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Brian Douglas Appointed Spa Manager of Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach
Conrad Hotels & Resorts | March 13, 2020
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (March 13, 2020) – Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, an oceanfront luxury resort in South Florida, today announced the appointment of Brian David Douglas as Spa Manager of the 290 all-suite resort situated on Fort Lauderdale’s exclusive North Beach. Douglas will be responsible for spearheading all operations at the property’s CONRAD Spa to provide guests with an unparalleled ambiance, experience and intuitive service. Boasting a dual license as an esthetician and massage therapist, the spa aficionado brings more than 13 years of industry experience with him to Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach. “Fort Lauderdale is u...
COVID-19 | A Hotel Marketing Guide
GCommerce Solutions | March 13, 2020
Lindley Cotton | GCommerce Solutions | President Starting today, March 13th, GCommerce is instituting a mandatory work-from-home policy for at least the next week. Since the situation is fluid, we will be re-assessing the need for employees to stay home on a weekly basis. I think we are all blown away by how fast this has escalated. Whether you believe that COVID-19 is dangerous or not, it has forced all of us to think about our social responsibility. I read a fantastic article yesterday morning that talked about social responsibility and how every day matters in implementing social distancing. GCommerce is fortunate to provide hotel ma...
The Meritage Resort and Spa and Vista Collina Resort in Napa Valley Welcomes Two New Leadership Positions
The Meritage Resort and Spa and Vista Collina Resort | March 13, 2020
LOS ANGELES (March 13, 2020) - Napa Valley’s premier luxury destinations, The Meritage Resort and Spa and Vista Collina Resort, have announced the appointment of industry veterans David Ryan as managing director and David Burt as area director of sales. Helping to lead these resorts into the new decade, Ryan and Burt will bring a fresh perspective on luxury travel to California’s pristine wine region. “Both Ryan and Burt come to the properties with years of luxury experience and we couldn’t be more excited to have them join the team,” said President and Chief Operating Officer at Pacific Hospitality Group, Paul McCormick. “They...
The Don Cesar Appoints Thomas Fraher as General Manager
THE DON CESAR AND BEACH HOUSE SUITES | March 12, 2020
St. Pete Beach, FL (March 12, 2020) – The Don CeSar, widely known as Florida’s iconic Pink Palace®, and its sister property the Beach House Suites, proudly welcome Thomas Fraher as the new General Manager Fraher will oversee budgets, daily operations, sales and marketing efforts, and lead the 92-year old landmark through its multi-phased renovations which will conclude at the end of the year. “I am thrilled to join The Don CeSar and its world class staff,” said Fraher. “The Don CeSar and Beach House Suites are a pillar within the community, and a destination that guests have been returning to year-after-year for nearly a century...
Bryan Patton Named Executive Chef for Delta Hotels by Marriott Dallas Allen & Watters Creek Convention Center
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company | March 12, 2020
DALLAS, TEXAS – (March 12, 2020) – Shortly after celebrating their one-year anniversary, Delta Hotels by Marriott Dallas Allen & Watters Creek Convention Center is thrilled to announce the appointment of Chef Bryan Patton as Executive Chef. The property, managed by BENCHMARK®, A Global Hospitality Company, boasts an incredible 79,000 square feet of convention, ballroom and meeting space, 300 guest rooms and suites and incredible on-site dining options, which Patton will now oversee. “We are thrilled to welcome Chef Bryan Patton to our hotel and convention center, said Stacy Martin, Managing Director of Delta Hotels by Marriott...
UK Hotel Sector Can Breathe a Small Sigh of Relief
HVS | March 12, 2020
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a number of measures in his Budget statement which should assist the UK hotel sector in the wake of the coronavirus, which has already precipitated a number of events and overnight stays in hotels to be cancelled or postponed, thereby causing a fall in hotel occupancy. The Chancellor has singled out the sector to receive a number of benefits which will help to reduce some of the pain, especially for smaller businesses – and not therefore for the larger enterprises that make up the vast majority of the sector. These measures include: Firms with fewer than 250 staff will be refunded for si...
