June 03, 2016
Siegel Sez
by: Richard Siegel
Jeffrey Parker, the vice president of hotel technology for Interstate Hotels and Resorts, wrote an amazing feature article for our upcoming issue of Hospitality Upgrade. I have read it numerous times and pick up something new each time. How someone could connect technology to The Lord of the Rings, mermaids and Indiana Jones is amazing. I thought the best part was as he talks about technology for the hotel industry, his final conclusion is it isn’t about the technology, it is all about hospitality. If you are attending HITEC in New Orleans in a couple of weeks, you will get our summer issue when you register. If you would like to receive our upcoming issue, please subscribe here. You can get the issue in print or digitally. Honestly, he did an amazing job and I bet you read his article more than once, too.
Yes, the buzz for HITEC seems to get louder and louder. There will be those from the vendor side who will be standing in different booths which will amaze many who have known them for a long time. As we get closer to the conference, product announcements will be coming nonstop; HITEC is the perfect place to make those announcements. Those companies that are planning parties are letting us know and there are some great ones this year. If you are attending and need suggestions where to go in the evening, please let us know or drop by our booth at HITEC. Heck, even if you don’t need a party invite, come by booth No. 457 just to say hello and share your comments – both good and bad. We live for that. I strongly suggest everybody, attendees and vendors alike, look at the amazing sessions that are scheduled for this year. I know the WOW session that I am doing with the Las Vegas Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts and citizenM Hotels who are building quite a few hotels in the states now, will be a great session for both hoteliers and vendors as the panelists share what they are doing creatively to WOW guests and how they are creatively using technology to successfully build their brands. Yes, there will also be a surprise or two, so we do hope to see you there and at many of the other sessions being offered.
It is HITEC and for many attendees it will be nonstop meetings, parties and educational sessions. The one event I hope that everybody will carve out time to attend will be at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at the Convention Center. We lost an industry icon two months ago and HFTP will be paying tribute to John Cahill. John’s influence on HFTP and his inspiration to grow HITEC is well known. Much of what we will be experiencing in New Orleans can be directly connected to how John pushed HFTP to get deeper into the technology side (the “T” in HFTP). I know many attendees who will be joining the many who knew John at the tribute; I hope everybody can carve out some time to join us. The tribute starts at 5 p.m. and will go until 6:30 p.m. There were so many stories shared since John’s passing, I thank HFTP for putting together this tribute so many of these stories can be shared. For more information, please click here. The list of those who have committed to being there is impressive. I hope to see you there.
Here now is Dan Phillips’ review of the industry technology happenings. To be included in Siegel Sez and our semi-monthly Technology Newsstand, please send your technology news and updates to Kris Burnett. I will see you at the end with this week’s attempt at you-know-what. I look forward to meeting many of you in New Orleans.
Rich@hospitalityupgrade.com
Technology NEWSSTAND
by: Dan Phillips
Recent headlines, from Dan Phillips
Introduction
Messaging may have replaced “experience” and “personalization” as the newest hot button in our industry. Perhaps it might be that we are tired of repeating the older two terms and “messaging” now roles off our tongue easier, since messaging is really a logical derivative of efforts toward creating personalized experiences for our guests. And, just like the older terms have their nuances in deployment and application, so does messaging. Messaging might just be the hot topic for HITEC this year as well. If you are looking at a messaging solution at HITEC you might want to evaluate these platforms on several fronts.
Is it global? While here in the Unites States SMS messaging is the most used form, in other parts of the world it is most likely WeChat or WhatsApp; does the platform communicate with all messaging vehicles? Is there a dashboard through which messaging on all vehicles is possible? You may not want to train one person on FB Messenger and another on Viber and yet another one on Telegram, when a platform should handle all of them. What is the business model? While SMS carries a fee structure to the solution provider, other vehicles can be free; where should a hotel be paying, or saving?
I have placed several recent articles on messaging below, in the Piqued Dan’s Interest section. Please check out both the articles listed and those you will find in the “for more…” link as well. Messaging will be “HUGE” and HITEC will be the place to immerse yourself. See you there!
I look forward to serving you,
Dan Phillips
Dare to Imagine
dphillips@dare2i.com
**
GUEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
- Pechanga Resort & Casino Modernizes its Front Desk with Infor Hospitality Management Solution
- Paramount Hospitality Will Use Text Messaging from Maestro PMS to Drive Customer Engagement and Revenue
- MSI Named GrandStay's Strategic Partner of the Year
- Major Shareholder of SkyWire Increases Ownership of Shares in RSI International Systems Inc.
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FOr more information on Guest Management Systems for 06/02/16
RESERVATIONS
- Just the Facts, Ma’am: Direct Bookings are 9% More Profitable for Hotels
- Jovago Partners with SiteMinder to Introduce Seamless Online Distribution for Hotels
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Just the Facts, Ma’am: Direct Bookings are 9% More Profitable for Hotels
Following the launch of book direct campaigns by a few of the major hotel brands, some articles have surfaced with unsubstantiated information questioning the value of the business through direct channels.
