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
Westin Harbour Castle Creates a Tech “Haven” with ElevenGC
Eleven Wireless | September 17, 2013
Moving guest computers into the lobby allows Westin Harbour Castle to add value for on-the-go guests 9/17/13, Portland, Ore. - The Westin Harbour Castle recently embraced the new Westin Haven initiative and moved their ElevenGC guest computer solution into the lobby. The Westin Haven is a public space concept inspired by nature that allows travelers to "stay balanced, refreshed and connected on the road." Read the full story about Westin's new Haven brand initiative here. In partnership with Eleven, Westin's preferred provider of its Haven solution, the Westin Harbour Castle moved their iMac guest computers into the lobby, creating a te...
Red Lion Signs Franchise for the 80-room Red Lion Inn & Suites Walla Walla in Washington
Red Lion Hotels Corporation | September 17, 2013
SPOKANE, Wash., Sept. 17, 2013 - Red Lion Hotels Corporation (NYSE: RLH) today announced the company will add a new franchise in the important Washington state market of Walla Walla, the heart of Washington Wine Country. The hotel is expected to join the system before the end of the year. "This particular property is located in historic downtown Walla Walla where many fantastic wine tasting rooms and fabulous restaurants are located," said Ron Burgett, Executive Vice President of Lodging and Brand Development for Red Lion Hotels. "We have a great working relationship with this owner who already owns another Red Lion franchise." The futu...
Hyatt Regency Houston Installs InvoTech Uniform System
Hyatt Regency Houston | September 17, 2013
InvoTech Creates "100% More Efficient Operation;" High-Occupancy Business Hotel Automates Uniform Management for Staff of 400; Tracks 2,000 Uniforms with Easy-to-Use System LOS ANGELES, CA - September 17, 2013 - InvoTech Systems, Inc. announced that the Hyatt Regency Houston installed the InvoTech Uniform System for more efficient uniform tracking for its staff of 400. The 947-room business hotel uses InvoTech to reduce labor hours and uniform losses through its management of more than 2,000 uniforms. Click here for more information on InvoTech's Linen, Uniform, Laundry, and Security Systems. "Hyatt Regency Houston has a large staff. So...
IHMRS Names 42 Finalists in 14 Categories for its 33rd Annual Gold Key Awards
IHMRS | September 17, 2013
NEW YORK, NY, September 17, 2013 - The International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show® (IHMRS) has announced the finalists for the 33rd annual Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design. A record number of entries of over 260 international projects were considered by a team of eleven prominent judges for these coveted awards, which recognize outstanding hospitality design worldwide for properties completed or renovated within the past 18 months. Winners will be revealed at the Gold Key Awards gala on Sunday, November 10th, 2013 at The New York Palace Hotel. The Gold Key Awards are sponsored by Boutique Design and HOTELS magazin...
DePalma Hotel Corporation Adds Four Hotels to its Management Portfolio
DePalma Hotel Corporation | September 17, 2013
Arlington, TX, September 17, 2013: Brian DePalma, President & CEO of DePalma Hotel Corporation announced today the recent addition of four hotels to the DePalma portfolio. "While we continue to maintain contracts around the United States, our core pipeline of managed properties continues to be in the south-central US as well as in the mid-Atlantic" said DePalma. The three Texas properties are scattered throughout the Lone Star state from the Four Points Sheraton on the beach in Galveston, to the Staybridge Suites located just minutes from downtown Dallas. "We're thrilled to be working with both Starwood and IHG once again", noted Bo...
Carver Hotel Group and Strategic Database Research Announce Alliance
Carver Hotel Group | September 17, 2013
Key industry leaders announce alliance designed to give hotel sales teams a competitive advantage during periods of need and transition. ATLANTA, GA and DEERFIELD BEACH, FL - September 17, 2013 - Joel Carver, CEO of Carver Hotel Group and Peter Miller, President and CEO of Strategic Database Research have announced an alliance designed to give hotels and hotel companies a competitive advantage during times of need and transition. Based in Atlanta, GA, Carver Hotel Group, LLC (CHG) services include task force sales, marketing, revenue management and operational professionals, sales team development, deployment and ROI measurement; market...
