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Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25, 2024
Industry Happenings
Hotel Marketing Tips from Pipeline LIVE: Image Copyright Infringement
Pipeline Social Media | May 29, 2018
By Maiya Wall & Sarah Brown Pipeline LIVE is a bi-monthly Facebook live series covering topics on digital marketing, including social media, web design, blogging, and SEO. Each 15-minute Facebook live video is designed to help business owners and marketing professionals learn step-by-step, applicable techniques to expand their digital marketing knowledge. In a recent Pipeline LIVE session, COO Leslie Wilkins was interviewed about Photo Copyright Infringement and the importance of respecting copyright, understanding fair use, and being responsible with images on social media. Copyright laws can be particularly precarious as the major...
Want to become a hotelier
Novotel Toronto North York | May 28, 2018
Where do you find your inspiration? Mine comes from different sources and the main one is my girls. I have observed my older daughter (being just six years old) talking to sales person in the supermarket, parking reinforcement officer, owner of the little craft shop, head chef in the restaurant and many many others asking them the same question: "Is it fun to be a ...?". Answers were so different from "I love what I do because" to "I just do what I need to do". On my question why would she asks all those people the answer was:"I want to know now who I am in the future." It gave me food for thoughts... why we speak to children about thei...
Moody National Hospitality Management Celebrates Topping-Out of Residence Inn Medical Center in Houston
Arch-Con Construction | May 25, 2018
HOUSTON (May 25, 2018) – Construction on the Residence Inn Medical Center has reached new heights. Arch-Con Construction, the general contractor for the project, topped-out the 16-story hotel located in close proximity to the Texas Medical Center and NRG Stadium. "We are thrilled to build this hotel in such a significant location in Houston," said Brett Moody, CEO of Moody National Companies, the project developer. "Being so close to the Texas Medical Center makes it a second home for many people and their families who travel to Houston for treatment." The hotel, managed by Moody National Hospitality Management, will have 182 room...
Owned and Managed by Love’s Hospitality, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Opens in Tucumcari, New Mexico
Fairfield Inn & Suites | May 25, 2018
Tucumcari, NM – May 25, 2018 – The 90-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Tucumcari, New Mexico, opened today with its smart, inventive public space and guest room design, and its bright and inviting décor. Located at 1901 South Mountain Road, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Tucumcari will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Love's Hospitality, LLC of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, part of the Love's Family of Companies. Located less than five minutes from the historic Route 66, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Tucumcari offers guests convenient access to the New Mexico Route 66 Museum, Mesalands C...
Russell Family Opens New Clarion Inn & Suites on Russell Hospitality Campus Downtown Atlanta
Choice Hotels | May 25, 2018
(ATLANTA) May 2018 – The Clarion Inn & Suites Downtown Atlanta, located 186 Northside Dr SW, near the Mercedes Benz Stadium, celebrated its Grand Opening recently. The hotel is part of the new Russell Hospitality Campus at Castleberry Hill, which also includes Paschal's Restaurant and The Loft at Castleberry Hill. The new Clarion Inn & Suites offers 104 guest rooms as well as a 1,000-square-foot banquet room that will accommodate up to 75 people for corporate meetings and events. In addition, the hotel offers beautiful spaces, both indoor and outdoor, to accommodate cocktail parties and receptions for up to 100 people....
Key Executives at RLH Corp. to Resign, Begin Consulting With Brand
RLH Corporation | May 25, 2018
Bloss and Moyle to continue service to Company through 2020 DENVER, May 22, 2018 -- RLH Corporation (NYSE:RLH) today announced it has entered into consulting agreements with key executives Roger Bloss, President of Global Development, and Bernard (Bernie) Moyle, Chief Operating Officer, which will continue through 2020. Bloss and Moyle have agreed to end their employment with the Company effective May 31, 2018, and start their consulting work on June 1, 2018. "Roger and Bernie built a distinctive and highly successful platform of brands, including the expansive Americas Best Value Inn," said RLH Corporation President and Chief Executive...
