In recent years, the amount of litigation involving tips, gratuities, and service charges in the hospitality industry has increased exponentially. Both hotel and restaurant operators have found themselves to be the targets of a variety of claims arising from the manner in which they pay their food and beverage staff. As a result, it is important to understand the difference between gratuities and service charges when negotiating any kind of agreement for a group function or event. The proper designation of these items in contracts as well as the underlying documents can be instrumental in helping to prevent compensation disputes and lawsuits. READ MORE

Now more than ever, business travelers, like leisure guests, are looking for immersive experiences that are aligned with a destination's local appeal, rather than a simple room with a bed. As the lines between business and leisure travel are becoming increasingly blurred, and with the millennial traveler's expectations evolving the way hotels market themselves, the InterContinental Hotel in Downtown Miami is staying ahead of the curve by adapting to changing expectations among its clientele. READ MORE

The ways in which technology is being used by the hospitality and meetings industry and by individuals in all walks of life increases, it seems, minute by minute! New apps, new uses for AI, more shortcuts to do our work. And with all of this comes removal of personal interaction – sheesh, even Linkedin, used by most of us for business connections, has an auto-respond option so we can click v. think and respond. An early tech adapter, I wonder how much we are harming our relationship-industry and removing jobs from those who need them. Is there a compromise? READ MORE

Group bookings have long been a critical revenue generator for the lodging industry. With technological advances and the increasingly rapid pace of change in the corporate world, however, the booking window has narrowed dramatically, giving rise to a significant subset of group bookings known collectively as last-minute meetings. These meetings, which typically involve 30-50 participants and are often booked "in the month for the month," pose a challenge to both the host hotel as well as the planner. Both sides want a success. Considering the tight timeframe, what are some options to consider, particularly when it comes to selecting the right venue? READ MORE

Ever since the statistic from reputation management company Podium that customers would pay more for a better experience was revealed, leaders have been scrambling for ways to improve their customer experience across industries, hospitality included. To compete with Airbnb and increase customer retention, some hotels have even created robotic bellhops or allowed guests to stay in their rooms by the minute. But going deeper than the tactics themselves, there's one underlying factor that makes these strategies effective and empowers a hotel to truly appeal to customers: the ability to be agile. READ MORE