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
Hilton Appoints Craig Dezern as New Vice President of Brand Communications
Hilton | September 12, 2017
MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton (NYSE:HLT) today announced Craig Dezern has joined the company as Vice President of a newly created team, Brand Communications. In his role, Dezern will lead global communications across Hilton's 14 industry-leading brands as well as for the award-winning Hilton Honors loyalty program. The experienced team Dezern will oversee focuses primarily on reaching consumer audiences around the world through brand storytelling and marketing communications, including the more than 160 million guests Hilton welcomes every year. Dezern will report directly to Katie Beirne Fallon, Hilton's Executive Vice President of Corp...
A New Look for a Historic Chicago Hotel’s Website
HEBS Digital | September 12, 2017
The Blackstone, a historic Chicago property, was looking to revive their online presence and communicate a luxurious experience through a new website. As a new addition to the Autograph Collection, they were in need of an online identity as unique and stunning as their hotel. The Blackstone teamed up with HEBS Digital to create a superior, revenue-driving website that showcases all of the exceptional features of this breathtaking property. The new responsive website includes: Rooms Showcase Module to show off the lavish guest rooms and iconic suites with mesmerizing views of Lake Michigan and Grant Park. Press Room Module for website...
Sofitel Singapore City Centre Opens as AccorHotels’ 800th Hotel in Asia Pacific
Sofitel Hotels & Resorts | September 11, 2017
SINGAPORE - September 11, 2017 - AccorHotels has announced that the highly anticipated Sofitel Singapore City Centre will open its doors in October and will be the group's landmark 800th hotel in Asia Pacific. Nestled amidst historic shop houses and towering skyscrapers, the 223-room luxury hotel is elegantly designed, reflecting Singapore's rich cultural heritage with undeniable French flair. "The unveiling of Sofitel Singapore City Centre marks an important milestone for AccorHotels as we continue to strengthen our presence in the region," says Michael Issenberg, Chairman & CEO of AccorHotels Asia Pacific. "...
Hotel Equities Names Greenberg Regional Director of Sales in Texas
Hotel Equities | September 8, 2017
ATLANTA, GA (September 8, 2017) – Atlanta-based Hotel Equities (HE) recently named Susan Greenberg as the Regional Director of Sales for a portfolio of the firm's hotels in Texas. She reports to Drew Salapka, Vice President of Sales & Revenue Generation. Responsible for all sales, marketing, public relations and market share growth for the firm's growing Texas portfolio, Ms. Greenberg directs the firm's sales teams to peak performance. "Susan is an award-winning professional who brings a wealth of experience and impeccable credentials in hotel sales and marketing to her new post," said Mr. Salapka. "She knows the Texas market ...
Midas Hospitality Appoints Jim Cavallo and Michael Heater as Regional Operations Leaders
Midas Hospitality | September 8, 2017
St. Louis, MO, September 08, 2017 -- Midas Hospitality, a premier hotel management group, recently hired Jim Cavallo and promoted Michael Heater as Regional Operations Leaders. In this position, both Cavallo and Heater will oversee approximately 12 to 15 hotels, creating and cultivating an environment that complements Midas Hospitality's vision. This includes a hands-on leadership approach with respect to top-line revenue, guest service, profitability, and associate satisfaction. They will guide each hotel's general manager in all aspects of hotel operations, as well as support their training and growth in order to achieve success. Cava...
UniFocus LMS Introduces Mobile 2.0 for Faster, More Flexible Scheduling On-the-Go
UniFocus | September 8, 2017
DALLAS – Sept. 8, 2017 – UniFocus, the Dallas-based provider of the service industry's most comprehensive workforce management systems and tools, has introduced the next generation of its mobile app. Mobile 2.0 amplifies the benefits of the original mobile version: It streamlines employee-manager communications, empowers employees to manage their schedules from anywhere at any time, enables managers to stay on the floor and focused on customers with real-time alerts, and simplifies approval processes. This new version harnesses the industry-leading functionality of UniFocus LMS and Time & Attendance for managers and empl...
