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
AHLA Foundation Bolsters Effort to Address Labor Shortage Through Empowering Youth Program
AHLA Foundation | May 16, 2022
50 Opportunity Youth in Los Angeles, New Orleans, Orlando Placed on Fast Track for Jobs in Hotel Industry WASHINGTON (May 16, 2022) – The American Hotel & Lodging Foundation (AHLA Foundation) today announced that more than 50 individuals from traditionally underserved populations have graduated from the Empowering Youth Program (EYP) nationwide and are securing jobs in the hotel industry. This year, the Foundation awarded $175,000 in total to community-based organizations throughout Los Angeles, Orlando, New Orleans and Washington, D.C. that help change the lives of Opportunity Youth between the ages of 16-24 by preparing them for fu...
The 5 Key Trends for Travelers in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
Myriam Younes | May 13, 2022
By Myriam Younes Our most recent Travel Trend Report explains how travel is returning in a big way. We recently shared our key Q1 takeaways for the North American market. In this post, we look at the data for travelers based in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). 1. As restrictions eased, traveler searches surged Just as we observed when looking at global trends for Q1, we saw a big appetite for travel by EMEA travelers at the start of the year. The lift in search volume globally was partially led by travel shoppers in EMEA region, which saw searches up 25% quarter-over-quarter, which was second only to North Amer...
Agilysys Names Veteran Technology Marketer Terrie O’Hanlon as Chief Marketing Officer
Agilysys | May 12, 2022
O’Hanlon was selected by the technology leader for her extensive experience building growth marketing strategies and creating transformative brand value for global technology companies. ALPHARETTA, GA — MAY 12, 2022 — Agilysys, Inc. (NASDAQ: AGYS), a leading global provider of next-generation SaaS and on-premise hospitality software solutions and services, today announced that it has hired Terrie O’Hanlon as its chief marketing officer (CMO). In this newly created role, O’Hanlon will focus on amplifying the technology leader’s global market presence and driving revenue growth through global marketing initiatives. O’Hanlon...
UniFocus Taps Leading Hospitality Veterans to Serve on Board of Directors
UniFocus | May 12, 2022
Patrick Volz and Mary Jo Dolasinski appointments bolster workforce management provider with expertise in global finance, employee operations and talent management to ensure sustainable company growth that aligns with hospitality industry needs. DALLAS, TX— May 11, 2022—UniFocus, a leading workforce management platform, has today announced new additions to its Board of Directors with the appointments of Patrick Volz and Mary Jo Dolasinski. With the two industry professionals bringing more than 40 years of combined hospitality market expertise, UniFocus is set to leverage their unique knowledge and experience to maintain its innovative ...
Agilysys to Participate in 17th Annual Needham Technology & Media Conference
Agilysys | May 11, 2022
ALPHARETTA, GA — May 11, 2022 — Agilysys, Inc., (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of next-generation SaaS and on-premise hospitality software solutions and services, today announced it will be participating in the 17th Annual Needham Technology & Media Conference to be held virtually on May 18, and May 19, 2022 from 7:00 a.m. ET to 6:00 p.m. ET on both days. Agilysys Chief Financial Officer, Dave Wood will be hosting one-on-one meetings with investors and analysts Wednesday, May 18, and Thursday May 19, 2022. Requests for one-on-one meetings are handled directly through the Needham Technology & Media Conference organi...
Hyatt Unveils the New Inclusive Collection, a Global Portfolio of Luxury All-Inclusive Resort Brands
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | May 10, 2022
CHICAGO (May 10, 2022) – Launching the newest collection focused on leisure demand, Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) is proud to announce the Inclusive Collection, a new global portfolio of nine distinct luxury all-inclusive resort brands. Resorts in Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection deliver immersive, elevated and seamless all-inclusive experiences – helping guests and members celebrate the big moments, little moments, and everything in between. The new Inclusive Collection of luxury all-inclusive resort brands cater to every guest and member’s wish to create more meaningful and rewarding experiences with best-in-class luxury resor...
AAHOA Celebrates the Retirement of J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr., With Lifetime Achievement Award
AAHOA | May 9, 2022
ATLANTA, Ga., May 6 – Today, AAHOA celebrates the career of J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr., as he retires as Marriott International Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board. As stated by Marriott International, “he leaves the company after 66 years of unparalleled service and leadership.” During AAHOACON22 last month, Mr. Marriott was presented with the AAHOA Lifetime Achievement Award, which is given to an individual whose contributions and dedication to the hotel industry have spanned their entire career. Individuals are honored with this prestigious award because they raise up not only their own organizations, but everyone ...
HITEC, Celebrating Its 50th Anniversary, Announces Forward-Thinking Headliner Sessions Line-Up
HFTP | May 5, 2022
Each day at the world’s largest hospitality technology exposition and conference features transformative presentations, including from speakers Simon T. Bailey and Cheryl Cran, plus the E20X start-up pitch competition and a hospitality CIO panel. After five momentous decades, the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) is stepping into its next era with four eventful Headliner Sessions, one each day of the event. The presentations each will provide a transformative perspective on how we do business. Produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), HITEC Orlando will take place from ...
