| November 20, 2012 | News for hotel and lodging professionals |
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- New AH&LA chairman declares advocacy as his primary goal
 AH&LA has made significant progress in educating legislators about the importance of travel to the U.S. economy, said Ron Vlasic, a regional vice president at Kimpton Hotels & Resorts and the new chairman of AH&LA. The association will continue to work on its advocacy campaign to champion the lodging industry's interests before Congress, Vlasic said. "I think the industry needs to understand that we're fighting for the rights of hotels, that we're on the Hill making our message loud and clear, keeping the education with our members, letting them know what things might be coming and also some of the learning programs out there," Vlasic said. HotelsMag.com (free registration)
(11/16)      
| Business Update | | |
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| Market Trends | | |
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- Experts: Rates increase will be an opening for revenue managers
Executives at STR predict that the average daily rate at hotels will rise 4.6% in 2013. This will present an opportunity for hotels to strengthen their revenue per available room as long as they have skilled revenue managers to capitalize on this growth, they said. Hiring exceptional revenue managers and providing them with advanced analytical tools should now take priority to help hotels reach performance goals, STR says. HotelNewsNow.com
(11/16)
- Survey: Holiday travel spending will rise 12% this year
An annual survey by Allianz Global Assistance USA indicates that holiday travel spending this year will reach $72.9 billion -- up about 12% over 2011. Forty-five percent of respondents said they are "very confident" that they will take a holiday vacation this year, compared with 42% in the previous year. TravelPulse
(11/18)
- Hotel-meeting venues shrink in tune with workers' changing habits
The growing popularity of small meetings among today's business travelers has prompted hotel firms such as Marriott Hotels & Resorts to offer spaces where workers can talk shop in a casual environment, this feature says. "I think the whole trend towards lifestyle hotels, lobbies becoming more networking opportunities, and carrying that over into where the meeting venues areas are, will probably play well with the next [generation]," said David Brudney, a hotel sales and marketing consultant. HotelNewsNow.com
(11/19)
| Spotlight on Technology | | |
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- Column: Meetings will see less paper, more high-tech engagement
The rise of mobile devices and media-distribution platforms will lead to a future meetings industry with less-to-no paper usage and greater engagement with participants, writes meetings-industry consultant Corbin Ball. "The days of finding the event planner by looking for the person carrying the thick 3-ring binder full of paper are rapidly drawing to a close. Meeting planners are trading their heavy paper 'conference bibles' for svelte iPads and other tablets," Ball writes. 4Hoteliers
(11/17)
| Best Practices | | |
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- Column: Interaction is key to a thriving social-media campaign
Engaging discussions and challenges are just some of the activities that lead to a successful social-media marketing effort, writes Nicholas Sarillo, founder and CEO of Nick's Pizza & Pub. Having a staff member take on a dedicated role in managing social-media efforts will also add the benefit of a consistent marketing approach, Sarillo writes. eHotelier.com
(11/16)
| Development | | |
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- Customers' demands drive some Pa. casino resorts to remodel
Some casino hotels in Pennsylvania aiming to cater to customers' demands are being remodeled into destination resorts matching properties in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. "Customers in our industry want the culinary experience, the shopping, the nightlife, the entertainment -- the whole package," said Robert DeSalvio, president of Bethlehem's Sands Casino Resort. Sands has been expanded to include a hotel, an events center and a shopping complex. Meanwhile, the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs casino is building a new hotel tower, while the Mount Airy Casino plans to build a $5 million pool complex. The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.)
(11/18)
- San Diego Marriott will get $100M makeover
The California Coastal Commission has approved a plan for a new ballroom and exhibit hall at the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina along with public access to the bay. During the next two years, construction is expected to start at the waterfront site, and general manager Tuni Kyi predicts a 2016 opening. San Diego Union-Tribune
(11/16)
| AH&LA News | | |
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Ensure your organization is legally compliant

Keep up with recent employment law changes and how they apply to your industry. Only HR in Hospitality, March 11-13 in Las Vegas, gives you the guidance you need to ensure you're using HR best practices for legal compliance. Register early and save $350. AH&LA members save $125 more. E-mail membership@ahla.com for your savings promo code.
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Lodging survey tracks key industry trends
The new 2012 Lodging Survey tracks key trends in more than 100 areas, including in-room amenities, security, food/beverage, guest services, green and facilities, giving hoteliers a detailed analysis of the industry. To download a copy of the study, funded every two years by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation, visit the members-only section of www.ahla.com.
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