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Industry Happenings
Hospitality Industry Leaders Join Forces To Simplify Access To Hotel Wireless Networks
Hotel Technology Next Generation | June 14, 2013
CHICAGO (June 14, 2013) - Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG), the membership association that unites the world's hospitality companies and technology innovators to solve industry challenges, announced a new collaborative effort to reduce the complexity of accessing hotel wireless networks for guests and staff. HTNG is bringing together hotels, mobile application vendors and traditional hotel application suppliers to leverage the next generation of mobile phones and Wi-Fi, which will enable a known device (e.g. carried by a staff member or frequent guests) to connect to Wi-Fi networks and hotel applications without the need for time...
CSM Lodging Names Juan L. Merino as Director of Sales for the Residence Inn by Marriott Minneapolis
CSM Lodging | June 13, 2013
Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 13, 2013 - CSM Lodging, a division of CSM Corporation, has named Juan L. Merino director of sales for the Residence Inn by Marriott Minneapolis, located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Ronell Raney, general manager, made the announcement. "I am very pleased to welcome Juan to our hotel," said Ms. Raney. "He brings with him a broad hospitality background spanning sales, marketing and food & beverage, which will serve our property well." Juan Merino was previously director of sales & marketing for the Embassy Suites and Comfort Suites Minneapolis Downtown. Prior to this appointment he served as senior sal...
San Francisco’s Historic 177-room Galleria Park Hotel Nears Completion of $4 Million Restoration
Galleria Park Hotel | June 13, 2013
SAN FRANCISCO--June 13, 2013--In August 2013, the 177-room Galleria Park Hotel will complete an 18-month, $4 million renovation to celebrate its rich heritage and enhance its stylish appeal to today's discerning traveler. The Galleria Park Hotel is built upon the site of the former Lick House, recognized as the country's finest hotel west of the Mississippi when it opened in 1862, and the Occidental Hotel, described as "Heaven on a Half Shell" in Mark Twain's novel, "Roughing It". The Lick House and the Occidental Hotel reigned as San Francisco's Grande Dames until they were destroyed by the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. Their prime locatio...
Traverse City, Michigan’s West Bay Beach, Now a Holiday Inn Resort, Completes Extensive Renovation
West Bay Beach, a Holiday Inn Resort | June 13, 2013
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., June 13, 2013 -- The West Bay Beach, a Holiday Inn Resort, the only full service hotel located on Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City, Mich., is proud to announce the completion of its extensive multi-million dollar hotel renovation. The hotel's total hotel refresh includes the renovation of its 179 guestrooms, public corridors, lobby, meeting and event space, outdoor pool area, exterior facade, and business and fitness centers. "We are doubly thrilled about presenting a beautifully renovated product to our guests as well as becoming a part of the Holiday Inn Resort family," says Deborah Brown, hotel general manage...
The TownePlace Suites by Marriott Denver Downtown in Colorado Completes Renovation
TownePlace Suites Denver Downtown | June 13, 2013
DENVER, June 13, 2013 -- The TownePlace Suites by Marriott Denver Downtown completed a multi-million dollar renovation, including guest suites, a new and improved breakfast room and a larger fitness space. Each guest suite has been brightened and refreshed to better fit the leisure traveler and the extended stay guest. Guest suites feature a new design scheme, with new carpeting, upholstery, kitchen and appliances. Each suite now provides Marriott's plush new bedding package and new, flexible desk space offers easy-access plugs and allows guests to adjust the angles and space needed for working. Wireless internet services have also been...
Montreal, Canada’s Loews Hôtel Vogue Completes Extensive $10 Million Renovation Project
June 13, 2013
MONTREAL, June 13, 2013 - Known as one of the finest hotels in Montreal, the Loews Hôtel Vogue is proud to announce the completion of an extensive renovation project. The property has been completely modernized and upgraded to cater to the discerning needs of travelers with more than $10 million in enhancements. Ideally located in the city's upscale Golden Square Mile district at 1425 de la Montagne Street, the restored Loews Hôtel Vogue has an enhanced accommodations experience with redesigned guest rooms, an updated lobby, exterior façade and the addition of the renowned La Société Bistro from Toronto, an elegant and lively resta...