Use Actual Intelligence to Expand Revenue Potential Throughout the Guest Journey
Michael Bennett | May 25, 2018
By Michael Bennett We can't escape the topic of AI today. In a world of big data and personalization, it's shaping how we approach everything in the hospitality industry. But as powerful as artificial intelligence is, machine learning must be leveraged alongside hotel expertise and data management strategy to drive forward smarter, more accurate marketing results. With an actual intelligence approach, hotels can: Use machine learning to create more meaningful and relevant marketing moments that drive revenue Focus your marketing activity on segments with the highest affinity to win Analyze booking patterns, purchasing histor...
Why Facebook Will Help Hotels Beat the OTAs
Marco Benvenuti | May 25, 2018
By Marco Benvenuti Honestly, I thought the war between hotels and online travel agencies would've died down by now. Clearly the battle rages on. Brands continue to attempt to woo travelers and franchisees with direct-booking strategies. And OTAs are punching back, with a recent report reiterating the strength of the Billboard Effect and claiming direct bookings are no less costly for hoteliers. At the same time, more "billboards" are cropping up. Hotels have at their disposal hundreds of shelves on which to place their product, including Airbnb. Higher up the funnel, companies like Google, Amazon and Facebook are starting to direct traf...
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, Names John Santaniello General Manager of Snow King Hotel
Snow King Hotel | May 25, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, May 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has appointed John Santaniello general manager for Snow King Hotel and Grand View Lodge, both Benchmark Resorts & Hotels properties located in Jackson, Wyoming. Greg Champion, Benchmark's president and COO, made the announcement. "It is a pleasure to welcome John to Benchmark and to these wonderful properties," said Mr. Champion. "He comes to us with important experience in leading ski resorts to new levels of business success, both within the ski season and throughout the year." John Santaniello brings over 25 years of hospitality i...
Ian Schrager, in Partnership With Marriott, Plans June 2018 Opening of The 102-Room Bodrum EDITION
EDITION HOTELS | May 25, 2018
From the next chapter in the growing EDITION legacy comes Ian Schrager's latest visionary concept: The Bodrum EDITION. Schrager, in partnership with Marriott International, acts to redefine the contemporary luxury hotel experience with his expanding global influence. Bringing a new energy to the Bodrum Peninsula, The Bodrum EDITION is an Aegean utopia within the Yalikavak bay. Born for the world stage, the hotel is a natural Amphitheatre acting as a venue for 21st century recreation, socializing, and networking with an unparalleled vista overlooking the azure waters of the Turkish Riviera. In keeping with the EDITION philosophy, The Bod...
Modus Hotels and Parkway Corporation Break Ground on Pod Philly Hotel
Modus Hotels | May 25, 2018
PHILADELPHIA – April 25, 2018 – Modus Hotels and Parkway Corporation broke ground yesterday on Pod Philly, Philadelphia's first micro-hotel, together with Philadelphia Commerce Director, Harold Epps. Modus Hotels, a developer, owner and operator of a diverse collection of lifestyle hotels in Washington DC, Baltimore, Chicago and Philadelphia, has partnered with Parkway Corporation, a Philadelphia-based family-owned and operated parking, real estate development, and airport services company, to develop the hotel. Parkway has acquired, developed and managed commercial parking facilities across the US and Canada since 1930. Par...
Tourism Tidbits: The Art of Crowd Management
Dr. Peter Tarlow | May 25, 2018
By Dr. Peter Tarlow In almost every form of tourism and travel there is a need for crowd management control. Anyone who has watched the huge crowds at New York's Times Square New Year's Eve celebration or has been to a packed beach is aware of the importance of crowd management. Not all crowd control management need be for festivities. For example, there is religious crowd management such as at St. Peter's Square in Rome, during the Hajj in Mecca or along the Ganges River in India. There is also political crowd management such as at a political parade, convention or rally. Not all crowd management touches upon such mega events as New Ye...