Missouri’s River City Casino Unveils 200-Room Hotel; Completes $82 Million Expansion
River City Casino & Hotel | September 17, 2013
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 17, 2013 -- River City Casino & Hotel in South St. Louis County today announced the completion of an $82-million expansion and held a grand opening ceremony for its new hotel. The unveiling of the elegant 200-room hotel completes an extensive two-year investment commitment to St. Louis County and the state of Missouri which also includes a 1,600-space parking garage and a 14,000 square foot Event Center. River City Casino & Hotel's expansion created 350 construction jobs and 100 new permanent jobs. "The addition of this beautiful 200-room hotel, coupled with our Event Center and parking garage, has transformed R...
PrinterOn and TTI Technologies Partner to Provide Best in Class Business Centers and Mobile Printing
PrinterOn | September 17, 2013
TTI to include PrinterOn Mobile Printing at no cost to clients in their new business center solution offerings New York-September 17, 2013 -TTI Technologies International, the hospitality industry's leading provider of Driver's License/Passport Scanners, Business Centers, Concierge Services and other hotel solutions has partnered with PrinterOn® to deliver best in class business centers combined with mobile guest printing. Both TTI Technologies and PrinterOn have long served the hospitality industry with leading edge technology products and solutions. The two companies have recently joined forces in a relationship that will deliver TTI...
TCC Hotels Group & IHG to Open the 184-room Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Sathorn in Thailand
TCC Hotels Group | September 17, 2013
Bangkok, 17 September 2013: Leading Thai conglomerate TCC Hotels Group and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, have signed an agreement for the Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Sathorn. It will be the first of the Holiday Inn Express brand to be owned by TCC Hotels Group, who also own InterContinental and Crowne Plaza hotels under IHG's brand portfolio. Located in Bangkok's up-and-coming district of Sathorn, which is in the centre of the central business district and diplomatic area, the newly-built 184-room hotel will be near numerous embassies and major multinationals. With location being a key ...
AR Capital Purchases Majority Stake in Crestline Hotels and Resorts from Grupo Barcelo
ARC | September 17, 2013
NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2013 -- AR Capital, LLC ("ARC") announced today that it has completed the purchase of a controlling interest in Crestline Hotels and Resorts, Inc. ("Crestline") from Grupo Barcelo, a hotel company in its third generation of family ownership headquartered in Majorca, Spain. In Crestline, ARC has acquired a majority interest in the 17th largest hotel manager in the United States. Crestline currently manages 43 hotels, containing in excess of 7,000 rooms, and operates mostly in the select service and full service segments. Crestline employs over 3,500 associates. Crestline is an approved operator for Hilton Hotels, Inte...
Payroll Pressures by Karen Johnson
the author | September 17, 2013
By Karen Johnson September 17, 2013 LABOR COST FORECASTS Budget season is upon us, and it is time to study the factor that would change the single greatest expense category: Labor Wage Rates In real dollars, the American worker earned 0.1 percent less in July 2013 than in July 2012, after the nominal adjustment for inflation. Because of the weakness in the economy, wage rates are likely to be stable during 2014, with some notable exceptions: California's $8.00 minimum wage will increase 12.5 percent to $9.00 in July of 2014 Minimum wage in the State of New York will increase 9.4% on January, 1. The base wage rate for tipped employees...
Educational Institute Welcomes New Partner School in Bangladesh
American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute | September 17, 2013
Orlando, Florida, September 17, 2013 - The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (EI) has signed a Global Academic Partner (GAP) agreement with Cambrian for International Studies (CIS) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. CIS is part of Cambrian School and College, which has about 2,000 students studying in several areas. About 200 of those students will pursue hospitality studies through CIS. CIS offers bachelor's and master's level education in collaboration with the Swiss Institute for Management and Hospitality (Swiss IM&H) in Switzerland. Mr. Amin Khandaker, CHE, CSGP, HPC, the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) of Swiss IM&H, made...
