Siegel Sez: Not Your Father’s Power Socket
September 3rd, 2021
The Most Important Hotel “Salesperson” Right Now Is Working Behind Your Front Desk
Doug Kennedy | July 22nd, 2020
Nobody Asked Me, But…No. 146: Hotel History: The Iowa Franchise Investment Act of 1992
Stanley Turkel, CMHS | August 3, 2015
Four Hotel Books; My Service as an Expert Witness By Stanley Turkel, CMHS 1. Hotel History: The Iowa Franchise Investment Act of 1992 (On January 15, 2003, I wrote this editorial which was published by Hotel Interactive) As you probably know, there are no federal laws requiring franchisors to abide by the common law duty of good faith in their dealings with franchisees; no fiduciary duty when the franchisor handles its franchisees' money in pooled advertising funds; and no duty of due care that the franchisor must show to its franchisees. It is the absence of national minimum standards of fair dealing that is responsible for most franch...
Observing Food Trends at Festivals and Fares
Larry Mogelonsky | July 29, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Gourmet burgers are soooo 2013. Tacos? I thought they peaked last summer. What's next year's hot dish going to be? When will our current bacon craze go belly up? (pun intended) Important to us hoteliers, if we have a vague semblance of where food trends are headed, then we can plan menus accordingly and harness the 'hype' surrounding on-the-up cuisines for an extra marketing boost. Moreover, if you're only following food trends in magazines and mainstream restaurants, then you're behind the eight ball, catching trends when they are at their peaks instead of when they are in the early adopti...
The Resurgence of Small-Batch Liquors
Larry Mogelonsky | July 22, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Alcoholic beverages are far more than a vessel for inebriation. They are a pillar of the dining experience. While wine and beer are the two most common meal accompaniments in this category, there's something interesting happening in the world of spirits and other distilled elixirs. Much like that of microbreweries and limited-barrel wines, small batch distilleries are making a resurgence, and it's an opportunity you should seize. Why? Simple: product differentiation. Your restaurant or bar may be differentiated from your competitors by its décor, its view, its ambiance, its food menu, its ...
Nobody Asked Me, But…No. 145; Hotel History: Hotel Burnham, Chicago, Illinois (1895)
Stanley Turkel, CMHS | July 20, 2015
"Hotel Mavens" Reviewed by the New York Times By Stanley Turkel, CMHS 1. Hotel History: Hotel Burnham, Chicago, Illinois* Located in the heart of Chicago's loop, the Hotel Burnham is one of the most important early skyscrapers in America. Originally built as the Reliance Building, it was designed by John Root and Charles B. Atwood of the Burnham and Root architectural firm. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976. David W. Dunlap wrote in the New York Times (July 25, 1999): "Six decades ahead of its time, the chrystalline Reliance Building soa...
Hospitality is a Passion
Georges Panayotis | July 17, 2015
by Georges Panayotis As John Donne reminds us in his famous poem: "No man is an island". Every normal human being needs and is nourished by their relationships with their contemporaries, whether they are intimate, emotional, professional or casual. In this season, as everything revolves around vacations and travel, between one tragic event and the next, it is wise to remember a few essential truths that may go forgotten by hoteliers caught up in the confusion. The hotelier's job is first and foremost to offer welcome, with the ultimate goal of providing their guest with prolonged satisfaction after their stay by making it a memorable e...
A Caffeinated Reassessment
Larry Mogelonsky | July 15, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) My morning coffee is a perpetual delight in my life, a momentary respite that I do not take lightly. I bet many of you are in the same boat! All subtle addictions aside, coffee is an essential part of many people's lives and as such, it merits your attention – both at home and at work. In this case, let's assume your place of work is a hotel or related to a hospitality setting in some manner or another. But that doesn't mean that the home coffee experience is not applicable; quite the opposite in fact. We want our guests to 'feel at home', and any actions we can take to better emulate a p...
Hotels Should Copy These Airline Revenue Management Techniques
Doug Kennedy | July 14, 2015
By Doug Kennedy July 14, 2015 Although hotels have practiced some of the most fundamental basics of revenue management throughout the ages, such as adjusting rates according to seasonal demand patterns and planned special events, it is generally accepted that the modern era of RM began when hotels started copying the airlines yield management techniques they developed after airline deregulation. Although the lodging industry has since evolved its RM practices, there are still some opportunities for the industry to learn from our sisters in the travel industry. Offer Partial Credit For Cancelled Advance Deposit Or Pre-Purchase Rates. Mo...
3 Great Examples of True Traveler Engagement
Alan E. Young | July 10, 2015
By Alan E. Young, President and Co-Founder of Puzzle Partner There are some companies that claim they are guest or traveler engagement companies. These companies have developed software platforms or apps to communicate more effectively with the traveler. Their technology enables travelers check in online, purchase upgrades, and supports text messaging capabilities to order amenities while on-property as well as to send post-stay surveys. However, is this really engagement or just enhanced communication? I think we have lost the essence of what true engagement should be. I fully understand that different travelers require a different lev...
