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
Petop Hospitality is Providing Hospitality and Catering Supplies
Petop Hospitality | February 8, 2018
Petop Hospitality is the first online marketplace from Hong Kong to place their focus on providing their clients with a platform to buy and sell personal care and hospitality amenities. Established in 2006, the company has over 12 years of sales and marketing experience with their products regularly sold in over 31 countries worldwide. Currently, Petop Hospitality specializes in four major sectors namely hotels, restaurants, Spas, and coffee with over 20 sub-categories of products to comprehensively suit all industrial and individual demands. Speaking about the company's objectives, the Directing Manager said, "We are out to fill the ev...
HRI Properties Completes Property-Wide Renovation and Rebranding of Portland’s River’s Edge Hotel
February 7, 2018
River's Edge Hotel unveils a new identity with fresh, Scandinavian-minimalist design following a comprehensive guest room remodel and upgrades to its lobby, fitness center and meeting & event spaces. Situated along a tree-lined bend of the Willamette River, just minutes from downtown, the 100-room hotel offers convenient access to the vibrant city center amid Portland's natural beauty. "Since the redevelopment project began approximately 20 years ago, Portland's South Waterfront has become such a bourgeoning neighborhood, and we're excited to grow with it as River's Edge Hotel begins this new chapter," says Gary Gutierrez, chief ope...
Owned by Main Street Hotel Partners and Managed by Schahet Hotels, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Opens in Carmel, Indiana
Fairfield Inn & Suites | February 7, 2018
Carmel, IN – February 7, 2018 – The 105-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Carmel, Indiana opened today with its smart, inventive public space and guest room design. Located at 1335 West Main Street, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Indianapolis Carmel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Main Street Hotel Partners, LLC and managed by Schahet Hotels of Indianapolis, Indiana. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Indianapolis Carmel offers guests convenient access to the Carmel Arts & Design District, Clay Terrace and the Center for Performing Arts. "Delivering both...
Tampa Marriott Westshore Hotel Completes $20 Million Renovation Led by General Manager Tina Smith
Marriott Hotels | February 7, 2018
TAMPA, Fla.--February 7, 2018 --Today, the Tampa Marriott Westshore Hotel unveils the redesigned property, which includes its 310 guest rooms, 18 Next Gen Meeting Spaces and lobby, totaling a $20 million renovation overhaul. The premium Tampa hotel provides its experienced business travelers, millennial visitors and locals cutting edge technology and well-designed environments to revolutionize guests' stay. "We understand our guests lead fast-paced lives, and we redesigned our property with that in mind, providing forward thinking, aesthetically pleasing spaces that help foster their inventive nature," said Tina Smith, General Manager, ...
Steve Wynn Steps Down as Chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts
Wynn Resorts | February 7, 2018
LAS VEGAS, Feb. 7, 2018 -- Wynn Resorts released the following statements today regarding Chairman and CEO Steve Wynn: STATEMENT FROM WYNN RESORTS: The Board of Directors of Wynn Resorts reluctantly announced today that it accepted the resignation of Steve Wynn as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors. The board has appointed Matt Maddox, currently President of the Company, as its CEO, and Boone Wayson as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. "It is with a collective heavy heart, that the board of directors of Wynn Resorts today accepted the resignation of our founder, CEO and friend Steve Wy...
CBRE Issues U.S. Lodging and 2018-2019 Historic Hotels Forecast at Historic Hotels of America Annual Conference
February 7, 2018
Historic hotels achieve a substantial premium in ADR and REVPAR over comparable contemporary hotels. WASHINGTON, DC – February 7, 2018 The outlook for the U.S. lodging industry, particularly historic hotels, continues to be extremely strong, according to CBRE Hotels' Americas Research (CBRE). For the fourth consecutive year, CBRE Hotels' Americas Research presented a Historic Hotels of America – CBRE two-year forecast at the Historic Hotels of America annual conference. CBRE relies on historical hotel performance data from STR, and economic forecasts from CBRE Economic Advisors, to prepare its lodging forecasts. Key points p...
