December 16, 2022
Siegel Sez
This is our last Siegel Sez of the year, and what a year it’s been! I hope you all read Doug Rice’s article and his look back at industry technology in 2022. We will take a deep look back at 2022 after the first of the year, but right now it’s all about getting 2022 behind us. The one crazy thing that happened this year (that I need to mention once more) was AHLA announcing their new Hospitality Show. It’s scheduled for the same 2023 dates as HITEC and will have technology included. I was at HT-NEXT last week and you would not believe how many people came up to me asking for my thoughts.
I expect there will be a lot more conversations as we are now in the six-month window before both shows. It’s interesting that HFTP just announced the dates and locations of the next two HITECs after Toronto in 2023. It will be held in Charlotte in 2024 and Indianapolis in 2025. I think they stole Indianapolis from our plans … just kidding, I think. I did get to spend a few minutes at HT-NEXT with Kevin Carey the COO and EVP at AHLA and it was a positive conversation that will be continued. Yes, life goes on and the craziness will soon be behind us. It was nice that it was shared that The Hospitality Show will never again conflict with HITEC. That’s one less thing to worry about.
Many industries are struggling with staffing, but possibly none more than the hospitality industry. Doug Rice, in his Definitely Doug column that follows, looks at how technology can address staffing shortages. I encourage you to read the part regarding the college intern and his comments about meaningful jobs. The industry must stop hesitating to invest in technology, causing it to lag behind other industries. With that said, there has been lots of progress, but we still have a way to go. We thank Doug for his thoughts and suggestions on how technology can address staffing issues.
One thing we can expect next year regarding events is that all shows will probably have high attendance. From our CIO Summit and then the Lodging Conference in September, right through last week’s HT-NEXT, everybody wants to meet face to face again. I know this is going to continue in 2023. I will be at CES in Las Vegas January 5-8, and from what I hear the hotel industry will be well represented. If you have never been to CES and are into or curious about technology, you must attend. Many of the things there won’t be available for a few years or possibly ever, but it does get you thinking about the future. I can’t wait!
Hospitality Upgrade and Hotel Online thank you for being a part of what we do. Enjoy the holiday season and let’s all approach 2023 with lots of positive energy. There is great power in positive thinking! Happy Holidays and see you next year!
Rich
rich@hospitalityupgrade.com
Definitely Doug
Technology to Attract and Retain Staff
This week’s topic will be a holiday-shortened but nevertheless important one. As an industry, we all know there is a labor challenge today. Some parts of the world have earned a temporary reprieve as travel demand has dropped, but others, notably the U.S. market, are still struggling to find staff. For most of the world, it remains a long-term problem.
There have been many articles and studies about how the pandemic, in combination with demographics, has changed the view that many (especially younger) workers have towards employers. Flexibility, work-life balance, good training, clear career paths, and the need to feel valued have never been more important.
Unemployment, at 3.7% in the U.S. in November, is close to its all-time low. Before the pandemic, the industry filled the gap to a significant extent with immigrant workers, but visa restrictions have reduced the available pool. Further, many hotel workers who were furloughed in 2020 have moved on in their careers and have said they are unlikely to come back to hotels – they like their new work situation better. Turnover in hotels remains astronomical.
Hotels need to rethink what they do to make themselves attractive as employers. While there are many aspects to this, technology can play an important role. I will summarize a few ideas here, many of which are available in the market today. Others may represent opportunities for vendors to build or improve.
Click here to read more of Doug’s column Technology to Attract and Retain Staff
Douglas Rice
Email: douglas.rice@hosptech.net
Twitter: @dougrice
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ricedouglas
Technology to Attract and Retain Staff
CORPORATE NEWS
- Mews Closes $185 Million in Fundraising to Transform the Hospitality Industry for Brands and Their Guests
Mews, a leader in hospitality technology, today announced it has closed its Series C round at $185 million. The equity investment was led by Kinnevik and the Growth Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management with participation from Revaia, Derive Ventures and Orbit Capital; and returning investors including Battery Ventures, Notion Capital, Salesforce Ventures, Thayer Ventures, and henQ.
www.mews.com
- PROVision Partners Introduces an Expanded Set of Strategic Growth Services for the Travel and Hospitality Industry
PROVision Partners (“PROVision”), a leading global strategic growth marketing, technology, and commercial services advisory firm to the travel and hospitality industry, has launched an expanded professional service framework that allows organizations in three core segments of the market to access powerful industry-specific solutions that are designed to accelerate growth, drive results and benchmark program success throughout the process.
www.provision-partners.com
- Lodging Interactive Sponsors Hotel Christmas Tree Instagram Contest to Support Local Hotel Charities
This holiday season, the team at Lodging Interactive and CoMMingle have come up with the perfect way to spread some cheer – an exciting contest where your hotel can win $1,500 for its local charities! Just enter by showing us your Christmas tree – the more creative, the better! Whether it’s totally decked out with twinkling lights and festive ornaments or dressed up in a clever theme, it’s sure to bring in some serious holiday joy.
