In January, the United States inaugurated its forty-fourth commander in chief and ushered in what's largely considered to be a landmark administration. President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and their cabinet, have promised sweeping policy changes in several areas. Among the list of Obama's priority issues are the economy, healthcare, foreign policy, and of course energy and the environment as global climate change is one of the fastest growing points of anxiety for America. His plans to address global climate change caused by carbon emissions have been intensely analyzed by policy makers and the media. READ MORE

The first businesses to feel the immediate effects of pending federal legislations will be the energy producers, and in turn, every energy consuming business. Regulations on carbon emissions production and requirements to be greener can be safely associated with higher costs and higher prices for end consumers. Companies who purchase energy to operate multiple sites, like big box retailers, restaurant chains, and hotel chains should take a close look at changes happening at the state level to be prepared for the day when their own states' energy producers are expected to meet similar guidelines, and they in turn see prices jump. READ MORE

With oil prices recently hitting an all time high of $100 a barrel, business leaders have never been more motivated to optimize their energy use. Thanks to market forces, going green now makes good business sense. And there's no better industry to make the business case for going green than hospitality. The hotel industry spends nearly $5 billion annually on energy. Much of that is wasted on empty rooms, inefficient equipment, and poor energy management practices. That's the bad news.With that in mind, here are some basic, yet effective demand-side initiatives to lower hotel operating costs. Some of these ideas apply to existing buildings; some are for those still on the drawing board. All will have a measurable impact on the bottom line. READ MORE

In today's economy, it's difficult for any type of business to commit to a new expense. For hotel operators who remain dedicated to sustainability, it may seem that their green initiatives will have to suffer in these hard times. What many are unaware of are all of the opportunities for energy conservation that cost nothing, or very little. The article that follows details some of the simplest ways to reduce energy consumption and see fast payback in the form of lower energy bills. There's no reason not to take a few easy steps to green your business and add to your bottom line. READ MORE

With the demand for technology continuing to grow throughout the meetings industry, convention services managers (CSMs) throughout hotels, convention centers and convention & visitors bureaus have adapted to this demand by utilizing web-based applications and programs to help ensure a smoother event process for their clients. "The housing experience, many times, is the first experience the client will have with a city," said Madonna Carr, CMP, Vice President of Destination Services at Meet Minneapolis. "So if the process isn't smooth or flawless from the beginning, then it sets the tone for the rest of their experience with us." READ MORE

Those who make it through the current economic recession will be the owners, managers, and investors who take prudent steps to effectively assess their risks and protect their interests. This article offers a guide for those who want to survive the storm - and emerge as winners when the hospitality industry improves. READ MORE

The value of the facade preservation easement donation is usually determined by applying the "before and after" valuation approach. Performed by a qualified real estate appraiser, the amount of the charitable deduction is computed by determining the difference between the fair market value of the property before the granting of the preservation easement and the fair market value of the property after the granting of the preservation easement. However, because each facade preservation easement valuation depends upon a number of variables that are unique to each property, including existing historic preservation laws that may already impact the property, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to valuing facade preservation easements. READ MORE

Rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of our nation's historic and pre-1936 buildings continue to be a hot trend in the real estate development industry, particularly as many American cities promote and encourage urban renewal projects in their downtown and historic areas. In most cases, it takes more than deep pockets and the divine inspiration of the developer to bring a historic building back to life. developers involved in rehabilitating historic buildings should promote teamwork, include experienced professionals, and expect the unexpected. A critical success factor is the developer's willingness and ability to assemble a strong team of experienced professionals to carry out the project. With a strong development team, the project may not only run more smoothly but also be perceived more favorably by investors and lenders while obtaining better terms in the process. Here are some helpful hints when selecting development team members for a historic rehabilitation tax credit project: READ MORE

To really look at the value of PR and the effects that its efforts can truly have on a hotel's bottom line during a recessed economy, I asked three industry insiders about their belief in (and faith of) the timeless art of Public Relations. Below are answers from: Ed Donaldson, Senior Vice President for JG Blackbook of Travel, a hotel sales and marketing company based in New York with properties across the globe; David Morgan-Hewitt, the Managing Director of the 100-year old, family owned Goring Hotel in London and Ilan Segal, Managing Partner of Tcherassi Hotels, a luxury boutique hotel brand in Latin America. READ MORE

Leading organization change is difficult even in the best of circumstances. Once projects begin change leaders inevitably encounter obstacles and challenges that require redesigning the plan or creating work-around solutions to help meet broader project objectives. Some problems are technical and can be solved by applying expertise. Others require solutions that are more adaptive and focused on navigating human emotions and behavior. Most problems are a combination of both and require a set of capabilities that allow change leaders to navigate the ambiguity and create flexible solutions to keep initiatives on track. To go beyond platitudes and achieve the operational benefits of broader behavioral change, project leaders can apply five tools that will enable project teams to more rapidly identify adaptive solutions and create more comprehensive success. READ MORE

Year after year, hungry lovers march to the altar to validate their love. By the time the honeymoon comes, a couple is often times so exhausted by their efforts of putting on the grandest most amazing show, that the honeymoon comes and goes too quickly, if at all, with our tight economic times, endeavoring careers, and pre-existing families. The most important thing for a couple to remember is that they are the ones getting married and that the memories created during that time should literally be referenced upon as, the best day of their lives. Coincidentally, the most important thing for a Hotel or Destination Resort to remember is that they have the honor to help a couple make their greatest wedding dream or fantasy, a reality. READ MORE

If only the travel industry were like the banks, or the biofuels business. Then it would have this huge stimulus fund to research and develop product, attract new customers and access the capital necessary to grow without the burden of huge debt. However, the travel industry does find itself in a good position presently. It is in the midst of a comeback. But economic comebacks have a flaw, being that access to ready capital. It is time for marketing innovation, a stimulus fund if you will. That stimulus program for the travel business has come in the form of direct response innovation. READ MORE

Butlers first began to appear in hotels a quarter of a century ago. However, they have been in service for a millennium and have become synonymous with the highest level of service to employers and guests alike. How butlers reached such giddy heights is not the subject of this article, but how their standards of service are being recognized and adopted as the most important consumer trend in 2010 is what you will find in the following few paragraphs. High-end hospitality providers and those who care to provide superior service will recognize their own standards being validated, and it is to them this article is dedicated. READ MORE

Over the last decade mobile phones have changed the way we conduct our personal and business lives. No longer just a communication tool, mobile users now need their phones as a life management tool. The mobile community has an agenda. They no longer want to merely interact, they want to streamline their life via a tool where they can conceptualize, organize and categorize their daily life tasks. As hotel marketers we need to strategize and monetize. READ MORE

The ageless cliche that “time is money” has never been so appropriate in our industry. As valuable to you as the accuracy of the data you use to ensure the success of your business is the timeliness of that same data. If you are working with anything less than “real time”, you are potentially bleeding cash you don't have, and negatively impacting your bottom line, your flow, and by extension, the value of your asset. There are solutions - both systematically and in terms of time management. Do they cost? Of course they do - either in dollars or changes to your routines. The return, however, could be the difference between success and dramatic failure - especially now. READ MORE