6 Presentation Tips for Leaders Who Fear Speaking at Meetings or Conferences
Cathy Cook | February 7, 2018
By Cathy Cook In my early years as a Front Office Manager I remember how confident I used to be at running a meeting while I sat down at the conference table with my staff all circled around me. I had my agendas all passed out as I led the discussion, ticking off the agenda items one by one with my staff actively participating throughout. My meetings went off without a hitch! BUT – if I had to stand up in front of my staff (that I was totally comfortable with daily) I would crumble! I would perspire, forget what I had to say, I couldn't focus, I certainly couldn't make any decisions. I was mush. And GOD FORBID if I had to do this ...
Hotel Bulletin Reveals Q4 2017 Was Tough for UK Hotels but Long-Term Outlook Looks Strong
HVS | February 7, 2018
07 January 2018, London: Hotels in over half the 12 cities surveyed in the latest Hotel Bulletin, published this week by HVS, AlixPartners, STR and AM:PM, recorded declining occupancy in Q4 2017, with the other half reporting limited growth. The results demonstrate the tough trading conditions hotels faced at the end of 2017, with four cities showing a decline in RevPAR (rooms revenue per available room) and only hotels in Belfast recording double digit growth. "Belfast has been in the top three cities for growth every quarter in 2017, boosted by the weak pound which has improved visitor numbers and the fact the hotel market is relative...
Costa Rica Plays a Significant Role in the Experiential Travel Trend
Kacey Bradley | February 7, 2018
By Kacey Bradley Costa Rica Plays a Significant Role in the Experiential Travel Trend More people look to experiential travel to invest in themselves every year. Travelers desire a more unique, engaging and authentic immersion in adventure and culture, to be within the everyday essence of a site rather than sight-see. These travelers increasingly turn away from traditional pre-packaged destination brochures. Today, the travel industry offers more interconnected travel experiences, and though technology may isolate individuals, it also brings them together. Apps possess the power to connect travelers with natives to gain tips on enjoying...
Airbnb Launches Global Hotel Technology Partnership to Support Boutique Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts
SiteMinder | February 7, 2018
Partnership With SiteMinder Makes it Easier for Traditional Hospitality Providers to Reach Airbnb Community San Francisco -- Airbnb today launched its first global hotel technology partnership with SiteMinder, the leading cloud platform for hotels to attract and book guests across the globe. Under the new partnership, traditional hospitality businesses that use SiteMinder and meet Airbnb's hospitality standards can quickly and seamlessly list rooms on the platform. The new technology developed jointly by the two companies will now make it possible for hotels to connect booking information to their existing management system in real-time...
UniFocus Appoints New Sales and Marketing Leadership
UniFocus | February 7, 2018
Aline Riemenschneider and Michael Wayne Greer head up marketing and sales, respectively; Alex Coleman joins as digital marketing coordinator DALLAS – Feb. 7, 2018 – Positioning itself for continued rapid growth, UniFocus, the Dallas-based provider of the service industry's most comprehensive workforce management systems and tools, has bolstered its sales and marketing organization at both the top and support levels with three strategic appointments. Aline Riemenschneider, VP-marketing, and Michael Wayne Greer, VP-sales, each have strong managerial resumes spanning more than 20 years, respectively. Rounding out the team is ne...
Tambourine Shares Five Marketing ‘Gotchas’ When Rebranding Your Hotel
Tambourine | February 7, 2018
Hotel rebranding requires more than pretty pictures… Successfully rebranding a hotel isn't usually as simple as just putting up a new sign outside the property and slapping a new logo everywhere the old logo used to be… A true rebranding is a massive shift in philosophy, company culture and audience targeting, which has widespread implications for all marketing efforts going forward under the new identity. There are, unfortunately, some specific aspects of the rebranding process where marketing commonly goes astray. These "gotcha" moments include the following five blunders, which hotel marketers should avoid at all costs:...
