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External Article Markets & Performance

Orlando hotels endure worst year in decades | orlandosentinel.com

Orlando's hotel industry ended 2009 with another bad month in a string of bad months — and, by many measures, its worst year on record. Hotels in the Orlando area were little more than 60 percent full on average in December. That was down just 2 percent from the same month a year ago, but hoteliers also continued slashing prices, cutting the average daily room rate 10.9 percent to $86.69, according to data released Thursday by Smith Travel Research

orlandosentinel.com
Orlando, Florida, United States
Appointment

Louis Martorano has been appointed as Executive Chef at Hilton Orlando

Chef Martorano brings with him more than 20 years of experience, having served as a chef in California, Tennessee, Maryland, and Florida. Prior to his arrival at the Hilton Orlando, Martorano was executive chef of the National Pastime at the Gaylord National Hotel & Resort located in National Harbor, Md. In this role, Martorano was responsible for the hotel’s second grand opening, as well as the management of all departmental functions and 41 culinary staff members, including three sous chefs. Previously, Martorano worked for 11 years at the Boca Raton Resort and Club as chef of the Mizner Center and later of the Lucca Restaurant.

Hilton Orlando
Orlando, Florida, United States
Appointment

Johann Krieger has been appointed as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Gaylord Palms at The Gaylord Palms

Johann began his Gaylord career in 2001 as director of front services for Gaylord Palms. During his eight years with Gaylord, he has led bell services, CID, valet, concierge, and celebrity services where he developed a deep understanding of operations from all levels. He has become a pillar of support for the Gaylord Palms property. In 2005, Johann was promoted to director of rooms and further grew his expertise before moving to his current role as VP and hotel manager. “Johann has been a critical part of the success the Palms has achieved over the years, and we are excited that he will be stepping into this leadership role at the property,” said Kloeppel. “He is part of the heart and soul of the Palms and we are confident his team will continue to benefit from his deep understanding of Gaylord operations, unique service perspective, customer engagement, and dedication to our culture and family of STAR employees.”

Ryman Hospitality
Orlando, Florida, United States
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Supplier News Technology

Nickelodeon Family Suites Hires EzRMS

Orlando's entertainment destination, Nickelodeon Family Suites, is the latest resort to feature the EzRMS™ Product Suite and all of its Revenue Management capabilities. The 777-room, 24-acre property in the heart of Orlando's tourism district, known as 'Nick Hotel', has selected EasyRMS as its systems provider for all Revenue Management services after a lengthy RFP process in the beginning of 2009.

Orlando, United States
External Article Sales & Marketing

#1 Orlando Hotel Reveals the Secret to 100% Guest Satisfaction

Radisson Orlando Lake Buena Vista FL - While today everyone focuses on hotel room rates, a recent study says guest satisfaction plays major role in the decision to book a hotel or not. Guests will return and stay with their favorite hotels regardless of the room rates. According to a recent study by Harvard business publishing, 65% of customers are looking for "knowledgeable employees", which most defined as able to "answer my questions without putting them on hold, searching for someone, or transferring them." 62% said "being treated like a valued customer" and 54% said "demonstrates desire to meet their needs."

bignews.biz
Orlando, Florida, United States
Supplier News Technology

Onity’s OS200 In-room Safes to Secure Guest Valuables at Four Rosen Hotel Properties in Orlando Area

Onity announced today the installation of 1,000 OS200 electronic in-room safes is currently underway at four Rosen Hotels and Resorts in the Orlando area, including the Quality Inn Plaza, the Quality Inn International, the Rodeway Inn International, and the Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista. The installation will take place over several months and is expected to be complete by mid-summer.

Orlando, Florida, United States
Appointment

R. Michael King has been named General Manager at Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Hilton Hotels has named veteran hotelier R. Michael King as general manager of its soon-to-open Waldorf Astoria Orlando. King, who spent the past 20 years of his 25-year career with Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., was most recently general manager of the Ritz-Carlton Denver. His is a graduate of Kennesaw State University in Georgia and is a member of a variety of trade organizations, including the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. The hotel will be the first to bear the Waldorf Astoria name outside New York City, where the hotel is a landmark. The new 497-room hotel, which will be paired with a 1,000-room Hilton Hotel, represents an expansion of Hilton’s luxury-lodging portfolio

Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Orlando, Florida, United States
External Article Sales & Marketing

FL Hotels fight economy’s pull | ocala.com

Few businesses know the yearlong rollercoaster ride better than the hotel industry in Central Florida. It’s a seasonal phenomenon that leaves many hotel and motel operators fluctuating between nail-biting slow periods and fast-paced weeks with rooms booked to capacity.Kyle Tyler, assistant general manager for Quality Inn Ocala Hotel & Conference Center, said it depends on what time of year you’re talking about. “When the racing was going on and HITS horse show, we were completely filled up. A couple times, we were at 100 percent,” said Tyler. “The summer is the slow time. Once the Gator games start up, it’s pretty good. One of the teams that played against the Gators, last year, came here. We just finished the busy time of the year.”

ocala.com
Orlando, Florida, United States
External Article Finance

Time shares access new lines of credit | orlandosentinel.com

The nation's time-share industry is starting to find ways around the credit freeze that has cut off its growth for more than the past six months. Two major time-share companies based in Orlando, the nation's time-share capital, recently managed to convert some of their customers' mortgages into cash. It's a hopeful sign for a struggling industry that is largely based in Central Florida, which generates 10 percent of all U.S. time-share sales. Marriott International said it recently sold about a quarter-billion dollars' worth of time-share notes, while Wyndham Worldwide said earlier this week it had just completed a deal for $46 million worth of time-share securities.

orlandosentinel.com
Orlando, Florida, United States
Appointment

Nicholas DiMeglio has been appointed as Vice President at The Ritz-Carlton Club

Most recently, DiMeglio was the general manager at The Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands where he increased Member and employee engagement as well as improved the profitability of ancillary businesses. DiMeglio joined The Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands after previously serving as general manager of The Williamsburg Inn in historic Colonial Williamsburg, Va.

The Ritz-Carlton Club
Orlando, Florida, United States
Appointment

Peter Kacheris has been appointed as Managing Director at The Waldorf=Astoria Orlando and the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

A 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Kacheris joins the Hilton family having most recently served as complex general manger of the 2,265-room Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida. In his new position, Kacheris will be responsible for the final phase of construction as well as the opening and daily operations of the 497-room Waldorf=Astoria Orlando (the first new-build Waldorf=Astoria outside of NYC) and the 1,000-room Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. Surrounded on three sides by Walt Disney World® Resort, the Bonnet Creek development is scheduled to open October 1, 2009. Kacheris began his career in 1978 with Marriott Hotels & Resorts. Based in Illinois, he held positions in operations, sales and marketing at various properties before being promoted to cluster general manager for the JW Marriott Lenox in Atlanta. In 2006, he was tapped as hotel manager for the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando and soon named general manager of the JW Marriott Grand Lakes Hotel in Orlando.

Hilton
Orlando, Florida, United States