lodginginteractive.com
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
- Groups360 Onboards New Technology Leadership to Scale Its GroupSync Solution for the Hospitality and Events Industries
Shane Husband joins Groups360 as senior vice president of technology, leading the company’s technology and operations forward at its corporate headquarters. The hire follows Groups360’s launch of real-time group rates and GroupSync™ Instant Booking across nearly 8,000 hotels including Hilton Hotels, Omni Hotels and Resorts, Marriott International, and selected IHG Hotel properties.
groups360.com
- SALTO Systems Names Director of Channel Programs and Director of Industry Sectors Engagement
SALTO Systems – a leading manufacturer of electronic access control and operating system solutions that provide a keyless experience – has created and filled two important new roles: Director of Channel Programs and Director of Industry Sectors Engagement.
www.salto.us
GUEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
- Agilysys Announces Agreement with Marriott International to Deliver Its Cloud-Native Property Management System (PMS) Software Across Marriott’s Luxury, Premium and Select Service Properties in the United States and Canada
Agilysys, Inc., a leading global provider of hospitality software solutions that deliver High Return Hospitality, today announced an agreement with Marriott International, Inc., (NASDAQ: MAR) to deploy its cloud-native property management system (PMS) software across Marriott’s United States and Canada luxury, premium and select service hotels over the coming years.
www.agilysys.com
- Oracle Named a Leader in IDC MarketScape Worldwide Hospitality Property Management Systems 2022 Vendor Assessment
Oracle has been positioned as a ‘Leader’ in the inaugural IDC MarketScape Worldwide Hospitality Property Management Systems (PMS) 2022 Vendor Assessment1. The report notes that Oracle Hospitality OPERA Cloud PMS “sets the bar as an example with all modules within the platform sharing a common data set and end-user experience and are secure, scalable, and globally available.”
oracle.com/hospitality
RESERVATIONS & DISTRIBUTION
- IHG Hotels & Resorts Renews Amadeus’ Business Intelligence Solutions
To support strategic decision-making, IHG Hotels & Resorts has renewed its long-standing partnership with Amadeus for business intelligence solutions. IHG will continue to recommend its properties use Demand360®, Agency360®, and RevenueStrategy360™. IHG will also utilize the insights provided in these Amadeus solutions to help develop revenue management strategies.
www.amadeus-hospitality.com
- Newpark Resort & Hotel Partners with Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center, to Increase Voice Channel Revenue and Improve Guest Satisfaction
Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center™, is pleased to announce that Newpark Resort in Park City, Utah has joined the exceptional hotels enjoying the premium Travel Outlook voice services.
www.traveloutlook.com
REVENUE MANAGEMENT AND ANALYTICS
- Duetto Launches Annual Trends & Predictions Survey
Duetto, the hospitality industry’s #1 Revenue Management Software (RMS), has launched its latest annual Trends & Predictions 2023 Survey and is giving hoteliers a chance to win one of five $100 Amazon Gift Cards for completing the short five-minute survey.
www.duettocloud.com
GUEST FACING TECHNOLOGY
- Virdee-Cloudbeds Connection Provides Fully Contactless Operations Platform
Virdee, which delivers digital check-in and virtual concierge services to the lodging industry, has announced an integration to Cloudbeds, an all-in-one lodging operations platform, that will provide hoteliers and hosts with an efficient end-to-end solution for providing contactless guest experiences. Virdee will be available as a new partner in Cloudbeds’ Marketplace.
www.virdee.co
- Best Western Inn at the Vines Partners with HIS to Meet Guest Demands for Personalized In-Room Entertainment
Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of internet services and solutions for the hospitality industry, has announced the adoption of its GuestCast streaming solution by Best Western Inn at the Vines.
www.hotelwifi.com
- IHG Hotels & Resorts Set to Debut Philips MediaSuite TVs in Guest Rooms as Part of New Global Partnership With PPDS
PPDS, an exclusive global provider of Philips professional displays, is delighted to announce a brand new global partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts, introducing its advanced new Chromecast™ built-in Philips MediaSuite hospitality TVs to deliver IHG’s next generation in-room entertainment solution.
www.usa.philips.com/p-m-pr/hospitality-and-healthcare-television/
MARKETING
- GCommerce Launches Balboa Bay Resort's New Website
GCommerce Solutions, a leading hospitality website design and development provider, has launched a new, dynamic website for Balboa Bay Resort.
www.gcommercesolutions.com
- The Maho Group selects Cendyn to power CRM, revenue management, and business intelligence
Cendyn, a catalyst for digital transformation in the hospitality industry, announces today that The Maho Group has selected Cendyn to power CRM, revenue management, and business intelligence at two St. Maarten resorts, the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa and Sonesta Ocean Point Resort.
www.cendyn.com
BACK OFFICE
- RKS Hotels Group Streamlines Accounting Processes for its Alberta Canada Properties
Two RKS Hotels Group Ltd. properties in Alberta, Canada, will go live with PVNG by Aptech this month. The enterprise accounting solution will automate all general ledger, accounts payable, statistics, financials, and bank reconciliation processes in the cloud for the Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton South and the Travelodge by Wyndham Edmonton West hotels.