Does Search Engine Marketing Actually Work for Hotels?
Larry Mogelonsky | February 7, 2018
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Search engine marketing (SEM) can be highly profitable, but only when properly executed and when hoteliers are actively engaged with the people who manage their Google Adwords campaigns to carry out what's needed for true success. As a general manager, this starts by asking three questions to your director of marketing: Can you tell me, unequivocally, that the money that we are spending in SEM is generating better returns than the rate of commission paid to the OTAs? What percentage of our SEM budget goes to buying our own brand name – that is, the 'bottom-of-the-funnel' &n...
Kathleen Shea Named Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Chatham Bars Inn and The Inn at Perry Cabin
Chatham Bars Inn | February 7, 2018
New York, NY – February 7, 2018 – Two iconic resorts – Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod and the Inn at Perry Cabin on Maryland's Eastern Shore – will see a new sales and market strategy this year, courtesy of luxury hospitality authority Kathleen Shea who has joined the resorts as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In this newly-created role, Shea will be responsible for driving awareness, market share and sales for the resorts, which pair locally-inspired traditional East Coast elegance with authentic contemporary charm. She will also debut the Pete Dye-designed Links at Perry Cabin in Spring 2018, and later ove...
Teneo Hospitality Group Names Jennifer Milliron Director of Sales for the Southwest Region
Teneo Hospitality Group | February 7, 2018
Eden Prairie (Minneapolis), MN, February 7, 2018 … Continuing its dynamic growth, Teneo Hospitality Group, the premier global firm representing 300+ independent and luxury branded hotels, resorts and DMCs, adds another seasoned sales professional to its roster with the appointment of Jennifer Milliron as Director of Sales for the Southwest Region. Ms. Milliron will be responsible for markets in Colorado, Utah, Texas and Arizona. "We're delighted to welcome Jennifer to Teneo's expanding sales team for these key Southwestern states," says Teneo President Mike Schugt. "Her exceptional hotel sales experience on a national and global ...
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, Names Nour Asfari Area Director of Revenue
February 7, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, February 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Nour Asfari area director of revenue. Ms. Asfari will be based in Benchmark's Orlando office. Kim Nugent, vice president revenue management, made the announcement. "I am very pleased to welcome Nour to Benchmark," said Ms. Nugent. "With her extensive and successful on-property experience, she has a clear understanding and passion for serving customers with dedication, creativity and attentiveness. We look forward to her important contributions to our revenue management team." Nour Asfari brings over a decade of experience withi...
FCS Expands Further by Establishing Presence in the Middle East & Africa
FCS | February 7, 2018
FCS appoints new Senior Director of Sales & Channels to open Dubai office and support exponential business growth Dubai, 7 February, 2018: FCS Computer Systems (FCS), a leading provider of innovative hospitality technology solutions, has appointed Mansoor Khan as Senior Director of Sales & Channels to lead the company's expansion in the Middle East and Africa, where demand for FCS' integrated hospitality suite is growing at an incredible rate. "We are thrilled to welcome Mansoor to FCS, as he brings with him a wealth of international experience and expertise in hospitality technology. The hospitality sector in the MEA region is ...
Talking Environmental Psychology and Guest Experience with Aesthetics Expert Elizabeth Weiner
James Houran | February 7, 2018
By James Houran All people and places give off "vibes." Forming impressions of other people depends on much more than what we consciously see or hear. One UCLA study found that up to 93% of communication effectiveness is determined by more subliminal, nonverbal cues. Our impressions of places are created in a similar manner. In hospitality settings, "staff-guest interactions" are critically important determinants of positive guest experiences, but so too are the unspoken aesthetic aspects that define the physical environments that set the stage for hospitality services. At the 2017 Cornell Hospitality Research Summit, AETHOS spoke with ...
Free eBook: 6 Digital Marketing Trends that will Matter in 2018 | Milestone Inc.
