Think all designers are the same? Think again! My article is intended to help you select a designer for your next FF&E project who will enhance the look of your property, increase sales, and increase the hotel's value - and perhaps most importantly, will increase your peace of mind. This article provides practical tips for evaluating a potential designer's experience, credentials, and personality. Follow my suggestions for easier deliberations and for a decision that leaves you feeling confident and comfortable - about your choice of designer as well as about your entire project. READ MORE

In an economy where unemployment tops 9% it is hard to imagine an easier time for employers to find and retain talent. However, in the world of recruitment a greater number of candidates to choose from does not necessarily equate to superior quality. Campus recruitment, long the lifeblood of entry-level positions and management trainees, offers even greater challenges. Although college attendance continues to increase and graduates face a tough labor market, there remains a material gap between the availability of talent and their willingness to fill entry level and low-skilled positions. This article discusses how employers can more readily access campus talent to meet ongoing recruitment needs. READ MORE

We've heard it time and time again; social media is the new wave of internet marketing and it is definitely here to stay. But it seems like there is still a handful of hoteliers that are not convinced of the power of social media and why marketing through these channels is important for their online branding. It doesn't help that social channels and networking sites come and go like seasons, and staying on top of the latest and greatest in social media technology is a full-time job in itself. Understandably, these are reasons enough why hoteliers may pull back when it comes to social media marketing. READ MORE

Many companies have tactical social media programs managed by the marketing department, but the industry as a whole has yet to fully exploit the potential of this emerging data and communication resource. The revenue management department, as it takes a more strategic role within the organization, is poised to be an early adopter of the opportunities provide by social media. In this article, I will discuss a framework for evaluating social media-related, revenue management opportunities which can be used in revenue management and across the organization understand the role of social media in supporting better business decisions. READ MORE

Everyone in this environment is looking for ways to maximize revenue and boost sales. And with the growth of internet bookings, hoteliers must ensure that their channel management strategy includes the online channel. But often, hoteliers lose focus and turn their property's website into the equivalent of an online brochure rather than using it as the important sales tool that it is. So what's the solution? By optimizing the booking engine, hoteliers can maximize bookings and revenues through this important portal. By avoiding these five common booking engine mistakes, you can turn your property's site into a money making machine. READ MORE

You are invited to examine spa treatment trends that have legs and are not just passing fads. Rising trends that have longevity and are selected for their synergy with the ambiance and philosophy of your property offer a distinctive match that strengths the appeal of your property and market. By comparing spas and trends to F&B, hopefully a comfort level is achieved and results in guiding your spa to higher success. This article will list the trend cues that spas can adopt from the food industry including close similarities. Take note that we will go beyond treatment cues to management and demonstrate how the Spa Industry is losing net profit along with loyal guests due to a significant point of departure from one very important cue. READ MORE

Smartphone use is growing by leaps and bounds, presenting opportunities as well as challenges for the hotel industry. Many are embracing these new technologies and finding ways to monetize them, as well as leverage them to encourage repeat business. Thanks to increased focus on creating an exceptional user experience, mobile device use has grown significantly in 2011, and 2012 promises to continue this trend: more than 90 percent of mobile phones going out on the market today have mobile web capabilities. Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets were the highest-selling consumer electronic device category in 2011. READ MORE

The hotel industry has become a target of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) enforcement actions and lawsuits. Whether action is prompted by a single guest complaint at a particular hotel or a sweeping DOJ investigation covering hotels in a designated geographical area, one thing is clear - no hotel is immune. Boutique, luxury and limited service hotels are all within the scope as the DOJ widens its target range. READ MORE

In such a short amount of time, mobile technology has changed the way that the world does just about everything. There's no doubt about it; smart mobile devices are dictating how we live our lives. With these mobile devices in our hands, and media and information up in The Cloud, there are limitless possibilities for access. This is a game-changing development for the hospitality industry. It is opening a variety of delivery mechanisms for personal guest services that are affordable, efficient and easy to use. Not only is it now easier to travel the world, it is also easier for hotels to operate and could change how guests interact with a hotel. READ MORE

Wi-Fi access has become as crucial as electricity for many people and providing a high-quality Wi-Fi connection in hotels is no longer a nice-to-have but an imperative. iPhones, iPads and media tablets are driving demand for connectivity. This article explores some of the questions hotels should ask of their Wi-Fi providers, so that their hotel Wi-Fi service is a customer satisfaction issue. The article also explores what's behind the issues behind the resurgence in Wi-Fi demand and how hotels can explore new revenue opportunities with Wi-Fi. READ MORE

Mobile, Local, Social - not only a trend but reality for hospitality commerce as consumers increasingly search, shop and buy via mobile devices, look for hotels close to wherever they are and share their travel experience with friends and the community. This poses a great opportunity for mobile marketing, reaching customers via an increasingly growing, powerful and widespread distribution channel. This article gives insights about how mobility impacts the hospitality industry, explains the mobile “touch points” throughout the supply chain, provides examples for best practices and talks about its impact on hotel operations. READ MORE

With so many measurement tools on the market, it can be difficult to determine which ones are the right solutions for your hotel or property. How do you know which ones you need? How can you combine them in order to get a well-rounded view of the guest experience you're delivering? In my experience, there are six measurement tools that, when implemented properly, can generate a truly 360-degree view of performance. This article will help you navigate through your best measurement options and come up with the measurement plan that best suits your organization. READ MORE

It's hard to believe a year and a half has passed since the new Americans with Disabilities Act regulations were published by the U.S. Department of Justice. The deadline to comply with many new requirements have come and gone, and in two months all requirements become mandatory. The new regulations include general as well as specific provisions for lodging establishments and facilities. Read on for a list of policies, practices and procedures that should be part of every day operations along with a summary of capital improvements that might be necessary for continued ADA compliance. READ MORE

Smart phones are well on their way to ubiquity and, as a result, mobile commerce is on the rise. If you want to know who's leading the way, look no further than those who travel. A recent TripAdvisor survey found that over 40% of travelers use their smart phones to plan a trip and over 46% use their smart phones to enhance their trip while traveling. While I could go into lengthy analysis on “why?” the question travel-industry marketing executives should be asking themselves is “how?” How can I ensure that my company is not only keeping up with the shift toward mobile, but actually leading the way? READ MORE

Sometimes, despite a considerable investment of time and resources, an hotelier isn't able to find an American worker to fill the position. In that event, hoteliers are not limited to the pool of US workers who do not meet the minimum requirements for the job; they may consider hiring a foreign national. One way to do this is by sponsoring a foreign national for permanent residence through a process called Labor Certification. Once an hotelier is able to obtain Labor Certification, she may sponsor a foreign national for permanent residence; this means the right person for the job will become eligible for a green card. READ MORE