LODGING Staff - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 9

3 min

Kristie Rasheed Leads Operations for Over 40 Hotels at Olympia Hospitality, Highlighting 25-Year Career in Industry

🏨 Kristie Rasheed, inspired by her love of travel, studied at the University of South Carolina's School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management. Starting as a reservations manager at Wild Dunes Resort, she spent 12 years there under mentors like Terri Haack. Now, she leads operations for over 40 hotels at Olympia Hospitality, culminating 25 years in the industry. In 2025, the hospitality industry saw gradual progress in women’s leadership, with expectations for continued diversity and inclusion in 2026.

3 min

Lodging Industry Sees Progress in Advancing Women to Leadership Roles in 2025, Future Diversity Looks Promising

📑 In 2025, the lodging industry saw increased female leadership across corporate teams, ownership groups, and advisory councils. Stephanie Kendrick, a brand leader at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, emphasizes the value of mentorship, citing influences like Sanjeev Raut and Rick Munson. Kendrick started in hospitality as a front desk agent in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She champions diversity initiatives and has guided brands like Days Inn and La Quinta. Prominent programs include Hospitality Hued and BOLD, fostering diversity and inclusion.

1 min

Island Hospitality Management Takes Over 138-Suite Homewood Suites by Hilton in Palo Alto, Expanding California Presence

🏨 Island Hospitality Management, based in West Palm Beach, Florida, took over management of the 138-suite Homewood Suites by Hilton in Palo Alto, California. The hotel is strategically located near Stanford University and major tech companies like Google and Meta, with proximity to San Jose and San Francisco airports. Amenities include fully equipped kitchens, complimentary breakfast, and an outdoor pool. This addition enhances Island Hospitality's California portfolio, leveraging its expertise in upscale, extended-stay properties.

2 min

Canary Technologies Report Reveals 85% of Hotels to Allocate Over 5% of IT Budget to AI in 2026

💻 SAN FRANCISCO, California—In early 2026, Canary Technologies conducted a global survey of over 400 hotel IT decision-makers, revealing that 71% see AI as significantly transformative. Notably, 85% plan to allocate at least 5% of their IT budgets to AI tools. The study shows 82% anticipate increased AI use in the next year, with benefits like saving staff time, boosting guest satisfaction, and increasing revenue. This shift from exploration to execution is reshaping the hospitality industry.

2 min

American Hotel & Lodging Association Adds 11 New Companies to Premier Partner Program, Including Deloitte and PwC

💰 AHLA, March 2026, announced 11 new companies joining its Premier Partner program. Silver Partners include Deloitte, PwC, and Quore. Associate Partners are Amazon Web Services, ConnexPay, EDS Service Solutions, Enseo, Hapi, MindClick, PepsiCo, Purchasing Management International, and Signal Restoration. These partners provide strategic insights and trends to AHLA members, enhancing guest experiences and operational efficiency. Rosanna Maietta, AHLA CEO, emphasized the importance of these partnerships in meeting evolving hotel guest expectations.

ESa Opens 120-Room Hotel Eastport in The Villages, Florida, Featuring Mid-Century Design and Sustainability Initiatives

🏨 The Villages, Florida—Hotel Eastport opens in Eastport Town Center, featuring a 91,752 sq. ft. space with 120 guestrooms and a 3,000 sq. ft. ballroom. Designed with mid-century modern aesthetics, it includes an ice cream shop, restaurant, two bars, a pool, and a fitness center. The hotel achieved a 30% energy reduction using sustainable materials. Views of Central Lake connect guests to Florida's environment. Partners included Ignyte, Michael Pape, and others.

Engine Integrates with SAP Concur, Offering Access to 900,000 Global Hotel Properties through Hotel Connector

🏨 Engine announced an integration with SAP Concur in New Orleans, Louisiana, expanding access to over 900,000 global hotel properties for Concur Travel users. This enables automatic e-receipt integration for those using Concur Expense. The integration allows business travelers to access competitive hotel rates within the Concur Travel ecosystem, while companies maintain control over travel spend. This collaboration simplifies expense management by automatically transferring receipts to SAP Concur, enhancing visibility and reporting.

The Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica Joins The Unbound Collection by Hyatt After 2023 Restoration

🏨 Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced that The Georgian, an oceanfront hotel on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, California, has joined The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The Georgian, opened in 1933, underwent a restoration in 2023. It offers 84 guestrooms, including 28 suites, many with Pacific views. The hotel features art deco details, a restaurant focusing on Californian produce, and Gallery 33, which hosts local art year-round, including works by Sharon Stone and Billy Zane.

Concord Hospitality Expands Portfolio in 2026 with Hilton Jacksonville Opening and New Strategic Partnerships

📈 Concord Hospitality, in 2026, expanded its management portfolio with key openings and partnerships. The Hilton Jacksonville at Mayo Clinic opened in Jacksonville, Florida. Management of South Shore Harbour Resort, Texas’s largest waterside resort with 237 rooms and over 25,000 sq. ft. of event space, was assumed. The Opus Collection added three properties, including The Waymark in Chattanooga, Tennessee, a 148-room hotel, and The Union Hotel in Flemington, New Jersey, reimagined as part of a larger development.

4 min

Naomi Frost Launches Frost Hospitality LLC in 2023 to Enhance Operations and Leadership in the Hospitality Industry

📖 Naomi Frost began her hospitality career at 18 in a small hotel in a town with under 7,000 people. She won Red Roof Inns’ Circle of Excellence Trailblazer award in 2023 and founded Frost Hospitality LLC that year. She led a hotel to exceed revenue records during the pandemic and created inclusive programs for leadership. In 2025, women advanced in lodging leadership roles, supported by initiatives like AHLA’s ForWard. Frost is optimistic about diversity in hospitality for 2026 and beyond.

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