Paramount Lodging Advisors Team Arranges Sale of the Holiday Inn Express St. Louis – Central West End St. Louis, MO
Paramount Lodging Advisors | May 25, 2018
St. Louis, MO—Paramount Lodging Advisors (PLA) has successfully sold the Holiday Inn Express St. Louis - Central West End (CWE) located at 4630 Lindell Blvd. PLA Associate Beau Mullenix, Managing Director Adam Montufar, and Senior Managing Directors Bennett Webster and Brent Clemens representing the seller in this transaction. The sale of the 127-room Holiday Inn Express adds to PLA's continued success both in St. Louis and on the Ten-X platform. The hotel is located in the epicenter of CWE's most high-profile retail and multi-family developments. "We were extremely pleased with the interest level received during this mar...
Multi-Platinum Artist FLO RIDA Will Perform at the HITEC Houston Opening Party, Presented by Samsung
HFTP | May 25, 2018
HITEC Opening Party taking place Monday, June 18 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at House of Blues Houston Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), producers of Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), is pleased to announce a partnership with Samsung for the upcoming HITEC Houston Opening Party this June. HITEC Houston attendees are invited to the Opening Party, which will be a lively event filled with entertainment and food. Multi-platinum entertainer Flo Rida – one of the most downloaded artists of all time with 29 Billboard Hot 100 hits, over two billion YouTube views and over 80 mi...
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, Promotes Nicole Di Maio to Corporate Director of Revenue Management
May 24, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, May 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Nicole Di Maio corporate director of revenue management. Ted Davis, Benchmark's chief sales and marketing officer, made the announcement. Ms. Di Maio is located in Benchmark's regional office in New Jersey. "It is indeed a pleasure to congratulate Nicole on this well-served promotion," said Mr. Davis. "She has performed superbly in her previous positions with our company and has contributed significantly to the successful growth of our revenue management function. Nicole is another wonderful example of how Benchmark helps grow caree...
HSMAI Appoints Insight Out to Manage HSMAI Middle East
HSMAI | May 24, 2018
May 24, 2018 - The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Insight Out Consultancy DMCC and its founder and managing director, Mona Faraj, as the HSMAI Middle East Managing Director. Mona and her UAE-based team will be responsible for growing organizational and individual membership in addition to putting the association's valuable educational resources at the fingertips of hotel sales and marketing professionals in the region. With over 25 years of hospitality expertise, Mona is the founder and managing director of Insight Out, formally known as Insights Middle East, a...
Total Construction Pipeline in Canada Up 11% by Projects YOY
Lodging Econometrics (LE) | May 24, 2018
According to Lodging Econometrics (LE), the total Construction Pipeline in Canada currently has 237 Projects/29,881 Rooms, up 11% by projects Year-Over-Year (YOY). There are 90 Projects/11,811 Rooms Under Construction, up 20% by projects YOY. Projects Scheduled to Start Construction in the Next 12 Months are at 93 Projects/10,658 Rooms, up 11%, while those in Early Planning are at 54 Projects/7,412 Rooms, down 2%. The top hotel companies in Canada's Construction Pipeline by projects are: Marriott with 54 Projects/7,718 Rooms, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) with 44 Projects/4,528 Rooms, and Hilton with 38 Projects/4,319 Rooms. The l...
The Hotel Technology Ecosystem – What Does the Future Hold?
Pierre Boettner, Founder and CEO, hospitalityPulse | May 24, 2018
By Pierre Boettner Often described as antiquated, hotel technology has advanced at a much slower pace when compared to other industries. However, as we observe the on-going momentum and emergence of new trends, it's become apparent that the hotel systems space is finally making strides to catch up. In fact, hospitality technology has come a long way. Following many years of trial and error, hoteliers have begun to utilize emerging tech that allows them to prioritize, and better yet, understand the modern guest in new and exciting ways. This evolution didn't happen overnight, but rather at the hands of industry experts eager to take one-...
