American Hotel and Lodging Association

LA Wins as Union Agrees to Pull Unhoused in Hotels Measure

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Today, Los Angeles city leaders introduced a new ordinance as a compromise to Unite Here Local 11’s “Homeless in Hotels” ballot measure.

Key Points: 
  • Today, Los Angeles city leaders introduced a new ordinance as a compromise to Unite Here Local 11’s “Homeless in Hotels” ballot measure.
  • This new structured program removes significant safety risks for hotel employees and visitors concerned about turning every hotel in Los Angeles into homeless shelters.
  • The Los Angeles City Council proposal will formalize a voluntary housing program that will replace the union’s March 5, 2024 ballot measure, which mandated hotel housekeepers become the first line of care for unhoused Angelenos.
  • Unite Here Local 11’s Unhoused in Hotels ballot measure demanded:
    View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231101693875/en/

UMF|PerfectCLEAN Calls for Nominations for Fifth Annual National Guest Room Attendant Excellence Award

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 31, 2023

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Oct. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nominations are open for UMF|PerfectCLEAN's fifth annual National Guest Room Attendant (GRA) Excellence Award. UMF|PerfectCLEAN developed the award to recognize the hotel housekeepers – GRAs – who ensure hotels and lodges across the country are clean and safe for guests. GRAs have faced many challenges in 2023 as hotel occupancy rates approach pre-pandemic levels, guests demand cleanliness and hygiene, and staffing shortages abound. The award provides hotel general managers, room directors, and housekeeping managers with an opportunity to recognize the staff members who commit themselves to the highest standards of excellence. Nominations for the National GRA Excellence Award are open through Dec. 15, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • NORTHBROOK, Ill., Oct. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nominations are open for UMF|PerfectCLEAN's fifth annual National Guest Room Attendant (GRA) Excellence Award .
  • The award provides hotel general managers, room directors, and housekeeping managers with an opportunity to recognize the staff members who commit themselves to the highest standards of excellence.
  • Nominations for the National GRA Excellence Award are open through Dec. 15, 2023.
  • "The National GRA Excellence Award is an ideal way to honor the hotel housekeeper who deserves recognition," added Clarke.

Ault Alliance Announces TurnOnGreen Continues to Expand Its Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Across The North America Hospitality Segment

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 27, 2023

Users can activate these chargers via the TurnOnGreen App, RFID cards, or by scanning a unique QR code displayed on each EV charger.

Key Points: 
  • Users can activate these chargers via the TurnOnGreen App, RFID cards, or by scanning a unique QR code displayed on each EV charger.
  • TurnOnGreen’s EV charging hardware, management software, and network services allow municipalities, businesses, and homeowners to monetize, track and report EV charger usage.
  • TurnOnGreen charging systems maintain high standards in the market, are Energy Star Certified, and are backed by an internationally recognized certificate of safety and performance.
  • “TurnOnGreen continues to build strategic partnerships across a variety of industries that enable TurnOnGreen to build EV charging infrastructure in regions where it is needed most,” said Amos Kohn, TurnOnGreen’s Chief Executive Officer.

Front Desk Supply Sees Spike in Hotel Supply Sales through e-Commerce Site as the Hospitality Industry Faces Nationwide Staffing Shortages

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 2, 2023

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Front Desk Supply, a leading hotel and hospitality supplier based in San Diego, CA, reports a surprising increase in orders for essential supplies like hotel key cards, key card holders, signs, notepads, pens, and identification badges coming through their commerce site, https://shop.frontdesksupply.com which offers many generic products, as well as hotelsupplyhq.com which shows the full breadth of the Front Desk Supply Product line. Ready-made supplies offer easy ordering with ongoing, nationwide staffing shortages in the hospitality industry and can be used while waiting for popular custom supplies

Key Points: 
  • Ready-made supplies offer easy ordering with ongoing, nationwide staffing shortages in the hospitality industry and can be used while waiting for popular custom supplies
    "The ordering process for many hotel managers is becoming very refined.
  • They are laser-focused on choosing which supplies are 'must-enhance' and 'must-customize' and which can be ready-made," says Front Desk Supply Director of Commercial Operations Mark Zisek.
  • Many of the staffing issues in the hotel industry started years ago during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when 70% of hospitality jobs were cut or placed on extended leave.
  • Front Desk Supply is an industry leader in hospitality supplies, offering a wide variety of items, including key cards, key card holders, valet tags, hotel signs and concierge tags.

Agilysys Senior Vice President of Product Strategy Frank Pitsikalis Appointed to the Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) Vendor Advisory Council

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 21, 2023

Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of hospitality software, solutions and services that deliver High Return Hospitality, announces that Frank Pitsikalis, senior vice president of product strategy, has been appointed to the Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) Vendor Advisory Council (VAC).

