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Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25, 2024
Industry Happenings
Homewood Suites by Hilton Arlington Rosslyn Key Bridge Celebrates Grand Opening with a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
The Sage Agency | April 17, 2018
The recently opened Homewood Suites by Hilton Arlington Rosslyn Key Bridge celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a reception. The 168-suite property located at 1900 North Quinn Street in Arlington, Virginia is owned the B. F. Saul Real Estate Investment Trust and managed by B. F. Saul Company Hospitality Group. "We are proud to bring Hilton's Homewood Suites brand to Arlington and we know the hotel will be well received by visitors for diverse needs; business, government travel, leisure, relocation and longer term assignments," said Mark Carrier, President, B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group. "We offer...
StayNTouch Partners With 3C Payment to Expand Payment Options for Hotels Using Rover PMS™
StayNTouch Inc. | April 17, 2018
Bethesda, MD – APRIL 17, 2018 – StayNTouch, an innovator in mobile technology and Property Management Systems (PMS) for hotels, is pleased to announce it has partnered with the 3C Payment, a leading integrated global payments solutions company that specializes in Point-to-Point-Encryption (P2PE) Solutions and EMV tokenized transaction flows. "When it comes to accepting payments, hotels are in a balancing act," said Damien Estrade, Head of Business Development of 3C Payment, "Today's hoteliers are focused on delivering a guest-focused hotel experience, where the back-office functions of the stay are as frictionless as possibl...
Luxury California Hotel Group Selects ALICE to Standardize Operations And Communication Across Seven Properties
ALICE | April 16, 2018
ALICE has been selected by multi-generational owned luxury properties, The Woodside Hotel Group, to enhance their internal communication, concierge operations, and guest engagement, across seven of their ten stunning properties in Northern California. ALICE is the hospitality industry's leading operations technology, connecting every department of the hotel with one platform for all staff communication and guest requests. ALICE recently acquired concierge software provider GoConcierge to augment its technology and customer service offering. Before ALICE, the Woodside Hotel Group used various methods of communication and task delegation,...
InvoTech Systems Inc. Completes Project to Upgrade the Uniform System at Trump International Hotel Waikiki
InvoTech Systems, Inc. | April 16, 2018
Trump International Hotel Waikiki Is Latest Property to Upgrade InvoTech's RFID Uniform System for Added Inventory Efficiency LOS ANGELES, CA – April 17, 2018 -- InvoTech Systems Inc. announced the recent upgrade of its Uniform System at Trump International Hotel Waikiki. InvoTech Systems is the leading provider of advanced Linen Management, Laundry and Uniform Systems that integrate the latest RFID technology to increase profitability for hotels, resorts, casino operators, sports arenas, convention centers and theme parks. The InvoTech System installed at the Trump International Hotel Waikiki manages the Uniform inventory for 500...
Strand Hospitality Services Names Brandon Keller as Regional Director of Operations
Strand Hospitality Services | April 16, 2018
(Myrtle Beach, S.C.) April 17, 2018 – Strand Hospitality Services, a leading provider of hospitality operations, consulting and advisory services, has recently promoted Brandon Keller to Regional Director of Operations. As the Regional Director of Operations, Keller will oversee hotels in Georgia, South Carolina and Missouri. "I am really excited to start this new journey in my career," said Keller. "I am looking forward to jumping right in as Regional Director of Operations and building new relationships at each of the hotels I will be representing." Prior to his promotion as Regional Director of Operations, Brandon was the Gener...
IHG Signs With Roquebrook for Hotel Indigo Gibraltar, an Adaptive Re-Use Project in Spain
IHG | April 16, 2018
IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world's leading hotel companies, is proud to announce the signing of Hotel Indigo® Gibraltar, under a franchise agreement with property developers, Roquebrook. Often considered a home away from home for the British, Gibraltar offers guests a slice of British culture on Spain's southern coast. Home to some of the most dramatic landforms in southern Europe, such as The Rock in the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, and famous natural caves, Gibraltar has much to offer nature enthusiasts as well as those seeking the hustle of a great range of festivals and nightlife. Located close to the Old...
