Knowland, the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, released the quarterly update to its U.S. Meetings Recovery Forecast (MRF) and associated Top 25 U.S. Meetings Recovery Forecast (MRF25) showing stable performance pushing slightly ahead of the Q2 forecast. Click here to view the most current forecasts.
INTELITY®, provider of hospitality’s leading guest experience and staff management platform, announced today a new deal with Potawatomi Hotel & Casino to implement the INTELITY platform throughout the property. Selected for its robust digital offerings, Potawatomi plans to deploy the complete suite of INTELITY’s strong staff and guest management tool.
The Neighborhood Hotel Grand Beach, the ultimate group getaway that’s campy-cool, immersed in nature with all of the comforts of a well-appointed home, is now booking large group gatherings for October 2022 through May 2023, and summer 2023. The versatility of the property allows for upbeat celebrations on the expansive lawn and pool area while more serious conversations and team-building can be held around the four separate campfires, in the tranquil common space, near the calming ravine or directly on the sand of Lake Michigan’s shores.
Pacifica Hotels, the largest owner and operator of boutique hotels along the Pacific Coast, is thrilled to announce the $32.9 million purchase of the Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland. The iconic Portland hotel will join the company’s impressive portfolio of 40 plus properties currently located in California and Hawaii.
With 25 years of global hospitality experience, Stutz spent more than a decade with Hilton Hotels & Resorts and more than 13 years with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, where he worked at both domestic and international properties in Germany, Dubai, Jamaica, Egypt, Miami and Atlanta. Most recently, Stutz served as hotel manager of The Hilton New Orleans Riverside and resident manager of The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel where he was part of the leadership team who led the property to numerous accolades, including two consecutive Hotel of the Year awards, a prestigious Connie Award, and Food and Beverage Division of the Year. In 2018, as the Interim General Manager, Stutz also led the successful transition of the Mandarin Oriental Atlanta to the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead Hotel.
Boasting more than 30 years of culinary experience and having worked in highly acclaimed restaurants around the world, Chef Didier Gerbi brings classic French culinary training and a vast knowledge of California farm-to-fork to the Kimpton Sawyer. Specializing in French, Italian, and Spanish cuisines, Chef Gerbi owned a restaurant in France for 20 years before moving stateside and working in some of the finest restaurants and resorts throughout Northern Calif. He most recently served as executive chef of Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant in Coalinga, Calif. where he managed the resort's three kitchens and curated menus for its banquet offerings, restaurants, pool bar, store, and boutique. Previously, he held executive chef roles at Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite, Wine & Roses in Lodi, and The French Garden in Sebastopol. Chef Gerbi is passionate about working with small farms and specialty vendors to utilize heirloom fruits and vegetables, local seafood and meats, and California olive oil in his culinary creations. Outside of work, he enjoys playing guitar with his son and is always on the hunt for Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers to add to his expansive collection.
A seasoned hospitality leadership professional, Mark Reck joins the Kimpton Sawyer team with over 20 years of experience in managing culinary operations working with independent restaurants to large-scale hotels. Most recently serving as director of food and beverage at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland, Reck specializes in operational management and process improvement, leading to top line growth while expanding bottom line potential. A Northern California native, Reck gained a deep understanding of the Sacramento culinary scene while conceptualizing and opening the successful Midtown jazz and blues supper club Frog & Slim, as well as serving as director of food and beverage at 335-room Hilton Arden West Sacramento. Reck is passionate about creating positive guest experiences by leading his teams with integrity and a strong work ethic, ultimately building associates' career growth and restaurant success. In his spare time, Reck enjoys golfing and cheering on his favorite sports teams, Stanford and the San Francisco Giants.
David Stanton has been appointed as General Manager of The West Hollywood EDITION. Stanton has worked with the EDITION Hotels brand for over five years. He comes to the only West Coast location of the luxury hotel brand from The London EDITION where he most recently served as General Manager at the Fitzrovia-based property.
Royal Palms Resort and Spa, an award-winning luxury Phoenix resort and part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, today announced the completion of a comprehensive $1.4 million dollar renovation of its Mediterranean-inspired indoor meeting spaces. The completion of the project signals the next era of meetings, groups and events offerings as the storied resort progresses towards its 75th anniversary year in 2023.
