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
L’Envie D’Avoir Envie, or the Desire to Desire: The Johnny Syndrome
Georges Panayotis | December 13, 2017
By Georges Panayotis The heart has its reasons that reason cannot understand. In this era of customer experience, all that is authentic, all that is lived, it is interesting to draw a parallel between recent news and our hoteliers' activities. Two men who were part of our heritage and French and francophone culture left us one after the other. Each left a deep impression on the collective memory, but each in his own way. One was an accomplished intellectual, crowned and praised, who spoke with his spirit. He excelled in the handling of words, ideas and concepts. The second one spoke with his guts and heart. He lived strong moments o...
California Labor & Employment Law Update: Key Changes in 2017 and What’s Slated for 2018
Jim Butler | December 13, 2017
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com 12 December 2017 California has enacted a number of new regulations related to labor and employment that go into effect when 2018 begins. Hotels owners and developers with properties in California need to be aware of how these rules apply to their workforce so they can meet their legal obligations and remain in compliance with the law. A round-up of upcoming changes, written by the JMBM Labor & Employment group, is below. California Labor & Employment Law Update: Key Changes in 2017 and What's Slated For 2018 by The JMBM Labor &am...
Frontdesk Anywhere and Cendyn Announce Integration of Property Management and Guest Engagement Platforms
Frontdesk Anywhere | December 13, 2017
Collaboration provides hotels with integrated tools to enhance digital marketing results and seamlessly improve guest communications SAN FRANCISCO, December 13, 2017 – Frontdesk Anywhere (FDA), the award-winning, cloud-based hotel Property Management System (PMS) and Cendyn, a leader in the hotel Customer Relationship Management (CRM), sales and digital marketing fields, have announced a collaborative initiative that will provide FDA's hotel customers with a marketing automation and guest intelligence solution that seamlessly integrates property management and guest communications and feedback across the two platforms. With this c...
How A Single Hotel Technology Provides This Luxury Wine Country Resort With a “Window Into Every Spectrum of the Guest Experience”
ALICE | December 12, 2017
Renowned Wine Country getaway, Carneros Resort and Spa, has selected ALICE's concierge software, ALICE Concierge, and its guest text messaging technology, ALICE Guest, to improve front of house operations and elevate the guest experience. This implementation of ALICE leverages the company's integrations with both HotSOS and Springer Miller. 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. Carner...
BayStar Hotel Group Launches Multi-Million Dollar Renovation of The Embassy Suites Orlando – Downtown
BayStar Hotel Group | December 12, 2017
Orlando, Fla. (December 12, 2017) ― The Embassy Suites Orlando – Downtown has begun an extensive, $7 million-plus renovation. BayStar Hotel Group, which manages the hotel, is overseeing the transformation. "Every aspect of the hotel—the atrium, restaurant, bar, patios, pool and sundeck, fitness center, meeting rooms, and all 167 two-room suites and baths—will be completely redone," said General Manager Frank Fry, noting that the hotel's WiFi system just underwent an $85,000 upgrade to increase speed and bandwidth. The work will create an additional 2,500 square feet of meeting space, including two board rooms equippe...
Charlestowne Hotels Adds The Shire Hotel in Woodstock, Vermont to Its Management Portfolio
Charlestowne Hotels | December 12, 2017
WOODSTOCK, VT – December 12, 2017—Charlestowne Hotels, a full-service hospitality management company, proudly welcomes The Shire Hotel in Woodstock, Vermont as one of the newest additions to the company's expanding portfolio. The brand's second management property in Vermont and fourth in the Northeast, The Shire's addition further signifies Charlestowne Hotels' rapid portfolio growth of independent hotels and resorts, franchised properties and condo-hotels across the country. Built along the banks of the Ottauquechee River in 1963, The Shire is comprised of 43 guest rooms, most with beautiful panoramic river views, and tast...