Milestone | February 7, 2018
Free eBook from Milestone: The 6 Digital Marketing trends that will matter in 2018 Santa Clara, CA | February 7, 2018: Milestone announced today that it is making available its 2018 eBook titled: 6 DIGITAL MARKETING TRENDS THAT WILL MATTER IN 2018. In this free eBook, Milestone lays out the six major technology and digital marketing trends that will be critical to hoteliers worldwide in the ever changing world of digital marketing. The key trends included in the report are: DOWNLOAD THE eBOOK HERE The role of mobile in 2018 From mobile-first experiences to new technologies, a more interactive "app-like" experience will force marketers t...
NH Hotel Group Names Laia Lahoz as Group’s Chief Assets and Development Officer and Luis Arsuaga as Senior Vice-President of Development
NH Hotel Group | February 7, 2018
Madrid, 7 February 2018. Today NH Hotel Group presented its new expansion team, which combines extensive experience in the hotel development and operation arenas with broad skills managing and engaging with hotel owners and investors. By bringing this value-added on board, the Company expects to leverage the prevailing market appetite for its brand segmentation proposal (NH Hotels, NH Collection and nhow) and operating model in order to boost growth in the years to come. The new team will be headed up by Laia Lahoz, the Group's Chief Assets and Development Officer, who is assuming ultimate responsibility for the expansion and fine-t...
Red Roof Adds Joe Luck and Tom Williams to Franchise Development Team
Red Roof | February 7, 2018
Columbus, OH – February 7, 2018 – Red Roof has announced the addition of Joe Luck and Tom Williams to its Franchise Development Team. Between them, they bring more than 50 combined years of experience in the hospitality industry with a sterling track record of explosive brand growth and backgrounds in sales, leadership and guest services. Joe Luck will serve as the Regional Vice President of Franchise Sales & Development covering the West Coast. He arrives at Red Roof from Hotel Equities, a hotel management company where he served as VP of Development. Previously, he held multiple Vice President roles at Wyndham Hotel Gr...
Maestro Multi-Property PMS and Complete Module Integration Strengthens Preference- Based Marketing, Enhances Guest Experience, Drives Overall Efficien
Maestro PMS | February 7, 2018
Hotel Groups Leverage Single-Image Database Across Properties; Unify Marketing & Guest Engagement; Enable Cross-Property Booking and Increase Revenue Markham, Ontario – February 7, 2018 – When hotel and resort group operators combine multiple properties on one centralized database, the result is optimum operating efficiency, improved staff productivity, and increased revenue generating opportunities. "The advantages of a scalable and dynamic one-system property management software strategy are clear," said Maestro PMS President Warren Dehan. "Executives oversee multi-property operations remotely from one central locatio...
McKibbon Hospitality to Manage Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta-Downtown
McKibbon Hospitality | February 7, 2018
Tampa, F.L. (February 7, 2018) – McKibbon Hospitality, an award-winning leader in the hotel development and management industry, announced today that it will manage the Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta-Downtown, now owned by Apple Hospitality REIT. The new management contract expands McKibbon Hospitality's presence in Atlanta, where it currently manages the Home2 Suites Atlanta Downtown, and adds a sixth Hampton Inn & Suites to its portfolio. "The McKibbon team is pleased to add the Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta-Downtown to our growing hotel management portfolio," said Randy Hassen, president of McKibbon Hospitality's hotel...
Knowland Acquires Competitive Marketing Exchange (CMX)
Knowland | February 7, 2018
Rosslyn, VA February 7, 2018 —Knowland announced today that it has acquired Competitive Marketing Exchange (CMX) effective February 1, 2018. Knowland is a globally recognized provider of meeting and group data that offers extensive insight into market analytics, group industry trends, and powerful benchmarking tools. The company is headquartered in Rosslyn, Virginia, right outside the nation's capital. CMX was founded in 1991 by Guy DiCara. Headquartered in Chicago, CMX has grown to be a leader in supplying competitive group and meeting data to hotels across several markets. Tracking the meeting and catering activities of business...
