AHLA workforce report: Hotels add 1,200 jobs in April
U.S. hotels added 1,200 jobs to their payrolls in April, according to the latest government data that shows employment in the industry is still far from pre-pandemic levels.
Press Releases
Jocelyn Lurie Assumes Role of Vice President of Procurement at Throughline by IIG, a Division of Interior Image Group
Interior Image Group (IIG) is pleased to announce the promotion of Jocelyn Lurie to Vice President of Procurement. This appointment is a testament to the exceptional talent within IIG’s team and Throughline dedication to excellence in hospitality, multi-family, and commercial interior design and procurement. Throughline by IIG is the comprehensive procurement management division of Interior Image Group.
Sommet Education launches its Foundation to support Hospitality sector employment challenges
Sommet Education, a leading worldwide player in the hospitality education boasting a community of 10,000 students and 60,000 influential alumni worldwide, is proud to announce the launch of its Foundation, a significant milestone aimed at supporting employment challenges within the hospitality sector.
Hilton Announces 2024 Thrive Sabbatical and Thrive Reset Winners
Hilton announced the recipients of its Thrive Sabbatical and Thrive Reset programs, continuing its investment in initiatives and benefits that support its team members’ professional, physical and mental well-being. Now in its eighth year, Hilton team members from around the world can apply for the time and resources to live a dream, give a dream or recharge by taking care of themselves or others, or to pursue a passion that helps them grow personally or professionally.
Motel 6 Appoints Garfield as First - Ever Chief Pet Officer
Today, Motel 6, Proud Sponsor of Pets™ and official hotel partner of “The Garfield Movie,” appointed its first-ever Chief Pet Officer to help make traveling with pets easier, safer and, most importantly, more fun. The world-famous and beloved orange tabby cat, Garfield, has stepped into the role ahead of the new Columbia Pictures/Alcon Entertainment animated film, debuting exclusively in movie theaters on May 24.
Sommet Education launches its Foundation to support Hospitality sector employment challenges
Sommet Education, a leading worldwide player in the hospitality education boasting a community of 10,000 students and 60,000 influential alumni worldwide, is proud to announce the launch of its Foundation, a significant milestone aimed at supporting employment challenges within the hospitality sector.
Cross Functional Teamwork and the Evolution of Commercial Leadership
Effective cross-functional collaboration stands as a pivotal trend shaping contemporary business outcomes. Realizing the full potential of collaborative teamwork demands meticulous preparation, the alignment of shared objectives, and the guidance of skilled leadership to reinforce desired organizational behaviors and objectives. While the advantages of cross-functional collaboration are widely acknowledged, the implementation of this approach requires more than mere immediacy; it necessitates a deliberate shift in organizational mindset beyond joint projects. Achieving successful collaboration between teams necessitates a disciplined and strategic effort focused on people development, underpinned by leadership advocacy and unwavering commitment (Henson, 2023).
AHLA: DOL overtime rule will hurt hotels and limit employee opportunities
American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey issued the following statement today after the Department of Labor (DOL) released its final overtime rule to raise the minimum salary threshold under which all employees must be paid overtime for any hours worked over 40 in a week.
Premier Promotes Derek Weaver to Vice President of Project Management and Estimating
Premier, an end-to-end architecture, design, procurement, project management, and development firm, is proud to announce that Derek Weaver has been promoted to the role of Vice President of Project Management and Estimating. Having served Premier for the last two-and-a-half years as the company’s Director of Project Management, Weaver will now lead Premier’s team of 26 Project Managers and Estimators. In his new role, Weaver’s primary focus will be the execution of Premier’s ground-up new-build projects, renovation projects, and adaptive reuse projects in the hospitality, multi-family residential, student housing, and mixed-use segments.
Premier appoints Corina Heizer as its new Vice President of Procurement
Premier, an end-to-end architecture, design, procurement, project management, and development firm, is pleased to announce that Corina Heizer has been appointed as the firm’s new Vice President of Procurement. With more than 15 years of interior design experience and 11 years of procurement expertise, Heizer will oversee the daily operations of the Procurement team, and will be responsible for managing the department’s Procurement Associates.
Accor launches hotel traineeship targeting young Indigenous talent
Accor, the largest hotel operator in Australia, today announced its new Accor Indigenous Hotel Traineeship to provide career pathways and development opportunities for young Indigenous talent.
Return to Office (RTO) and Hybrid Work Models: Adapting to New Ways of Working
In recent years, the realms of sales marketing, distribution, and loyalty have undergone significant transformation in response to the challenges and opportunities brought about by remote work. Discussions held during HSMAI leadership meetings and conferences within these sectors have illuminated the evolving dynamics of the workplace, emphasizing the importance of happiness, productivity, and equity in this new era. It’s noteworthy that the embrace of remote and hybrid work models varies across the globe. As Gallup (Brecheisen, 2023) research revealed, “the attitude of leaders had an outsized influence on workplace strategies.”
Sommet Education Unveils New Step in Strategic Digital Expansion with Online Executive Certificates
Sommet Education, a leader in hospitality management education, unveils new step in strategic digital expansion initiative. Focused on elevating executive and lifelong learning, Sommet Education introduces innovative online Executive certificates to meet professionals' evolving needs and enhance their expertise across diverse industries.
Penn State's Master of Professional Studies in Hospitality Management elevates careers in hospitality
The Penn State School of Hospitality Management is accepting applications for its Master of Professional Studies in Hospitality Management for the fall 2024 semester. The program helps professionals gain in-demand skills and leadership experiences that translate directly into hospitality management and upper-level management positions.
Hospitality students creatively solving problems with Lego Learning Initiative
From constructing towers to landscapes, Penn State students are building physical representations of business strategies and practicing creative problem-solving as part of the “Lego Learning Initiative for Hospitality Management Education.”
Early Career SHM Alumni Pay it Forward
The School of Hospitality Management (SHM) in Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development (HHD) has received a series of gifts from recent alumni, bolstering the support available to students. In this series, we spotlight recent alumni who have decided to give back to their alma mater, supporting students following the path they helped to trailblaze.
DiamondRock Hospitality Company Implements Leadership Changes and Simplified Organizational Structure
DiamondRock Hospitality Company (the “Company”) (NYSE: DRH), a lodging-focused real estate investment trust that owns a portfolio of 36 premium hotels and resorts in the United States, today announced leadership changes and a simplified organizational structure to drive continued business momentum:
The central role of human capital in the luxury hotel industry
New Risposte Turismo survey among European General Managers. The study was presented on Saturday 13 April in Venice, within the framework of the 50th Annual General Meeting of the European Hotel Managers Association (EHMA). The difficulty in sourcing new talent, the value of the attitude demonstrated by candidates (motivation, desire to learn and interest in improvement) during the recruitment process and the importance of remuneration for staff retention.
Nobu Hotel Atlanta Names Drew Smith as New General Manager
Nobu Hotel Atlanta, the epitome of luxury lifestyle accommodations nestled in the vibrant heart of Buckhead, has appointed Drew Smith as its new General Manager.
Transforming Employee Engagement in the Hospitality Industry
In the hospitality industry, traditional metrics like revenue performance and guest satisfaction have long been the go-to indicators for assessing a hotel’s business health. However, as businesses increasingly acknowledge the vital role of talent in achieving success, talent retention has emerged as a paramount concern, which we explore in this excerpt from the HSMAI Foundation Special Report: The State of Hotel Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Optimization Talent 2023-2024.