As we look forward to the next decade, I've been picking up the phone (I know, very retro) and meeting face to face (… yes, really) with some of the professionals who, like me, have forged a career against the backdrop of an asset heavy industry dominated by suits and on the back foot when it comes to innovation. This is the beginning of a series of interviews, paraphrasing proper conversations with people I respect. The "plat du jour" this week is role models, mentors and sponsors with an inevitable garnish of technology, product trends and climate change. READ MORE

The hospitality industry is grappling with challenges that shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone: A labor shortage, demanding customers and profit pressure. At the center of these issues, managers who oversee the complexities of hotel staffing must decide how to schedule employees based on the daily needs of the business and complying with rules and regulations that impact their decisions on a daily basis. For this reason, managers need a support system designed to ensure compliance and full utilization of their labor resource. This byline will examine how technology is the solution for an optimized workforce. READ MORE

There's a dirty secret in our industry that no one is talking about (at least not publicly). There are attribution thieves within our midst, and they're taking too much credit for your bookings. While I don't think that (in most cases) this is a nefarious plot, it is still causing dollars to be invested in the wrong initiatives due to the proliferation of misinformation and the use of flawed attribution models. In this article, we take a look at ways that hotel marketers can fight back by being armed with knowledge, a willingness to break out our critical-thinking hats, and calculators. READ MORE

Brand extensions have always been a common part of corporate growth strategies, but have more recently expanded into the hospitality business. From retail and entertainment brands like Restoration Hardware, Taco Bell and Disney, companies from all industries are now looking into brand extensions. This article examines the implications for hospitality brand extensions, provides examples of successful integrations, explains how hotel brands can expand into the retail space, and examines the questions they need to address before doing so. Following these tips will help brands avoid being the next Blockbuster and will ensure longevity in the space. READ MORE

Revenue management plays a vital role in the modern hotel technology stack, and demonstrating ROI in a hotel's revenue technology investment goes deeper than year-over-year RevPAR uplift. The additional revenue from the proper implementation of revenue technologies and strategies directly impacts a hotel's bottom line, making it a valuable tool for optimizing the net value of a property. Forecasted earnings and asset sales proceeds are critical factors in applying revenue science to hotel real estate assessment. It's only a matter of time before the majority of the industry catches up to what leading hotel owners and asset managers have already realized: a smart investment into revenue strategy and technology is the key to driving greater property profitability and value. READ MORE