HFTP and Forrester Group Administer Hospitality Survey to Shape the Industry’s Future
HFTP | December 12, 2017
Survey measures professional development, research and resources available to hospitality finance and technology professionals Focused on continually improving ways to communicate and engage with its members and stakeholders, international nonprofit Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) and Forrester Research have just released an extensive global research project that will provide guidance on the state of the industry; provide existing industry stakeholders with additional resources, and enrich the association's understanding of financial and technology trends that will shape the industry's future. HFTP...
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa Welcomes James Morin as New Executive Chef
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa | December 12, 2017
December 12, 2017 – Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa is pleased to introduce Chef James Morin as its new Executive Chef, overseeing and managing all aspects of the culinary experience enjoyed at the 500-room property. Morin replaces his colleague Chef Barrett, who recently departed Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa to take a position at Hyatt Regency Orlando. Morin has worked with Hyatt Corporation for more than 15 years, where he began his career at Hyatt Regency Calgary in Canada. His dedication, talent and enthusiasm contributed to his rapid advancement and afforded him the opportunity to work with several reno...
Palace Resorts Names Michelle Catin as Director of Marketing & Social Media
Palace Resorts | December 12, 2017
MIAMI, FLA. (December 12, 2017) – Palace Resorts - the company that sets the standard in five-star, all-inclusive resort accommodations is proud to announce the promotion of Michelle Catin to Director of Marketing & Social Media at Palace Resorts. In her new role, Michelle will be responsible for the implementation of marketing initiatives, social media strategies as well as the continuous development of content creation and implementation. Michelle has been with Palace Resorts for five years and has been managing e-commerce and social media initiatives. Prior to joining Palace Resorts, she worked at a public relations firm, o...
San Antonio Riverwalk Hotels Appoints Greg Blum Director of Sales & Marketing
San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter | December 12, 2017
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Dec. 12, 2017 -- The San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter and San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk hotels are pleased to announce the promotion of Greg Blum to the position of Director of Sales and Marketing. As Director, Greg's goals are to further the rich legacy of guest service that places these hotels at the forefront of San Antonio hospitality. Greg is a native of Chicago where he's worked in the hospitality industry in Sales, Operations and Revenue Management for 30 years. He started his career with Hilton Hotels and then joined Marriott International in 1998. Greg took over as new Director of Sales and Marketing at the...
Visit South Bend Mishawaka and Hunden Announce RFI Regarding a Proposed Tourism Generating Indoor Sports Facility
Hunden Strategic Partners | December 12, 2017
Visit South Bend Mishawaka (VSBM) is soliciting expressions of interest from organizations who may be interested in partnering on the Proposed 8-Court Sports and Recreation Facility in St. Joseph County, Indiana. The intent of the proposed facility is to generate sports tournament activity, as well as other related usage. Hunden Strategic Partners (HSP) is advising VSBM and co-managing the process with VSBM. Visit South Bend Mishawaka is interested in learning what experienced organizations can do/offer/provide related to the Proposed Sports and Recreation Facility in the following categories: Development/Funding/Ownership Management...
Yasmine Mills-Strachan Promoted to Director of Sales at Comfort Suites Paradise Island
Comfort Suites Paradise Island | December 12, 2017
PARADISE ISLAND, The Bahamas (December 12, 2017) - Comfort Suites Paradise Island has promoted Yasmine Mills-Strachan as its Director of Sales. Strachan's career in hospitality began in 2000 at SuperClubs Breezes Bahamas, where she mastered various responsibilities, ranging from retail, front office, sales and weddings. In 2012, she was recruited by the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort as a Catering and Convention Services Manager, where the native Bahamian said her passion for events and groups "blossomed". Strachan joined the Comfort Suites Paradise Island team in May 2014 as Sales Manager in the Sales and Marketing Departme...
