LODGING Staff - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 115

3 min

Buying in From the Beginning

👨 Sara Masterson, with a history degree, chose a career in hospitality inspired by the dynamic nature of the industry and its reliance on travel and tourism. Mentored by her father and Lisa Wohlleib, a resort COO, Masterson emphasizes the importance of relationships and giving people opportunities. She notes that hospitality offers career growth to anyone willing to work hard, with over 90% of leaders starting in entry-level roles. Despite women being over 50% of the workforce, they only hold about 25% of senior leadership positions, though recent trends show progress with more women in C-suite roles and as owners/investors.

2 min

AHLA Foundation Names Kevin Carey President and CEO

🔔 The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) appointed Kevin Carey as president and CEO of the AHLA Foundation, effective immediately. Carey, also the COO of AHLA, replaces Anna Blue, who announced her departure in February. Under former leadership, the Foundation saw growth and the ForWard program's expansion. Recently, the Foundation's fundraiser, Night of A Thousand Stars, raised over $1,000,000 with more than 400 industry leaders attending. Carey's background includes over 25 years at American Express and a current role on the Industry Advisory Board for the Penn State School of Hospitality Management.

2 min

IDeaS Launches API Data Integration Developer Portal

📊 Minneapolis, Minnesota—IDeaS, a SAS company, launched its API data integration developer portal aimed at enhancing data integrations and fostering collaboration among tech providers. The portal provides a JSON RESTful API toolkit, self-service tools, communication updates, secure key management, performance monitoring, scalability resources, and innovation opportunities. Bijal Shah, VP of product development, emphasized the portal's role in transforming connectivity and enabling the delivery of innovative capabilities at scale for hospitality and travel clients.

2 min

HEI Adds Tapito Springs Hill Country Resort to Portfolio

🏌️ In Norwalk, Connecticut, HEI Hotels & Resorts acquired Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort in Boerne, Texas, expanding their portfolio to over 100 properties. The resort, established in 1981, offers 111 rooms, 13,200 square feet of meeting space, two F&B outlets, a pool, and an 18-hole golf course. L&R Hotels owns the property, and Troon will now manage the golf operations. HEI aims to enhance the resort's performance and recognition, particularly in Texas.

1 min

DerbySoft Acquires Arise, an AI Automation Platform

📈 Dallas, Texas — DerbySoft acquired AI products from Arise, aiming to enhance supplier-distributor relationships in business travel. Arise's AI-driven automation offers optimized travel management, improved TMC-hotel communication, automated booking reconciliation, and aids in recovering unpaid commissions. DerbySoft's integration of Arise technology will provide accuracy and efficiency in commission reconciliation and robust communication tools. The partnership is expected to lower operational costs, streamline processes, and improve profitability for clients. Terms of the transaction are undisclosed.

3 min

Making a Difference

🏨 Lynsey Kreitzer, influenced by a college friend, began her hospitality career in a sales position at a hotel in Cleveland, Ohio. Her parents, especially her mother's empathy and leadership and her father's work ethic and integrity, shaped her values. Kreitzer is optimistic about the future of diversity and inclusion in the industry, noting advancements in training and best practices. She also highlights the lodging industry's progress in promoting women to leadership roles and the importance of mentorship for all genders.

1 min

JLL Secures Financing for Woodland Flats Conversion Project

🏠 JLL Capital Markets secured $15.9 million financing for Woodland Flats, a 120-unit hotel-to-multifamily project in Gresham, Oregon, arranged for PH Development LLC. The two-year bridge loan is through AGP Capital. The project, 25 minutes from downtown Portland, requires $6.1 million in capital improvements and is expected to complete in 10 months. Woodland Flats features 6,400 square feet of retail space and is PH Development's second such conversion.

2 min

IHG Hotels & Resorts Brings Garner Brand to the United Kingdom

🏨 IHG Hotels & Resorts launched Garner Hotel Preston Samlesbury in the UK as part of its midscale conversion brand, which began globally in 2023. Managed by KRO Hospitality, this Northern England hotel offers 80 guestrooms, a feature wall with "Sketches of Humanity," a Village Brasserie, Lounge Bar, conference spaces, and a Fitness Suite. Located near M6 junction 31, it provides access to Preston, Manchester, Liverpool, and Blackpool. Over 117 Garner hotels are in IHG's global portfolio, with more than 50 planned for Germany.

2 min

Cloudbeds and Duetto Form Strategic Partnership

💰 In San Diego, California, Cloudbeds and Duetto announce a partnership for hotel revenue optimization and operational efficiency. The integration of Duetto’s revenue strategy platform with Cloudbeds’ software delivers scalable solutions. Duetto utilizes NiFi for the first two-way integration. Features include automated app onboarding, real-time two-way synchronization, revenue insights, and total property performance tracking. Deployment is set for early Q2 2025, with availability to all joint customers by summer 2025.

2 min

Leadership, Inclusion, and the Future of Hospitality

🏨 Rosanna Maietta, with a career starting in marketing and communications, rose to lead the AHLA Foundation and now heads AHLA. She credits her immigrant parents and supportive leaders for teaching valuable lessons in hard work, perseverance, and people-first mindset. Emphasizing hospitality's inclusivity, Maietta notes the commitment to diversity, with over two million employed in the sector. Since the inaugural ForWard conference in 2018, she has observed increasing female leadership, supported by AHLA Foundation's programs like BUILD and ELEVATE.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.