by John J Hogan, CHA CMHS CHE CHO

As the CEO of a service business that supports literally hundreds of hotel owners annually through training, consulting and professional development, I have come to identify how issues and practices can quickly change. In our ongoing work in seminars and consulting, we recognize that the needs of individual hotel owners are likely not the same as that of a 3rd party hotel management group or a franchisor that has 8 or 10 brands. We all need to identify our own needs and then find the ways to meet them.

In working to improve my professional services for clients in the hospitality industry, I am always looking for places and ideas to develop my attentiveness of trends and ways to improve my Hotel Common Senseā„¢. In my 2016 planning, I am pleased to share with readers of this column several venues offering some reliable information. The Hotel Ownership Management Summit precedes the February 23-24th 16th Hospitality Law Conference in Houston.

In 2015, I had the opportunity to interact with a wonderful set of rising stars, the department heads and hotel assistant managers of Newport Hospitality. While celebrating its 25th anniversary, the executives and owners of Newport assembled more than 50 professionals for a multi-day event of team building and professional development. I was pleased to be able to share some of my career and professional experiences as a hotelier and hotel legal expert witness in a half day session called SAFETY COMES FIRST. The group was extremely interested and motivated and I have found an increasing number of individuals and companies who are actively increasing their awareness in these kinds of programs.

I am pleased to share an additional item featured this year at the Law Conference. It is a topic that is becoming far too frequent everywhere in the world, that of a violent shooting in the workplace.

Active Shooter Beginning Scenario

Are You Prepared? Offers the experience of a real-world active shooter scenario at The Hospitality Law Conference ā€“ 2016. A crisis-management team will challenge attendees to put your knowledge to the test, with an assessment of your crisis management skills. This diverse team of cross-functional professionals will share ideas on how to develop policies, training, discuss legal concerns, and more.

In 2014 and 2015, Hotel Owners learned that industry transformation is coming, and with it comes more potential opportunities if one can identify when and how to find them. In 2016, there are many meetings and conference venues, but the hotel owners who have the self-reliance and expertise to seek avenues of action that are not just the ā€œsame oldā€ will likely be the ones to achieve that higher level of success.

I have found the Hospitality Law Conference to be a focused program, with excellent networking opportunities at a medium size group (under 300) that includes an excellent cross section of the industry.

I look forward to seeing you in Houston.