Hyatt Regency Maui Appoints Klara Crocco as New Director of Marketing and Communications
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa | December 12, 2017
LAHAINA, Hawaii (December 12, 2017) – Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa announces the appointment of Klara Crocco as its new director of marketing and communications. Crocco brings robust experience in public relations and marketing following tenures in both the hospitality and consumer product industries. Prior to joining Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, Crocco most recently served as the complex director of public relations at The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas and The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas in Lahaina, Hawaii. "I'm thrilled to join the team at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa," says Klara Crocco, the resort's direc...
Matthias Dittmeier Named General Manager for Steigenberger Esplanade Jena and Steffen Krause Named General Manager for Maxx Hotel Jena
Deutsche Hospitality | December 12, 2017
Frankfurt am Main, 12 December 2017 - A change of leadership has taken place both at the Steigenberger Esplanade Jena and at the Maxx Hotel Jena. Matthias Dittmeier has been in post as General Manager of the former since 1 December whilst Steffen Krause is all set to assume charge at the latter with effect from the 18th of the month. Andreas Zeitler, who previously acted as General Manager for both hotels, will depart to enjoy a well-deserved retirement at the end of the year. Mr. Dittmeier has many years of experience in the hotel branch, and his new appointment at the Steigenberger Esplanade represents a return to a hotel where he wor...
Woodbine’s Tailwater Lodge Altmar in New York Joins Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Hilton | December 12, 2017
ALTMAR, N.Y. AND MCLEAN, Va. - Setting an elevated standard of hospitality for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers alike, Tapestry Collection by Hilton has added Tailwater Lodge Altmar to Hilton's newest collection brand, providing rustic charm and comfort to travelers visiting the quaint New York town. Tailwater Lodge Altmar joins Tapestry Collection by Hilton's growing portfolio of unique upscale hotels, offering guests an independent hotel stay experience supported by Hilton and its award-winning Hilton Honors program. "With its idyllic natural environment and inviting community, Tailwater Lodge reflects the independen...
Beekeeper Crisis Communications White Paper to Help Hotels with Non-Desk Workers Establish Best Practices and Foster Preparedness
Beekeeper | December 12, 2017
A mobile internal communications and operations tool for employees should be considered an essential step towards crisis management SAN FRANCISCO, CA DECEMBER 12, 2017 In an ongoing effort to balance hospitality and security, the hotel and lodging industry is uniquely vulnerable to crisis, and notoriously difficult to regulate. The Las Vegas shooting that occurred on October 1, 2017, is a particularly formidable example of how a lighthearted vacation can quickly turn into a nightmare. Recent hurricanes experienced in Houston, Florida, and Puerto Rico also had a major impact on the hospitality industry. The same goes for the earthquake ...
North America, Asia Pacific and EMEA Lead World Regions in Global Hotel Construction Pipeline
Lodging Econometrics | December 12, 2017
December 12, 2017 – PORTSMOUTH, NH – Lodging Econometrics (LE) recently released the Global Construction Pipeline Trend Report, which compiles the construction pipeline for every country and market in the world. Currently, the top world regions by project count are North America with 5,239 Projects/639,712 Rooms, Asia Pacific with 4,233 Projects/903,415 Rooms and EMEA with 2,100 Projects/395,506 Rooms. The top countries by project-count are the United States with 5,011 Projects/608,837 Rooms and China with 2,435 Projects/538,836 Rooms. The U.S. accounts for 40% of the projects in the Global Pipeline while China accounts for ...
Hospitality Financial Leadership – A White Paper on a 6-Month Client Workshop/Coaching Engagement – Part 1
David Lund | December 12, 2017
By David Lund The following is an overview of a six-month financial leadership project that I recently completed at a full-service hotel. The project consisted of six half-day hospitality financial leadership workshops delivered in-house and monthly 1-1 leadership coaching appointments with the 15 managers assigned to the program. Each month of the project we completed a group workshop and each manager had a coaching meeting with me. The project goal had five measurable elements. It was to get the managers and leaders of this hotel to complete their monthly departmental financial forecasts, track their results throughout the month, adju...
