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Archive Photos Rumors

December 01, 2017

Siegel Sez

by: Rich Siegel

December is here, and it is always one of the most interesting months of the year. Many are focused on finishing the year on a high note for themselves and their businesses. Everybody is now thinking of preparing for next year. For those in the technology world, it seems like it’s the busiest time of the year to switch jobs both from the operator and vendor side. Everyone is trying to get everything done in the first half of the month before the holidays kick in, except if you are at a hotel that is gearing up for its busiest time of the year, the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Of course if you are one of the zillions that play fantasy football you are desperately trying to make the playoffs (or maybe that is just me). If you are a frequent flyer you might be planning that last trip of the year to get you to the next level. Depending on where you live, you might be wondering when that first snowfall is coming. Maybe it’s time to start thinking about next year’s resolutions. Yes, December is a very unique month for many.

At Hospitality Upgrade, for December we are putting the finishing touches on our first-ever special edition with Marriott International. We had the opportunity to attend Marriott’s recent event, Download 2017, at the new Marriott Marquis in Chicago, where the company brought together all of the IT associates from its hotels across the Americas, including the Starwood properties for the first time. I had the opportunity to interview Bruce Hoffmeister, Marriott’s global CIO, and Page Petry, Marriott’s CIO for the Americas, and both interviews will be included in this special issue. Our team got an amazing behind-the-scenes tour of the new Marriott Marquis Chicago, including some great backstories regarding how the newest technology was incorporated throughout the property. All the technology providers that are partners with Marriott also had the opportunity to be profiled. It is always interesting and somewhat challenging doing something that has never been done before, but when it comes together, it is a great feeling. We are getting very close to that great feeling as we near the publish date. This special issue will be sent to all of HU’s subscribers along with Marriott.

Also on our agenda in December is the preparation for Hospitality Upgrade’s 14^th Annual Executive Vendor Summit, which will be held in West Hollywood, Calif. If you are a technology provider for the hospitality industry, your CEO or president should join us February 27^th. More than 60 leading technology companies attend each year – including many that compete for your business – and it is amazing how many attendees help each other. Many partnerships are explored, especially with the newer companies that have entered the industry. If you have questions regarding the EVS or would like an invitation, please contact Anne Boon at anne@hospitalityupgrade.com or click here for more information. Yes, December is upon us and we should enjoy it, but the new year and new opportunities are right behind it. I can’t wait!

Here now is the real reason we are here, Ron Hardin’s look back at the recent technology happenings. I will see you once again at the end with this week’s attempt at you-know-what. Welcome, December.

Rich@HospitalityUpgrade.com

Introduction

by: Ron Hardin

I was catching up on the news and looking for a topic. I saw lots of news, but nothing that really – as we say below – piqued my interest, until I came across the announcement from Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) that three hotel companies were making Certified Hospitality Accounting Executive (CHAE) and Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) certifications a requirement for staff in their account and information technology departments. In 2016, Rosewood Hotel Group required its IT staff to achieve CHTP certification. Now Rosewood, along with Two Roads Hospitality and AccorHotels Group, have doubled down by requiring their accounting teams to become HFTP members and obtain their CHAE certifications. From the announcement: “Hospitality professionals recognize the importance of committing to continuing education in order to comply with evolving industry practices,” said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe. “Group certification allows organizations to match industry experience with essential hospitality knowledge. Hospitality certification helps professionals elevate their knowledge and career path, leading to higher salaries and increased job opportunities.” I can only add my kudos to these organizations for recognizing the importance of professional certification and supporting these industry-recognized certification programs. Hospitality technology and accounting are both highly specialized areas of expertise, and hospitality organizations would be well served to recruit and staff professionals with these certifications. They could also emulate Rosewood, Two Roads and AccorHotels, and make certification a requirement. And I encourage anyone who plans to make their career in hospitality finance or technology to pursue certification. For my part, I’m volunteering with the local HFTP chapter to be a mentor for young professionals interested in getting their CHTP. Make YOUR business better – hire a certified professional.

To read the full story, click here.

