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Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25, 2024
Industry Happenings
Pegasus Solutions Names Bill Rose Chief Information Officer
Pegasus Solutions | October 3, 2013
IT Veteran Positioned to Help Nearly 100,000 Global Hotel Clients Focus on the Future DALLAS (October 3, 2013) – Pegasus Solutions has named Bill Rose chief information officer. The company's former senior vice president of IT Global Services was appointed to the position by chief executive officer David Millili to help Pegasus' nearly 100,000 global hotel clients focus on the future. "Bill has proven himself as both a capable leader and a forward-thinking IT professional," said Millili. "Helping hotels maneuver The World of Distribution extends beyond overcomplicated technology strategy and jargon. Instead, Bill has consistently con...
Florida’s 598-key Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa Begins $12.5 Million Renovation
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa | October 3, 2013
DESTIN, Fla. (Oct. 3, 2013) - A new $12.5 million dollar capital improvement project is underway at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, the largest full-service beachfront resort on Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast. The five-month project includes a number of improvements, including a complete refurbishing of all 200 Spa Tower rooms, a redesigned indoor pool and a dramatically enhanced main lobby experience giving guests a breathtaking view of Florida's Emerald Coast immediately upon arrival. The resort will also unveil new and upgraded designs for the Sandcastles Restaurant and Lounge, Hadashi Sushi Bar and the award-winning, 1...
Gulph Creek Hotels Acquires the 108-room Holiday Inn York in Pennsylvania; Renovation Planned
Gulph Creek Hotels | October 3, 2013
10/3/2013 - Wayne, PA. - Gulph Creek Hotels, a leading Mid Atlantic hotel development and management company, has acquired the 180-room Holiday Inn in York, Pennsylvania. Gulph Creek is teaming with local catering and restaurant operator Altland House Hospitality Group to renovate and operate the hotel. The Holiday Inn York is located on 13 acres off Route 30 bordering the West Manchester Mall. The hotel features 12,000 square feet of meeting space including a 7,700 square-foot ballroom, the largest in York County. The property will undergo public space and guest room renovation this fall and guest room upgrades in the spring. The curre...
Chatham Lodging Acquires the 180-room Hilton Garden Inn Denver Tech Center in CO for $27.9 Million
Chatham Lodging Trust | October 3, 2013
Completes Renovation and Conversion for 103-key Residence Inn Washington D.C./Foggy Bottom PALM BEACH, Fla., October 3, 2013 - Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE: CLDT), a hotel real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing in upscale, extended-stay hotels and premium branded, select-service hotels, today announced that it has acquired the 180-room Hilton Garden Inn Denver Tech Center for a purchase price of $27.9 million, plus customary pro-rated amounts and closing costs. Converted to the Hilton Garden Inn brand in October 2008, the hotel is ideally located in the heart of the Denver Tech Center at the junction of Interstate 25 an...
Holland America Line to Acquire McKinley Chalets Hotel in Denali National Park, Alaska from Aramark
Holland America Line | October 3, 2013
SEATTLE, Wash., Oct. 3, 2013 — Holland America Line, through its subsidiary Holland America–Princess Alaska, has reached an agreement in principle to acquire the McKinley Chalets Hotel in Denali National Park from Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services. Holland America Line will develop the property further for inclusion on its Land+Sea Journeys that combine an Alaska cruise with an overland tour to Denali National Park. Details of the McKinley Chalets Hotel purchase agreement and plans for future enhancements are ongoing, and once the purchase is completed later this fall, more information will be made available to the public. T...
glh. Launches Clermont: A New Global Luxury Hotel and Private Residences Brand
glh. | October 3, 2013
Starting with Properties in London, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur LONDON, October 3, 2013 -- glh., the London-based global hotel subsidiary of the Singapore-listed GuocoLeisure Group, today announces the launch of a new luxury hotel and private residences brand, Clermont. Clermont, a new luxury hotel and residences brand, is launching with three developments on two continents with a gross development value of US$3.2bn (£2.1bn). The launch comprises a conversion of an already owned hotel in London and two new management contracts in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Clermont London - The Royal Horseguards will become 'Clermont London' in 2014...