Hilton Hartford Hotel Appoints Shane Arnold as New Executive Chef
the Hilton Hartford | September 7, 2017
HARTFORD, CT (September 7, 2017) – Shane Arnold has been appointed as the Executive Chef for the 393-room Hilton Hartford. As Executive Chef, Arnold's responsibilities include menu creation and management of all food departments throughout the Hilton including the hotel's restaurant, m&m Bistro. Waterford Hotel Group, Inc. professionally manages the Hilton Hartford. Chef Arnold joins the Hilton team from his most recent position as Executive Chef at the Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks, CT. Prior to the Sheraton, Chef Arnold was the Executive Sous Chef and Assistant Restaurant Manager for the 409-roo...
Waterford Hotel Group Appoints Jaime O’Connor New Director of Sales at Sheraton Bradley Hotel
the Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport | September 7, 2017
WINDSOR LOCKS, CT (September 7, 2017) - Waterford Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Jaime O'Connor as Director of Sales of the Sheraton Hartford Hotel located inside Bradley International Airport. The Sheraton Bradley is professionally managed by Waterford Hotel Group, a national hotel and convention center management firm. As Director of Sales, O'Connor is responsible for the total sales efforts for the hotel, as well as supervising sales related personnel, and implementing sales and marketing strategies to maximize profits while also maintaining guest satisfaction. O'Connor started her career in hospitality at the Sheraton ...
Waterford Hotel Group Promotes Jhenny Pierre to General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Warwick
Courtyard by Marriott Warwick | September 7, 2017
WATERFORD, CT (September 7, 2017) - Waterford Hotel Group has promoted Jhenny Pierre to be General Manager for the 92-room Courtyard by Marriott in Warwick, RI. As General Manager, Pierre will be responsible for all of the hotel's operations, sales, and administration, as well as the associates employed at the property. Courtyard Warwick is professionally managed by Waterford Hotel Group, a national hotel and convention center management firm. Jhenny joined the Waterford Hotel Group team as a Guest Service Agent at the Residence Inn in Danbury in the spring of 2008. Jhenny's passion for hospitality and dedication to her team were quickl...
Hotelier’s Action Plan to Maximize Revenues from the Google Ecosystem
the Authors and HEBS Digital | September 7, 2017
By Max Starkov and Carmine Fischetti Background: Over the past several years, hotel advertising on Google has become increasingly complex, due to changes instituted by Google itself, changes in travel consumer planning behavior, and advancements in technology. Here are just a few of these developments: Desktop: By removing the right rail on desktop searches, Google decreased advertising "real estate" by 67%. This change has resulted in increased competition (i.e., there are four ad spots now, whereas before there were 11) and higher CPCs, which means that the same budget yields less clicks at a higher cost per click. Fewer clicks mean...
NewcrestImage Names Management Team for Soon to Open Dual-branded AC Hotel and Residence Inn in Dallas
NewcrestImage | September 6, 2017
Dallas-based NewcrestImage is one step closer to opening the dual-branded AC Hotels by Marriott® and Residence Inn this October with the appointments of Kellie Adams as General Manager and Monica Weagel as Director of Sales. The dual-branded tower will revitalize the 21-story Mercantile Commerce Building which has remained vacant for over 25 years in downtown Dallas. Ms. Adams, with over 20 years of hospitality experience, was most recently General Manager at the Homewood Suites Dallas Downtown and has been recognized with numerous industry awards for outstanding performance in operations, sales, and customer service. With more than...
Maestro PMS Integrates with Listrak Digital Marketing to Increase Bookings, Guest Loyalty
Maestro PMS | September 6, 2017
Maestro PMS - Listrak Interface Delivers Personalized Preference-Based Messaging Markham, Ontario – September 6, 2017 – Maestro PMS announced it completed integration with the Listrak hospitality data platform. The Listrak interface enables Maestro property software users to leverage a wide variety of guest data for greater marketing effectiveness. Maestro PMS is the preferred cloud and on-premise property management solution for independent hotels, resorts, conference centers, and multi-property groups. Listrak is a digital marketing automation platform that empowers hospitality marketers to generate revenue and build br...