YOTEL Installs dormakaba Electronic Locks at Boston Hotel
dormakaba | December 12, 2017
YOTEL Trusts dormakaba to Make Hospitality Smart and Secure for Third Property MONTREAL, December 12, 2017 – dormakaba, one of the top three companies in the global market for access and security solutions, announced YOTEL Boston installed its BLE-ready Saflok Quantum® RFID electronic locks. YOTEL Boston is the third YOTEL property to trust dormakaba for guestroom locks. dormakaba manufactures the SaflokTM and Ilco™ electronic door locks and provides installation and service for its systems. The 326- cabin YOTEL Boston is situated in the heart of Seaport, Boston's Innovation District and within sight of Boston Harbor. Cl...
Aramark Completes Purchase of Avendra for $1,350 Million
Marriott | December 12, 2017
Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced that the owners of Avendra, LLC have completed the sale of Avendra to Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) for $1,350 million. After redemption of management participation rights, transaction costs, and repayment of Avendra's outstanding debt, Avendra's founding shareholders – Marriott, Hyatt, Accor, ClubCorp and IHG – received $1,201 million in cash proceeds from the transaction. Marriott received $659 million for its 55 percent interest in Avendra. In addition, in conjunction with the sale of Avendra, Marriott has entered into a 5-year procurement service agreement with Aramark on behal...
New Fairmont Austin High-Rise Hotel Will Manage 850 Employee Uniforms with the InvoTech Uniform System
InvoTech Systems, Inc. | December 11, 2017
InvoTech Uniform System to Establish Efficient Operations and Total Control with RFID Technology at the new Fairmont Austin LOS ANGELES, CA – December 12, 2017 -- InvoTech Systems Inc. announced the recent implementation of its Uniform System at the new Fairmont Austin Hotel opening in early 2018. 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 Fairmont Austin will manage the uniform inventory...
Prism Hotels & Resorts Opens Newly-Built 166-Room Tru by Hilton Las Vegas Airport
Tru by Hilton | December 11, 2017
LAS VEGAS and MCLEAN, Va. – Dec. 11, 2017 – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today celebrates the opening of Tru by Hilton Las Vegas Airport, marking a number of milestones for the brand including its eighth U.S. hotel, its largest location, and its westernmost property to-date. Managed by Dallas-based Prism Hotels & Resorts, Tru by Hilton Las Vegas Airport is located less than three miles from the Vegas Strip, offering access to some of the country's most exciting restaurants and tourist attractions. With more than 470 hotels in various stages of development, Tru by Hilton has achieved the fastest-growing pipeline in the history of t...
The Cove, Eleuthera Appoints Monica Coppetta as Resort Manager
The Cove, Eleuthera | December 11, 2017
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (December 11, 2017) – The Cove, Eleuthera is pleased to announce the appointment of Monica Coppetta as Resort Manager. In her new role, Monica will oversee the day-to-day operations of the intimate, 57-room resort. Monica brings an impressive 25 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry to The Cove, boasting an extensive background in hotel leadership and management. As Resort Manager, she will play a fundamental role in the resort's continued growth and success in the luxury market. Monica most recently served as Resort Manager at Columbia Beach Resort in Cyprus. In this role, she oversaw and coordi...
HVS Market Pulse: Lubbock, Texas
Hunter Dietz | December 11, 2017
By Hunter Dietz Lubbock (aka "Hub City"), Texas, connects business, educational, and healthcare enterprises spread across the region known as the South Plains. This region encompasses the largest contiguous cotton-growing operations in the U.S., and agriculture, manufacturing, and technology are pillars of the local and regional economies. Economic growth in Lubbock has boomed over the past several years, and through a varied cross-section of industries, the city's Downtown is poised for a major revitalization. Economic Growth Texas Tech Texas Tech University continues to be one of the most prominent economic drivers in Lubbock. The uni...
