Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino Partners With Travel Outlook to Elevate Guest Service Experience
Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center™ | October 2, 2024
Debunking Common Myths About AI: Why Human Hotel Staff Are Still Irreplaceable
John Smallwood, President of Travel Outlook | September 17, 2024
Operations
From Dreaming to Booking Part V: The Experiencing Phase How to Capitalize on the Experiencing Phase of the Travel Planning Journey
HEBS Digital | April 3, 2018
By Margaret Mastrogiacomo, VP Strategy This article is the final contribution in a five-part series that uncovers top strategies for reaching potential guests in meaningful moments throughout every stage of the travel planning journey to increase direct bookings. This article focuses on the fourth stage of travel planning: the experiencing phase. So, you've won the booking. What's next? Travelers are filled with anticipation and excitement for their upcoming trip, and now your hotel brand must deliver the best experience possible. While winning the booking may seem like the end of the customer journey, guiding the guest experience throu...
Midas Hospitality Creates New Sister Company
Midas Capital | April 2, 2018
Midas Hospitality, a premier hotel management group, recently created a sister company called Midas Capital. The company's new office, which is located at 63 Wall St. in New York, will be led by Director of Investments Josh Burrell. Director of Investments Eric Goettelmann will head the St. Louis office, which is located at 1804 Borman Circle in St. Louis and is the headquarters of Midas Hospitality. Midas Capital will offer investors a new fund vehicle in order to raise money for future hotel acquisitions and developments. Instead of investing in only one hotel, this new opportunity gives Midas investors greater diversification as the ...
American Hotel Income Properties Enters Agreement for Aimbridge Hospitality to Assume Hotel Management Responsibilities
American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP | April 2, 2018
VANCOUVER, April 2, 2018 - American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP ("AHIP") (TSX: HOT.UN, HOT.U and HOT.DB.U) is pleased to announce that Aimbridge Hospitality ("Aimbridge"), a leading U.S.-based hotel management company, has entered into a binding agreement with ONE Lodging Management ("ONE") to assume the hotel management responsibilities for all of AHIP's 115 hotels. Aimbridge's assumption of management responsibilities is expected to take place by the end of April 2018, and the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. There will be a transition period with ONE's leadership te...
NextGuest Technologies and HEBS Digital Names Peter Seidenberg as its Chief Executive Officer
NextGuest Technologies | April 2, 2018
NEW YORK, NY (April 2, 2018) –NextGuest Technologies ("NextGuest"), the parent company of HEBS Digital and Serenata CRM, today announces Peter Seidenberg as its Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. NextGuest Technologies, founded by entrepreneur Max Starkov is an award-winning digital technology and marketing firm. Seidenberg will be responsible for continuing to drive innovation, developing new product offerings, and improving operational practices. Seidenberg has been involved with HEBS Digital and the growth of its holding company NextGuest since 2015, when PPC Enterprises ("PPC") acquired a majority ownership stake ...
Strand Hospitality Services Assumes Management of Two Kinston, North Carolina Hotels
Strand Hospitality | March 30, 2018
(Kinston, N.C.) April 2, 2018 – Strand Hospitality Services, a leading provider of hospitality operations, consulting and advisory services, recently announced that it has assumed management of the Hampton Inn-Kinston located at 1382 US-258, Kinston, N.C. and the Holiday Inn Express-Kinston which is located at 1156 Hill Farm Road, Kinston, N.C. The Hampton Inn-Kinston is situated just one mile from downtown Kinston and right off Highway 70 Bypass and Highway 258 South making it the perfect location for both leisure and business travelers alike. The hotel boasts 122 spacious guest rooms and eight flexible meeting rooms. Other ameni...