Effective Hotel Copywriting in 3 Key Steps
Kate Bielamowicz | April 16, 2018
By Kate Bielamowicz The power of great hotel copywriting on your website can't be overstated. Far more than filling space on a page, the right words can spark the imagination of your potential guests, and move them one step closer to booking. Persuasive copywriting can fire up your conversion rates by using the kind of language that differentiates you from the competition, and connects your brand with your audience. While there are countless ways to upgrade the copy on your hotel website, the following three tips (with examples) are relatively easy to apply and can have a major impact. Focus on the needs of your guests The attention spa...
Talent and Technology Go Hand-in-Hand in Contact Centers
JLL Real Views | April 16, 2018
Technology is transforming the way organizations interact with customers—but even the most promising digital tools still work best when paired with skilled humans. High-tech solutions like blockchain and automation will unquestionably reshape the contact center industry in the coming years. Yet this digital disruption is not expected to replace people entirely. Instead, contact center operators are seeking tech-savvy, customer service-oriented talent to work alongside robots. This dual focus on talent and digital strategy is fueling momentum in the U.S. contact center sector, where growth is currently outpacing the global industry...
Eldorado Resorts to Acquire Tropicana Entertainment in Accretive Transaction Valued at $1.85 Billion
Eldorado Resorts, Inc. | April 16, 2018
RENO, Nev. - April 16, 2018 - Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: ERI) ("Eldorado" or the "Company") announced today that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Tropicana Entertainment Inc. (OTCQB: TPCA) ("Tropicana") in a cash transaction that is valued at $1.85 billion. The definitive agreement provides that Gaming and Leisure Properties (NASDAQ: GLPI) ("GLPI") will pay $1.21 billion, excluding taxes and expenses, for substantially all of Tropicana's real estate and enter into a master lease with Eldorado for the acquired real estate and that Eldorado will fund the remaining $640 million of cash consideration payable in the acq...
Hospitality Financial Leadership – Catch Me If You Can: It’s a Game of Confidence
David Lund | April 16, 2018
By David Lund Frank Abagnale is arguably the world's most famous modern-day impostor. Leonardo DiCaprio played his character in the 2002 movie directed by none other than Steven Spielberg, with the same title as this piece. The movie was based on the 1980 book that Frank wrote. I am writing about Frank Abagnale because I had the pleasure of meeting him personally, and experiencing his trickery, just a little. Also, there is a direct link between what his story is all about and your own financial leadership journey. If you have not seen the movie, watch it. Tom Hanks plays the lawman chasing after Frank and it is a wild ride. The book is...
Hospitality Experts Gather for HFTP’s Second European HITEC
HITEC | April 16, 2018
European counterpart of HFTP's HITEC education stellar, exhibitor experience disappointing In its second year, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) European HITEC® was held last week where top industry experts exchanged knowledge geared toward shaping the future of hospitality globally. Discussions were held on the hottest topics in the industry – artificial intelligence, voice recognition, data science, robotics, customer journey and the EU GDPR. Over 100 companies displayed the latest in available hospitality technology products available around the globe. Kicking-off the event was HFTP's Entrep...
Caesars Entertainment and Meraas Plan to Open Two Caesars Hotels & Beach Club in Dubai
Caesars Entertainment Corporation | April 16, 2018
LAS VEGAS, April 16, 2018 -- Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR) and Meraas Holdings LLC have announced that they have entered into a non-binding letter of intent for Caesars Entertainment to manage two luxury hotels and a beach club at Meraas' Dubai-based Bluewaters Island development. In late 2018, Bluewaters Island is expected to become home to Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai and Caesars Bluewaters Dubai -- both of which will represent Caesars Entertainment's first non-gaming resorts. Situated along the beachfront on a man-made island, these two resort hotels will include 479 5-star rooms. A variety of modern amen...
