As consumers, we encounter brands every single day but most people aren't actively aware of it. However with each encounter, we register thoughts, feelings and impressions of a brand, which shapes how we feel about the company and, often, the company's product. This article gives hospitality marketers tips on how to leverage that brand exposure to create and implement a successful brand for their property. READ MORE

At its core, revenue management in the lodging industry is simple - in theory. In practice, it is an art and science, executed in a strategic manner. Evolving relatively quickly from simple inventory control, revenue management has transitioned from a tactical nuts-and-bolts operation to a profession requiring strategic thinking, analysis and execution. Understanding the strategic implications of revenue management decisions, and how they affect every part of the organization - large or small - is critical to understanding guest behavior. Managers at every level who understand the strategic role of revenue management will be able to make a bigger impact on the bottom line. READ MORE

Hoteliers are in the business of, well, hotels; the real estate, ownership, operations, RevPAR, ADR, etc. So when it comes to renovations, and the hotelier's business suddenly changes to construction, a lack of experience can quickly result in unnecessary expenses. Successfully managing the upgrades-to or the conversion-of a hospitality property can be the difference between spending excess dollars and putting money back in your pocket. Understanding some basic principles in hospitality construction and contractor selection can make a difference in the overall price of the project. READ MORE

As resources become scarcer for marketing departments across various industries, marketers need to start finding more creative ways to reach target customers. Businesses need to now drive sales by building brand awareness with the constraints of markedly decreased budgets. This can be achieved through strategic promotional partnerships with non-competing, complementary brands looking to reach a similar audience. The "Power of We," as Jonathan Tisch, Chairman of Loews Hotels, describes the practice, is essential to growing a business and maximizing marketing reach. READ MORE

If you ask a thousand hoteliers if they should discount their products or services in today's economic climate, chances are you will get a thousand different answers. While discounting is usually a boon to guests, it is often the bane of hoteliers. But discounts, per se, are not an entity-non-grata. Discounting, as a driving force in pricing strategy, is. A price break for your guests, current and potential, can be an effective short-term solution to a short-term marketing issue. The operative phrase is short-term. In this article, you get some hints on how to drive carefully down the price highway and avoid the big discounting potholes. READ MORE