Hospitality Upgrade sought the guidance of an industry expert to find out what the industry data actually shows. Kalibri Labs, a Rockville, Md.-based big data firm maintains a growing database from more than 25,000 hotels and tracks all bookings, revenues and customer acquisition costs with a history back to 2011. Based on analysis provided by Kalibri Labs, direct brand.com bookings continue to be significantly more profitable than OTA bookings.
http://www.hospitalityupgrade.com,
http://www.kalibrilabs.com **
Jovago Partners with SiteMinder to Introduce Seamless Online Distribution for HotelsJovago.com, one of Africa's leading hotel booking websites,
has announced its partnership with SiteMinder to mark its first time enabling seamless online distribution for hotel clients.
http://www.siteminder.com **
MARKETING/MANAGEMENT
- Cendyn Announces Strategic Equity Partnership with Accel-KKR
- Digital Alchemy and Concept Software Systems Announce Product Integration
- Los Angeles Hotels Tap nSight to Grow Rate and Market Share
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For more information on Marketing/Management for 06/03/16
GUEST SERVICES
- Enseo
® Earns Wi-Fi Alliance
® Certification
- hospitalityPulse Offers Insight to Hoteliers Shopping for Mobile Check-In Solutions at HITEC
- MCOM Media Communications Joins Forces with Honeywell to Deliver an Advanced Guest Experience
- Bulk TV Delivers Expansive HD Lineup to the Hilton North Raleigh/Midtown
- Embassy Suites Akron Canton Airport Selects FlyteBoard for Property Events, Flight Schedules
- GoConcierge Takes Luxury to a New Level
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For more information on Guest Services for 06/03/16
F&B/POINT OF SALE
- NYC Times Square Hotel Installs Clear Sky Software’s Beverage Inventory Control System
- DT Research Delivers 3-in-1 Mobile POS Tablet for Hospitality, Retail and Logistics
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NYC Times Square Hotel Installs Clear Sky Software’s Beverage Inventory Control SystemClear Sky Software, Inc., announced that the
Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel has installed its beverage inventory control system to help control all beer, liquor and wine inventory.
http://www.clearskysoftware.com **
DT Research Delivers 3-in-1 Mobile POS Tablet for Hospitality, Retail and LogisticsDT Research, a leading designer and manufacturer of purpose-built computing solutions for vertical markets, announced the DT315CR and DT327CR Mobile Point-of-Service (POS) Tablets. These multi-function tablets provide secure mobile data capture, storage and transmission within a sleek, durable design ideal for food ordering, tableside checkout, mobile check-in and efficient inventory management.
http://www.dtresearch.com **
INVENTORY/PURCHASING
- BirchStreet Chosen by First Hospitality Group for Comprehensive Procure-to-Pay Automation
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BirchStreet Chosen by First Hospitality Group for Comprehensive Procure-to-Pay AutomationFirst Hospitality Group (FHG), a national hotel property management leader headquartered in Chicago, has
selected BirchStreet Systems in an effort to lower costs and increase efficiency through its cloud-based, automated procure-to-pay solution.
http://www.birchstreet.net**
COMMUNICATIONS/INFRASTRUCTURE
-RoamBOOST Enabling Indianapolis Home2 Suites by Hilton to Create a Cellular Network in Time for Opening
-Something BIG is Coming to HITEC That is Connecting Lives and Connecting Worlds Through iTV; Meet ADB
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RoamBOOST Enabling Indianapolis Home2 Suites by Hilton to Create a Cellular Network in Time for Opening
As the new Home2 Suites by Hilton in downtown Indianapolis neared completion, managers discovered the building had no cellular coverage so
they turned to RoamBOOST to fix the issue.
http://www.RoamBOOST.com **
At HITEC, ADB Will Show How It Connects Lives and Connects Worlds Through iTV
ADB, an interactive TV (iTV) solutions provider is coming to HITEC. For two decades, this company has been quietly helping deliver award-winning television viewing experiences to hotels, homes and businesses around the world. Its technology is installed in more than 200,000 U.S. guestrooms representing the industry’s top brands. on June 21, the company will unveil a new end-to-end, managed-services iTV solution that is “Connecting Lives and Connecting Worlds” in the cloud.
http://www.adbglobal.com **
DATA SECURITY AND CYBER ATTACKS
-VENZA Engages Puzzle Partner to Increase Brand Awareness and Solidify Thought Leadership Presence
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VENZA Engages Puzzle Partner to Increase Brand Awareness and Solidify Thought Leadership Presence
Puzzle Partner Ltd., announced it has
welcomed new client VENZA, a global provider of solutions that enable hospitality organizations to mitigate data security vulnerabilities and ensure compliance.
http://www.ChooseVenza.com **
SECURITY
- The Townsend Hotel Extends Long-term Partnership with Kaba by Selecting Saflok
- Ashford Hospitality Trust Taps OpenKey for Deployment of its Mobile Technology at Dallas Marriott Suites Medical/Market Center
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The Townsend Hotel Extends Long-term Partnership with Kaba by Selecting SaflokKaba, the provider of Saflok™ and ILCO™ electronic locks, announced The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Mich.,
has installed Kaba’s Saflok mobile-ready RFID electronic door locks.