MGM Resorts International, Along with its Venture Partner, Enter Agreement to Sell the Grand Victoria Casino for $327.5 Million to Eldorado Resorts
MGM Resorts International | April 16, 2018
LAS VEGAS, April 16, 2018 -- MGM Resorts International (the "Company" or "MGM Resorts") (NYSE: MGM), along with its venture partner, today announced the execution of a definitive agreement to sell the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, Illinois, of which a subsidiary of the Company owns a 50% interest, to Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: ERI) for $327.5 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment. MGM Resorts will receive its 50 percent share of the net proceeds after certain transaction costs, or approximately $162 million. The transaction is expected to close within 12 months, subject to regulatory approva...
HMC Adds Sleep Inn & Suites Longview North to Portfolio of Texas Managed Properties
Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC) | April 16, 2018
Dallas, TX - Leo Spriggs, President and CEO of Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC), is happy to share the addition of the Sleep Inn & Suites Longview North Choice Hotels® to the company's list of Texas managed properties. The company continues its ongoing business expansion which is made up of full service, conference center, select service and limited service hotels. HMC is one of the country's largest third-party privately held hotel management companies, ranked in the top 40 of all third-party privately held hotel management corporations. The hotel is located near Tomlison Parkway and Loop 281, just north of Longview's ...
Grace Bay Resorts Assumes Ownership and Management of Point Grace on Providenciales in Turks and Caicos
Grace Bay Resorts | April 16, 2018
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS & CAICOS–APRIL 16, 2018– Grace Bay Resorts announced today that it will assume ownership and management of Point Grace, the pristine boutique resort located less than a mile from Grace Bay Club on the award-winning Grace Bay Beach, effective immediately. The resort will be rebranded a Grace Bay Resort property and will retain the Point Grace name, with gradual improvements planned over the next several months. Point Grace enjoys a world class location on Grace Bay Beach, consistently named the World's Best Beach by leading travel publications such as Conde Nast Traveler, providing an extraordinary o...
Grand Summit Hotel at Attitash Names Steven Mannik as New General Manager
Grand Summit Hotel at Attitash | April 16, 2018
BARTLETT, NH -- (April 16, 2018) -- Warren Mackensen, president of the Attitash Grand Summit Owners Association, today announced that New Hampshire hotelier, Steven Mannik has been named general manager of the 143-room Grand Summit Hotel at Attitash. Mannik will assume day-to-day operations of the condo hotel effective May 1. Mannik, a career hotelier most recently was the general manager of Eastern Inn & Suites in nearby North Conway. Previously, he was the general manager of the Grand Summit from 2007 to 2012 after earning a promotion from director of sales. He began his hotel career as a sales manager for a Homewood Suites hotel ...
Driftwood Acquisitions and Development Names Kattie Maldonado Marketing Director
Driftwood Acquisitions & Development | April 16, 2018
Miami, FL – April 16, 2018 – Driftwood Acquisitions and Development ("DAD"), a privately held investment firm specializing in the acquisition and development of high-quality hotel assets, today announced the appointment of Kattie Maldonado as marketing director. In her new role, Maldonado will be responsible for developing and executing advertising campaigns and marketing strategies at a local, national, and international level, with an emphasis on digital marketing, public relations and print advertising. "We are excited to have Kattie join the Driftwood team," said Carlos Rodriguez Sr., CEO of Driftwood Acquisitions & ...
California’s Legendary Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa Joins Benchmark Resorts & Hotels Management Portfolio
Marriott International, Inc. | April 16, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, April 16, 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has added one of Southern California's most acclaimed properties to the company's Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio: Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa. Located in the San Bernardino National Forest along the shores of Lake Arrowhead, the Four Diamond Resort is part of the Marriott Autograph Collection. "We are honored to add this prestigious and historic resort to our growing list of California properties," says Benchmark CEO Alex Cabañas. "For decades, the resort has been a favorite with Hollywood celebrities and several fi...