Choice Hotels Advances Franchising Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs With Newly Enhanced ‘HERtels by Choice’ Program
Choice Hotels International | May 5, 2022
ROCKVILLE, Md., May 4, 2022 -- Underscoring its commitment to increasing diversity across the hospitality industry and among its owner base, Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is expanding its emerging markets development program with the launch of HERtels by Choice. For nearly 20 years, Choice's emerging markets development program has been dedicated to extending the opportunity of hotel ownership to underrepresented populations, including women entrepreneurs. This newly enhanced program will provide dedicated training, education, mentorship, and financial assistance to advance and empower women entrepreneurs and ensure they thri...
AHLA Launches “Hospitality Is Working” Campaign With Focus on Reigniting Travel
American Hotel & Lodging Association | May 5, 2022
National Effort to Highlight Hotels’ Commitment to Workforce, Guests, Communities WASHINGTON (May 5, 2022) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today relaunched its Hospitality is Working campaign, seeking to reignite travel nationwide and showcase the economic and community benefits hotels provide in neighborhoods across the country. Hospitality is Working showcases the broad range of benefits hotels provide the communities they serve while highlighting the industry’s strong commitment to investing in its workforce, providing quality career opportunities, and protecting employees and guests as more and more American...
She Has a Deal Announces Pitch Competition Winning Teams
She Has a Deal | May 4, 2022
Hotel Investment Pitch Competition Awards $100,000 in Deal Equity McLEAN, Va., May 4, 2022—Officials of She Has a Deal (SHaD), a real estate investment platform that creates new pathways to hotel ownership and development for women, today announced the winners of events held Thursday, April 28, and Friday, April 29. Over the last year, participants in two competition tracks completed more than 40 hours of intensive hotel investment education to learn how to source, evaluate and raise capital for a real hotel deal. The “Early Career” track was comprised of women either pursuing college and graduate degrees or recent graduates. The ...
With One Year to Deadline, U.S. Travel Calls for Extension of REAL ID Act in Wake of Pandemic
U.S. Travel Association | May 4, 2022
WASHINGTON (May 3, 2022)—U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to delay the implementation of the REAL ID Act, which is set to take full effect one year from today on May 3, 2023: “U.S. Travel supports the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s push to educate individuals on the need to acquire a REAL ID, but we also recognize that the pandemic created a significant hurdle to the widespread adoption of REAL ID. As we look ahead to next year’s deadline, it is clear that Americans will n...
“Hotel Tech : Innovators + Influencers” Podcast Launches
Hotel Tech: Innovators + Influencers | May 4, 2022
No Vacancy’s Glenn Haussman and Michael Frenkel’s Travel Conversations New Podcast Features Peer-to-Peer Conversations with the Leaders Shaping the Industry’s Reinvention and Disruption NEW YORK, May 4, 2022 – Two hospitality industry thought leaders are teaming up to tell the stories of the visionaries who are funding, disrupting, and reinventing the future of hotel technology. Hosted by Glenn Haussman and Michael Frenkel, “Hotel Tech: Innovators + Influencers” is a 12-part limited podcast series sharing stories of how inspiration and innovation created a new class of hospitality tech leaders; and how they are shaping the futu...
AAHOA Names New President & CEO
AAHOA | May 3, 2022
ATLANTA, Ga., May 3 – Following a vote by the AAHOA Board of Directors, Laura Lee Blake, Esq., will be the new President and CEO of AAHOA, the nation’s largest hotel owners association, effective May 16, 2022. Blake will succeed Ken Greene, who served in the role for a short time in 2021 and part of 2022. Blake has been an attorney for more than 25 years and most recently was a partner with Connor, Fletcher, and Hedenkamp LLP in Irvine, California. She brings decades of experience in the fields of law, government, business, and academia to AAHOA. But she isn’t a newcomer to the organization. Blake previously worked for AAHOA for near...
Hundreds of Travel Organizations Rally for National Travel and Tourism Week
U.S. Travel Association | May 3, 2022
WASHINGTON - Hundreds of travel organizations and businesses across the U.S. will celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) this week with live and in-person events, spotlighting the critical role that travel plays in driving economic growth and recovery through the theme Future of Travel. This year’s theme elevates travel’s bright future and how the industry can restore the workforce, help communities accelerate economic recovery, foster sustainability, usher in new innovations and reconnect travelers of all backgrounds. Follow NTTW rallies and events throughout the week on social media using the hashtags #NTTW22 and #Fut...
HFTP Board of Directors Rejects AHLA Unsolicited Merger Offer
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | May 2, 2022
May 2, 2022 (Austin, Texas USA) - Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) announced today that it rejected a recent unsolicited offer by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) for it to merge with them. The HFTP Global Board of Directors determined that a global association with members from the entire hospitality spectrum would not be serving their membership by merging with a North American association with an advocacy focus whose constituents are primarily hotels. A counteroffer was made by HFTP to AHLA to work via MOUs like HFTP’s work with other hospitality industry associations. Currently, HFTP w...