Pegasus Solutions Hosts Key Hoteliers in Paris for Launch of World of Distribution Event Series
Pegasus Solutions | September 17, 2013
DALLAS (September 17, 2013) – Pegasus Solutions hosted hoteliers at Google's Paris location on Monday for their first joint World of Distribution seminar. The event provided a forum for representatives from Pegasus, Google, and key Parisian hotel companies to deliberate on the industry's current and developing distribution needs. "An exclusive gathering of Google travel specialists, area hotel executives, and our own distribution leaders was the best path forward in planning for tomorrow's industry solutions," said Chris Wichers, chief sales officer of Pegasus Solutions. "Hotel distribution methods need to be sustainable and evolve be...
UniFocus Ensures Optimum Data Protection with Opening of Second Colocation Center
UniFocus | September 17, 2013
September 17, 2013 - Technology has made companies more efficient, and has simplified and streamlined daily operations. However, computers and other devices businesses utilize everyday aren't without flaws. Crucial data can be damaged or deleted due to malfunctions in the system, which then leads to a domino effect of errors. Colocation centers are equipped to handle and prevent such mishaps, and offer users security. UniFocus is pleased to announce the recent opening of a second colocation center in Seattle, joining the colocation facility operating in Dallas. Colocation centers offer space, physical security, power and cooling for ser...
Find the Balance in Hospitality Service
BSC Designer | September 17, 2013
One of the buzz-word business concept in last 20 years was the Balanced Scorecard. It was adopted by biggest retailers, banks, IT companies, hospitals and universities. The unique features of the Balanced Scorecard concept help companies all over the word to put together strategy and action, improving service and client satisfaction as a result. Hospitality industry is not an exception, the Balanced Scorecard concept is successfully used in many large hotel chain as well as in local bed and breakfasts. Balanced Scorecard Basics Any business website will tell you that there are 4 perspectives in the Balanced Scorecard: Education and Grow...
Top 4 Hotel Financing Obstacles And How to Get Around Them / Brian Holstein
Brian Holstein | September 16, 2013
Do you have upcoming hotel financing needs? Whether you are in the market for a simple refinance or acquisition financing, a discounted-payoff (DPO) financing or a PIP-induced recapitalization, the same rules apply. The hotel loan market has been on a good run for the last twelve months with competition among lenders heating to a point not seen since prior to the financial crisis. Lenders are beginning to focus increasingly on areas outside of pricing and leverage in order to preserve loan profitability and keep mortgage leverage below the aesthetically pleasing 70% loan-to-value level. SIMPLY PUT, WHAT THIS MEANS FOR HOTEL LOAN BORROWE...
Blackstone Banking on Success: Hilton Worldwide Files for Initial Public Offering
Hilton Worldwide | September 16, 2013
MCLEAN, Va. - September 16, 2013 - Hilton Worldwide today announced that it has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., BofA Merrill Lynch, and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are acting as the joint book-running managers for the offering. When available, copies of the preliminary prospectus related to the offering may be obtained from: Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Attention: Pro...
Travel’s Big Data: It’s time to take off the blinders / Jami Timmons
Jami Timmons | September 16, 2013
No one can deny the obvious. Travel and its big data have migrated online. Whether it's a weekend jaunt to the nearest big city or a complex escape to an exotic locale, most trips today are planned on the Internet. Most travel marketers, however, aren't keeping up with the evolution of big data and the importance of online search in predictive analytics. Here are a few reasons why. 1. Siloing of data All brands, even individual properties, typically aggregate their own data without dynamically comparing or integrating with other real-time market data. Too often, they rely on legacy data-gathering institutions that deal in historic booki...