Noble House Hotels & Resorts Opens The Commons Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Noble House Hotels & Resorts | June 13, 2013
Unveils Newly Transformed 304-room Property Upon Completion of $15 Million Renovation SEATTLE, June 13, 2013 -- Noble House Hotels & Resorts, in collaboration with Rockbridge, announces the official grand opening of the new Commons Hotel in Minneapolis, unveiling the newly transformed hotel and signature gastro-pub, The Beacon Public House – upon completion of nearly $15 million in property transformations. Located in downtown Minneapolis on the University of Minnesota campus, the property's industrial schoolhouse design and geek-chic vibe incorporate a theme of contrasts inspired by its collegiate ties to the university and industri...
NewcrestImage Acquires the Historic Cotton Exchange Hotel in New Orleans for $17.8 million
NewcrestImage | June 13, 2013
June 13, 2013 - NewcrestImage continues its ambitious expansion plans with acquisition of the Cotton Exchange Hotel in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The 223-room property, which is designated a National Historic Landmark, was purchased out of foreclosure through a sealed bid process for $17.8 million. "We have long considered New Orleans -- which has a thriving economy and last year attracted more than nine million business and leisure visitors -- as being important to our growth strategy and this acquisition enables us to enter that market in an absolutely unique way," explains Mehul Patel, Chairman and CEO of NewcrestImage. The h...
HITEC 2013 to Have Increased Security
HFTP | June 13, 2013
AUSTIN, TEXAS (June 13) -In an effort to maintain a safe and secure environment for HITEC (Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference) 2013 participants, participants will notice additional safety measures have been implemented for this year's event in Minneapolis, MN. Other steps taken will be invisible to the participants but are much like you would experience at any conference of the magnitude of HITEC. Probably the most visible to the registrants will be having to show identification for their credentials, pick them up individually, and wear both a HITEC badge and a HITEC wristband at all times. Another new added secu...
Driftwood Hospitality Management Opens the 270-room DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix Tempe in Arizona
Driftwood Hospitality Management | June 13, 2013
Completing Renovation and Re-branding of the Former Fiesta Resort PHOENIX & TEMPE, Ariz.- June 13, 2013 - DoubleTree by Hilton and Driftwood Hospitality Management today announced the opening of the DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix Tempe, a contemporary hotel offering a tranquil escape in the Valley of the Sun. In anticipation of its conversion to Hilton Worldwide's fastest growing full service brand, the former Fiesta Resort underwent a five-month, $3 million renovation that includes enhancements throughout the hotel's 270 guest rooms, updates to the public spaces and outdoor areas of the hotel, as well as revamping the food and bevera...
The Surrey Hotel in New York City Names Elaine Morena as Director of Sales and Marketing
The Surrey | June 13, 2013
New York, New York (June 13, 2013) - Elaine Morena is the new Director of Sales and Marketing at The Surrey, Manhattan's only Relais & Chateaux hotel, located on the posh Upper East Side. In her new role, Morena will handle all sales and marketing leadership efforts for the hotel. Morena comes to The Surrey with a wealth of luxury hotel experience and industry insight. Most recently, she was the Director of Sales at the Four Seasons Hotel New York. While there, Morena collaborated closely with the leadership team and served as the interim Director of Marketing when the position opened, while still maintaining her position as Directo...
Choice Hotels and O’Reilly Hospitality Management Break Ground on the Cambria Suites Plano in Texas
Cambria Suites | June 13, 2013
PLANO, Texas, June 13, 2013 -- Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, and O'Reilly Hospitality Management, LLC, a prominent developer out of Springfield, Mo., broke ground today in Plano, Texas for the new 129-suites Cambria Suites Plano. This is the first of two Cambria Suites hotels O'Reilly Hospitality Management will develop. The second property is scheduled to break ground in the master planned community of Desert Ridge in Phoenix, Arizona this fall. Cambria Suites Plano will be located in the heart of the Legacy office and retail district within two miles of 11 Fortune 1000 company off...
