Many revenue management professionals struggle when it comes to measuring and articulating the impact of their initiatives to senior management. Industry professionals should spend time considering the methods they use to measure the impact revenue management is having on their hotel so that steps can be undertaken to provide a compelling value proposition. In order to be truly effective in the job, revenue managers need to understand that devising, implementing and agreeing on “what success looks like”, in many cases, is as important as the activities themselves, and will ultimately go a long way towards supporting their success story. READ MORE

It's the time of the year when hoteliers need to look into budgeting for their new year energy expenses. A well thought-out strategy on the front end will take a few weeks to develop and can save a lot of explaining of operating expenses throughout the year. The cost of electricity, gas, and water can be among the most volatile costs affecting your financial situation. Hoteliers need to ask themselves what percentage of their annual budget is exposed to price fluctuation in energy markets and begin to prepare their budget. The goal is to have a comprehensive, defendable and accountable budget. READ MORE

The current economic climate has prompted hotel employers to reduce costs. This article, the first in a series of three, addresses the dangers associated with misclassifying employees as 'non-exempt' under wage and hour laws, and identifies best practices for hotel employers to address the risks and minimize potential liability. READ MORE

Security personnel and electronic surveillance do not typically offer sufficient coverage of hotel premises. Hotel employees play an important and crucial role in hotel security as they interact with guests, visitors and vendors in the regular course of business. Staff may be trained to mindfully look out for, identify, and report suspicious activity, giving security staff and hotel management the necessary intelligence and early warning upon which they may act to prevent crime or attacks against the hotel or its residents. READ MORE

There has never been a time more significant than the past 10 years that has caused many hotel and lodging professionals to move security up the line in terms of importance and criticality. Across the nation, substantial dollars are being spent to establish, upgrade or enhance security in a wide range of applications. Often these increased measures of security cameras, restricted access control, employee training, panic systems, covert surveillance and overall awareness incrementally decrease the risk and threat levels of a lodging or resort property. However, is there a possibility that these efforts can be further improved upon to deliver a greater return on investment? READ MORE