Joy Wemmer Appointed Director of Sales for Hilton Garden Inn Annapolis Downtown, Maryland
Hilton Garden Inn Annapolis Downtown | April 16, 2018
ANNAPOLIS MD (APRIL 16, 2018) -- In advance of its May 2018 opening, Hilton Garden Inn Annapolis Downtown has appointed Joy Wemmer as Director of Sales. A seasoned hospitality professional, Wemmer will help lead a staff of 50 at the soon-to-open hotel, which comes to the revitalizing Annapolis arts district via total renovation of an existing lodging property. Wemmer was only 14 when she got her first job as a waitress, and thus accrued nearly a decade of hospitality experience by the time she graduated from Washington College. Joy always liked the fast-paced environment of F&B -- and she loved meeting new people -- so moving into h...
Edward Thomas Collection of Hotels Appoints Daniel Ben-Efraim Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Shutters on the Beach | April 16, 2018
SANTA MONICA, CA (April 16, 2018) – Edward Thomas Collection of Hotels (ETC), the independent owners and operators of Southern California's two most distinguished coastal hotels, Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa del Mar, has appointed Daniel Ben-Efraim Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In his new role, Ben-Efraim will lead all aspects of sales and marketing initiatives for Santa Monica's most iconic seaside hotels, including food and beverage programming. This addition to ETC marks an exciting time as Shutters on the Beach nears its 25th birthday in June and Hotel Casa del Mar welcomes guests to newly renovated rooms and ...
Viceroy Hotel Group Welcomes New Director of Sales & Marketing to Viceroy Santa Monica
Viceroy Santa Monica | April 16, 2018
LOS ANGELES, CA (APRIL 16, 2018) - Viceroy Hotel Group is pleased to announce Angela Lockyer as Director of Sales and Marketing of Viceroy Santa Monica. Angela brings 15 years of sales, marketing, and revenue management experience to the hotel which has become known for its stylish yet playful ambience. "We are excited to welcome Angela to Viceroy Santa Monica," said Michael Bridges, General Manager at Viceroy Santa Monica. "Her extensive experience with luxury hospitality brands will enhance the exceptional experience Viceroy Santa Monica offers modern travelers." Angela joins Viceroy Hotel Group from Kerzner, where she represented 11 ...
Is Your Hotel Booking Engine Destroying Your Profitability?
Vikram Singh | April 16, 2018
By Vikram Singh Almost every other day, I see a headline about the latest trend that is going to have a massive impact on hotels and travel. Some might even be worth exploring. However, the fact remains that if your hotel booking engine is hard to use, none of the trends will have any impact on your net operating income and profits. Having worked in hotels most of my adult life, and having traveled extensively, I have vast experience booking rooms every way possible: using phones, travel agents (yes, I am that old), OTAs, and directly from apps. The one consistent problem I find on hotel websites is a disregard for the basic usability p...
Driftwood Hospitality Management Shares Insight Into Hotel, Resort Trends After Polling Property Managers
Driftwood Hospitality Management | April 16, 2018
North Palm Beach, Fla. – April 16, 2018 – There is a shift happening in the hospitality industry, as a digital transformation and a desire for personalized experiences set the stage for a new era of travel. Driftwood Hospitality Management (DHM), a North Palm Beach-based hotel management company that operates 48 hotels throughout the United States and Costa Rica, surveyed its general managers recently, seeking to understand the trends they're seeing for the year ahead, and gathered insights into the evolving needs of travelers. "The hospitality industry strives to keep pace with trends, to bring travelers what they crave &nd...
Nominations Open for the 2018 Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence
April 16, 2018
WASHINGTON, DC— April 16, 2018, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide are accepting nominations for the 2018 Awards of Excellence. The Awards of Excellence recognizes the pinnacle of this distinct group of nominees in a number of categories. Awards of Excellence winners will be announced and recipients will be honored on November 1, 2018 at The Broadmoor (1918) in Colorado Springs, Colorado during the 2018 Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence Ceremony and Gala. These prestigious awards are treasured by historic hotels and their hoteliers. Award winners receive annual recognition, promotion, and the acclaim from ...
