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
Tru by Hilton Expands to Canada with Signing of Three Properties
Hilton | October 31, 2017
MCLEAN, Va. – October 31, 2017 – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced deals for three Tru by Hilton properties in Canada, which marks the development of the brand's first non-U.S. locations. Located in Alberta, Tru by Hilton Edmonton-Windermere is the first of these properties expected to open in 2018. It will be followed by two additional Tru by Hilton properties in Ontario in 2019. These hotels are part of Tru by Hilton's robust pipeline of 420 hotels in various stages of development – the fastest-growing pipeline in the history of the hospitality industry. "Tru by Hilton is an innovator and industry-leader in the mids...
LondonHouse Chicago Appoints Don Barnett as New Director of Sales and Marketing
LondonHouse Chicago | October 31, 2017
(CHICAGO, IL; October 31, 2017)—LondonHouse Chicago, the luxury lifestyle property on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, welcomes Don Barnett as the hotel's new Director of Sales and Marketing. In this role, Barnett guides the strategic development of the hotel's marketing and sales teams and ensures that guests have an exceptional and one-of-a-kind experience while staying at LondonHouse Chicago. "Don is fiercely client-driven and has a talent for building mutually beneficial relationships with partners," says LondonHouse Chicago Hotel Manager Juan Leyva. "We look forward to the hotel's continued success in sales and...
Lindsay Cagley Appointed General Manager of the New Limelight Hotel Snowmass Opening November 2018
the New Limelight Hotel Snowmass | October 31, 2017
ASPEN SNOWMASS, Colo.—Oct. 31, 2017—The Limelight Hotels is pleased to announce the appointment of Lindsay Cagley as the general manager of the new Limelight Hotel Snowmass currently under construction with a target completion date of November 2018. The new property will include 99 hotel rooms and 11 for-sale condominiums. The role will provide leadership and management of all hotel employees as well as oversee all strategies and operations for successfully directing and managing the new property. Cagley brings a wealth of experience to the role as she not only worked for the brand for the past six years, but she most recent...
Karl Bieberach-Dielman Will Join Rosewood Hotel Group as Chief Development Officer
Rosewood Hotel Group | October 31, 2017
International hotel management company Rosewood Hotel Group strengthens its development division with the appointment of Karl Bieberach-Dielman as chief development officer. Joining later this year, Mr. Bieberach-Dielman will lead the global development and feasibility team to strategically expand the footprint for the group's three distinct brands including ultra-luxury Rosewood Hotels & Resorts®, deluxe New World Hotels & Resorts and neighbourhood lifestyle pentahotels. "With Karl's proven track record of successful transactions to develop business across continents, we are confident he will significantly enhance our group...
Hotel Equities Expands Executive Team with Four Key Appointments
otel Equities | October 31, 2017
ATLANTA, GA (October 31, 2017) – Recognizing a critical time of opportunity, Atlanta-based Hotel Equities (HE) named four hospitality industry veterans to expand its executive team and implement the firm's strategic growth. Hotel Equities named Bryan DeCort as Senior Vice President of Operations, Greg Presley as Vice President of Business Development, Patrick Trainor as Vice President of Projects and Facilities and Thomas Harrison as Regional Director of Sales. "Expansion of our executive leadership team is mission critical. We continue to invest in talent and infrastructure improvements throughout our disciplines," said Brad Rahi...
Wyndham Hotel Group Raises Trademark Hotel Collection Flag at Six Independent Hotels in the U.S.
Wyndham Hotel Group | October 31, 2017
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Oct. 31, 2017 -- Bolstering its portfolio of distinctive destinations across the U.S., hospitality powerhouse Wyndham Hotel Group is raising its Trademark Hotel Collection flag at six independent hotels in the U.S., introducing the soft brand to travelers in Southern California, upstate New York, Florida and North Dakota. With these newest additions, Trademark's global footprint expands to nearly 60 locations across four countries. Launched earlier this year, Trademark is a collection of upper-midscale-and-above hotels with fiercely independent spirit and individuality. It's the first soft brand geared to indep...