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego Announces New Hotel Manager and Director of Sales and Marketing
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego | March 12, 2020
San Diego, Calif. (March 12, 2020) – Nationally recognized Southern California hotel, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, has announced the promotion of two team members. John Yeadon has been promoted from Director of Sales and Marketing to Hotel Manager, and prior Director of Group Sales, Michaelene Sullivan will assume the role of Director of Sales and Marketing. Both Yeadon and Sullivan bring leadership expertise to their roles at one of Hyatt Hotels & Resorts highest performing hotels. With over 20 years of experience in hospitality management and 14+ years with Hyatt, Yeadon brings a wealth of knowledge to his new position where h...
The Employee Experience Starts With the Hiring Process
Shep Hyken | March 12, 2020
By Shep Hyken Every company wants to have good employees. More importantly, they also want the right employees. There’s a difference. The smartest person in the world may not end up being a good cultural fit for a company. Every company has a personality, and the people they hire must possess the right skills, character and behaviors to fit in. This differs from company to company, so what works for one may not work for another. I recently interviewed Teri Yanovitch for Amazing Business Radio, and she talked about her job at Disney World. She had just finished high school and remembered walking up to the “Casting Center,” where...
Nomadix Appoints New Vice President of Business Development
Nomadix | March 12, 2020
Los Angeles, California (March 12, 2020) – Nomadix Inc., the world leader in innovative guest-facing cloud-managed network edge devices, today announced the appointment of Dean Compoginis as Vice President of Business Development. In this new role, he will lead strategic growth opportunities in the multi-dwelling unit (MDU) and hospitality markets worldwide. Dean is an accomplished global sales and marketing executive, having most recently served as Director of MDU Business Development & Sales at Ruckus Networks. Before that, he was the Director of the Hospitality Business Unit at Meru Networks. Dean has a proven track record in mu...
NextPax Named Vrbo® Elite Software Partner, Recognized For Delivering Next-Generation Connectivity to Optimize Performance
NextPax | March 12, 2020
NextPax earns Elite Partner designation from Vrbo®/HomeAway based on innovative platform enhancements and strong bookings revenue for vacation rental partners Salt Lake City (March 12, 2020) - NextPax, the most advanced channel management technology provider for hotels, resorts and vacation rentals worldwide, announced it has become a Vrbo® Elite Software Partner, the highest designation available for vacation rental software companies that integrate with Vrbo. Vrbo, Expedia Group’s global vacation rental business, is the go-to for families to book vacation homes, cabins, and condos with more than two million places to stay around the wo...
COVID-19: Industry Leaders Speak Out on the Future of the Meeting Business
Hospitality Upgrade | March 12, 2020
by Fran Worrall, Hospitality Upgrade Editor Yesterday, the World Health Organization announced that COVID-19—the viral disease that has swept the globe and killed more than 4,200 people—is officially a pandemic. At the same time, President Donald Trump announced that travel from Europe to the U.S. would be restricted for 30 days, beginning tomorrow at midnight. Analysts are saying the virus is having a bigger impact on global aviation than 9/11. And a recent Skift Research survey indicates that nearly one-third of U.S. travelers are deferring their plans. A number of industry conferences and meetings have been cancelled or postponed, a...
Historic Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Reveals $30M Transformation
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts | March 12, 2020
PHILADELPHIA (March 12, 2020) – Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International’s most global brand, welcomes today the reimagined Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown hotel to its portfolio, following a $30M renovation. A Center City landmark at Logan Square and the second-largest hotel in the city, the property has deep roots in the local community and a long legacy of welcoming visitors to explore, relax, and enjoy the possibilities of travel. The downtown Philadelphia hotel is owned by Cambridge Landmark and operated by Aimbridge Hospitality. “Philadelphia is the cultural crossroads of history and innovation, and we are proud t...