Key Points: 
  • Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of hospitality software, solutions and services that deliver High Return Hospitality, announces that Frank Pitsikalis, senior vice president of product strategy, has been appointed to the Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) Vendor Advisory Council (VAC).
  • The VAC unifies understanding of technology advances among the vendor community, hoteliers and the AHLA.
  • The HTNG Vendor Advisory Council represents the collective interests of technology vendors supporting the hospitality industry.
  • Agilysys acquired ResortSuite in January 2022, at which time Pitsikalis joined the Company’s executive team and was later promoted to senior vice president of product strategy.

Red Lobster® Names Horace Dawson Chief Executive Officer

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 21, 2023

ORLANDO, Fla. , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Red Lobster® announces Horace Dawson has been named the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company and is joining the company's board.

Key Points: 
  • ORLANDO, Fla. , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Red Lobster® announces Horace Dawson has been named the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company and is joining the company's board.
  • Since 2014, Dawson served as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Red Lobster where he led legal affairs and was responsible for communications, risk management and government relations.
  • Dawson also has experience in private practice, having handled matters in the corporate and securities areas of Akerman LLP.
  • Kenny has over 50 years of experience in the food industry, most recently holding positions as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Advisor of the Minor Food Group and serving as a director on the Board of Minor International.

CHLA Supports State-Federal Standard for Hotel Fees

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 15, 2023

On behalf of California’s more than 6,000 hotels and 235,000 hotel employees, the California Hotel and Lodging Association released the following statement about federal and state legislation governing hotel fees:

Key Points: 
  • On behalf of California’s more than 6,000 hotels and 235,000 hotel employees, the California Hotel and Lodging Association released the following statement about federal and state legislation governing hotel fees:
    “We support a single national standard for hotels to disclose resort fees so our guests can simply and clearly see any costs associated with their stays,” said Lynn S. Mohrfeld, President and CEO of CHLA.
  • “Although resort fees are no longer a common practice in California with only seven percent currently using them, fully disclosing any charges to guests should be seamless throughout the nation.”

Potawatomi Casino Hotel Selects Agilysys Industry-Leading POS Solutions to Maximize Return on Experience for Guests and Staff

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Since installing the POS platforms from the Agilysys Hospitality Core Collection™, Potawatomi Casino Hotel staff have been able to provide enhanced experiences throughout the property that serves 6 million-plus guest visits annually.

Key Points: 
  • Since installing the POS platforms from the Agilysys Hospitality Core Collection™, Potawatomi Casino Hotel staff have been able to provide enhanced experiences throughout the property that serves 6 million-plus guest visits annually.
  • “Coming off the pandemic, guests want it all, and technology helps us deliver,” said Garret Finocchiaro, CIO at Potawatomi Casino Hotel.
  • “We are in a much better position to create the High Return Hospitality experiences they expect with Agilysys’ POS solutions at staff members’ fingertips.
  • As such, Potawatomi Casino Hotel management understands the need for hospitality-specific solutions to up the proverbial ante to keep staff — and guest — satisfied in this growing industry.

RateGain announces the appointment of Peter Strebel as its New President for the Americas

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 7, 2023

DALLAS, Aug. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RateGain Travel Technologies Limited, a global provider of SaaS solutions for travel and hospitality, today announced the appointment of Peter Strebel as its new President to lead the Americas region. Peter, a two-time CEO, in his last role, was the Chairman of Omni Hotels & Resorts, providing strategic counsel to the company before serving as the company's former President, Chief Marketing Officer, and Senior Vice President of Sales.

Key Points: 
  • DALLAS, Aug. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RateGain Travel Technologies Limited, a global provider of SaaS solutions for travel and hospitality, today announced the appointment of Peter Strebel as its new President to lead the Americas region.
  • In between his time with Omni, Strebel served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Wyndham Hotel Group and was promoted to President of the company before returning to Omni.
  • "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Chinmai for his leadership and belief in RateGain.
  • Peter is based out of Dallas where he lives with his wife and enjoys spending time with his family.

Marriott International and University of Maryland SAFE Center Announce Nationwide Rollout of Hospitality Training Curriculum for Survivors of Trafficking

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 27, 2023

Designed with input from survivor consultants and field experts, the FiT Curriculum provides trauma-informed job readiness training for survivors interested in hospitality careers.

Key Points: 
  • Designed with input from survivor consultants and field experts, the FiT Curriculum provides trauma-informed job readiness training for survivors interested in hospitality careers.
  • We look forward to expanding our support to the SAFE Center for Human Trafficking Survivors as it scales the FiT Curriculum nationwide."
  • All English and Spanish-speaking adult survivors receiving services from the SAFE Center for Human Trafficking Survivors and subcontracted partner organizations will be eligible to participate in the training program.
  • "We have seen the profound effect hospitality training can have on survivors' wellbeing and autonomy," said Susan Esserman, SAFE Center Founder and Director.