Chesapeake Hospitality Adds Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Airport Hotel to Portfolio of Managed Properties
Chesapeake Hospitality | October 31, 2017
GREENBELT, Md., Oct. 31, 2017 – Chesapeake Hospitality, a dynamic third-party hotel management company, announced today it has added the Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Airport Hotel, located at 14670 Duval Road in Jacksonville, Florida to its growing portfolio. Kim Sims, president of Chesapeake Hospitality, made the announcement. The Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Airport Hotel, located 2 miles from the Jacksonville International Airport, elevates the already robust portfolio of more than 30 properties managed by Chesapeake, bringing its number of managed hotels in Florida to six. The hotel is owned by Gregory Morris, principal of Eagle Lan...
Completion of the Sale by HLGE’s Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Its 60% Equity Interest in Copthorne Hotel Qingdao Co., Ltd.
China Yuchai International | October 31, 2017
SINGAPORE, Oct. 31, 2017 -- Further to its announcement dated August 29, 2017, China Yuchai International Limited (NYSE: CYD) ("China Yuchai" or the "Company") announced today that LKN Investment International Pte. Ltd. ("LKNII"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of HL Global Enterprises Limited ("HLGE") (a company in which China Yuchai has a 48.9% equity interest), has completed the sale of its 60% equity interest in Copthorne Hotel Qingdao Co., Ltd. ("CHQ") to Qingdao Haiyi Jun Zhuo Culture Travel Property Investment Co Ltd ("Haiyi") ("Sale"). The new business licence from...
ISHC to Honor Wing T. Chao With the Pioneer Award at ALIS
ISHC | October 31, 2017
Los Angeles (31 October 2017): The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC), in partnership with the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), is proud to present Wing T. Chao with the 2018 Pioneer Award, an award established in 1996 to recognize individuals who have made an outstanding contribution, achievement and or improvement in the hospitality industry. Chao is an internationally renowned master planner, architect and developer. He is currently working on numerous multi-billion dollar integrated resorts, theme parks, hotels, retail, entertainment, commercial, convention and exhibition projects. Chao began his caree...
Carlson Rezidor Signs with GHV Hospitality India to Develop Radisson Mumbai Andheri MIDC in Maharashtra
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | October 31, 2017
NEW DELHI, INDIA (October 31, 2017) – Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, today announced the entry of its upscale hotel brand Radisson in Mumbai, Maharashtra with the signing of a 112-key hotel located in the Andheri suburb of the city. The signing of Radisson Mumbai Andheri MIDC, in the key, strategic city of Mumbai is set to accelerate Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group's overall growth and expansion plans in the country. The hotel is being developed in partnership with GHV Hospitality India Private Limited, and will be managed by Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. "We are delighted to sign...
LUX* Resorts & Hotels Books In For Growth With Infor
Infor | October 31, 2017
Infor EzRMS Rolled Out As Part of Strategy to Optimize Performance NEW YORK – Oct. 31, 2017 – Infor, a leading provider of beautiful business applications specialized by industry and built for the cloud, today announced that LUX* Resorts & Hotels has gone live on Infor EzRMS revenue management software, across eight properties. The application is set to help support more than 1,400 rooms as part of an ambitious strategy to drive growth and maximize revenue at the luxury resort operator. Infor EzRMS will provide revenue strategy recommendations per room category and channel that are intended to optimize yield throughout t...
Hilton New Orleans Riverside Welcomes Mark Quitney as New Executive Chef
Hilton Hotels & Resorts | October 31, 2017
NEW ORLEANS – October 31, 2017 – Hilton New Orleans Riverside announced today the appointment of Mark Quitney as the new executive chef. With more than two decades of hospitality experience, Mark will be responsible for overseeing all food and beverage outlets as well as banquet and catering for more than 130,000 square feet of meetings and event space. "Quitney's passion, eclectic skillset and proven track record of success make him an imperative addition to the Hilton family," said Paul Scott, general manager at Hilton New Orleans Riverside. "His extensive leadership experience will elevate our culinary team and continue t...
