HFTP® Acquires Leading Hospitality Industry Brands: Hospitality Upgrade, Hotel-Online, The CIO Summit and The Executive Vendor Summit
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25th, 2024
HFTP’s New HITEC Technology Investment Conference Takes Shape, Co-Located With HITEC 2024
HFTP | April 4, 2024
Austin, Texas (April 4, 2024) — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is inviting 200+ participants to its new HITEC Technology Investment Conference, an event designed to provide investors with a comprehensive understanding of the hospitality technology landscape and the companies who contribute to it. Scheduled for June 27–28 in Charlotte, North Carolina, the conference will be co-located with the 2024 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) where 325+ companies, from start-ups to established global brands, will present the latest innovative technology solutions to the hospitality ...
HSMAI South Florida DMO Achievements & 2024 Forecast Luncheon Highlights Successes and Strategies for Tri-County Tourism Promotion
April 2, 2024
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - April 2nd, 2024 -- On Thursday, March 28th, the HSMAI South Florida Chapter hosted the Annual South Florida DMO Achievements & 2024 Forecast Luncheon at the Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale. The event brought together a diverse audience of sales, marketing and revenue management industry leaders seeking insights into the future of the Tri-County tourism promotion.Christina Davis, Co-President of HSMAI South Florida, served as the event's host, while Dr. Peter Ricci, Co-President of HSMAI South Florida, expertly moderated the panel of speakers. The panel featured distinguished representatives from leading Destin...
Meet the Money 2024 Program Launched!
Jim Butler | April 1, 2024
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com The Meet the Money® 2024 program has launched on MeetTheMoney.com, and we’re excited to bring you a conference packed with the experts you want to hear from. Join us in Los Angeles for three days of high-level discussion panels and special industry presentations focused on financing, investment, deal-making, and success in this year’s market. This year’s program will include: Networking opportunities, including a wine mixer and a grand welcome reception Special presentations that provide an overview of the state of the industr...
AHLA to DHS: Expand H-2B Visas So Hoteliers Can Meet Demand
AHLA | March 28, 2024
WASHINGTON (March 28, 2024) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey today thanked President Biden for signing legislation allowing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to expand the number of H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas, and called on DHS to exercise that authority as soon as possible so hotels can hire the staff they need to maintain and expand their operations. “Hotels across the nation are economic engines for the communities they serve. But labor shortages across the economy are preventing hotels from hiring the staff they need and reaching their full economic po...
U.S. Travel Applauds Much-Needed Funding to Lower Visitor Visa Wait Times
U.S. Travel Association | March 28, 2024
WASHINGTON (March 27, 2024)—U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on the passage of government spending package H.R.2882, which included $50 million in funding for the U.S. Department of State to reduce visitor visa interview wait times: “U.S. Travel applauds Congress for directing funding to address excessive visitor visa interview wait times, which currently average 400 days in top source markets. The State Department must now deploy these resources as quickly as possible to lower wait times and facilitate growth in inbound visitation. “F...
College & University Hotel Ownership Symposium – Key Takeaways
Rachel Roginsky | March 28, 2024
By Rachel Roginsky The College & University Hotel Ownership Symposium (CUHOS) convened at Harvard University in early March. The focus of the symposium was to allow college and university employees charged with the planning and administration of their institution’s hotels an opportunity to attend seminars and discussions important to the development and oversight of hotel assets. The biennial event, hosted by Pinnacle Advisory Group at a college or university partner, featured data analysis, perspectives, and insights from expert hotel industry partners with on-campus hotel experience. Previous CUHOS symposia have been hosted by Pinn...
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions Acquires Nomadix and GlobalReach
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions | March 27, 2024
Acquisition boosts access technology capabilities of ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions while providing customers with latest advances in cloud Wi-Fi, satellite, user authentication and digital engagement. Stockholm – March 27, 2024 – ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions has announced that it is acquiring Nomadix, Inc. and GlobalReach in the USA and UK. With both organizations joining ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, the combination of technology, resources and expertise is set to provide a single trusted source for the latest in security access, user authentication, Wi-Fi software/hardware and analytics. This also includes satellite authentication and di...
Event To Honor Jim Risoleo, Ted Balestreri With Hospitality Industry Awards
the Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society | March 26, 2024
Sponsors announced for the 2024 Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society Industry Awards and Reception UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The 2024 Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society (PSHRS) Industry Awards and Reception will be held on Tuesday, April 2, at the Penn State School of Hospitality Management on the University Park campus. The event, a tradition of the PSHRS and School of Hospitality Management since 1960, will honor Jim Risoleo, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., with the Hospitality Executive of the Year Award and Ted Balestreri, chairman and CEO of Cannery Row Company and Sard...