Rosewood Baha Mar Appoints Siddharth Krishna as Executive Chef
Rosewood Baha Mar | May 24, 2018
Siddharth Krishna has been appointed executive chef of Rosewood Baha Mar, Nassau's newest luxury destination. In this role, Chef Krishna will lead culinary efforts at the hotel's four distinctive dining venues: Commonwealth, Costa, Manor Bar and The Library. He will also be charged with creating new dining concepts and menus for the restaurants, building relationships with local food purveyors and developing cocktail and beverage programs. Drawing from the Bahamian culture, Chef Krishna will create culinary programming for guests that promotes fellowship and celebrates the island's offerings. "With an impressive culinary background and ...
Southern Lodging Summit to Host 16th Annual Conference August 28th & 29th in Memphis, Tenn.
| May 24, 2018
Confirmed Speakers Include David Pepper, Choice Hotels International; Jon Bortz, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust; Dorothy Dowling, Best Western International; and Janis Cannon, Choice Hotels International MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 24 2018—Officials of the Southern Lodging Summit, an annual gathering of hoteliers specializing in development and operations in the southern United States, today announced it will host its annual conference August 28-29, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. A discounted "Early Bird" rate runs through July 15, 2018. Celebrating its 16th year, the conference kicks off with the organization's signature luncheon at the world-famous R...
Hyatt and Jinmao Group Unveil 305-Room Jinmao Hotel Lijiang Joining The Unbound Collection in China Following Rebranding From Grand Hyatt
The Unbound Collection by Hyatt | May 24, 2018
CHICAGO (May 24, 2018) – Hyatt and the Jinmao Group proudly unveiled Jinmao Hotel Lijiang today, which rebranded from a Grand Hyatt hotel to Jinmao Hotel Lijiang in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. This marks the first hotel in China for The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The 305-room Jinmao Hotel Lijiang combines traditional architecture with contemporary design, offering guests an authentic taste of the traditional Naxi culture, breathtaking natural views, and a story-worthy experience. Together, Hyatt and the Jinmao group also announced the renewal of the management agreement for the iconic Grand Hyatt Shanghai, located in the he...
Diversity in Leadership Is Profitable
Frances Kiradjian | May 24, 2018
By Frances Kiradjian Many of you know my passions include helping the underdogs of the hospitality industry. Before the formation of BLLA, the list of underdogs included boutique hotels, and once upon a time, women. Women have made leaps and bounds as a demographic in every single industry in existence. Hospitality is no exception. While only 32 of the Fortune 500 CEOs in 2017 were women, this is an increase from the 21 women who were included the year before. While not an impressive ratio it does show the forward movement of women in the business sector I have long been a champion of. At our annual Executive Women's Conference this pas...
Omni Charlotte Hotel Completes $26 Million Renovation Led by General Manager Douglas Hustad
Omni Hotels & Resorts | May 24, 2018
CHARLOTTE, N.C., May, 24 2018 -- Omni Charlotte Hotel announced the completion of its $26 million dollar property renovation that includes a sleek new exterior, a modern lobby experience, a refreshed restaurant and bar, new cosmopolitan guest rooms and suites and a redesigned rooftop pool deck and bar space that will surely be the city's go-to urban oasis. "With this multimillion-dollar project complete, Omni Charlotte Hotel is a one-of-a-kind destination for leisure and business travelers alike," said Douglas Hustad, general manager for Omni Charlotte Hotel. "We have watched the daily progression of this impressive r...
Oxygen Hospitality Acquires The Ivy Palm Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, California
Oxygen Hospitality Group | May 24, 2018
PHOENIX--Oxygen Hospitality Group today announced the acquisition of The Ivy Palm Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, California. The 4-building, 2-story, 100-room independent, boutique hotel is the first acquisition of Arizona-based Oxygen Hospitality, a real estate investment and management company looking to grow a portfolio of branded and independent hotels in the Sun Belt and other U.S. destinations. Following minor property renovations with extensive asset management restructuring, Oxygen Hospitality will implement a second phase redevelopment plan to transform the property into a hip, tech-forward boutique hotel that complements Pa...