NewcrestImage Opens Hyatt Place in Oklahoma City’s Historic Bricktown Neighborhood
NewcrestImage | March 29, 2018
NewcrestImage has expanded its portfolio to 28 owned and operated properties with the opening of a five-floor, 134-room Hyatt Place in the industrial-chic Bricktown historic district just east of Oklahoma City's downtown business center. "Together with our partners at Hyatt Hotels, we have created a hotel that combines uptown style with down-home comfort," according to Mehul Patel, Chairman and CEO of NewcrestImage. "It is a distinctive destination that respects the neighborhood's past as a warehouse district, while emphasizing the area's repurposed and revitalized modern spirit." The Hyatt Place features a "cozy contemporary" style in ...
Two Roads Hospitality Appoints Mitch Lazar as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships
Two Roads Hospitality | March 29, 2018
Denver, Co., March 29, 2018 – International lifestyle company Two Roads Hospitality has appointed Mitch Lazar as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. As part of the marketing team, Lazar will oversee business expansion through strategic alliances, sponsorships and brand partnerships to drive new customer acquisition while increasing guest engagement and retention. Most recently, Lazar was the Executive Vice President of Corporate Development at Craftsy, which Comcast NBC Universal acquired in May 2017. During his four-year tenure in this role, he built and managed over 100 partnerships with some of the world's leading brands,...
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, Names Rikki Boparai Vice President Operations
March 29, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, March 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Rikki Boparai vice president operations. Greg Champion, Benchmark's president and COO, made the announcement. "It is a real pleasure to congratulate Rikki on his newest promotion within our company," said Mr. Champion. "He has provided important leadership and operational acumen at properties coast to coast and has the unique ability to discover and help develop new hospitality talent for Benchmark in the future. Rikki is the personification of our company's Be The Difference service culture." Rikki Boparai's promotion builds on 1...
RLJ Lodging Trust Sells the Sheraton Philadelphia Society Hill for $95.5 Million or Approximately $262,000 Per Key
RLJ | March 28, 2018
BETHESDA, Md.--RLJ Lodging Trust (the "Company") (NYSE:RLJ) today announced that the Company has sold the 364-room Sheraton Philadelphia Society Hill ("Sheraton Philadelphia") in Philadelphia, PA for $95.5 million or approximately $262,000 per key. "The sale of another non-core asset at a highly accretive valuation highlights the meaningful progress we have achieved in realizing the embedded value from the FelCor merger," commented Ross H. Bierkan, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Not only is this disposition highly accretive on a valuation basis, but it is also accretive to our portfolio RevPAR and EBITDA margin. With this trans...
Sage Hospitality Appoints Pierre-Louis Giacotto as General Manager of The Blackstone
The Blackstone, Autograph Collection | March 28, 2018
(CHICAGO; March 28, 2018)—Sage Hospitality, one of the leading hotel management and investment companies in the country, today announces the appointment of Pierre-Louis Giacotto to general manager of The Blackstone. A true luxury hospitality professional, Giacotto brings over 30 years of experience to his position, including a 23-year tenure with the Sofitel Luxury Hotels where he worked in all aspects of hotel operations. "I've been lucky to call Chicago my home since I began my career in hotel operations, and The Blackstone is the epitome of everything I love about this city," says Giacotto. "I look forward to continuing The Bla...
Building Your F&B Reputation Through Events
Larry Mogelonsky | March 28, 2018
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Good food can help put heads in beds, but few hoteliers fully grasp how this symbiotic relationship works. For today's case, events that showcase on-property chefs are not on every manager's calendar, most likely because they typically deliver an expense line well above operating revenues. However, they provide significant value in several indirect ways. First, events like this allow a hotel to demonstrate unbridled culinary excellence. Next, they allow your chefs to demonstrate creativity. Thirdly, they afford your public relations team with great fodder for continued media interes...
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, Names Patrick Berwald Vice President of Food and Beverage
March 28, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, March 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Patrick Berwald vice president of food and beverage. Greg Champion, president and COO of Benchmark, made the announcement. "It is such a pleasure to welcome Patrick to our company," said Mr. Champion. "He brings immense culinary talents, superb food & beverage managerial skills, and stellar academic credentials to his new position with us. We look forward to his active contributions to and participation within our growing leadership team." Patrick Berwald comes to Benchmark with a distinguished two-decade career of food and be...