California Hotels Corporation Partners with H2 Associates to Develop Two Hotels in Hilton Head, S.C.
California Hotels Corporation | June 13, 2013
To Split One Current Property into Two - The World's First "eChoice" Hotel and the 78-room Coligny Beach Resort HILTON HEAD, S.C., June 13, 2013 -- New California Hotels Corporation has partnered with H2 Associates, to create two new distinctive hotels at 36 South Forest Beach Dr. The partnership is splitting one property into two hotels. A 78 room full service boutique hotel along with a 58 room International hi-tech Hotel/hostel. The properties will be named the Coligny Beach Resort and the eChoice Hotel respectively. Financing for the project is being provided by Pacific Coast Mortgage Group and is the first of its kind in Hilton Hea...
Hilton Worldwide Recognizes Top Franchise Development Owners in North America
Hilton Worldwide | June 13, 2013
MCLEAN, Va. - June 13, 2013 - Hilton Worldwide today announced honors for its top annual development awards in North America. Awards are presented in five categories across the company's portfolio of hotels, including: Developer of the Year, Best Conversion, Deal of the Year, Outstanding Achievement and Lifetime Achievement. Recipients are awarded based on criteria ranging from total number and quality of hotels developed to impact on community and fastest construction time. "For this last year and a half, Hilton Worldwide has seen significant growth throughout the globe, much in part due to our dedicated franchisees," said Ian Carter, ...
Eleven Launches New ElevenGC Family of Guest Computing Solutions
Eleven Wireless | June 13, 2013
New Product Name Reflects Shift from Hidden Business Centers to Guest Computers Everywhere 6/13/13, Portland, Ore. - Eleven has just released its new family of software that represents the next generation of automated guest computers for hotels. The ElevenGC family is perfect for all hotel locations including lobbies, lounges, suites and business centers, and across every hospitality segment. The renaming from ElevenBC reflects the evolving world of guest computers in hotels. For the past decade, guest computers were squirreled away in windowless rooms on a hotel's 2nd floor of a hotel, off the lobby, or in a basement. But in today's wo...
PKF Hotel Budget Guidance for 2014: Plan for Strong Increases in Revenues and Profits
PKF Consulting USA, LLC | June 13, 2013
7.7% RevPAR Increase Projected with a 15.4% Rise in Net Operating Income June 13, 2013, Atlanta, Ga. - U.S. hotels are poised for significant gains in all the major metrics in 2014. According to the recently released June 2013 edition of Hotel Horizons®, PKF Hospitality Research, LLC (PKF-HR), is projecting that U.S. hotels will enjoy a 7.7 percent increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR) in 2014, along with a 15.4 percent boost in net operating income (NOI). "We expect the factors that have inhibited lodging performance during the first half of 2013 will dissipate as the year goes on," said R. Mark Woodworth, president of PKF-H...
The DoubleTree by Hilton Opens in Historic Williamsburg, Virginia Following $8.4 Million Renovation
Waramaug Hospitality LLC and Waramaug Hospitality Asset Management LLC | June 13, 2013
WILLIAMSBURG, Va.--June 13, 2013--DoubleTree by Hilton today announced it has opened the DoubleTree by Hilton Williamsburg in the culture-rich town of Historic Williamsburg. In anticipation of joining Hilton Worldwide's fastest-growing full service brand, the former Marriott underwent a total transformation that began in early 2013 and concluded last month with updates to all 295 guest rooms, public spaces and meeting areas. The hotel is owned by Waramaug Hospitality LLC and a private investment group in a joint venture with Interstate Hotels & Resorts, and will continue to be operated by Interstate. "The DoubleTree by Hilton Willia...
The HSMAI Foundation Opens Application Process For 2013 Scholarship Program
HSMAI Foundation | June 13, 2013
Students Attaining Hospitality Industry Degrees Eligible for Scholarships Sponsored by American Express McLean, Va. (June 13, 2013) - The Foundation of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) recently announced its annual scholarship program is now open through July 15 to part- and full-time college and graduate students. The 2013 scholarship program application is available to students working toward careers in hospitality sales, marketing or revenue management. For three decades, the HSMAI Foundation has afforded scholarships to outstanding and deserving students working to earn associate, bachelor's or g...
