Good for Business; Increase in Face to Face Meetings Can Increase Revenue by Nearly 25%
Crowne Plaza Meetings Survey | November 12, 2013
New Delhi, India, 12 November, 2013: Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, part of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), has released its first-ever Business Meetings in a Modern World global research report, revealing that businesses around the world could be missing out on nearly a quarter (24%) of additional revenue because they are not investing enough time in face-to-face contact. The report surveyed more than 2,000 business men and women across five major markets - the UK, US, United Arab Emirates (UAE), China and India - to better understand how business professionals are using both virtual and face-to-face meetings and the p...
Nine Best Practices for Hotels on Twitter
Daniel Edward Craig | November 12, 2013
By Daniel Edward Craig On the heels of a wildly successful public offering and with over 230 million monthly active users, Twitter has emerged as an important marketing and guest service channel for hotels. But the social network has a distinct vernacular that can be confusing and intimidating. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned pro, here are nine best practices for making make the most of your Twitter presence. 1. Write a bio that kicks Your profile is the most important message you'll ever write on Twitter because it helps people decide whether to follow you. You can't say it all in 160 characters, so choose a few keywords to desc...
New “Tipping” Rules for 2014: Are you ready?
JMBM | November 12, 2013
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com 12 November 2013 Hotel Lawyer with some tips for employers on handling tipping -- the new IRS Rules. Employer practices with tips at hotels and restaurants have spawned a lot of employee discontent, class actions and other litigation. Some employers have withheld all or a portion of employee tips to cover administrative costs and others have redistributed tips amongst employees, some of whom (like bus staff and kitchen crews) have no opportunity to earn tips. Even the IRS has gotten into the game by adopting new rules that go into effect in ...
Maxim Hotel Brokerage Arranges the Sales of Two Award-Winning Resort Properties
Maxim Hotel Brokerage | November 12, 2013
Newport Beach, CA - November 12, 2013 -- Maxim Hotel Brokerage arranged the sale of two unique award-winning resort properties located in Montana and Alaska. Maxim represented the seller, an affiliate of Lehman Holdings Inc. in both transactions. According to Harry Pflueger, Principal with Maxim, "These were amazing properties with a lot of recognition, but marketing them effectively for sale required a great amount of creativity due to their remote locations and specialized operations." Lone Mountain Ranch is a well established, historic resort ranch located in Big Sky, Montana with an irreplaceable setting near the gateway to Yellowst...
ZDirect is Fortifying Business Development Efforts in North America, Canada and the Caribbean
ZDirect | November 12, 2013
The Pioneer of Hotel Marketing Automation Names Adam Fractenberg Director of Sales [HALLANDALE BEACH, FL- NOVEMBER 12, 2013] - To introduce even more hoteliers to the benefits of Hotel Marketing Automation, ZDirect is expanding its business development effort. Adam Fractenberg has been hired to serve as Director of Sales for North America, Canada and the Caribbean. Today more than 2,000 hotels worldwide are successfully communicating with their guests and prospects utilizing ZDirect and its ZMail® electronic communication platform. "More than ever before, hoteliers are turning to ZDirect for help with automating routine marketing tasks...
Grand Pacific Resort Management Adds Third Hawaiian Resort
Grand Pacific Resort Management | November 12, 2013
The Makai Club Cottages and Condos is Latest Management Contract for Growing Company CARLSBAD, CA (November 12, 2013) -Grand Pacific Resort Management (GPRM) of Carlsbad, CA has been selected by the Board of Directors of the Makai Club Cottages and Condos Homeowners Association to manage its timeshare resort on the island of Kaua'i, Hawaii. Included in their full-service management contract are resort operations, design and purchasing, renovations, and Owner Services including inventory and reservations support. GPRM will also handle all maintenance fee billing and collections through Advanced Financial Company (AFC), a Grand Pacific af...
The 145-room Holiday Inn Amritsar Opens in Punjab, India
November 12, 2013
New Delhi, India, 12 November 2013: InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has marked its presence in Punjab with the opening of Holiday Inn Amritsar Ranjit Avenue. The hotel is the newest addition to IHG's growing portfolio in India and is the seventh Holiday Inn hotel in the country. The 145-room hotel is located in the centre of Amritsar's premier commercial district, Ranjit Avenue, giving travellers the opportunity to experience everything Amritsar has to offer. The famous Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) is located a short distance away and Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport and railway station are within a 15 minute drive from...