Navigating Hotel Industry Changes With a New Mobile PMS
March 28, 2018
By Jos Schaap CEO and Founder - StayNTouch The future is now, and the hospitality realm is rapidly changing as modern advancements are realized by savvy hoteliers at the forefront of industry-wide improvements. As guest expectations shift in a more mobile-focused, tech-forward direction, we're seeing countless hoteliers embracing the upgrade to a new, mobile PMS software. While the traditional, legacy PMS was confined to a dedicated desktop behind the front desk, mobile and cloud-based PMS frees that technology (and your staff) from those previous limitations. Right from a tablet device, staff can access guest info, manage rates and gro...
Owned by Starwood Capital Group and Managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Set to Open in Longmont, Colorado
Fairfield Inn & Suites | March 28, 2018
Longmont, CO – March 28, 2018 – The 95-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Longmont, Colorado is scheduled to open this Tuesday, April 3, 2018 with its smart, inventive public space and guest room design, and its bright and inviting décor. Located at 1089 South Hover Street, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Boulder Longmont will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Starwood Capital Group and managed by Aimbridge Hospitality of Plano, Texas. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Boulder Longmont offers guests convenient access to downtown Denver, the University of Colo...
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, Names Eric Gavin Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing
March 27, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, March 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has appointed Eric Gavin senior vice president sales & marketing. This marks a return to Benchmark for Mr. Gavin. Ted Davis, chief sales and marketing officer, made the announcement on behalf of the company. "I am very pleased to welcome Eric back to Benchmark," said Mr. Davis. "He returns to us at a time when we are growing rapidly and ramping up our sales and marketing talent. Eric brings exceptional leadership experience and previous success in sales operations at the regional and national level. We are glad to have him back with us ...
StayNTouch Brings PMS Mobility to Innovative New Brand, Origin Hotel
StayNTouch Inc. | March 27, 2018
Bethesda, MD – MARCH, 27th 2018 – StayNTouch, an innovator in mobile technology and Property Management Systems (PMS) for hotels, is pleased to announce it has partnered with the Origin Hotel, a new hotel brand focused on local experiences. StayNTouch has deployed its Rover PMS™ and Zest™ products at the first Origin Hotel in Red Rocks, Colorado with plans for deployment at upcoming hotels in Lexington, Kentucky, Raleigh, North Carolina and Westminster, Colorado. "Our focus is on expanding the hotel guest experience by sharing the best places to eat, drink and things to do in our communities" said Martin Hanson o...
SHR VP of Product to Lead Interactive Session at AAHOACON ‘18
SHR | March 26, 2018
HOUSTON, TX, March 26, 2018—Estella Hale, Vice President of Product for SHR, Sceptre Hospitality Resources, a pioneer in advanced hotel distribution technologies, will be co-hosting a special break-out session at the annual convention and trade show put on by AAHOA. This year's event will be held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, and will take place March 27-30. Capping off Thursday's activities, the special interactive session, entitled "Who Wants to Be (and Stay) a Millionaire?" will run from 5-6p.m. on Thursday, and will follow a creative game show format specifically geared towa...
Dave Johnson Named Chairman & CEO of Aimbridge Hospitality; Robert Burg Promoted to President & COO
Aimbridge Hospitality | March 22, 2018
DALLAS, Texas (March 2018) – Dave Johnson has taken on the additional title of chairman of Aimbridge Hospitality in addition to his current position of chief executive officer while Robert Burg has taken on the additional role of president in addition to his current position of chief operating officer. Aimbridge's board of directors asked Johnson, Aimbridge's current chief executive officer and co-founder, to step into the role of chairman in relation to former co-founder, Les Bentley's retirement. "I am honored that the board asked me to step into this additional role," said Dave Johnson. "It has been my pleasure to serve Aimbrid...