Radisson Hotel Group Signs With GERCHGROUP to Develop Radisson Red Cologne in Germany
Radisson RED | March 12, 2020
Brussels/Cologne - March 12, 2020 - Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce the signing of the first Radisson RED hotel in Germany with developer GERCHGROUP. The new Radisson RED Cologne will be located in a central city location, just a stone's throw from the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cologne Cathedral. The new development will integrate well into the "Laurenz Carré", a modern urban district that also features office and retail spaces. An existing, listed hotel property is being redesigned and supplemented with a new building for the Lifestyle brand of the Radisson Hotel Group. The Radisson RED Cologne will boast a total of 262 g...
White Lodging Plans Conversion of Marriott Plaza San Antonio to The Otis Hotel San Antonio, Autograph Collection
White Lodging | March 12, 2020
White Lodging and Marriott’s Autograph Collection announced today that they will completely transform an existing 251-room property into The Otis Hotel San Antonio, Autograph Collection. Drawing from the city’s culture and the property’s rich history, The Otis Hotel will be the choice for easygoing luxury in the Alamo City. The Otis Hotel is San Antonio’s first Autograph Collection property, which is Marriott International’s global collection of more than 180 inspiring distinctive hotels around the world, that are Exactly Like Nothing Else. The Otis Hotel San Antonio is the second of its namesake, with the first opening in Austin...
Knowland Insights: Coronavirus Pandemic – Hotel Group Impact and Actions
Knowland | March 12, 2020
Large losses of business, mitigation in the short term and positioning for an eventual rebound Washington, DC (March 12, 2020) Knowland, the leader in revenue-generating hospitality meetings data and analytics, is tracking the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on group business for the hotel industry. Today, Knowland announced estimated group cancellation rates across a 90 - 120 day booking window for the US/North America, Asia Pacific and Europe regions. As expected, Asia Pacific has the highest cancellation rate with 90%, while U.S./North America hotels report a 40% cancellation rate for events and meetings. The U.S./North America ...
First Hospitality and Weyland Ventures Break Ground on Flagship Tempo by Hilton Hotel in Louisville
Tempo by Hilton | March 12, 2020
MCLEAN, Va. – March 11, 2020 – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the start of construction of its very first Tempo by Hilton property, hosting a groundbreaking ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky’s trendy NuLu neighborhood. The 130-key, six-story hotel is located at 710 East Jefferson Street and is co-owned by First Hospitality and Weyland Ventures. This inaugural Tempo by Hilton property is slated to open in time for the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Breaking ground less than eight weeks from the Tempo by Hilton brand launch, this milestone marks one of the shortest time periods from brand announcement to groundbreaking in Hilton history. ...
U.S. Travel Community Reacts to Increased Travel Restrictions
USTA | March 12, 2020
WASHINGTON (March 12, 2020) — U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement on the announced suspension of most air travel to and from Europe: "In taking aggressive steps to protect the public against coronavirus, the U.S. government should now consider equally aggressive steps to protect America's workforce and employers. The public's health is the top concern, but now the policy conversation must address the health of the economy. "Temporarily shutting off travel from Europe is going to exacerbate the already-heavy impact of coronavirus on the travel industry and the 15.7 million Americans whos...
Access Point Financial Provides $11M in Financing for Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Renovation
Access Point Financial | March 12, 2020
Recognized leader in hospitality-focused lending steps in to assist with the continued repositioning of the Sheraton brand with Chicago hotel update CHICAGO – March 12, 2020 – Access Point Financial, LLC (APF), a leading direct lender and specialty finance company focused exclusively on the hospitality industry, today announced the completion of an agreement with a Chicago-based ownership group to provide $11 million in financing for the renovation of the Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel. The Sheraton Chicago Northbrook Hotel opened in 2008, and is located in Northbrook, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The 161-room hotel selected Acce...