Hospitality Organizations and Resources for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Stephanie Smith | March 25, 2024
By Stephanie Smith Previously, we published the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Defined article by Gissell Moronta, which gave you an understanding of the terminology and why DEI is important. The next step in learning more about DEI is to get involved. It doesn’t matter where you start, but you need to begin. We have compiled a comprehensive list of hospitality resources for you to get involved. Hospitality DEI Organizations These organizations outwardly support and create awareness for underrepresented communities in hospitality that allow anyone to participate. It is not applicable to organizations with internal departments or...
Hunter Conference 2024 Takeaways
Josh Williams | March 25, 2024
By Josh Williams, Courtney Vris, Eric Guerrero The Atlanta Marriott Marquis was bustling this week with another successful Hunter Hotel Investment Conference. Kudos to the Hunter and Marriott teams for executing an extraordinary event! Some key takeaways from the HVS brokerage and consulting staff members who attended the conference are summarized as follows: There is still a material gap on bid/ask in brokered deals, but buyers are nevertheless active and looking increasingly toward deals outside of the top 25 MSAs, which may produce better yields. Fewer listings in general were launched at Hunter than at ALIS. Several buyers men...
HSMAI Announces New Commercial Strategy Conference
HSMAI | March 21, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McLean, VA (March 21, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International’s (HSMAI) Commercial Strategy Conference — the evolution of HSMAI’s Marketing Strategy Conference and HSMAI ROC — will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina from June 25-26, 2024 at the Charlotte Convention Center. The two-day HSMAI Commercial Strategy Conference will have a combined focus on all commercial disciplines, enhancing the experience and content for commercial leaders, including those with distribution and sales responsibilities along with marketers and revenue managers. Each day will feature the latest e...
More Than 75 Hospitality Groups Urge Senate Passage of Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act
AHLA | March 21, 2024
WASHINGTON (March 21, 2024) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the International Franchise Association (IFA), the National Restaurant Association, and the U.S. Travel Association joined dozens of hospitality groups in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell urging Senate passage of the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act (H.R. 7024). Additionally, leaders from AHLA, IFA, National Restaurant Association, and U.S. Travel issued the below statements regarding the bipartisan bill, which passed the House in January. “This bill would extend critical...
Hundreds of Travel Advocates From 50 States Call for Action on Capitol Hill
U.S. Travel Association | March 21, 2024
NEW Data Underscores Travel Industry’s Contributions to Economy, Workforce Across U.S. WASHINGTON - Delegates from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia took to Capitol Hill on Wednesday for the U.S. Travel Association’s annual legislative fly-in, Destination Capitol Hill. Delegates held more than 300 meetings with top policymakers to discuss industry priorities to increase global competitiveness, drive economic growth and create and support jobs nationwide. "This year’s Destination Capitol Hill is all about setting the groundwork for a more globally competitive future for travel,” said U.S. Travel Association ...
Wyndham’s Women Own the Room Initiative Drives Over One Dozen Hotel Openings
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | March 19, 2024
Surpasses 50 hotel signings while growing community base to more than 550 PARSIPPANY, N.J., March 19, 2024 -- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is celebrating a major milestone for its award-winning Women Own the RoomSM initiative, surpassing 15 hotel openings and more than 50 signings in just over 24 months. The first-of-its-kind offering—which has seen its network of current and prospective women hotel owners climb to more than 550—leverages Wyndham's scale and influence to break down the unique barriers women face on the path to hotel ownership. According to data from U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Castell Project, while wo...
Keynote Speakers and Agenda Confirmed for 2024 Retail and Hospitality ISAC Cyber Intelligence Summit
RH-ISAC | March 19, 2024
VIENNA, Va., March 19, 2024 -- The Retail and Hospitality Information Sharing and Analysis Center (RH-ISAC) announced that Rich Agostino, senior vice president and CISO at Target, Jayson E. Street, renowned social engineering expert, and Andy Greenberg, senior writer for WIRED, will be keynote speakers at the 2024 RH-ISAC Cyber Intelligence Summit. The annual event is the premier cybersecurity conference in the retail and hospitality sector and will take place April 9-11 in Denver. The agenda is now live. Rich Agostino is responsible for Target's cybersecurity and infrastructure organizations. He has extensive experience in ...
AHLA Rebrands Nationwide Regional Event Series to The Hospitality Show
AHLA | March 19, 2024
Events to provide high-value networking and industry updates for hospitality professionals WASHINGTON (March 19, 2024) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today announced its successful On the Road series of regional events will be renamed The Hospitality Show, bringing exclusive networking and industry updates to hospitality professionals in cities across the country. The Hospitality Show regional events are free and open to anyone who works in the hospitality industry. They give hoteliers across all industry segments, suppliers, and service providers a chance to network with their peers and learn about the latest mark...
