Due to amendments made to the Clear Air Act in 2009 and the emerging role of greenhouse gas (GHG) programs on regional, state and local levels within the United States; it is becoming more and more complex for property managers to correctly identify and adopt GHG reporting practices that benefit the traditional customer orientated business models used by hospitality industry. In this article I focus on how GHG reporting can be integrated into the day to day operations of hotels and highlight a few properties who have achieved significant returns from their environmental performance investments. READ MORE

Cross cultural understanding means making the extra effort to recognize and respect ethnicity. By definition, ethnicity refers to groups of people who are historically, racially or otherwise directly related. Further insight would find common culture, language, perhaps religion and ethical perspectives as defining characteristics. In certain parts of the world, there are concentrations of ethnic groupings. There are more Indians in England than any country outside of India, although there is a concentration of primarily East Indians who are experiencing success in the western hospitality industry. In the United States, many cities and states will have sections of their communities that are referred to as "Little ..." reflecting the population of many of the citizens who now live there. READ MORE

For today's hotel operators, changing faces mean staff must learn to address the needs of the business traveler in ways not predicted a generation ago. Understanding and embracing only domestic traditions and practices will open up the North American market to international hotel brands. The new wave of immigrants, initially from India but now expanding to China and Korea, are finding the hotel market to have strong financial potential. Their international awareness and flexibility in catering to the international traveler could give them a clear advantage in meeting the expectations of those travelers. READ MORE

The inactivity and obesity crisis in America rages on. Everyone's aware of the need for fitness and many folks want to change. Why then are only 10 percent of Americans health club members? The reality is that rather than breaking from routine to get fit, we need to make fitness convenient within our existing routines at work, school, home and on the road. This presents significant business opportunity to purveyors of fitness in these "non-traditional" fitness environments. Find out how you can make this crisis, an opportunity for the right kind of growth for your business.the financial kind. READ MORE

I once suggested in this publication that electronic discovery (e-discovery) can make - or break - a case in bet-the-business hospitality litigation. That column generated widespread interest among industry owners, operators, managers and investors seeking to understand the importance of e-discovery and the vital role it plays in the litigation process. In this expansive follow-up column, I offer a "master's class" on the topic that discusses what industry principals should know regarding the preservation of evidence. I firmly believe that in this era of mega-cases, few things are more important than understanding one's obligation to collect, store and produce electronic information. READ MORE