What Women Want, With Ten Suggestions
Larry Mogelonsky | July 8, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) My dear bride of some 34 years travels with me for leisure, and sometimes business. To be expected, my work activities tend to be carried over into dinnertime conversations so this hybrid mode of travel makes sense. With her as critical input, we've come up with a short list of ideas that focus on women's hotel needs. Travel research indicates that the female head of household makes the bulk of leisure travel decisions – either directly or through "grocery list" male counterparts. So, while we're fussing over our operating costs to the barebones, we may be cutting corners that really cost...
Safe Tourism is an Obligation
Georges Panayotis | July 2, 2015
by Georges Panayotis What could be better than tourism as a symbol to attack when you want to draw attention? Terrorists of all ilks have long understood this and have been multiplying their tragic deeds. Since the attacks on archaeological sites in Egypt, in popular streets of Paris, and in the heart of Manhattan, the attacks have been terribly successful at wiping out any effort to promote a destination – even the most popular – or at putting the economies of weakened countries in a worse position when tourism is their main source of development. After their dramatic collapse, arrivals will eventually rise again, but in the meanti...
Marketing for the Working Boomer
Larry Mogelonsky | July 1, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) As a boomer still burning a candle at the office, I can tell you that advertisements targeting me with morbid imagery and 'preparing for the inevitable' catchphrases do not get my mojo going at all. Now that the millennials have officially surpassed the boomers in sheer numbers, it's become a trend to treat the latter group as a 'dying generation'. And from this has emerged the outlook that marketing slogans and campaigns attempting to appeal to boomers should focus on the motifs of retirement, aging and health. While these three themes are on the back of most boomers' minds, they are hardl...
Nobody Asked Me, But…No. 144; Hotel History: The City Club Hotel, New York, N.Y. (1904)
Stanley Turkel, CMHS | July 1, 2015
"Hotel Mavens" Reviewed by the New York Times By Stanley Turkel, CMHS 1. Hotel History: The City Club Hotel, New York, N.Y.* The City Club of New York was founded in 1892 by Edmond Kelly as a non-partisan men's club to promote effective and honest government in New York. Kelly (1851-1909) was an attorney, political reformer and sociologist, born in France to American parents. Two days after the City Club was incorporated in 1892, the Board of Trustees met for the first time and James C. Carter was elected President. Carter had previously been the President of the Harvard Club of New York from 1870-1872 and again from 1895-1899. Except ...
2015 Hotel Investment and Finance Opportunities: Hospitality Market Activity and Interest Rates
Jim Butler | July 1, 2015
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Author of www.HotelLawBlog.com July 2015 Bill Sipple, Executive Managing Director of HVS Capital, speaks in the video about activity in different markets, limited service properties, and whether rising interest rates will have an effect on transactional activity. Bill sat down with Bob Braun, a senior partner in the JMBM Global Hospitality Group®, as part of our video interview series on hotel finance and investment opportunities in 2015. Bob Braun: Hi, I'm Bob Braun. I am a Partner at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell. I'm here at Meet the Money® 2015, our 25th anniversary. I'm here...
2015 Hotel Investment and Finance Opportunities: Hotel Operating Agreements and Asset Management
Jim Butler | June 30, 2015
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Author of www.HotelLawBlog.com June 2015 Jack Westergom, Managing Director of Manhattan Hospitality Advisors, discusses hotel operating agreements, asset management, and the RFP process in the video. Jack spoke with David Sudeck, a senior partner in the JMBM Global Hospitality Group®, as part of our video interview series on hotel finance and investment opportunities in 2015. David Sudeck: I'm David Sudeck. I'm a senior attorney with Global Hospitality Group® at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell. We're here at the 25th Annual Meet the Money® Conference. I'm here with Jack Westergom,...
US Supreme Court Voids LA Ordinance Requiring Hotel Operators to Turn Over Guest Records on Demand
Jim Butler | June 29, 2015
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Author of www.HotelLawBlog.com June 2015 In a 5-4 opinion rendered on June 22, 2015, the United States Supreme Court held that a Los Angeles municipal code provision violates the US Constitution's Fourth Amendment prohibition on unreasonable search and seizures. The invalidated LA Code provision requires hotel operators to make guest records available to the police upon request. This case may be significant because many cities throughout the country have similar laws, and they are now all constitutionally suspect. On the other hand, for reasons discussed below, most hotel operators will p...
How Will Hyperlocal Data Technology Impact the Future of Guest Service and the Hotel Industry?
Alan E. Young | June 29, 2015
By Alan E. Young The current boom in mobile technology innovations are once again transforming the travel and hospitality landscape. Hyperlocal data and information can be incredibly useful for digital engagement in today's mobile world. The capability to deliver useful, proactive content to travelers can enrich the guest experience and ultimately heighten the visibility and relevance of the hotel. According to a recent study by Eleven Wireless, 81% of travelers are interested in some form of mobile content, 74% of guests say they would access hotel content on a mobile device and 95% of guests bring mobile phones on an average trip. Hyp...