Hotel Internet Services Achieves Best Place to Work Recognition for 2024 by Business Intelligence Group
Hotel Internet Services, Inc. | March 19, 2024
Accomplishment demonstrates HIS’ commitment to fostering a positive environment that boosts collaboration and service quality while driving increased innovation. CLEARWATER, Fla. — March 19, 2024 — Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of internet services and solutions for the hospitality industry, has been named to the list of Best Places to Work in 2024 by Business Intelligence Group, an organization dedicated to recognizing true talent and superior performance in the business world. This latest achievement by HIS underscores the company’s reputation in creating a workplace culture where employee engagement and ...
Transforming Talent Sourcing in the Hotel Industry: The Rise of the Gig Economy and Fractional Staffing Models
the HSMAI Foundation | March 18, 2024
In the recently released HSMAI Foundation Special Report: The State of Hotel Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Optimization Talent 2023-2024, the second trend investigates how the gig economy and fractional staffing models are changing talent sourcing. Employers in the hospitality industry must adopt a marketing mindset to effectively attract and source the best talent. As businesses strive to fill critical roles in the post-pandemic world, it has become increasingly evident that traditional hiring approaches are insufficient to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals. The persistent shortage of skilled labor, especially in the hospit...
Should Revenue Management Be Involved in Reputation Management?
HSMAI | March 18, 2024
By Monika Morrobel, CRME, CHDM, Area Director of Revenue Management, Pyramid Hotel Group, HSMAI Revenue Optimization Advisory Board Member Recognition of Reviews as Influential Decision Drivers: Consumer behavior is heavily influenced by reviews, with a staggering 95% of potential guests considering them before making a booking. Direct Correlation Between Reviews and Revenue: Even marginal improvements in positive reviews can lead to substantial revenue gains, with a mere 0.5% increase potentially translating into a remarkable 25% boost in revenue. This underscores the tangible impact of reputation management efforts on the bottom lin...
AAHOA’s Hoteliers Push Forward Impactful National Advocacy Agenda in Washington, D.C.
AAHOA | March 15, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C., Mar. 15 – This week, as part of its 2024 Spring National Advocacy Conference (SNAC), the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) hosted more than 200 key AAHOA leaders and members for two days in Washington, D.C. The Conference opened with a legislative learning session at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, followed by an evening Congressional Reception at the Cannon House Office Building, and then a full day of Congressional meetings. AAHOA wrapped up SNAC with an active day on the Hill, where AAHOA leaders participated in nearly 160 in-person Congressional meetings with U.S. Senators,...
NEWH Introduces 2024-2025 Executive Committee Ahead of 40th Anniversary
NEWH | March 14, 2024
The organization celebrates its decades-long mission to advance the hospitality industry through renewed leadership Shawano, WI — March 14, 2024 — NEWH, Inc. is proud to introduce the executive committee for 2024-2025. This year holds particular significance for the organization, as 2024 marks the grand 40th Anniversary of NEWH. While the official milestone is set for October, the celebration commences early with captivating programs leading up to and during the Hospitality Design’s annual HD Expo in Las Vegas from April 29 to May 2, 2024. Through the years, the hospitality industry’s top talent has served on NEWH’s executiv...
35th Hunter Hotel Investment Conference Announces Featured Speakers and New Initiatives
Hunter Hotel Investment Conference | March 14, 2024
ATLANTA, GA (March 14, 2024) – The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference (“HUNTER”) today announces featured speakers and new initiatives woven into this year’s programming. The additions to the 2024 schedule underscore HUNTER’s commitment to incorporating fresh topics and perspectives to its expanding attendee base, positioning itself as the hospitality industry’s leading conference. Amongst the esteemed speakers, HUNTER welcomes Cassie Kozyrkov, Google’s first chief decision scientist, to lead an engaging session on artificial intelligence and its evolving impact on the hospitality industry. Additionally, joining the 2024 s...
American Express Reveals 2024 Top Travel Trends
American Express | March 12, 2024
New York – March 12, 2024: American Express Travel® released its 2024 Global Travel Trends Report1 today, highlighting the inspiration and trends driving global travel bookings this year. The report, based on survey data from travelers in the United States, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, found that 84% of respondents plan to spend more or the same amount of money on travel in 2024 compared to last year. Additionally, 77% of respondents care more about having the right travel experience than about the cost of the trip. The four trends driving booking decisions are: For the Love of the Game: ...
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Announces the 12th Annual Pebby Award Winners
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust | March 12, 2024
Celebrating the Year’s Best Hotels HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) (the “Company” or “Pebblebrook”) today announced the winners of its Twelfth Annual Pebby Awards. The Pebby Award winners were chosen for their outstanding accomplishments in 2023, as determined by Pebblebrook’s selection committee. “As we celebrate our twelfth year of the Pebby Awards, we’ve witnessed an unprecedented level of competition and excellence,” said Jon E. Bortz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust. “Our hotel teams have consistently exemplified exceptional performance and leadership, and it...