McLaren Technologies Drives Park Hyatt Sydney to Technology Update
McLaren Technologies Asia Pacific Pte Ltd | October 3, 2013
3, October 2013 – The luxurious Park Hyatt Sydney recently enlisted the services of Asia Pacific's leading provider of cloud based technology to the world's most prestigious hotels and resorts McLaren Technologies to install two new and intuitive guest-tracking and task management solutions systems, HotSOS and REX developed by software and hardware solutions developer MTech. Managing Director Matthew White said the objective behind the recently concluded project was to create a subtle attention-to-detail technology infrastructure to support the hotel's impressive front of house image. "It would be easy to assume that Park Hyatt Sydney...
Hotel Pricing and Parity Analysis for US Region (Sept- Nov 2013)
RateGain | October 2, 2013
RateGain, the leading hospitality & travel technology Company, released this week's Hotel Pricing Trends and Hotel Rate Parity report. A single window BI dashboard, which enables revenue professionals on cheapest rate visibility, tracking hotel rate parity along with median rate for three (3) months of three, four and five star hotel category across some of the major cities in US region. Data range spans across Sept to Nov 2013, starting from the first week of Sept (all rates in US dollars and for two adults on one-night stay). Performance Facts: In Price Trends report Rate Lowest rate trends over the three months from September to ...
Aimbridge Hospitality Names Greg Moundas Executive Vice President – General Counsel
Aimbridge Hospitality | October 2, 2013
DALLAS, TEXAS (October 2, 2013) - Aimbridge Hospitality, one of the nation's leading independent hotel and real estate investment and management firms, announced today that Greg Moundas has been named Executive Vice President - General Counsel. In his new position, Mr. Moundas will be responsible for all day-to-day legal matters, including property acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, partnerships, and franchise agreements for Aimbridge's growing portfolio of more than 180 hotel properties in the U.S. and Caribbean. "We've worked with Greg for many years, not only on Aimbridge matters, but with other interests, and we are plea...
Woolley’s Classic Suites Names Management and Marketing Team for New Denver, Colorado Hotel
Woolley's Classic Suites | October 2, 2013
Marcelo Birckenstaedt and Bridget Simons Work Toward a Spring 2014 Opening DENVER - Oct. 2, 2013- Woolley's Classic Suites, a new chain of all-suite hotels founded by legendary hotelier Robert E. Woolley, recently hired top managers for the company's first hotel which is near Denver International Airport (DIA) in Aurora's Gateway Office Park. Marcelo Birckenstaedt was hired as the general manager and Bridget Simons as the director of sales. "Both Marcelo Bierckenstaedt and Bridget Simons are well known, respected veterans of Denver's hospitality market with proven track records of delivering superior guest experiences," said Robert E. W...
Vimana Franchise Systems Adds Two Hotels, in Indiana and Virginia, to its Key West Inn Brand
Vimana Franchise Systems LLC | October 2, 2013
Windermere, FL - October 2, 2013 - Vimana Franchise Systems, LLC has added two properties to its Key West Inn brand. Key West welcomes Mr. BK Patel who is converting his independent hotel to a Key West Inn. This 42 room property located at 1855 Mississippi Street, Hobart, Indiana. Key West Inn Hobart is set to open in early November. Key West also gained another property in Newport News, Virginia. The 52 room Key West Inn is located at 11845 Jefferson Avenue in Newport News, Virginia. "Key West offers the best possible franchise agreement out there and that made our choice very simple," said owner, Vishal Amin, "and the executives at Vi...
Joseph McInerney, CHA, to Receive the HFTP Paragon Award
HFTP | October 2, 2013
AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA (October 2, 2013) - Joseph A. McInerney, CHA, was selected as the 2013 HFTP Paragon Award recipient for his efforts in helping HFTP be known amongst the hospitality industry at large. Based in Washington, D.C., McInerney is the president and CEO of McInerney Hospitality International LLC, a full service international consulting firm. He is also emeritus president and chief executive officer of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). McInerney will be presented with the prestigious Paragon Award, established to recognize individuals who have made a significant and lasting contribution to both HFTP and...
