Miscellaneous

📈 U.S. hotel industry, 23-29 August 2026: Occupancy at 64.1% (+1.1%), ADR at $157.14 (+0.6%), and RevPAR at $100.69 (+1.7%). San Francisco led gains due to the Pokémon World Championships, with occupancy at 82.8% (+25%), ADR at $231.82 (+28%), and RevPAR at $191.87 (+59.9%). New Orleans faced declines in occupancy (-14.9%) and RevPAR (-18.4%), influenced by comparisons with Southern Decadence. CoStar's data covers 95,000 hotels globally.

📊 Almost two-thirds (65%) of hospitality managers report mental health issues triggered by work, per a UK charity survey by Hospitality Action and Agilysys. Conducted May-August 2026, it involved 639 respondents. Among managers, 47% desire more training for mental health support, while 61% have supported a colleague in the past year. Despite challenges, 54% feel supported by their organizations. In 2025, Hospitality Action awarded over £1.05 million in grants. Walk for Wellbeing 2026 will run from October 10-25.

💸 In 2003, David Lund, hotel manager in Vancouver, Canada, met Frank Abagnale at a luncheon where Abagnale spoke about his life as a conman turned consultant for the FBI. Abagnale's story inspired Lund, drawing parallels to financial leadership. The experience highlighted the "impostor syndrome" experienced in corporate settings. Lund emphasizes the importance of confidence, listening, and learning in financial leadership roles, where everyone often feels like an impostor, including top executives.

🏠 Zaha Hadid passed at 65 in 2016, profoundly impacting the architectural world. In 2013, Hadid founded the Zaha Hadid Foundation (ZHF) with goals to support youth in architecture, manage her archives, and establish a museum. Her archives were relocated to Shad Thames, London, in 2018. By 2016, Hadid completed 35 buildings and left 35 projects unfinished. ZHF, led by Aric Chen since 2025, aims to make Hadid's significant 300,000-object archive accessible.

🏡 Nicole Hollis, based in San Francisco, is renowned for high-end residential design and sophisticated hospitality projects, including work for Rosewood Hotels. Her recent ventures include a homeware collection and a tableware collaboration with Saint Louis, launching this autumn. Hollis effortlessly blends art and coastal vibes from Hawaii into her hosting style. Noteworthy for relaxed gatherings, she favors pre-mixed cocktails, charcuterie boards, and unique ice cream flavors, maintaining a dynamic and engaging atmosphere at her events.

🗺 Cedar + Skye in Sea Ranch, California, features a 25-foot ceiling and offers access to 50+ miles of hiking trails. Cucu, located in WestMeath, Ireland, is a 20 sq m off-grid cabin priced from €225. El Hormiguero in Mindo, Ecuador, is a 24 sq m A-frame. JR’s Eco Hut in Nangus, Australia, showcases solar power and outdoor cooking. Skyhawk in Vermont, USA, accommodates eight for $375/night. Vipp Salaca River in Latvia spans 110 sq m, with rates from €375/night.

🎂 October 2026, Wallpaper* celebrated its 30th anniversary with a creative cake project. Visionaries from various industries, including Patricia Urquiola, Jon Gray, and Ma Yansong, contributed unique cake designs. The cakes, presented as drawings, objects, and edible creations, symbolized the magazine's influence over three decades. Notable entries include Bas Smets' landscape cake and Gucci’s recipe card. The event underscored Wallpaper*'s role in inspiring design and creativity worldwide.

🍼 Dysphagia affects 24%-47% of hospitalized older adults and 54%-59% in skilled nursing facilities, says Margaret Roche of Roche Dietitians. The International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) categorizes food into eight levels based on texture and thickness for dietary modifications. Mixed consistency foods pose challenges for IDDSI levels 4-6. Solutions include pureeing and thickening agents, partnered with Campbells Foodservice, to ensure safe eating for dysphagia patients. Healthcare operators are advised to collaborate with industry partners for best practices.

📚 Managers often choose candidates for projects based on familiarity rather than formal criteria. Visibility and accidental interactions play key roles in recognition, leading to uneven development distribution. Despite organizational processes like talent reviews, decisions still rely on personal familiarity. Without advocacy from colleagues who know them well, individuals can feel overlooked without recourse. Effective relationships, not transactions, shape career opportunities. Understanding who can endorse your work is crucial, as is building substantive connections with them.

🥤 FMI's Power of Beverage 2026 report reveals that by 2025, nearly $295 billion will be spent on retail beverages. Shoppers increasingly select beverages for hydration, energy, and wellness benefits. Digital purchasing is reshaping the market, with 45% of Gen Z influenced by social media in beverage choices. Value is defined by low price (61%), taste (46%), and trusted quality (40%). Retailers can capitalize on this by aligning products with specific consumer needs.