BENCHMARK® Appoints Sean Ruddy Executive Chef for High Hampton Resort in Cashiers, NC
High Hampton Resort | March 22, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, March 2018… BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Sean Ruddy executive chef for High Hampton Resort, located in Cashiers, North Carolina. The resort is a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels® property. Tom Garcia, Benchmark's vice president and general manager, made the announcement. "I am so pleased to welcome Sean to High Hampton Resort" said Mr. Garcia. "He blends his love for cooking and his profound appreciation of the importance cuisine plays in our guests' lives with his tremendous love for the south and the region's unique flavors." Chef Sean Ruddy was previously the executi...
Two Roads Hospitality Assumes Management of The Landing Lake Tahoe Resort & Spa
Destination Hotels | March 22, 2018
DENVER, CO. – March 22, 2018 - Two Roads Hospitality, the international lifestyle company featuring an unrivaled collection of truly individual hotels, resorts and vacation residences, has assumed management of The Landing Lake Tahoe Resort & Spa, the region's boutique lakeside resort, as part of its Destination Hotels collection. Situated on the lake's pristine southern shores located just blocks away from downtown South Lake Tahoe, the property originally debuted in 2013 and features 77 luxury guest rooms and suites and a full-service spa. Perched adjacent to the majestic Sierra Mountains, The Landing Lake Tahoe is also minu...
From Dreaming to Booking Part IV: The Booking Phase – How to Capitalize on the Booking Phase of the Travel Planning Journey
HEBS Digital | March 22, 2018
By Margaret Mastrogiacomo, VP Strategy This article is part four in a five-part series that uncovers top strategies for reaching potential guests in meaningful moments throughout every stage of the travel planning journey to increase direct bookings. This article focuses on the fourth stage of travel planning: the booking phase. Finally, after the daydreaming, advice-seeking, and travel planning comes to an end, the long-awaited moment arrives where travelers are ready to book. This is the moment of truth where your hotel brand must not only be present, but compelling enough to win the direct booking. Below we explore the booking phase ...
Newly Constructed Hilton Des Moines Downtown Opens for Business at the Iowa Events Center
DMCC | March 21, 2018
DES MOINES, Iowa - Today, the newly constructed Hilton Des Moines Downtown opens its doors as the only hotel directly connected to the Iowa Events Center, which comprises a world-class convention center and the Wells Fargo arena. The opening of this landmark hotel will further attract large-scale meetings and events to Des Moines and in turn, increase economic activity throughout the community. "As the first Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in the city, we look forward to introducing the brand's world-renowned hospitality to Des Moines and fully integrating into the fabric of the community," said Dave Marr, senior vice...
Ten Steps to Revitalizing Your Coffee Experience
Larry Mogelonsky | March 21, 2018
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) We all love caffeine and coffee happens to be among the most components in your F&B arsenal. Let's start by recapping what should you already know or have gone through with your team prior to starting to think about this ten-step process. Firstly, you've reviewed your brew and you're convinced it is a contender to of note to guests as well as locals. Next, you've done your best to include a great decaf companion. And lastly, you're offering, at a minimum, espresso, cappuccino and lattes to flesh out your menu beyond mere percolated beans. Now, how do you lever this into creating...
In Europe, We Made A “Bang” but It Wasn’t “Big”
Georges Panayotis | March 20, 2018
By Georges Panayotis The sharing economy is a generous concept, but it is one with which Latin societies are not very familiar. Latin populations are rather attached to their properties, and have a difficult time sharing them with others. The company Gobee Bike which drew from the French market in a blatant illustration of the lack of respect in France (where the population is more accustomed to associative operations) for things that do not belong to them. Uber entered full throttle, suffered violent setbacks from the taxi corporation in France, and is suffering in Greece. The outcry is also heard from its drivers. Meanwhile, the compa...