TPG Hospitality Adds Paul Sacco to Senior Executive Team as Chief Development Officer
The Procaccianti Group (TPG) | October 2, 2013
PROVIDENCE, R.I., Oct. 2, 2013 -- The Procaccianti Group (TPG), today announced that industry veteran and proven hospitality development executive, Paul Sacco has joined the Company as Chief Development Officer to grow its hospitality management affiliate; TPG Hospitality. "TPG's industry-leading performance and stellar reputation have been well known and recognized throughout the hotel industry for decades. When the opportunity to join TPG came about, it was a very easy decision," states Paul Sacco, newly appointed Chief Development Officer for TPG Hospitality. Paul continues, "In previous capacities over the years I had engaged with T...
Move Over New York – Boston Currently Ranks as Most Expensive U.S. Destination Says CheapHotels.org
CheapHotels.org | October 2, 2013
BOSTON, Oct. 2, 2013 -- Boston is the United States' most expensive city based on the cost of lodging. That finding is according to a new survey from CheapHotels.org, which compared the 50 most popular U.S. cities. Each locale's hotel rates during the month of October served as the basis of comparison. For comparative purposes, October is quite a good month. That's because, according to data from CheapHotels.org, the majority of the big cities reach their highest hotel rates during that month. Only a few cities, for example New York City and Atlanta, are slightly more expensive in September. As might be expected, certain beach destinati...
LAHRES & OpenBook Form Alliance To Provide Sales/Marketing & Revenue Avenues For Hospitality Sector
OpenBook | October 2, 2013
REXBURG, ID -(October 2, 2013) - OpenBook LLC, one of the travel industry's rapidly expanding companies and Latin America Hotel Reservations System (LAHRES), a well renowned leader of sales and marketing services within Mexico, Latin and South America, have entered into an agreement to further enhance their product offerings, providing multiple sales, marketing and revenue avenues for the hospitality marketplace. LAHRES will now include within its suite of products and services, OpenBook services, which include state-of-the-art technologies for their Central Reservation System, a cloud-based product within the Amazon network. Such CRS s...
Hyatt Place Denver/Cherry Creek, CO Opens Led by GM Sean Keating and Director of Sales Sarah Becker
Hyatt Place | October 2, 2013
CHICAGO (October 2, 2013) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H), DiNapoli Capital Partners and Rockwood Capital, LLC today announce the opening of Hyatt Place Denver/Cherry Creek. The hotel's rebranding and completion of $10 million in property-wide improvements including all new guestrooms, meeting spaces and a new dining area, marks the third Hyatt Place location in the Denver area. Hyatt Place Denver/Cherry Creek offers easy access to downtown Denver, as well as the upscale Cherry Creek area including Cherry Creek Mall and Cherry Creek North retail district. The hotel is walking distance to the Infinity Park and less than five miles...
The 69-room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Wichita Northeast Opens in Kansas
Country Inns & Suites by Carlson | October 2, 2013
Wichita, Kan - October 2, 2013 - Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, a leading upper-midscale brand, today announced the opening of Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Wichita Northeast, Kan. This opening aligns with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group's aggressive growth plans for the brand as part of its Ambition 2015 strategy. "The addition of the fourth Country Inns & Suites in Kansas intensifies our foothold in the market," said Scott Meyer, senior vice president, Midscale Brands, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Americas. "The continued growth in this region is another step forward in our plan to expand the brand primarily in the U.S.,...
The 247-room Thompson Chicago Opens its Doors in the City’s Famed Gold Coast
Thompson Hotels | October 2, 2013
CHICAGO, IL (October 2, 2013) - Today, Thompson Hotels announces the opening of Thompson Chicago, the latest property in its portfolio of leading luxury lifestyle hotels. Located in the heart of Chicago's famed Gold Coast, the 247-room hotel debuts with unobstructed, spectacular views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, and offers personalized service and attention to its savvy clientele of business and leisure travelers. "Inspired by Chicago's striking architecture and rich cultural heritage, the alluring appeal of the Thompson brand will draw locals and visitors alike to Thompson Chicago," noted Niki Leondakis, chief executive o...