ADB Cites Three Features of In-Room Entertainment Every Hotel Should Budget for in 2018
ADB Business TV | October 31, 2017
Enable guests to use their smartphones, tablets, laptops and other portable devices to project their OTT (over the top) content to the in-room TV Broadcast emergency alert messaging on room TVs to inform guests and staff of safety procedures in case of fire, natural disasters or criminal threats Turn static display TV monitors into a digital content campaign manager to support property wide Digital Signage October 31, 2017 – Geneva, Switzerland. – Today's in-room entertainment technologies have evolved beyond providing pay-per-view movies in guestrooms. It now encompasses everything from live TV, video on demand, pay pe...
Beekeeper Establishes Hospitality Division; Andrada Paraschiv Named ‘Head of Hospitality’
Beekeeper | October 31, 2017
Former AccorHotels and FRHI executive will ensure that the Beekeeper workforce communication platform is customized and optimized for hotels with non-desk workers SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 31, 2017 - To meet the increasing demand for connecting non-desk hotel employees with corporate offices and each other, Beekeeper has established a Hospitality Division. Andrada Paraschiv has been selected to lead the group as Head of Hospitality. The former AccorHotels and FRHI Hotels & Resorts executive will use her internal communications expertise to ensure that the Beekeeper platform has the optimal feature set to serve and benefit th...
MyCheck Teams with Lokion to Bring ‘Pick Your Room’ and ‘Find My Way’ Mapping Functionality to Hotels and Guests
MyCheck | October 31, 2017
Study shows 61% of guests want to select their room from a property map, but only 6% of hotels offer it; Integration partners MyCheck and Lokion plan to change that immediately [New York – October 31, 2017] —MyCheck, a leading provider of mobile payment platform solutions for hotels, announces that it has partnered with digital mapping and customer-engagement strategy specialist Lokion to enable travelers to select the hotel rooms they prefer during the online or mobile booking process. Properties equipped with MyHotel from MyCheck can now add Aegir Maps from Lokion to enable pick-your-own-room functionality, as well as wayf...
IBC Hospitality Technologies Unveils RES360 for Medium and Large Management Companies and Ownership Groups
IBC Hospitality | October 31, 2017
The Complete Hospitality Management System features a customizable dashboard connecting all information critical to making business decisions Phoenix (October 31, 2017) – IBC Hospitality Technologies is unveiling a Complete Hospitality System in an effort to help struggling independent hotel owners, multi-property owners, management companies, operations and hospitality sales teams pull important information into one simple-to-read dashboard. Called RES360, the solution features a customizable dashboard connecting all information critical to making smart business decisions. Included in the RES360 Complete Hospitality System is a h...
GuestTek Integrates Samsung’s Tizen Powered Hospitality Televisions Including MyMedia Chromecast-Based Solution
October 31, 2017
Calgary, Alberta – October 31, 2017 – GuestTek Interactive Entertainment Ltd. and their strategic partner, Samsung Electronics America, Inc., are pleased to announce GuestTek's investment in Samsung's new Tizen platform. The companies have been partners for years, and they continue to provide hotels ever evolving state-of-the-art in-room entertainment solutions. The leader of GuestTek's Tizen integration team, Michael McCarthy, Global Director of Media and Mobile, is pleased with Samsung's commitment to the hospitality industry. "The integration project is running well and I look forward to proceeding with our first trial si...
Interview: StayNTouch CEO on How Our Digital Life Has Profoundly Impacted Our Expectations of Everything
October 31, 2017
Jos Schaap shares his insights about what today's tech-savvy guests want and the importance of innovation in hotel technology With over two decades of success as a hotel software executive, visionary, and entrepreneur, Jos Schaap brings a unique perspective on how hotels can evolve to meet the emerging needs of guests and succeed in today's competitive environment. In an interview, Jos explains how technology has changed almost every aspect of our lives, and, as a result, it has transformed what guests expect from hotels. What was the impetus for starting StayNTouch? JS: I was on a bike ride with my dad (who went cross country), and we...