Mariani Family Named 2014 Recipient of Cornell Icon of the Industry Award
the Cornell School of Hotel Administration | November 11, 2013
Ithaca, NY, November 11, 2013 - The Cornell University School of Hotel Administration (SHA) has selected the Mariani family, founders and proprietors of leading US importer Banfi Vintners and the renowned Castello Banfi vineyard estate in Montalcino, Tuscany, to receive the 2014 Cornell Icon of the Industry Award. This award recognizes Mariani family members for their achievements in business and support of hospitality education. The family will receive the award at the 6th annual Cornell Hospitality Icon & Innovator Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City on June 3, 2014. "The Mariani family is a leading wine producer ...
Marriott Brooklyn Fairfield Installs VingCard Elsafe RFID System As Contactless Locks Go Mainstream
VingCard Elsafe | November 11, 2013
Midscale Marriott International property pioneers hotel guestroom access that offers more comprehensive security features and unparalleled ease of use. Brooklyn - November 11, 2013 - The recently opened Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Brooklyn is among the first properties in Marriott International's midscale Fairfield brand portfolio to feature contactless Signature RFID locks from VingCard Elsafe, the global leader in hospitality security and part of the ASSA ABLOY Group. In addition, the Marriott Brooklyn Fairfield has implemented VISION, the complementary software platform that provides hotel staff with defined and ...
Loews Hotels & Resorts Names Mary Reid Executive Director of National Sales, Midwest
Loews Hotels & Resorts | November 11, 2013
NEW YORK, NY - (November 11, 2013) - Loews Hotels & Resorts today announced the appointment of Mary Reid as executive director of national accounts for the Midwestern region. In her new role, she will focus on building long-term relationships with Midwest corporate and association accounts for the brand's entire portfolio. "Loews Hotels is strengthening our Midwestern presence with the addition of the Loews Chicago, scheduled for opening in the first quarter of 2015, and it is crucial we continue to have seasoned sales leadership in this pivotal marketplace," said David Wiener, senior vice president of sales, Loews Hotels & Reso...
Urgo Hotels and Resorts Promotes Kyle Hamill to Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Urgo Hotels and Resorts | November 11, 2013
Bethesda, Md. - (November 11, 2013) - Urgo Hotels and Resorts, a major operator, developer and owner of upscale hotels, announced today the promotion of Kyle Hamill from Director to Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Hamill's extensive in-house experience is invaluable to Urgo Hotels and Resorts' rapid growth and revenue objectives within the 32-hotel portfolio. With 17 years of hospitality industry experience, he joined the company in 2009 to assist with the growth of its portfolio, which includes Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton, Radisson and Choice Hotels. Hamill has since successfully rebranded three properties in Florida and led the ...
Benchmark Hospitality International Appoints Nicole Beykirch as Midwest Regional Accounts Director
Benchmark Hospitality International | November 11, 2013
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, November 11, 2013 - Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Nicole Beykirch global accounts manager for the Midwest market. Warren Breaux, Benchmark's corporate director global sales, made the announcement. "We welcome Nicole to Benchmark Hospitality," said Mr. Breaux. "She brings solid sales experience across industries within the Midwest to our company, as well as excellent new business contacts." Nicole Beykirch comes to her new position with extensive destination and hotel sales and marketing experience. This includes her most recent positi...
The 465-room Novotel Dubai Al Barsha Opens in the United Arab Emirates
Novotel | November 11, 2013
DUBAI, UAE, November 11, 2013 -- The 42-storey property, Novotel Dubai Al Barsha, is open for business, accepting its first guest today, Sunday 10 November. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf, the four-star hotel has an inventory of 465 guest rooms, five food and beverage outlets, ten meeting rooms and a business centre, not to forget a host of leisure facilities. The Novotel Dubai Al Barsha, is the latest addition to Dubai's iconic skyline and is fast becoming a recognized beacon in the city. The innovative hanging gardens that can be seen across the hotel's façade, signals the fresh approach the hotel takes to how it does business and is a...
