When developing a hotel, operations must be given priority standing. Operations are essential in order to get a hotel up, running, and producing revenue within a set timeline. Developers must spend the time required to integrate all aspects related to operating the hotel into the overall development plan at its inception. Failure to do so will inevitably result in costly delays. If you do not have an operations expert on staff, hire a consultant. Experienced operators are invaluable when it comes to establishing and meeting performance standards for the design, time, cost and quality of a hotel development. READ MORE

One would think that after 30-plus years in this industry, I've seen it all. But truth be told, I'm still witnessing some amazing new roles and functions that are taking place in the hospitality industry. The industry had an incredible few decades with prosperity, growth, new programs, and a new direction in terms of franchising. And now that we are at the beginning of a recession, we are seeing franchisors developing creative and ingenious marketing programs and incentives to compete with emerging brands that have captured the attention of franchisees. READ MORE

The deed in lieu of foreclosure offers lenders and borrowers an alternative to foreclosure when the going gets rough. However, when the subject of foreclosure is an operating hotel, there are many complexities that must be analyzed and understood prior to handing the keys over to the lender. READ MORE

It is nearly impossible to escape the talk about today's economy. Everywhere you turn, people are constantly discussing the recession-like atmosphere of our nation. During the presidential race, polls showed that the economy was the number one issue on people's minds. And as we inched closer to Election Day in November, many media outlets focused heavily on the crisis. From the initial meltdown of the housing industry, the nation's credit crunch, and the increasing stock market woes, we were (and are) continually bombarded with negative messages about our future. READ MORE

Wow, has it really been less than 15 years since were introduced to the World Wide Web? It's not news that modern technology has completely changed the way we live in the past ten to twenty years. At this point in my career, I can't even imagine being a concierge without it. By nature, concierges are information junkies; many of us find this new frontier absolutely irresistible as it appeals to our sense of curiosity and problem solving. Many of us have spent late nights clicking and learning, clicking and learning...clicking and, of course, learning. READ MORE

The gay and lesbian travel market is too often considered simply a leisure market segment. Nothing could be further from the truth. Gay and lesbian travel is also group, meeting and convention and corporate. Would you be surprised to learn that 27 gay-oriented meetings have met in Dallas, Texas, in hotels since that city launched its gay tourism marketing efforts in 2004? Veronica Torres, diversity convention sales manager of the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, is the perhaps the most successful CVB sales woman in the country. Each year, she is responsible for booking more than 8,000 hotel room nights attributable to the GLBT market. She has proven that a straight woman can reign as queen in gay meetings. READ MORE