Waterford Hotel Group Appoints Dave Mattesen General Manager and Candy Iannucci-Guay Director of Sales of Hyatt House Windsor
Hyatt House Windsor | September 6, 2017
WINDSOR, CT (September 6, 2017) - Waterford Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Dave Mattesen as General Manager and Candy Iannucci-Guay as Director of Sales of Hyatt House Windsor. Hyatt House Windsor is managed by Waterford Hotel Group, a national hotel and convention center management firm. As General Manager, Dave is responsible for all of the hotel's operations, sales and administration, as well as the associates employed at the property. Since 2005, Dave has held several positions at the Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley International Airport, a Waterford-managed property. These include Banquet Supervisor, Assistant Outl...
Hotel Equities to Manage New Residence Inn Atlanta Perimeter Center Dunwoody, Developed by Hotel Development Partners
Hotel Equities | September 6, 2017
ATLANTA-September 6, 2017– Atlanta-based Hotel Equities was named to manage the 127-suite Residence Inn by Marriott Atlanta Perimeter Center Dunwoody, developed and owned by Hotel Development Partners (HDP). The hotel marks the third property owned by HDP and managed by Hotel Equities in the vibrant, upscale Atlanta Perimeter Center market. Joe Fallis serves as the General Manager and Susan Zuppardo is the Director of Sales. Hotel Development Partners also owns the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Dunwoody and the Fairfield Inn & Suites Perimeter Center. Both are also managed by Hotel Equities. "We are prou...
Don’t Fear The Word Sorry
Larry Mogelonsky | September 6, 2017
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) This is a word you should never have to say, and yet it is one that can have a very powerful effect when used correctly. For most well-run properties, mistakes are a rarity. While this doesn't preclude them from happening entirely (we are human after all and errors are bound to crop up during transition periods or staff turnover), apologizing is not something we do only when we are at fault. This comes down to a debate between logic and emotions. When a guest comes to you with a grievance or compliant, they are probably not in a purely rational state of mind. Regardless of whether i...
Mediocre Managers Are All Over in Hospitality
Arturo Cuenllas | September 6, 2017
By Arturo Cuenllas Mediocre bosses are in all of the industries, not only in hospitality. It's what the majority of research on leadership conclude. When underlings have the opportunity to evaluate their managers, just a small percentage of them are ranked as excellent bosses. This percentage increases a bit more for those managers graded as good. But a great majority of managers are usually evaluated as mediocre or bad from employees. For example, studies as those of the professor of leadership of Harvard Business School, Linda A. Hill explain: "Based on what we have seen, most organizations have few great managers, some good ...
Carlson Rezidor Signs Management Contract with Phu Quoc Tourist Investment & Development JS Company for Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | September 5, 2017
SINGAPORE (September 5, 2017) - Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, announced today the signing of a management contract with Phu Quoc Tourist Investment & Development JS Company to develop Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc. Scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2017, the new build hotel, with 522 rooms and suites, is set to be a focal point of Phu Quoc. The signing marks the second resort in Vietnam for the Group, following Radisson Blu Resort Cam Ranh Bay, slated to open in 2018. Situated in Southern Vietnam, Phu Quoc is also known as Pearl Island, a stunning tourist destination fam...
Proven Ways to Guarantee Your Hotel Tech Supplier Has Your Back
September 5, 2017
By Jos Schaap, CEO and Founder of StayNTouch The purchase of a hotel system is only the beginning of the journey. More planning is needed to use the software to its full potential. In today's hectic hotel operational environment, the one thing you don't want to worry about is the support of your technology platforms. If you need something fixed, tweaked or replaced, you want to feel secure that your technology supplier has your back. Here are a few ideas to help hoteliers maximize value from their technology investment: Dedicated Champion On-Property: Make sure that you have a dedicated individual who acts as your technology champion ...