http://www.Kaba.com **
Ashford Hospitality Trust Taps OpenKey for Deployment of its Mobile Technology at Dallas Marriott Suites Medical/Market Center Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (NYSE:AHT), a real estate investment trust (REIT), has selected OpenKey's technology to provide mobile key entry, check-in capabilities and more at the Dallas Marriott Suites Medical/Market Center. Through the OpenKey app, which is supported by the KABA BLE lock system, Dallas Marriott Suites Medical/Market Center guests will have secure access to their hotel room via their smartphone.
http://www.openkey.co,
http://www.kaba.com**
SUSTAINABILITY
-Xeros Study Reveals that Towels Play a Critical Role in Hotel Selection, Guest Satisfaction and Brand Loyalty
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Xeros Study Reveals that Towels Play a Critical Role in Hotel Selection, Guest Satisfaction and Brand LoyaltyXeros, the innovator of an ultra-low water laundry system,
unveiled the results of a consumer survey that highlights how towels impact the overall quality of the hotel guest experience. The survey results uncovered that the quality of towels is paramount in the increasingly competitive hospitality industry that has to operate within growing environmentally conscious parameters.
http://www.xeroscleaning.com **
INNOVATORS AND STARTUPS
- HFTP’s Entrepreneur 20X Pitch Competition Returns at HITEC 2016 with More Startups, Top-notch Judges and Exciting Changes
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HFTP’s Entrepreneur 20X Pitch Competition Returns at HITEC 2016 with More Startups, Top-notch Judges and Exciting Changes
The second annual E20X pitch competition is bigger and better than before. Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP
®) announced the selected startups and judges that will be participating in the second annual Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) pitch competition taking place at the 2016 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITECSM) in New Orleans, next month.
http://www.hftp.org **
HOSPITALITY EVENTS
- HFTP to Establish Hospitality Technology Research Assistantship to Honor Industry Paragon John Cahill, CHA, CHTP at HITEC 2016
- Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals Announces 2016 International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame Inductees
- Revenue Leaders to be Honored at HSMAI Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC) Americas
- American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute Honors Dr. Bai Changhong as Outstanding International Educator
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For more information on Hospitality Events for 06/03/16
HOSPITALITY EDUCATION
-Making a Difference: Honoring Leaders Who Have Helped Shape and Define Hospitality
-School of Hotel and Tourism Management Successfully Hosted Student-Run International Conference
----------------------------
Making a Difference: Honoring Leaders Who Have Helped Shape and Define HospitalityAlumni from The School of Hospitality Business at MSU gathered in Chicago during the National Restaurant Show for the Alumni Association’s Annual Gathering of Leaders. The event on May 23 honored Marc Cassier (BA ’89), corporate executive director of Conference Services & Catering with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts – Americas, and Mary Winslow (BA ’91), vice president of Group Accounts for Luckie & Company, as Emerging Alumni Leaders of the Year; Grant DePorter, CEO of Harry Caray’s Restaurant Group, as Honorary Alumnus of the Year; and Peter Weien (BA ’81), vice president and market general manager for Opryland Resort & Convention Center Attractions, as Alumnus of the Year.
http://www.hospitalitybusiness.broad.msu.edu **
School of Hotel and Tourism Management Successfully Hosted Student-Run International ConferenceFifty-three undergraduate studentsfrom the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) formed an organizing committee and ran HONG KONG 2016: 2nd Global Tourism & Hospitality Conference and 15th Asia Pacific Forum for Graduate Students Research in Tourism, which was held at Hotel ICON on 16-18 May 2016.
http://www.polyu.edu.hk**
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
- PhoneSuite Launches New PhoneSuite DIRECT Division and Hires Keith Konicki to Oversee the Group
- StayNTouch Appoints Danielle L. Metlzer Chief Financial Officer
- Real Hospitality Group Taps Joseph Yi as Chief Investment Officer
- Choice Hotels Transitioning Leadership Roles; CFO Leaving, COO Promoted
- And more People on the Move...
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For more information on People on the Move for 06/03/16
PIQUED DAN'S INTEREST
- Paramount Hospitality Will Use Text Messaging
- Is Messaging the Future of Travel?
- Starwood’s Loyalty Program Is Experimenting on Snapchat
- Snapchat Raises $1.8 Billion in Funding
- Hospitality Requires the New Human Interface
- And more stories…
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For more information on Piqued Dan's Interest for 06/03/16
You-Know-What
And now for you-know-what…
Shirley and Abe, a retired couple from New York City, living in Miami Beach, are getting ready to go out to dinner. Shirley says, "Abe, darling, do you want me to wear this Chanel suit or the Gucci?"
Abe says, "I don't care."
A few minutes later Shirley says, "Abe, should I wear my Cartier watch or my Rolex?"
Abe says, "Your choice."
A few more minutes pass and Shirley says, "Abe, love, shall I wear my five-carat pearl diamond ring or my six-carat round diamond ring with the baguettes?"
Abe says, "Shirley, I really don't care what you wear, but if you don't get moving, we're going to miss the Early Bird Special."
**