Grace Hotels Names Stuart Barwise as GM of The Mayflower Grace in CT & Regional GM, New England
Grace Hotels | September 16, 2013
Ian Grant Named as Regional Food & Beverage Director, New England 16 September 2013 - Grace Hotels is pleased to announce two senior appointments following its recent expansion in New England. Stuart Barwise becomes General Manager of the newly acquired Mayflower Grace and Regional General Manager, New England. Ian Grant has been appointed Regional Food & Beverage Director, New England. Barwise and Grant both join from US Hotels, the sister group of Grace Hotels, where they held the roles of Director, Hotel Operations, and Director, Food & Beverage Operations respectively. Each brings a wealth of experience: Barwise has hone...
Hyatt Hotels Enters Agreement for the 223-key Park Hyatt Shenzhen, Futian to Open in China in 2018
Park Hyatt | September 16, 2013
CHICAGO - September 16, 2013 - Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Shenzhen Ping'An Financial Centre Construction and Development Co., Ltd. for a Park Hyatt hotel in Futian district, Shenzhen, China. Park Hyatt Shenzhen, Futian will join Grand Hyatt Shenzhen, which opened in 2009. "Shenzhen is a key city for multiple industries in China and is becoming a gateway city in its own right. We are pleased to offer travelers another opportunity to stay at a Hyatt-branded property in Shenzhen and thanks to Park Hyatt's reputation for outstanding service, as well ...
HeBS Digital Wins Six 2013 WebAwards, Including Best Hotel and Lodging Website
HeBS Digital | September 16, 2013
HeBS Digital won a grand total of six 2013 WebAwards, including Best Website in the "Hotel and Lodging" category for the new Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan site. Additional awards include three Standard of Excellence awards for Hotel Belleclaire, Le Parc Suite Hotel, and Virginia Beach Vacation Rentals and two Outstanding Website awards for The Roger New York and the City of Indian Wells, also in the "Hotel and Lodging" category. New York, NY - September 16, 2013 - HeBS Digital announces it has won a grand total of six 2013 WebAwards from the prestigious Web Marketing Association. The digital technology and marketing firm led the f...
Michael Jokovich Promoted to Hyatt Area Vice President Northern California
Grand Hyatt San Francisco | September 16, 2013
San Francisco, California (September 16, 2013) - Hyatt Hotels announces the promotion of Michael Jokovich to Area Vice President Northern California. After nearly six years as General Manager at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, Jokovich has returned to the mainland to provide oversight operations at six Hyatt properties in the Bay Area: Grand Hyatt San Francisco, the property where he will be based and solely responsible for, Hyatt Regency San Francisco, Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, Hyatt Regency Sacramento, Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, and Andaz Napa. Jokovich will continue to report to Jordan Meisner, Senior Vice President Fie...
Last Chance to Receive Your Free Pass to the Las Vegas Food & Beverage Event at the #1 Casino Show
G2E - Global Gaming Expo | September 16, 2013
See unique food and beverage suppliers, such as Sysco and 60 of their distributors. Discover new wines and spirits at the Ultra Lounge sponsored by Southern Wine & Spirits. Check out the latest uniforms at the Uniform Fashion Show sponsored by Cintas. Learn about the latest food trends and network. If you are a food and beverage professional or restaurateur, you may register for free exhibit hall admission to the Las Vegas Food & Beverage event at Global Gaming Expo (G2E), #1 Casino event in the world. September 24-26, Sands Expo, Las Vegas, Nevada. ...
Autograph Collection Debuts in Japan with Opening of the Newly Renovated Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo
Marriott International, Inc. | September 16, 2013
HONG KONG - September 16, 2103 – Marriott International and Prince Hotels, Inc, of Japan announced that The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo will become Japan's first Autograph Collection hotel - a portfolio of independent hotels, with the re-opening of the newly renovated hotel on September 14, 2013. Exactly like nothing else, the Autograph Collection is an upscale portfolio of hand-selected independent hotels each offering its own unique travel experience. Experiences fall within diverse categories including Urban Excitement, Indulgent Escape, Culinary Delight, Artistic Getaway, Historic Exploration and more. Each hotel is thoughtfully cho...