Ron Hardin, CHTP
RonHardin.TECH Consulting
Ron@ronhardin.tech
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Recent headlines, from Hospitality Upgrade

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

- Belmond Appoints Daniel Ruff as Senior Vice President, Head of Global Operations
- Adrian Oyekanmi Appointed as Senior Vice President, Global Strategic Sourcing for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group
- Choice Hotels Promotes Anna Scozzafava to Vice President of Strategy and Planning
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For more information on People on the Move for 12/01/17

GUEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

- StayNTouch Partners with AutoCamp to Bring PMS Mobility to Innovative Lodging Company
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StayNTouch Partners with AutoCamp to Bring PMS Mobility to Innovative Lodging Company
StayNTouch, an innovator in mobile technology and property management systems (PMS) for hotels, announced its partnership with AutoCamp of San Francisco, Calif., where it plans to deploy its Rover PMS™ and Zest™ products at AutoCamp's locations in Santa Barbara, Calif., and Russian River, Calif. StayNTouch is a software-as-a-service hotel property management systems (PMS) company focused on developing solutions that help properties raise service levels, drive revenues, reduce costs, and ultimately change the way they can captivate their guests.
http://www.stayntouch.com
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RESERVATIONS

- NAVIS RezForce® Lux Services Top-rated By Forbes Travel Guide
- TravelClick and First Hotels Scandinavia Announce Exclusive Strategic Customer Relationship
- Argentinian Luxury Hotel Chain Recommends eRevMax for Online Connectivity
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For more information on Reservations for 12/01/17

REVENUE MANAGEMENT

- Rainmaker Announces Antitrust Clearance from U.S. Department of Justice, Clearing the Way for Completion of Multifamily Assets Sale
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Rainmaker Announces Antitrust Clearance from U.S. Department of Justice, Clearing the Way for Completion of Multifamily Assets Sale
The Rainmaker Group (Rainmaker), a leading provider of cloud-based hospitality revenue and profit optimization software, announced that it has received antitrust clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice to transition its Rainmaker LRO multifamily housing business and product portfolio to RealPage, Inc., a Richardson, Texas-based global provider of software and data analytics to the real estate industry. The company anticipates the transaction closing will take place by the end of 2017.
http://www.letitrain.com/
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GUEST SERVICES

- FCS Connect Guest Services Management Platform Pairs with Savioke Relay Robot at Hotel Jen Tanglin and Orchardgateway Singapore
- Amathus Beach Hotel Deploys MCOMS HOTstream Solution
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FCS Connect Guest Services Management Platform Pairs with Savioke Relay Robot at Hotel Jen Tanglin and Orchardgateway Singapore
FCS Computer Systems, a leading global provider of comprehensive hospitality guest services applications and solution design services, has announced the integration of its FCS Connect solution with Savioke’s Relay, a cutting-edge, fully autonomous indoor delivery robot. With the integrations taking place at the Hotel Jen Tanglin and Orchardgateway Singapore, guests at both properties can now experience a level of service that is as convenient and seamless as it is revolutionary.
http://www.planet1world.com, http://www.savioke.com
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Amathus Beach Hotel Deploys MCOMS HOTstream Solution
Amathus Beach Hotel Limassol, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, has chosen to install the MCOMS HOTstream solution in all of its 239 rooms. MCOM Media Communications will provide a unique in-room experience to the guests through the 250 smart TVs in the hotel. Guests have now access the latest IPTV and VOD technology and a vast variety of video on-demand movies. In addition they can enjoy all hotel services and facilities and information, through their in-room TVs.
http://www.mcoms.com
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PERSONALIZATION/GUEST EXPERIENCE

- InterContinental Malta Implements Guestware to Personalize the Guest Experience
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InterContinental Malta Implements Guestware to Personalize the Guest Experience
Guestware announced that InterContinental Malta in St. George’s Bay implemented Guestware to personalize the guest experience and simplify staff response to requests. Guestware is an integrated guest experience (GX) software solution used by hospitality companies around the world to deliver exceptional guest satisfaction.
http://www.guestware.com/
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SALES & CATERING, MEETING PLANNING

- Amadeus and HRS Join Forces to Help Companies Organize Small Meetings
- Onyx Unveils Payments Solution for Groups, Meetings and Events
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Amadeus and HRS Join Forces to Help Companies Organize Small Meetings
Amadeus and HRS Global Hotel Solutions (HRS) announced the integration of HRS’ meetago small meeting solution with Amadeus cytric Travel & Expense. This agreement is an extension of a longstanding partnership to distribute the HRS hotel content already available in the Amadeus distribution channel. The integration of HRS’ meetago service with Amadeus cytric Travel & Expense offers a solution to a decades-old challenge: corralling and managing small meeting spend and streamlining the process used to bid for and book rooms for these gatherings.
http://www.amadeus-hospitality.com/
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Onyx Unveils Payments Solution for Groups, Meetings and Events
Onyx CenterSource, a global leader in hotel commission payment, reconciliation and recovery services, unveiled GroupPay, a comprehensive automated system to bring transparency, faster payments and easy billing reconciliation to the group, meetings and events market. GroupPay, developed with active engagement from leading global industry partners, was designed to eliminate payment and commission disputes among meeting planners, hotels and group clients that result from inefficient, antiquated and often fragmented tracking systems. Onyx CenterSource launched a pilot of GroupPay this fall with one of the world’s leading hotel chains. The chain used the new tool to process contract, reservations and room occupancy data on thousands of bookings, enabling it to accurately calculate and process payments due to a leading meeting procurement supplier.
https://www.onyxcentersource.com/group-management/
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INVENTORY/PURCHASING

