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Jennifer Glatt

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  • 2 min

Stephanie Sparks Smith Emphasizes Aligning Marketing with Planning Windows to Enhance Revenue Management in Hospitality

📈 Operators often wait for a "pace-behind" warning from Revenue Management Systems (RMS) before acting, but aligning marketing spend with a guest’s planning window (60–90 days out) rather than the RMS booking window (0–14 days out) is crucial. Stephanie Sparks Smith of Cogwheel Marketing highlights that hotels must unify goals across teams to improve total hotel revenue. Reframing marketing as a revenue generator helps optimize spend and targets underperforming segments earlier.
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Hospitality Industry Faces Margin Squeeze with Labor Costs Projected to Hit $131 Billion in 2026

🏨 In 2026, hospitality faces intensified margin pressures with labor costs projected at $131 billion. Labor expenses are 35% of revenue, challenging profitability. AHLA's report projects 2.2 million employees in 2026, with legislative changes needed to support growth. Replacing staff costs over $6,000 per person. Strategies like cross-training and technology integration aim to reduce turnover and enhance guest experiences, balancing cost with service quality in cities like Los Angeles and New York.
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  • 3 min

FORWARD/26 Conference in Atlanta Achieves Record Attendance of 1,000, Focuses on Women’s Leadership in Hospitality

📅 April 16-17, Atlanta, Georgia: The sold-out FORWARD/26, hosted by the AHLA Foundation, attracted 1,000 attendees, emphasizing women's leadership in hospitality. Katherine Lugar, Hilton's EVP, and Rosanna Maietta, AHLA Foundation's President, highlighted the importance of collaboration, mentorship, and inclusivity in advancing the industry. Lugar shared insights on intuition and learning from mistakes, underscoring travel's role in diplomacy and connection. The initiative aims to empower women to reach leadership roles, fostering a supportive industry culture.
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