As oil penetrates the $130-a-barrel mark and natural gas prices increase to rates four times what they were since the late 1990s, the use of green building (or building green) has taken seed to a new beginning to reform the cost of energy across all sections of industry. Green building is no longer just another popular cause or fad; it is here to stay as a vital and profitable part of the commercial real estate and construction industries. Anyone in the building trades or anyone involved with real estate investing or leasing needs to understand fully -- green building trends, opportunities, and consequences that can affect all areas including building codes, insurance rates, employee health, customer satisfaction, and more. This article will set out to serve as a survey of the important fundamentals and forecasts of what has happened and what will happen going forward in the efforts to build a green environment. READ MORE

Hotel fitness centers are no different than basic health clubs when it comes to decision making on equipping their facilities. Major prohibiting factors including space and budget limitations require management to make smart choices on equipment procurement. These choices are influential in determining equipment quantities and quality with defined specifications unique to each setting. Taking time to research proper selection early on in the design process will not only save money and reduce liability long-term but will allow hotel operators to develop their fitness center around the guests needs. READ MORE

Non-gaming casino revenue was once considered an oxymoron. In today's industry though, it has become a vital part of most casino operator financial reports. In fact, some top players in the industry have indicated non-gaming revenue accounts for 50% or more of total revenue. Less visible to many in the hospitality industry is the important role that technology can play in maximizing non-gaming revenue. Certainly some of the standbys of technology value like flexibility, scalability, and reliability contribute. But they represent a small part of a bigger story. It is the guest-centric and integrated nature of present and future technology that will allow non-gaming casino revenue to reach its potential. READ MORE

The past three years have seen the lowest borrowing rates for real estate in the last 40 years. For the hotel industry, this was particularly fortuitous given the rapid decline in property values following general economic and industry business deterioration. The U.S. appears poised to be coming out of one of the best interest rate environments of our lifetime, where we saw the Federal Reserve cut the Federal Funds Rate by 500 basis points from 6.00% to 1.00% in a total of 13 rate cuts over 30 months between January 2000 and June 2003. READ MORE

A new federal tax credit program is designed to help developers of projects that are speculative and sometimes difficult to finance. It is available for a wide range of commercial projects, but hotel developers need to become more aware of it. The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program could easily be the difference between a property being developed or staying on the drawing board - it can provide a financial edge that tips projects toward reality and success. Simply put, the New Markets Tax Credit program was created by Congress in December 2000 to encourage investments in communities which historically have had poor access to capital. It provides a federal tax credit equal to 39% of the investment - obviously a significant value - spread over a seven-year period. Aimed at spurring community and local business development, this tax credit can help lower interest rates and offer developers far greater financial flexibility. READ MORE