- Clear Sky Software’s Beverage Inventory System Saving Time at the W Hotel in Bellevue Washington
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Clear Sky Software’s Beverage Inventory System Saving Time at the W Hotel in Bellevue Washington
Clear Sky Software, Inc.® announced that The W Hotel in Bellevue, Wash., has implemented the company’s beverage inventory control system to help manage and control all beverage products. This busy hotel is taking advantage of the features of this industry-leading beverage inventory system. Called Clear Sky BEVERAGE, it is a comprehensive, perpetual inventory system that tracks and controls all beverage products. Functions include purchasing/ordering, receiving, electronic requisition, outlet transfers/issues/returns and physical inventory. All of these software tools allow management at this property to report beverage costs by location, product and product category.
http://www.clearskysoftware.com
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SUSTAINABILITY

- Green Means Gold for Georgia World Congress Center Authority
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Green Means Gold for Georgia World Congress Center Authority
The No. 1 convention, sports and entertainment destination in the world is setting the gold standard for environmental sustainability. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded LEED Gold certification to the 3.9 million-square-foot Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), the largest convention center in the world, to achieve this status. LEED, an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally recognized green building certification awarded to facilities that employ sustainability strategies, including indoor air quality, energy and atmosphere, sustainable sites, water efficiency, material and resources. The GWCC initially earned LEED Silver certification in 2014, becoming the largest LEED certified convention center in the world. The GWCCA’s 220-acre downtown Atlanta campus strategically integrates solar power, electric vehicle charging stations, sustainable procurement practices, green cleaning and a comprehensive waste diversion focus that includes food donation, composting and recycling.
http://www.gwcc.com
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HOSPITALITY EDUCATION

- Global Hotel Groups Support HFTP’s Hospitality Certification Programs
- HSMAI Introduces Organizational Memberships
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Global Hotel Groups Support HFTP’s Hospitality Certification Programs
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP^®) offers two certification programs that are globally recognized for setting industry standards for hospitality finance and technology professionals: Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE^®) and Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP^®). These certification programs have been named a requirement for information technology and accounting employees at Rosewood Hotel Group, Two Roads Hospitality and Accorhotels Group – which operates Fairmont-branded hotels. Accorhotels Group recently followed suit with Rosewood and Two Roads Hospitality by not only having its employees become members of HFTP, but also requiring their group to become CHAE certified. In 2016, Rosewood Hotel Group set the requirement for its information technology staff to become CHTP certified – this was the first group certification HFTP coordinated.
http://www.hftp.org
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HSMAI Introduces Organizational Memberships
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), which is celebrating 90 years of fueling sales, inspiring marketing, and optimizing revenue, announced that an organizational membership option will become available in 2018. It will allow hotel companies, ownership groups, hotel management companies and partner companies to be HSMAI Americas members. With organizational membership, the company will be the HSMAI member, and multiple corporate employees will have access to a wide range of unique member benefits. There are several levels of membership for companies, based on their company size.
http://hsmai.org/
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HOSPITALITY EVENTS

- HFTP and HSMAI Region Europe to Co-locate European Conferences in April 2018
- HFTP and Naseba Set New Standard in The Middle East with HITEC Dubai
- HFTP Now Accepting Applications for Entrepreneur 20X at HITEC Amsterdam 2018
- HSMAI UAE Celebrates “Most Extraordinary Minds” in Hospitality in the Middle East
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For more information on Hospitality Events for 12/01/17

You-Know-What

And now for you-know-what…

She's single. She lives right across the street and I can see her place from my kitchen window. I watched as she got home from work this evening, but I just can't get up the nerve to say hello.

I was surprised when she walked across the street, up my driveway and knocked on my door.

When I opened the door, she looked at me and said, "I just got home, and I have this strong urge to go dancing, have a few cocktails, and maybe fool around a little. You know, have some fun. Are you doing anything tonight?"

I quickly replied, "Nope, I'm free!"

"Great!" she said. "Can you look after my dog?"

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