The Bear, the Bull and the Wolf: a 2020 Economy Fairytale
Dr Giuliano Bianchi | March 11, 2020
As the impact of the global coronavirus outbreak ripples through markets, what's the outlook for tomorrow's economy? By Dr. Giuliano Bianchi Daughter: “Mom, can you tell me a bedtime story?” Mom: “Of course. Do you know the story of the people and their economy of the last two decades?” Daughter: “Is it scary?” Mom: “Quite!” Once upon a time, there was a recovering economy that was finally growing after the 2008 financial meltdown. But then, a scary virus jumped from exotic wild animals to human beings and spread over many continents. In this moment of fear, people reduced their level of consumption leading t...
Crisis Management: Preparing Your Hotel for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
NextGuest | March 11, 2020
By Margaret Mastrogiacomo, EVP Strategy Crisis Management is a critical component of any successful digital strategy. During times of crisis, hotels need to thoughtfully and swiftly develop a prevention plan, communicate to employees and guests, and make critical shifts to revenue management and digital strategies to ensure success. With Coronavirus (COVID-19) continuing to spread, it’s important for hotels to have an action plan in place that addresses both the current state and the potential future impact if the situation continues to worsen. Overall, your hotel should arm itself with an internal Coronavirus response ...
Strategic Coronavirus Operational Planning
Larry Mogelonsky | March 11, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) The news regarding this virus is omnipresent. It has impacted travel throughout the world, for which nearly every hotel will feel the effect. Stemming from numerous emergency planning sessions for the properties we manage through our consultancy, below is the rough preamble of what we have proscribed to help hoteliers get through this global ordeal. Preparation is essential, not only in terms of what we do hygienically, but also in how we build our business. Whatever the actual severity of this virus, the fact remains that it is not our call as hoteliers to make a decision either wa...
Hyatt, Terra Group and Turnberry Announce Plans for the First Grand Hyatt Hotel in Miami Beach Adjacent to the Newly Renovated Convention Center
Grand Hyatt | March 11, 2020
CHICAGO (March 11, 2020) - Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H), Terra Group and Turnberry announced plans today for a new 800-room Grand Hyatt hotel in Miami Beach, Fla that will be managed by Hyatt. Slated to open in 2023, Grand Hyatt Miami Beach will offer elevated experiences for leisure and business travelers alike. Its prime location adjacent to the Miami Beach Convention Center, which completed a $600 million renovation last year, offers visitors convenient access to the city’s most anticipated tradeshows and events. The 17-story hotel will be situated at the intersection of 17th Street and Convention Center Drive, within walking d...
Yotel Begins Multi-Million Dollar Transition of Liaison Washington Capitol Hill Ahead of Hotel’s Debut as Yotel Washington D.C. This Fall
Yotel | March 11, 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 11, 2020) – Following the success of YOTEL in cities including New York, Boston and San Francisco, the disruptive hospitality brand will bring YOTEL’s smart design and technology to the nation’s capital with the debut of YOTEL Washington D.C. this fall. As the brand’s first-ever acquisition and transition, the hotel will move forward with branding and incorporating YOTEL’s signature technology and adaptable design as part of a multi-million dollar full property reconstruction and remodel. The property will remain open through the transition, continuing to offer guests convenient access to both Capitol Hill an...
Travel Leaders Echo Experts: Make Fact-Based Decisions About Traveling
AHLA | March 11, 2020
WASHINGTON (March 11, 2020)—A coalition of 150 travel-related organizations issued the following statement on the latest developments around coronavirus (signatories below): "For the travel and hospitality industry, the safety of the traveling public, our guests and our employees is of the utmost importance. We are in daily contact with public health authorities and are acting on the most up-to-date information on the evolving coronavirus situation. "Health and government officials have continually assured the public that healthy Americans can 'confidently travel in this country.' While it's critically important to remain vigilant and...