Marriott to Debut in Bosnia & Herzegovina with 2014 Opening of 75-key Residence Inn Sarajevo
Residence Inn | November 11, 2013
Owned by SEIC Hospitality and Managed by Interstate Hotels & Resorts London – Nov. 11, 2013 – Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) announced plans to open its first hotel in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 75-suite Residence Inn Sarajevo is expected to open in late 2014 and will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by SEIC Hospitality and managed by Interstate Hotels & Resorts. The only internationally branded hotel in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Residence Inn Sarajevo will fill a gap in the extended stay segment and offer a blend of modern style and functionality that allows guests to thrive on long stays. Ideally locat...
The 336-room Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles Completes Renovations
Marriott Hotels | November 11, 2013
Chantilly Hotel Unveils Renovated Conference Dining Room, Guest Rooms and Restaurant CHANTILLY, VA – (November 2013) – Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles has unveiled extensive renovations and new technology that transform the Chantilly hotel into an attractive, convenient destination for business meetings, weddings and individual travelers. New guest rooms designed for meeting attendees, a restyled conference dining room, new restaurant and soon-to-be-completed updated fitness center empower a modern blend of business and pleasure thanks to a significant investment by owner Host Hotels & Resorts. Mobile-friendly apps ease sc...
Choice Hotels’ Ascend Hotel Collection Welcomes 634-room Downtown Grand Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
Downtown Grand Las Vegas | November 11, 2013
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 11, 2013 -- Ascend Hotel Collection from Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, adds Downtown Grand Las Vegas to its impressive list of upscale hotels. On October 27, a small group of guests wined, dined and gambled at the new hotel and casino. Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn and his wife Andrea showed their support by placing the first bets. On November 12, 2013, the hotel's two towers and casino will host a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Mayor of Las Vegas and other local dignitaries, and on November 16, local residents and visitors will continue the celebration w...
Pekah Hotels & Hilton Enter Agreement to Open 313-room Hilton Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia in 2015
Pekah Hotels Sdn. Bhd. | November 11, 2013
November 11, 2013 - SABAH, Malaysia and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide today signed an agreement with Pekah Hotels Sdn. Bhd. to manage Hilton Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia. The ninth Hilton Worldwide property in Malaysia, the 313-room Hilton Kota Kinabalu will also be the fifth Hilton Hotels & Resorts branded hotel in the country, scheduled to open in 2015. "We are delighted to fly yet another Hilton Hotels & Resorts flag in Malaysia. With more than 550 hotels across six continents, we continue to build upon our legacy as the world's leading hotel brand by developing products and services to meet the needs of tomorrow's savvy...
Baiyun Hotel Guangzhou Selects Infor to Simplify Revenue Management Functions
Baiyun Hotel Guangzhou | November 11, 2013
Infor EzRMS Helps to Maximize Occupancy, Protect Rates NEW YORK - Nov. 11, 2013 - Infor, a leading provider of business application software serving more than 70,000 customers, today announced that Baiyun Hotel Guangzhou, located in the heart of Guangzhou's Central Business District, has selected Infor EzRMS to automatically calculate forecasts to help predict future hotel room demand, recommend appropriate selling strategies such as open/close rates, stay controls, open/close room categories, and overbooking levels, to help them maximize yield and profit. The property will be implementing the Infor EzRMS Core Module, Infor EzQUOTE, Inf...
Rainmaker Welcomes Former Hilton Revenue Management Executive to Team
Rainmaker | November 11, 2013
New VP Business Consulting for Rainmaker to Help Hospitality Customers Drive Greater Revenue and Profitability ATLANTA, GA - November 11, 2013 - The Rainmaker Group, a world leader in automated revenue management software and services for the multifamily housing and gaming/hospitality industries, is pleased to announce the addition of veteran hospitality executive Erik Browning as Vice President of Business Consulting for Rainmaker's Gaming/Hospitality Division. Browning is an accomplished hospitality industry professional with senior level revenue management and operations experience. He came to Rainmaker after nearly twelve years with...
