The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International's Washington, D.C., chapter will host an interactive educational event, "The Convergence of Revenue Management and Marketing," this month that will explore the hospitality industry's changing landscape and how professionals can navigate challenges through data and analytics.
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International's Washington, D.C., chapter will host an interactive educational event, "From Invisible to Icon: How to Become an Expert in Your Industry," this month to teach hospitality professionals how to create, launch and manage their personal brands.
Associated Luxury Hotels, the parent company of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) and Worldhotels, announced today that it has named highly respected hospitality industry executive Josh Lesnick to be its President and CEO. Lesnick comes to Associated Luxury Hotels from Wyndham Hotel Group, where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, responsible for all aspects of revenue generation for 18 brands encompassing more than 8,000 hotels in 77 countries. In his new role, Lesnick will oversee all business operations and subsidiaries of Associated Luxury Hotels, which significantly expanded its global footprint, hospitality services and collection of member hotels and resorts with the recent strategic acquisition of Frankfurt, Germany-based Worldhotels. He will also become only the third CEO in the 30+ year legacy ALHI history. The announcement of the appointment was made by Associated Luxury Hotels’ Chairman David Gabri. Lesnick will assume his new role starting in April and will be based out of the company’s New York City office, and at its headquarters in Orlando, Florida.
Officials of PM Hotel Group, a leading, national hotel management company, and The Buccini/Pollin Group, a privately-held, full-service real estate acquisition, development and management company (BPG), today hosted a celebratory topping off ceremony, the nation's first for Canopy by Hilton, for the177-room Canopy by Hilton Washington, D.C./Bethesda North. The event was attended by Joseph Bojanowski, PM Hotel Group president; Dave Pollin, BPG co-founder; Gary Steffen, global head, Canopy by Hilton; and Isiah Leggett, Montgomery County Executive, among others. The event's highlight was a special drywall signing ceremony.
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today announced its Executive Committee for 2017-2018, joining the full Board of Directors in guiding the hotel industry agenda. Led by AHLA's Officers of the Board: Chair Mark Carrier, President of the B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group, Vice Chair Geoff Ballotti, President and CEO of Wyndham Hotel Group, Secretary/Treasurer Jon Bortz, Chairman & CEO of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust and Immediate Past Chair Jim Abrahamson, Chairman & CEO for Interstate Hotels & Resorts, the 14-person Executive Committee serves as the association's core governance group.
2016 was a solid year for the Washington DC Metropolitan region's lodging market. According to Smith Travel Research (STR), the year-end 2016 RevPAR growth for the Washington DC MD VA region was up 4.9% over 2015, ranking it 9th of the 25 top markets it tracks. The region was 4th of 25 in terms of occupancy growth at 2.2%, but 18th of 25 in ADR growth at 2.7%. The predominance of demand tied to the Federal Government and the government lodging per diem continues to limit some of the region's pricing power. While more press is given to business and tourism demand in downtown Washington, DC, neighboring suburbs, particularly Arlington County in Virginia, and Montgomery County in Maryland, are also contributing to the region's solid growth statistics despite challenges in these suburban office markets.
Celebrating its centennial, in 2018, the Washington Marriott Wardman Park has been host to many important moments in American history. In 1954, Thurgood Marshall and his colleagues stayed at the Wardman Park Hotel in unincorporated Washington, DC when he prepared and tried Brown vs. Board of Education in the Supreme Court. Langston Hughes, famous African-American Poet and Thurgood Marshall's college friend, worked as a busboy at the Wardman Park Hotel, when he was discovered in 1925. He encountered American poet Vachel Lindsay and shared his poems. Impressed, Lindsay publicized his discovery of a new "busboy poet."
Salamander Resort & Spa, the luxury resort located outside Washington, D.C. in the heart of Virginias horse and wine country, welcomes Ryan Arensdorf as its executive chef. In this new role, Chef Arensdorf will oversee the resorts entire culinary operation, including Harrimans Virginia Piedmont Grill, Gold Cup Wine Bar, in-room dining, and the catering and banquet offerings.