Tambourine Shares: What’s Scaring Hotel Marketers this Halloween?
Tambourine | October 31, 2017
Back by popular demand….for Halloween, we once again asked hotel marketers from coast to coast, representing properties of all sizes, what they're most spooked about right now. Here is what they said: 1. Unrealistic Goals on Tight Budgets (This one tops the list two years in a row!) Hotel marketers' plates aren't just full – they're stacked sky-high with multiple marketing priorities to oversee, manage and implement. This upcoming year, the number of channels, campaigns, audiences, assets and tools will only get bigger and wider. This obviously calls for more marketing dollars, more staff and more assistance, right? Not exa...
Hilton Waikiki Beach on Kuhio Announces Henry Perez as General Manager
Hilton Waikiki Beach | October 30, 2017
Waikiki, Hawaii (November, 2017) – Henry Perez is the new general manager of Hilton Waikiki Beach on Kuhio. He leads a team of more than 300 in continuing the hotel's reputation for outstanding guest service and value. In 2016, Hilton Waikiki Beach on Kuhio ranked number one in highest satisfaction and loyalty tracking scores within Hilton Worldwide Americas for hotels with more than 500 rooms. "I'm privileged to be joining a team that embraces and practices the Aloha spirit," says Perez. "Our motto is, 'we will make it right,' and we always do. My primary job is to take care of our team, they are our biggest asset. I will make su...
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Set to Open in Coralville, Iowa Led by General Manager Terri Alter
SpringHill Suites by Marriott | October 30, 2017
Coralville, IA – October 30, 2017 – Marriott International announced today that the SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Coralville, Iowa is scheduled to open this Tuesday, October 31, 2017. The 102-suite hotel, located at 1001 25th Avenue, will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Hotel 1001 Operations, Inc. and managed by Asset Management Services, Inc. The SpringHill Suites Coralville is located just 15 miles from The Eastern Iowa Airport – Cedar Rapids, and steps away from the Coral Ridge Mall. The hotel offers guests convenient access to the University of Iowa, Iowa Children's Museum and the Hawkeye Express Train...
Owned by Jamsan Hotel Management, Best Western Plus North Shore Hotel Opens in Danvers, Massachusetts
October 30, 2017
DANVERS, Mass., October 30, 2017 Best Western® Hotels & Resorts announces the opening of the Best Western Plus North Shore Hotel, located at 50 Dayton St. Owned by Jamsan Hotel Management, the 100% smoke-free hotel features 134 guest rooms. Hotel amenities at this beautiful facility include a full hot complimentary breakfast, fitness center and a seasonal outdoor patio with a fire pit. Each room is equipped with a 43" flat screen HD television, refrigerator, microwave and free wireless Internet access. For business travelers, the hotel offers a 24-hour business center with complimentary printing, copy and faxing services. Free w...
Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel, BW Premier Collection Opens in Natchez, Mississippi Following Renovation
October 30, 2017
PHOENIX (October 30, 2017) - Best Western Hotels & Resorts announced today the arrival of its soft brand, BW Premier Collection, to Mississippi with the opening of the fully renovated Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel, BW Premier Collection in Natchez. "The Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel is an exceptional destination hotel, and having been fully renovated, the hotel now offers a more superior guest experience than ever before," said Ron Pohl, Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Best Western Hotels & Resorts. "Its modern amenities and Southern-inspired design, combined with its convenient access to the number one casin...
Best Management Practices for Less Experienced or “Mom and Pop” Owners
Robert A. Rauch | October 30, 2017
By Robert A. Rauch If you are considering a management company because you feel you are not keeping up with the nuances of distribution channel management, human resource management, digital marketing, accounting and the changes in the industry that have driven us from art to science like revenue management, you are not alone. There are best practices for every facet of the hotel industry and there are many ways to approach improvement of your hotel management short of hiring a company to manage your hotel. If you have decided that you need a management company due to inexperience or desire to retire or semi-retire, there are three thin...