2015 Hotel Investment and Finance Opportunities: Hotel Supply Growth, Occupancies, and Other Metrics
Jim Butler | June 26, 2015
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Author of www.HotelLawBlog.com June 2015 Vail Brown, Vice President of STR, discusses all-time highs in the hospitality market for multiple metrics, her predictions for the next few years, and STR's expansion into food and beverage analysis in the video. Vail spoke with David Sudeck, a senior partner in the JMBM Global Hospitality Group®, as part of our video interview series on hotel finance and investment opportunities in 2015. David Sudeck: I'm David Sudeck, I'm with Jeffer Mangels Global Hospitality Group. We're here at the 2015 Meet the Money® Conference, which is the 25th Annual M...
Just Like Cronos Who Ended up Eating His Own Children?
Georges Panayotis | June 25, 2015
by Georges Panayotis Tensions are rising between consumers and some economic corporations that have not understood that the world is constantly changing. While some businesses should be questioning themselves, their outright resistance is bound to fail and drive deeper misunderstandings from both sides. Not that long ago, all activities involving contact with customers were looking to enhance the perceived value of their services, processes and products. They involved their staff in thinking through quality management brainstorming sessions, expert panels, surveys and focus group interviews. This approach had the merit to evaluate cust...
2015 Hotel Investment and Finance Opportunities: Hotel Values and Brand Proliferation
Jim Butler | June 25, 2015
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Author of www.HotelLawBlog.com June 2015 Stephen Rushmore, Jr., President and CEO of HVS, speaks in the video about hotel values in the next few years, new development, and brand proliferation. Stephen spoke with David Sudeck, a senior partner in the JMBM Global Hospitality Group®, as part of our video interview series on hotel finance and investment opportunities in 2015. David Sudeck: We are at the 25th Annual Meet the Money® Conference 2015. I am happy to be here with Stephen Rushmore, President and CEO of HVS. Welcome, Stephen. Stephen Rushmore, Jr.: Good to be here. Thanks. David S...
Selling Food Through Stories
Larry Mogelonsky | June 24, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Food is by far one of the best ways to differentiate your property and make a lasting impression with guests. Why? For one, eating involves a range of senses – taste, smell, sight, touch and, if you count the hustle-bustle of a lively ambiance, sound. It's this activation of so many senses that primes our emotions and signals our memory centers to start taking notes. Plus there's the emotional transference effect – good times at a restaurant reflect kindly on the parent property. Next, there are so many ways to stand out and deliver a unique experience in a much cheaper capacity than, s...
2015 Hotel Investment and Finance Opportunities: Hottest Hospitality Segments for Investors
Jim Butler | June 24, 2015
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Author of www.HotelLawBlog.com June 2015 Deric Eubanks, Chief Financial Officer of Ashford Hospitality Trust, discusses why now is a great time to buy hotels, which segment provides the best opportunities, and how supply growth will affect the hospitality industry over the next few years. Deric sat down with Bob Braun, a senior partner in the JMBM Global Hospitality Group®, as part of our video interview series on hotel finance and investment opportunities in 2015. Bob Braun: Hi, I'm Bob Braun. I am a Partner at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell and I'm a senior member of our Global H...
2015 Hotel Investment and Finance Opportunities: World’s Largest Bank
Jim Butler | June 23, 2015
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Author of www.HotelLawBlog.com June 2015 Alice Gao, Senior Vice President of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, discusses ICBC's global reach, its U.S. lending program, and recent deals in the video. Alice spoke with David Sudeck, a senior partner in the JMBM Global Hospitality Group®, as part of our video interview series on hotel finance and investment opportunities in 2015. David Sudeck: We're here at the Meet the Money® Conference 2015, which is the 25th Annual Hotel Investment Conference for JMBM. I'm sitting here with Alice Gao, Senior Vice President and Head of Commerci...
2015 Hotel Investment and Finance Opportunities: New Supply and Assets for Sale
Jim Butler | June 22, 2015
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Author of www.HotelLawBlog.com June 2015 Bill Blackham, President and CEO of Supertel Hospitality, speaks in the video about new supply and assets coming to the marketplace for sale, changing guest expectations across different segments, and financing for new development. Bill spoke with Bob Braun, a senior partner in the JMBM Global Hospitality Group®, as part of our video interview series on hotel finance and investment opportunities in 2015. Bob Braun: I'm Bob Braun, I am a partner at Jeffer, Mangels Butler and Mitchell. I'm part of the Global Hospitality Group®. I'm here at Meet the...
2015 Hotel Investment and Finance Opportunities: Chinese Investment in U.S. Hotels
Jim Butler | June 19, 2015
Don Li of Interstate Hotels discusses By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Author of www.HotelLawBlog.com June 2015 Don Li, head of Asia Investment for Interstate Hotels, speaks in the video about what drives Chinese investment in U.S. assets, why an understanding of language and cultural issues is important, and what types of hotels foreign investors are looking for. Don sat down with David Sudeck, a senior partner in the JMBM Global Hospitality Group®, as part of our video interview series on hotel finance and investment opportunities in 2015. David Sudeck: I'm David Sudeck. I'm a partner with JMBM's Global Hospitality Gr...