The hotel industry in the Washington, D.C., central business district reported more rooms sold on inauguration day 2017 than on any other inauguration day on record, according to data from STR."When looking at this year's presidential inauguration, there are three factors that make an analysis of the true impact on hotels difficult—the presence of the Women's March, more alternative accommodations available than any other inauguration and the day of the week," said Jessica Haywood, STR's senior research analyst. "But from the numbers alone, we can see that there were more rooms sold on inauguration day than any other we have on record (since 2001), and rate spikes were substantial the entire weekend."The number of hotel rooms available in the D.C. CBD is 5.1% higher than what was available for President Barack Obama's first inauguration in 2009. Airbnb also reported more listings than any other night in the D.C. market.
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International's Washington, D.C., chapter will host an interactive educational event, "Building the Sales Pipeline in 2017," next month to teach hoteliers how to jump-start their sales efforts and increase top-line revenue and profits.
Although the federal government remains the dominant influence in Washington, D.C., a diverse array of industries and institutions have contributed to and supported the growth and expansion of the region. The finance, education, healthcare, and scientific-research industries are strongly represented in and around the District, and the region is home to 20 colleges and universities, as well as Adventist HealthCare and multiple major regional hospitals. Some of the most influential financial institutions call D.C. home, including the Federal Reserve, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the U.S. Export-Import Bank. Greater Washington, D.C. also stands among the nation's top markets for commercial office space and global real estate investment. A world-class array of museums and cultural attractions support a robust tourist trade, while the convention center hosts multiple regional, national, and international events each year.
The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AHLEF) today announced the appointment of two new hires who will focus primarily on career development for the hospitality industry as well as oversee the new partnership between AHLA and the National Restaurant Association (NRA), which will enhance hospitality training, certification capabilities and educational products.
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the signing of The Darcy, Curio Collection by Hilton, a global portfolio of distinctive upper upscale hotels that caters to travelers in search of local discovery and authentic experiences. The Darcy, Curio Collection by Hilton, is slated to open in mid-2017.
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) today announced the appointment of Sabre Hospitality Solutions President Alex Alt to its 2017 Board of Directors. Alt proudly accepted the appointment to AHLA’s Board, which represents leaders from all sectors of the lodging industry, including brands, owners and REITS, management companies, independents, and state associations. As a member of the board meeting three times each year, Alt will be a part of important discussions concerning a broad range of industry- and association-related issues.
Trump’s new luxury hotel has drawn foreign envoys and special interest groups Donald Trump’s new luxury hotel in Washington, D.C., has been attracting foreign envoys, special interest groups — and a bit of controversy. One of the latest groups to book the hotel is the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank whose big donors gathered there Tuesday night for a speech by Vice President-elect Mike Pence. Pence spoke on Trump administration priorities.
Andrew Alexander, President, Red Roof has joined the Board of Directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Alexander proudly accepted the appointment to AHLA’s Board, which represents leaders from all sectors of the lodging industry, including brands, owners and REITS, management companies, independents, and state associations. Meeting three times a year, Alexander will be a part of important discussions concerning a broad range of industry- and association-related issues.
Homewood Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) industry-first All Suites portfolio, announced today its newest property, Homewood Suites by Hilton Washington DC - Capitol Navy Yard. Offering 195 new suites, the hotel strengthens the brand's growing presence in urban markets after reaching its 400th property milestone.
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International's Washington, D.C., chapter and the Society of Government Meeting Professionals National Capital Chapter will host a networking golf tournament and dinner Oct. 18 in northern Virginia.
Julie Saunders has been appointed as Chef Concierge at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC, the only Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond hotel in the nation’s capital. Saunders, who is only the Hotel’s third Chef Concierge since its opening in 1979, is also the first woman to hold the title. Saunders began her career in the hospitality industry after completing her time as an International Rotary Scholar at the University of Nice.
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International's Washington, D.C., chapter will host a government travel educational program for area hospitality industry professionals Thursday beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Hilton Crystal City at Washington Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.