JLL announced today the appointment of Erin Meezan as the firm's new Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) effective October 1 reporting to Guy Grainger, global Head of Sustainability Services & ESG.She will be responsible for growing JLL's sustainability program, continuing its reputation as a purpose-led organization and its commitment to playing a leading role in sustainable real estate operations. Meezan succeeds Richard Batten, upon his retirement.Meezan joins JLL with more than 19 years of sustainability experience. In her role as Chief Sustainability Officer at Interface, Inc., she led and surpassed company goals to achieve carbon neutrality across all product lines, developed its strategy to achieve a carbon-negative enterprise by 2040 and achieved early success in its 25-year sustainability mission to have no environmental impact by 2020.
Upscale Brand Debuts Near State Capital as Expansion Continues in Top Destinations Around Country.
The Meyer and Jabara families have been in business together for more than 45 years. That partnership, which spans three generations, is thriving today through Meyer Jabara Hotels, a privately-owned hotel ownership and management company. Justin Jabara, president of Meyer Jabara Hotels, says that the company has a meaningful ownership stake in approximately two-thirds of its portfolio while it manages the other third on behalf of family office, private equity, developers, or other asset classes coming into the hotel space. LODGING checked in with Jabara during this year’s Lodging Conference to discuss the family business, the trends he’s seeing, and his outlook for the year ahead.
Coastal Maryland hotel will re-open in Spring 2023 as Hilton Garden Inn Ocean City Beachfront.
A San Diego native, Vanessa Tewilliager recently began her role as assistant director of food and beverage, where she will work alongside Chris Simmons to oversee the restaurant operations at Alila Marea Beach Resort. Having began her career in hospitality at only 16 years old, Tewilliager discovered her passion for the industry early, and has held numerous impressive positions at various hospitality groups and organizations, including most recently serving as the general manager and director of training and development for the Villagio Hospitality group in Northern Virginia where she aided in the opening and managing of various concepts including a brewery, live music venue, large banquet hall, food trucks, full service catering business, fast casual, polished casual, and fine dining restaurants. Throughout her work, Tewilliager has enjoyed participating in local community festivals and hosting events for non-profit organizations. Tewilliager also brings extensive senior leadership experience to the property from working as the general manager for Kona Grill and assistant manager for TD Bank.
Luminary Hotel & Co. has reopened following Hurricane Ian and is ready to welcome guests back to all of its dining outlets (with the exception of The Silver King Ocean Brasserie) with limited menus and hours. Guest rooms at Luminary Hotel are currently occupied by emergency response personnel working to restore the area's power and infrastructure as quickly as possible.
August 2022 Top-Line Metrics (percentage change from July 2019): Occupancy: 66.5% (-6.7%), Average daily rate (ADR): US$151.49 (+14.0%), Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$100.67 (+6.3%).
Four Points by Sheraton®, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of 30 hotel brands, is searching for an honorary Chief Brew Officer (C.B.O.) to embark on the ultimate “Beercation” of a lifetime around the United States. One lucky beer enthusiast, plus a companion, will start their journey at the Orlando Beer Festival before heading to two hoppin’ cities to explore local beer-focused attractions. Inspired by Four Points’ Best Brews® program, the trip will give a taste of the brand’s signature guest experience, which offers local craft beers on tap at its hotels worldwide.
Today, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury & Lifestyle Collection, introduces its first-ever Family Meal campaign timed to the holiday season. Launching November 3 and running throughout December 31, participating Kimpton restaurants and bars will bring Family Meal to life via special prix fixe menus and featured menu items created by various members of their culinary teams. A portion of all Family Meal proceeds will benefit the non-profit organization No Kid Hungry, which is working to end childhood hunger in the United States.
Originally from Costa Rica, Aguirre is a dynamic hospitality leader with more than 20 years in the food + beverage industry, with half of his culinary career spent at Marriott properties. Prior to joining Marriott Marquis Houston, Aguirre honed his skills in hotel kitchens across the Caribbean, Central America, and the Southern United States, including the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, Panama Marriott, and most recently, the Houston Airport Marriott at George Bush Intercontinental, where he's served as an Executive Chef since 2018.
With nearly 10 years of experience at Omni Hotels & Resorts, Todd Gagnon is a seasoned hotel professional and long-standing, passionate leader for the Omni brand. First joining Omni Hotels & Resorts in 2013 as director of operations at Omni Providence Hotel, Todd was quickly promoted to general manager at Omni Houston Hotel Westside. In 2018, he was promoted to general manager of the historic Omni Severin Hotel in Indianapolis, IN. Todd now joins Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU, with integral leadership experience, and a vast knowledge of the company's culture, business acumen, and a firm understanding of this hotel's significance within the brand.