Miscellaneous

🏘 In Villefranche-sur-Mer, France, a new mayor, Robert Capelier, was elected on March 22. The town, with many homes empty year-round, has lost essential services including a bakery, bank, and post office. This trend mirrors issues in Cornwall, Northern Ireland, and Provincetown, Massachusetts. In 2016, Cornwall voted against new homes as second residences, and Wales imposed a 300% council tax on second homes, but the bakery didn’t return, highlighting challenges in reviving local communities.

🍳 New York Mag published a 3.5K-word article comparing European and American food quality, citing numerous studies. 📚 Authors Ella Quittner and Tanaya Bush are pioneering narrative cookbooks by blending recipes and storytelling. 🏨 Chef Thomas Keller opposed a plan for 120 worker apartments near The French Laundry in Yountville, where 3,100 workers commute daily due to unaffordable housing. Hospitality struggles with zoning policies and relies on famous chefs for advocacy, but Keller chose a different stance.

📅 Kirk Kinsell, former CEO of Loews Hotels & Co. and president of the Americas for IHG Hotels & Resorts, passed away. He was a significant figure in the hospitality industry, deeply involved with the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and AHLA Foundation. Kinsell was remembered for his leadership, commitment to supporting young talent, and advancing women's representation in leadership roles. His contributions to AHLA, including the merger of the Castell Project, will impact the industry for decades.

📰 Hospitality ON offers exclusive content to its subscribers, including job opportunities. As a member, you gain access to a comprehensive ecosystem tailored for hospitality industry insights and expertise. Explore 80% more of the benefits by subscribing through their membership platform.

🍴 February saw a 4.7% rise in delivery sales for UK restaurants compared to February 2025, outpacing the nation’s inflation rate. This follows January’s 7.4% increase. The NIQ Hospitality at Home Tracker attributes this growth to new delivery offers and wet weather conditions, which encouraged more at-home dining despite a sharp reduction in takeaway orders. Powered by CGA intelligence, these trends show a strong shift towards home-based dining experiences.

📅 March 17–18, 2026, Los Angeles: The HSMAI Mike Leven Leadership Conference gathered chapter leaders from the Americas. The event featured keynotes and interactive sessions with speakers like Adam Burke and Alain Hunkins, promoting leadership clarity. Highlights included the Frank W. Berkman Best of the Best Chapter Awards: Ontario excelled in several categories, with Las Vegas and Arizona also recognized. Sponsored by the Michael and Andrea Leven Foundation, the conference was hosted at Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel.

💰 In 2026, elite sales leaders prioritize Revenue Architecture over traditional sales tactics. This strategy focuses on designing systems to ensure predictable revenue through four pillars: Signal Intelligence, Pipeline Physics, Conversion Velocity, and Cross-Functional Alignment. Key issues like misalignment and forecast distortion are addressed by integrating departments and analyzing leading indicators. Pipeline dynamics and sales cycle compression are critical, shifting focus from managing people to engineering performance ecosystems. This approach reduces revenue volatility and enhances forecast reliability.

🧰 Hotel key cards now feature a unique design element: a detachable jigsaw piece, encouraging interactions among travelers. This initiative highlights a broader travel trend emphasizing personal connections over just destinations. The concept fosters interactions, as travelers can exchange pieces, sparking conversations and stories. As travel evolves, small design choices like this can significantly enhance the experience by encouraging meaningful connections between people who share the journey.

👟 HOFF, a sneaker brand, opened a 6,458-square-foot flagship store on Calle Velázquez, Madrid. Designed by El Departamento, the store's interior features zones with natural lime mortar, local stone, and stainless steel. The space includes a café, Sneaker Lab, Gallery, and a multipurpose Work—Shop. Highlights include pink olivillo marble, bespoke terrazzo flooring, and sculptures by Sara Regal, Casa Antillón, and Elisabeth Blumen. The upper floor hosts cultural programming and private meetings.