www.aptech-inc.com
COMMUNICATIONS & INFRASTRUCTURE
- It’s Out of This World: Aruba Unified Infrastructure Helps Power Walt Disney World® Resort’s Newest Star Wars Vacation Experience
Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, announced that Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, a two-night adventure at Walt Disney World Resort is using Aruba technology to help deliver an entirely new vacation experience.
www.arubanetworks.com
- Nomadix Earns Marriott’s Brand Approval for Newest Internet Gateway, the EG 1000
Nomadix® Inc​., a technology leader in hospitality and multi-tenant industries, today announced its EG 1000 internet gateway earned brand approval by Marriott International Inc. for use at select service brands, including Four Points by Sheraton, Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites, TownePlace Suites, Protea Hotels, AC Hotels, Element, Aloft and Moxy.
www.nomadix.com
FOOD & BEVERAGE
- Shiji Completes 200th Hyatt Hotel Installation on Infrasys Cloud Point-of-Sale in Orlando, FL
Shiji Group has announced that the 200th installation of Shiji’s Infrasys Cloud point-of-sale recently went live at Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport in Orlando, Florida. Shiji and Hyatt originally began working together in 2019 after Hyatt selected Shiji’s Infrasys Cloud product to power systems at food and beverage outlets at select Hyatt properties.
www.shijigroup.com
- Foxwoods Resort Casino Chooses Agilysys Point-of-Sale Technology to Elevate its Retail and Food & Beverage Outlets’ Capabilities and Maximize Return on Experience
The Ledyard, Conn., property recently upgraded and migrated its retail and food and beverage (F&B) operations technology to Agilysys’ award-winning point-of-sale (POS) software solutions, which is part of the Agilysys Hospitality Cloud™.
www.agilysys.com
OPERATIONS
- PurpleCloud Technologies Now Available on Oracle Cloud Marketplace
By leveraging PurpleCloud's gamified service optimization platform for back-of-house operations, hotels running on the Oracle Hospitality OPERA Cloud Property Management System (PMS) can engage and empower employees to work more efficiently and deliver improved customer experiences.
purplecloudtech.com
SECURITY
- Hotel Marcel New Haven Combines Sustainability with Enhanced Security by Deploying Advanced Technologies from ASSA ABLOY
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, a leading provider of advanced security technology for the hospitality industry, together with ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions, have announced the adoption of a range of innovative security access technologies by Hotel Marcel New Haven in Connecticut, USA.
www.assaabloyglobalsolutions.com/hospitality
- VENZA and CyberTek Announce New Firewall Webinar Series
VENZA, a leading provider of hospitality-focused data protection and regulatory compliance solutions, and CyberTek, an award-winning Managed Security Service Provider, have announced a partnership with a leading developer of enterprise cybersecurity platforms to deliver a specialized series of webinars.
www.VENZAgroup.com
HOSPITALITY EVENTS AND ASSOCIATION NEWS
- HFTP Schedules HITEC 2024 in Charlotte and HITEC 2025 in Indianapolis; HSMAI to Co-locate its Commercial Strategy Week
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) has set the 2024 and 2025 dates for its upcoming Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC). The world’s largest, nonprofit, hospitality technology event will debut two new U.S. cities to its roster. In 2024, HITEC will be held June 24-27 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
www.hftp.org
- HSMAI to Honor Marketing, Public Relations Visionaries Peter Strebel and Mary Wagstaff
An innovative marketing executive who has left a lasting imprint on multiple hotel brands and a public relations expert who founded her own hospitality media and marketing firm and a food and travel entertainment company are being honored by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) for their significant achievements.
hsmai.org
- HFTP Opens Applications for the 2023 Entrepreneur 20X North America
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), producers of the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC), has
opened the application process for the North American Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) start-up pitch competition. Established in 2015, E20X gives innovative hospitality technology startups an opportunity to pitch their cutting-edge ideas to a room full of HITEC attendees and a panel of expert judges.
www.hftp.org
- Wyndham’s Geoff Ballotti to Receive Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), The American Hotel & Lodging Foundation, and The BHN Group announced
Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, will be awarded the Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award.
www.ahlafoundation.org
MARKET REPORTS
- Monthly U.S. Meetings and Events Volume Beats 2019 Levels for the First Time Since the Pandemic, According to Knowland
Knowland, the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, released its U.S. monthly meetings and events data for November, reporting that November 2022 achieved 103.1 percent of November 2019 volume, exceeding monthly pre-pandemic levels for the first time. Knowland reports November this year with 122.5 percent growth over November 2021.
www.knowland.com
PIQUED OUR INTEREST
- 15 luxury hotels that go all out for Christmas
- 10 Incredible Hotel Gingerbread Displays
- Hotels are making up ground on short-term rentals
- How Hotels and DMOS can respond to shifting perceptions of sustainability
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For more information on Piqued Our Interest for 12/16/2022
And now for the You-Know-What...