On-Boarding Tips from an HR Guru
Gary Jones | June 13, 2013
By Gary Jones June 12, 2013 Welcome to the Company! If you are or have been a manager of people, you have probably experienced what is now called "onboarding" or the orientation and socialization of newly hired employees. The onboarding process can begin prior to the new employee's first day of work and can last up to a year or more depending on the organization and complexity of the role. It is much more comprehensive than the traditional term "orientation." While the methods used in successful onboarding programs include the traditional formal orientation meetings, they also include other components such as having new hires review pol...
The 334-room Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront Opens in Illinois, Rebranding the Former Hotel 71
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts | June 12, 2013
PARSIPPANY, N.J. (June 12, 2013) – Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company with approximately 7,380 hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), today rebranded the former Hotel 71 in downtown Chicago as the 334-room Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront, expanding the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts® brand footprint in key markets throughout the U.S. The 39-story property is owned by Hospitality Properties Trust and will continue to be managed by Wyndham Hotel Group's management company, which began operating the hotel in November 2012 as a Wyndham®-affiliated property. Its addition supports Wyndham Hotel Grou...
The Holiday Inn Resort Brand Debuts in Grand Cayman with the Opening of a 117-room Beachfront Resort
June 12, 2013
12 June, 2013 - MIAMI – InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], one of the world's largest hotel companies, today announces the latest addition to the growing global Holiday Inn Resort® brand portfolio with the opening of the Holiday Inn Resort® Grand Cayman hotel. The property has 117-rooms and a variety of beachfront amenities. "We are thrilled to bring a Holiday Inn Resort hotel to one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean," said Gerardo Murray, vice president, Marketing Strategic Services for Mexico, Latin America and Caribbean, IHG. "Adding this property to our Holiday Inn Resort brand portfo...
The Rainmaker Group Earns Distinction as One of the Top 40 Fastest Growing Companies in Georgia
Rainmaker Group | June 12, 2013
ATLANTA, GA - June 12, 2013 - The Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Atlanta released its list of the Georgia Fast 40 for 2013, and The Rainmaker Group is among this year's distinguished group of companies contributing to the overall health and recovery of Georgia's economy as a whole. This is the fifth year for the Georgia Fast 40 award competition, which honors companies for achieving sustained growth. Growth is measured objectively based on revenue and employment, whether achieved organically or through acquisition. Approximately 100 companies with headquarters in Georgia submitted applications, and the Top 40 companies are categ...
Crestron Delivers Enterprise Building Management Solutions
Crestron | June 12, 2013
Whether managing a room, building, or global enterprise, Crestron has all the pieces Orlando, FL, June 12,2013 - AV is moving from individual meeting rooms toward total integration of all the systems and technology throughout a building, and across all the buildings within an enterprise. Together, the Crestron 3-Series Control System® and Crestron Fusion™ Enterprise Management Software provide the most advanced, complete, and flexible Enterprise Building Management solution in the industry. "Building automation and controls system market is growing at a CAGR of 11.2% and is projected to reach $49.5 billion by 2018*," explains Goldst...
The Westin St.John Resort Implements VOC Systems’ Unique Mid-Experience Guest Feedback Technology
VOC Systems | June 12, 2013
Ensuring "Paradise" for Resort Guests - Resort team leverages VOC Systems' real time reporting to anticipate needs, increase satisfaction and enhance personalization St. John, USVI - June 12, 2013 - The Westin St. John Resort & Villas is set on the serene beach of Great Cruz Bay with 175 guest rooms and 46 fully equipped vacation villas. Guest satisfaction is paramount for the management team at the resort, which offers a variety of dining, entertainment and recreational venues across 47 acres. With General Manager Mike Ryan at the helm, the resort has earned numerous awards, such as "Best Island Paradise 2013" and "Best Family Expe...