Millennium Hotels and Resorts Launches M Social Decentraland
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels | April 27, 2022
Millennium Hotels and Resorts will be launching M Social Decentraland on 5 May 2022, making it the world’s first hospitality group to operate a hotel in the metaverse virtual world. Modeled on different M Social hotels around the world, the new hotel encapsulates M Social’s brand essence of being a trendsetting lifestyle and aims to be a place for all to gather and discover the virtual reality universe of Decentraland. Located near Genesis Plaza, at the heart of Decentraland, the latest hotel by Millennium Hotels and Resorts sits on prime digital land. Similar to its brick-and-mortar sister hotels, M Social Decentraland is positioned a...
Following January 2022 ResortSuite Acquisition, Agilysys Accepts the ISPA Innovate Award at the 2022 ISPA Conference May 2-4, 2022
Agilysys | April 26, 2022
Technology leader to receive award for mobile app at leading spa industry conference and will reflect the show theme “Stronger Together” in Booth 809 ALPHARETTA, GA — APRIL 26, 2022 — In its first in-person spa industry conference appearance since acquiring hospitality software innovator ResortSuite in January 2022, Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS) will accept the ISPA Innovate Award ResortSuite won in 2021 but did not receive in a formal ceremony because the show was canceled due to COVID. ResortSuite won the award for a mobile app that enables spas to provide guests with anytime, anywhere access to book appointments, view itinera...
The World Travel & Tourism Council Reveals Massive Increase in Global International Inbound Travel
WTTC | April 25, 2022
Flight bookings suggest a hot summer ahead for key destinations across Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Americas Manila, Philippines: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and its knowledge partner ForwardKeys, forecast a major increase in global international flights bookings as international travel takes off. The booking bounce back was revealed at WTTC’s prestigious 21st Global Summit, taking place this year in Manila, as the world continues to reopen from the pandemic. News of the strong recovery highlights a promising prospect ahead for summer holiday travel, with sun and sea destinations, such as the Caribbean and Latin...
Travel & Tourism Sector Expected to Create Nearly 126 Million New Jobs Within the Next Decade
WTTC | April 21, 2022
One in three of all new jobs set to be created within Travel & Tourism Travel & Tourism GDP could reach 2019 levels by 2023 MANILA, Philippines: The World Travel & Tourism Council’s latest Economic Impact Report (EIR) reveals the Travel & Tourism sector is expected to create nearly 126 million new jobs within the next decade. The bullish forecast from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, also shows the sector will be a driving force of the global economic recovery, creating one in three of all new jobs. The announcement was made today by Julia Simpson, President & C...
HFTP Announces PROVision Partners as Exclusive Sponsor of Entrepreneur 20X Orlando
PROVision Partners | April 21, 2022
The hospitality technology start-up pitch competition will present innovative solutions to a panel of judges and audience at HITEC Orlando on June 29, supported by PROVision Partners as this year’s sponsor. Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), producers of the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), is pleased to announce PROVision Partners as the exclusive sponsor of Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) Orlando. The successful E20X pitch competition, featuring pitches from hospitality technology start-ups, will take place as a HITEC Headliner presentation at HITEC Orlando on Wednesday, June 29 b...
Knowland Issues Quarterly Event Activity Forecast
Knowland | April 20, 2022
The U.S. Meetings Recovery Forecast remains stable and still on track with March exceeding recovery targets and some markets at or near recovery by end of 2022 ARLINGTON, Va. — April 20, 2022 — Knowland, the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, released an update to its U.S. Meetings Recovery Forecast (MRF) and associated Top 25 U.S. Meetings Recovery Forecast (MRF25) to provide the hospitality industry with predictive insights into event recovery over the next three years. Click here to view the most current forecasts. Kristi White, chief product officer, Knowland, said:...
HEI Hotels & Resorts Invests in Female Leadership Through Their Women in Leadership Council
HEI Hotels & Resorts | April 18, 2022
Norwalk, CT – April 18, 2022 – HEI Hotels & Resorts, one of the nation’s leading privately held hotel investment and third-party management companies, recently convened in Dallas, TX for the meeting of its Women in Leadership Council. In its third year, the council, led by women, hopes to cultivate more diversity in a male-dominated industry by championing and promoting female leaders within the organization and across their over 90 properties nationwide. The Women in Leadership Council was formed in 2017 under the leadership of Rachel Moniz, Principal and Chief Operating Officer at HEI, and Kelsey White, Director, Talent Acquis...
AAHOA Announces 2022 Award Winners
AAHOA | April 18, 2022
Baltimore, MD – April 15, 2022 – On the third day of the 2022 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show, the association recognized achievement and excellence in the hospitality industry with its annual awards. Each year, AAHOA honors hoteliers who go above and beyond in service to the hospitality industry. The annual AAHOA Awards Program recognizes the best of the best, and AAHOA is honored to highlight this year’s award winners’ service and commitment to excellence. Their hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed, and it is through their leadership, grit, and determination that our industry – and association – continues to thri...
