Every second counts: How using e-signatures can help you close a sale
As any salesperson will tell you, there's no substitute for good old-fashioned human interaction when it comes to making a sale.
By Joe Floyd, Founder & CEO, InsureSign
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Dream Hotel Group to Debut Dream Atlanta, Buckhead in 2021
Renowned hotel and brand management company Dream Hotel Group today announced plans to debut Dream Atlanta, Buckhead in 2021.
Betty Wilson has been appointed as VP, Americas Sales at IHG
IHG has appointed Betty Wilson to the position of VP of americas sales, effective July 9. Previously, she served as VP of global sales for Starwood.. Most recently, Betty supported multiple hospitality-related organizations as a business consultant and executive coach. Prior to this, she served as SVP of business development at ConferenceDirect.
Charlestowne Hotels Welcomes Hotel Clermont
Charlestowne Hotels proudly welcomes Atlanta's famed Hotel Clermont as the newest addition to the company's expanding portfolio. Experienced in historic preservation projects, Charlestowne Hotels worked in partnership with Oliver Hospitality to oversee renovations for the nearly century-old Hotel Clermont and will now take over hotel management. Standing above the Clermont Lounge, an Atlanta institution, the 94-room boutique hotel features whimsical and lavish design elements that pay tribute to nine decades of Atlanta history. The hotel also includes four food and beverage outlets, including a swinging French-American brasserie with Southern accents and a rooftop bar with city skyline views.
protel – US headquarters in Atlanta open for business!
For nearly 25 years, protel has successfully developed hotel management solutions that are in use in more than 14,000 hotels and over 90 countries. protel is the established market leader for PMS in Switzerland and Austria. To continue its strategic expansion, the company opened a branch in North America in mid-2017, where the protel team recently positioned itself in Atlanta. This has a clearly defined goal: acquiring hotel chains and groups along with individual hotels looking for a modern IT eco-system to centralize their heterogeneous system landscape.Customers around the world appreciate the specialized protel know-how and cutting-edge developments which revolve exclusively around hospitality. "We specialize in the hotel business, we speak the same language and have the same concept of service," says Manfred Osthues, co-owner of protel. "We handle the technological challenges, the digitization, the hotel-specific requirements and support the industry with cloud-based and on-premise solutions that enable centralized hotel management and, above all, are secure!"
Michelle Marquis has been appointed as Vice President of Sales, North America at ReviewPro
Michelle brings a wealth of experience accrued from a successful career in sales and digital marketing in the hospitality industry. She is a well-respected sales professional, sought-after speaker and presenter, and an industry influencer in the field of hotel marketing. In the last couple of years, ReviewPro has expanded its base of hotel clients in North America and the Caribbean, including the recently announced partnership with Radisson Hotel Group on a global level. The incorporation of Marquis is the latest addition to a fast-growing, US-based sales and account management team that has been put in place to support continued growth in the region. ###
Jon Erickson has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel
Jon Erickson was recently named Director of Sales & Marketing for the iconic Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta. A seasoned hospitality professional, Erickson will lead the sales and marketing team and is responsible for the hotel's overall sales strategy. Prior to his new role, Erickson was Director of Sales & Marketing for the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown hotel. Designed by John Portman in 1976, The Westin Peachtree Plaza is a 73-story tower, topped by the tri-level Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View, with 1,073 guestrooms. At 754 feet, The Westin Peachtree Plaza is the tallest hotel in the Southeast United States. A graduate of the University of Houston, Erickson holds a Bachelor of Sc ience in Hotel and Restaurant Management.
Simon Ferguson has been appointed as Managing Director, Agency Commerce at Travelport
Travelport, the leading Travel Commerce Platform, announced today new leadership for its Agency Commerce teams in the Americas and Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). In the Americas, Simon Ferguson will become Managing Director, Agency Commerce for the region which spans the United States, Canada, and Latin America. Ferguson takes over from Bret Kidd who will be taking an alternative role within Travelport. Simon will relocate from London, where he currently oversees Travelport's Northern Europe region and will be based in Atlanta, Georgia from 1 July. Simon is a graduate of Sheffield University whose earlier career included leadership positions in travel technology and media before joining Travelport in 2011. In 2017, Travelport's revenue in the Americas was over $700m.
Atlanta Gets a New Dual-Brand Fairfield, TownePlace Property
Atlanta, one of the hottest tourism markets in the United States, is about to get two luxury hotel brands within one property, thanks to the new dual-brand Fairfield, TownePlace site that is planned there.
Daniella Lea has been named Pastry Chef at The St. Regis Atlanta
The St. Regis Atlanta, an unparalleled in-town resort located in the elegant enclave of Buckhead, is pleased to announce the appointment of Daniella Lea to the role of pastry chef for the property. Lea has almost a decade of culinary experience working at five-star hotels and restaurants from Argentina and Chile to Venezuela. In her new role as a pastry chef, Lea will be responsible for developing and crafting delectable desserts for guests, as the resort aims to incorporate international influences to accompany its increasing global exposure.
