AHOA, the nation’s largest hotel owners association, applauded House passage of the American Rescue Plan and urged the Senate to pass the bill forthwith. The ambitious $1.9 trillion stimulus package funds several key initiatives such as increased testing, vaccination, and vital economic assistance that will support an expedited recovery for the hospitality industry.

PROVision Partners "PROVision”, a leading global strategic growth, marketing, technology and commercial services advisory firm to the travel and hospitality industry, announces the appointment of Mims Wright as a Senior Advisor. 

Zoox Smart Data (“Zoox”), an international provider of technological solutions that harnesses big data to build customer profiles from existing Wi-Fi networks, continues to bolster its presence in hospitality and travel markets throughout the Americas with more major organizations seeking to deploy its industry-leading smart data solutions. 

Infor announced that luxury serviced apartments provider STAY has deployed Infor HMS property management system for its 169 apartment properties in Camden, London. The application will help deliver customer service excellence and provide a platform for new processes including flexible, contactless check-in.

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) has introduced a new professional course from its HFTP Academy: the Hospitality Benchmarking Certificate, which demonstrates expertise in financial analysis and benchmarking. The course is a collaboration with the hotel benchmarking firm HotStats and will be supported by Ascend, a hospitality talent development company.

Zoox Smart Data (“Zoox”), an international provider of technological solutions that harnesses big data to build customer profiles from existing Wi-Fi networks, has announced additional partnerships with third-party Wi-Fi providers to ensure that more hotel and travel businesses can seamlessly integrate its advanced profile technology with pre-existing Wi-Fi operations.

VENZA further cements its position as the industry’s go-to data protection awareness champion. How? They are hosting a global information security-focused quiz game-style competition.

In a continued effort to provide hoteliers with the technology interfaces they desire, SHR, Sceptre Hospitality Resources, a pioneer of advanced hotel revenue generation technologies, will fully integrate its Central Reservations System, Windsurfer CRS, with Mews, a leading cloud-based Property Management System (PMS).

IDeaS, a SAS company, a world leading provider of revenue management software and services, announced IDeaS OptixTM, a cloud-based advanced reporting and analysis module for IDeaS G3 Revenue Management System (RMS). 

AAHOA, the nation’s largest hotel owners association, is pleased to welcome Michael Forrest, MBA, CFE, as its new Vice President of Franchise Relations and Ashli Johnson MS, CHT, as its new Vice President of Education. Both will lead their respective departments and join AAHOA’s executive leadership team.

The following is a statement from Chip Rogers, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recent update to prioritize “Traveler Accommodation” under the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Categories of Essential Workers.

Datavision, a premier business intelligence system for the hospitality world, is proud to count dozens of customers named to the 2021 Forbes Travel Guide listing Four and Five Star Restaurants, Spas and Hotels.

Dot.Cy, a member of Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN), announced that it has achieved Oracle Validated Integration for Oracle Hospitality Hotel Expertise using OWS (Opera Web Services) and OXI OPERA eXchange Interface) for its integration of dot.Hospitality with Oracle Hospitality OPERA.

M3, one of the hospitality sector’s preferred cloud-based financial and data management platform in North America, was recently named a 2020 Best of Gwinnett winner in Gwinnett Magazine’s Best Employer category.

Cloud5 Communications and SABA Hospitality announced that they are bringing personalized guest services to hospitality operations in the Americas. The solution combines completely digitized compendium, self-service food and beverage ordering, and A.I. driven chatbot functionality, with the option of click-to-chat/click-to-call service featuring Cloud5's world-class contact center services. 

Fast growing Brazilian restaurant chain, Cabana Burger is using Oracle MICROS Simphony Point-of-Sale (POS) to better serve customers and support its rapid growth. 

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Foundation is opening its COVID Relief Fund for grant applications following a generous donation of $150,000 from the Carolyn Smith Foundation on behalf of STR Founders Carolyn and Randy Smith.

DataArt, a global technology consultancy that designs, develops, and supports unique software solutions, announced a new partnership with PROVision Partners International, a strategic growth, marketing, technology and commercial advisory firm serving the global hospitality and travel industry.

IDeaS, a SAS company, a world leading provider of hotel revenue management software and services, announced the launch of its Hospitality Technology Hub leading up to and during ITB 2021.

AAHOA President & CEO Cecil P. Staton issued the following statement on the unexpected passing of Marriott International President & CEO Arne M. Sorenson:

ProfitSword, a premier developer of hospitality-related business intelligence and data integration software, has announced the implementation of its performance forecasting technology alongside Event Temple's advanced group and event sales management software at Charlestowne Hotels.

That’s what tipping expert Michael Lynn said in a recent article titled, “Tipping do’s and don’ts: When and how much to tip in every situation.” Lynn is a Burton M. Sack Professor in Food & Beverage Management at the Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, and he is a nationally recognized expert on tipping with 70+ research publications written on the topic.

As hoteliers continue to use this time of low occupancy to improve their properties, many have found it the ideal opportunity to also upgrade their back-of-house systems to optimize efficiency. Aptech, an industry standard for hospitality financial management, has seen a surge in adoption of its browser based PVNG enterprise accounting solution.

2021 is a year of disruption. Not only has the hotel business come to a screeching halt in many markets, but travelers are modifying their list of must-haves if operators want them to return, and touchless experiences — such as contactless payments, mobile check-in/out, mobile reservations, mobile keys, and hotel-to-guest text messaging — are topping their list of demands. 

Aspire & RCI Institute Founder Renie Cavallari is releasing her new book HEADTRASH: The Leading Killer of Human Potential on February 25th.

Infor announced that the five-star hotel El Palace Barcelona has chosen Infor Hospitality Management System (HMS) and Infor Sales and Catering (SCS) to help provide a premium customer experience.

The Four Seasons Hotel Madrid invested in a robust and scalable multiservice networking solution to provide high-quality Wi-Fi connectivity to the guests and connect securely and reliably the multiple hotel IT systems.

Zoox Smart Data ("Zoox"), an international provider of technological solutions that harnesses big data to build customer profiles from existing Wi-Fi networks, has announced a series of strategic partnerships that will provide more seamless access to its targeted advertising capabilities in Europe and Asia.

When Monterey Bay’s Seascape Beach Resort wanted to enhance its Wi-Fi network, they turned to global technology provider SONIFI Solutions for a cost-effective solution that exceeds guest and hotelier expectations.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) announced a new addition to the staff and several promotions, continuing to strengthen government affairs operations and leadership initiatives.