Death by Data: How Misusing Hotel Analytics Data Can Hurt Your Revenue / Vikram Singh
Vikram Singh | October 2, 2013
Analytics is an amazing and powerful tool. Voltaire/FDR/Stan Lee (depends who you ask) has said, "With great power comes great responsibility." This is particularly relevant to Analytics users in the hotel industry who are making marketing decisions. Unfortunately, a lot of people misuse the power of hotel analytics, and end up hurting their hotel asset by limiting its online revenue or wasting precious time and marketing dollars. Here are some changes you should make in your online marketing strategy to avoid common, yet costly, mistakes. Note: Google Analytics is one of my favorite Google products of all time. I have been evangelizing...
Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Names Jeff Vasser as Director General/CEO
The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) | October 2, 2013
MIAMI, FL, October 2, 2013 - The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) has named hospitality industry leader Jeff Vasser to the position of Director General/CEO of the organization. He assumes his new post on November 18. Vasser joins the CHTA after serving since 2002 as the President of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA). While there he oversaw the day-to-day operation of the authority's management/administration, convention sales, marketing, media relations, and tourism divisions, as well as its approximately 60 employees, the 14,000-seat Boardwalk Hall and the 500,000-square-foot Atlantic City Co...
Andaz Maui Wailea Opens with Staff of 300 and InvoTech for Fast, Reliable RFID Uniform Management
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort & Spa | October 2, 2013
Luxury Property Uses InvoTech Systems' Wireless Handheld Readers to Manage 3,000 Uniforms. Operates with Less Labor; Counts and Tracks Hundreds of Uniforms in Seconds. LOS ANGELES, CA - October 2, 2013 - InvoTech Systems, Inc. announced Hyatt's Andaz Maui at Wailea installed the InvoTech UHF-RFID Uniform System to automate management of 3,000 uniforms for its staff of 300. The uniform management system is integrated with the U-Pick-It automated uniform delivery system from White Conveyors that puts uniforms in employees' hands quickly. InvoTech's system includes UHF-RFID handheld readers that enable instant uniform tracking via the prop...
Benchmark Hospitality International Names Jaclyn Allee Director of Communications
October 2, 2013
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, October 2, 2013 ... Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Jaclyn (Jackie) Allee director of communications. Ms. Allee is based in Benchmark's Home Office in The Woodlands north of Houston. Ted Davis, Benchmark's chief marketing officer, made the announcement. "I am very pleased to announce the elevation of Jackie Allee to director of communications for Benchmark Hospitality," said Mr. Davis. "Jackie is an integral member of the home office sales and marketing team and has done a superb job since she joined our company in 2007." Mr. Davis cont...
REX Demonstrates Appreciable Results at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Newmarket International, Inc. | October 2, 2013
October 2, 2013 - Portsmouth, NH - Prior to the deployment of REX - Room Expediter from Newmarket International, Inc. ("Newmarket"), the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess had challenges in preparing rooms and accommodating guests in a timely fashion. With a fully booked house, the last thing any hotel needs is a horde of exhausted, impatient guests waiting for their rooms. An ineffective room assignment and clearing process can certainly be taxing on the staff and equally frustrating for guests. Satisfied Guests, Happy Staff, and More Revenue Having recently deployed REX at their property, Mary Gustafson, Director of Housekeeping at the Fair...
innRoad Selects Christina Hooker Director of Sales, Florida
innRoad | October 2, 2013
[New York, NY – October 2, 2013] innRoad announced today the start of Christina Hooker as Director of Sales, Florida. Christina is a life-long Florida sales specialist and is presently traveling the region, hand-delivering the innRoad solution to independent hotels in search of higher profits. As a hospitality sales veteran, Christina has been a leader for over 10 years at Expedia and its subsidiary Hotels.com in the Florida market. During her time with Expedia, she helped Florida market properties realize a 25% year-over-year revenue growth. Her experience and knowledge of Florida and her local relationships across the region - forge...