InterContinental® Buckhead Atlanta Reduces Costly Chargebacks with Sertifi
Since implementing Sertifi eAuthorize, the hotel property has significantly reduced the number of chargeback cases each month and has better control of fraudulent activity. The technology has decreased the number of non-refundable chargeback fees from the hotel's acquiring bank as well as employee time spent on filing and following up on fraud-related cases.All payment authorization forms are now sent to guests via email to complete securely online in a PCI-compliant manner. Each form includes an eSignature from the cardholder to further help reduce the number of disputes, strengthen protection from scams, and prevent revenue loss.
Axilla Capital Closes $7.75 Million Non-recourse Bridge Loan For Fairfield Inn & Suites Atlanta Hotel
Axilla Capital, LLC announced today that it closed a $7.75 million non-recourse bridge loan for the recently opened Fairfield Inn & Suites in Peachtree City, Georgia. The loan proceeds were used to refinance a maturing construction loan, as well as fund interest and operating reserves. Managing Principal Joel Mazur and Associate Tom Fleming represented the borrower on the transaction.
Marc Suennemann has been appointed as Executive Chef at The Whitley, a Luxury Collection® Hotel, Atlanta Buckhead
The Whitley, a Luxury Collection® Hotel, Atlanta Buckhead is proud to introduce Marc Suennemann as executive chef of the newly rebranded neighborhood icon. In this role, award-winning Chef Suennemann is managing culinary operations for the 507-room luxury hotel, overseeing the culinary team, bringing to life signature, sophisticated dishes and providing the tailored, anticipatory service for which The Whitley is known. Under his leadership, the property will open Trade Root – a Mediterranean-inspired concept – coming in February 2018.
In Memoriam: HVS’s Michael Brophy
HVS is deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of Michael Brophy, Managing Director, Senior Partner of HVS Atlanta. A 14-year veteran of the firm, Mike established the HVS presence in Atlanta, a city he and his family came to love.According to Rod Clough, MAI and President of HVS Americas, "Mike was a true leader and friend. From the start of his HVS career, he was one of the most dedicated team members, working long hours when needed and with the best attitude. When an opening presented itself in Atlanta, he stepped up and took on a new leadership position with the firm, transcending into that role well beyond expectations. I selected Mike as part of my founding partnership group for a reason: his friendship, loyalty, and leadership meant the world to me. I knew he would do anything for me, as I would for him, and that I could not live without him. Now I must figure out how to do that, and it isn't proving to be easy. We all miss Mike so much.Mike fostered an extraordinary team that will continue to serve the Atlanta and Southeast markets with the same commitment to excellence under the leadership of Janet Snyder. He left behind his beloved wife, Patti, and two sons, Sean and Garrett.
Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) Divests Joint Venture Ownership
Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), an Atlanta-based, private hotel investment, ownership and management company, today announced it has sold the 261-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta – Galleria to an unaffiliated third party and retained management of the property.
Omni Hotels & Resorts Opens Omni Hotel At The Battery Atlanta
Omni Hotels & Resorts announces the opening of its newest property, Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta. As the official hotel of the Atlanta Braves, the property is located in The Battery Atlanta, the city's newest mixed-use development and home to SunTrust Park, the Coca-Cola Roxy music venue, shopping, dining and premier office space.
Syed Jeff Hussain has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at The Westin Atlanta Airport
Syed Jeff Hussain has been named the new Director of Food & Beverage at The Westin Atlanta Airport own & manages by Columbia Sussex Corporation. The Westin Atlanta Airport is one of the area’s most popular & busiest hotels for business and leisure travelers.
The Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Officially Debuts in Atlanta Buckhead
The Luxury Collection Hotels® and Resorts today announced the official debut of The Whitley, a Luxury Collection® Hotel, situated in the heart of Atlanta's urban chic Buckhead neighborhood. Owned by Host Hotels and Resorts, and officially rebranding from the iconic The Ritz Carlton, Buckhead, The Whitley joins a growing ensemble of more than 100 Luxury Collection hotels and resorts around the world, all of which offer a unique expression of their destination. Now, the luxurious 507-room property will host guests from around the world with tailored stays featuring timeless, yet trendsetting design and gracious Southern hospitality.
David Friederich has been appointed as Managing Director at The Whitley
The Whitley – the iconic Luxury Collection® hotel soon to welcome guests in the heart of Atlanta’s urban chic Buckhead neighborhood – proudly announces David Friederich as Managing Director of the upcoming hotel. In this role, Friederich will be responsible for managing the hotel’s day-to-day success and overseeing all operational aspects of the 507-room property, introducing guests to the hotel’s welcoming combination of southern hospitality and chic sophistication.
Hilton Atlanta Completes Renovation
Hilton Atlanta, the 1,249-room landmark downtown hotel, unveils the completion of its multi-million-dollar redesign featuring upgraded guest rooms, meeting spaces and public areas. The refresh is the first of a three-phase renovation program slated to be completed by 2018.