RLJ Lodging Trust Completes Merger with FelCor Lodging Trust
RLJ Lodging Trust | September 1, 2017
BETHESDA, Md.--RLJ Lodging Trust ("RLJ") (NYSE:RLJ) today announced that it has completed its merger with FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated ("FelCor"). This transaction was previously approved by RLJ's shareholders and FelCor's stockholders at their respective special meetings held on August 15, 2017. The combined company, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, will retain the RLJ name and will trade under the existing ticker "RLJ" on the New York Stock Exchange. "We are pleased to complete this transformative merger that creates the preeminent lodging REIT in the upscale focused-service and compact full-service space," commented Ross H. ...
Atlantica Hotels International in Partnership with Carlson Rezidor, Open First Radisson RED in Latin America
Radisson RED | September 1, 2017
MINNEAPOLIS (September 1, 2017) – Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group today announced the entrance of its lifestyle select brand, Radisson RED into Latin America with the opening of Radisson RED Campinas just outside of São Paulo, Brazil in partnership with Atlantica Hotels International. "RED is a lifestyle select concept enhanced by art, music and fashion with a fresh design and commitment to local flavor. We are delighted to partner with Atlantica to bring this dynamic brand to Brazil, a growing and vibrant locale. The RED concept provides owners with a flexible footprint and a model that is both efficient to construct and opera...
sbe Hotel Group Appoints Chadi Farhat as Chief Operating Officer of the Middle East and Europe
sbe | August 31, 2017
NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2017 -- sbe, the leading lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages and operates award-winning hospitality venues globally, announced today that Chadi Farhat has been named Chief Operating Officer of the Middle East & Europe – transitioning out of his current role at the company as Chief Commercial Officer. With a hotel in Istanbul, three in London, and one opening in Doha this fall, the Middle East and European markets play a significant role in sbe's portfolio with even more opportunity for growth. In his new position, Chadi will focus on sbe's hotel portfolio expansion, overseeing the op...
Hard Rock International Appoints Andrew Nasskau as Vice President of Operations Development
Hard Rock International | August 30, 2017
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 30, 2017 -- Hard Rock International announces the promotion of Andrew Nasskau to vice president of operations development for the brand. As the former Area Vice President of Operations, Nasskau was responsible for the management, operations and pre-opening of Hard Rock Hotels throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India. Directly reporting to Senior Vice President of Hotels, Dale Hipsh, Nasskau's new role will include overseeing pre-opening global operations and development for the brand, as well as the brand's managed portfolio. "With more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry,...
How Would You Define Modern Luxury?
Larry Mogelonsky | August 30, 2017
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) How many times have you heard the word 'luxury' in a hotel description? It seems to be one of the most abused words in the hoteliers' dictionary! I've seen many hotels claim to be luxurious, when at most they are just slightly better than average. There seems to be no clear definition for luxury. Looking for some clarity in the dictionary, the word 'luxury' come from Old French luxurie and the Latin luxuria or luxus, meaning excess. In other words, something that is luxurious is an inessential – a desirable item that is more than basic but not a necessity. In keeping with this...
AETHOS and 20|20 AssessSM Call for Participants in a Recruiting Game-Changer: Identifying Employees with the “X Factor”
20|20 Assess | August 30, 2017
August 30, 2017 – In a new global study, hospitality human capital advisory firm AETHOS Consulting Group and its performance management service 20|20 AssessSM are evaluating the unique and specific combination of core competencies, characteristics and attitudes of the most successful non-management employees in hospitality. "To date, no one has cracked the psychometric code for attitude, or what we call the 'Hospitality X-Factor,'" said AETHOS Consulting Group Managing Director Jim Houran, Ph.D, who oversees the firm's performance management advisory and its suite of software, 20|20 AssessSM. AETHOS' preliminary research suggests ...
