Thanks to entrepreneurs whose focus is on waste reduction and energy and water conservation, hoteliers are finding it much easier to cut costs while maintaining a five-star guest experience. Because of advancements in solar technology by a well-known maker of electric automobiles, the day of the net zero hotel is here. Yet another innovator has developed recyclable linens. Others have found ways to more easily recover "waste" heat. Still others have married guestroom energy management technology with voice command systems to make temperature change or lighting adjustments as easy as a "hello". READ MORE

Sustainable practices are something nearly every venue strives to implement as responsible community partners. They can also be a selling point for planners and guests who want their event to have a positive impact. A truly effective program takes planning, measurable results, and above all, employee buy-in. It generally falls on employees to implement a comprehensive sustainability program, and the question becomes, how do you motivate employees to take on additional work? At the Minneapolis Convention Center, we found the way to create a culture of sustainability was to put our employees first. READ MORE

If you're like most hoteliers, you're always on the lookout for ways to differentiate your venue and enhance your Team and Guest experience. You've got things that you'd like to start doing, things that you'd like to stop doing, and things that you'd like to do better. Is spending on yes in your plans? If it's not, it should be. If you spend on yes, you'll transform your venue. You'll demonstrate to your Team and your Guests that you value and trust them. Assessing your yes will get you off to a good start. Next, empowering your Team to seamlessly spend on yes will better serve your guests and ensure that they enjoy a truly memorable experience worth sharing and repeating. READ MORE

While a slip or fall remains the most common cause of guest injuries, a hotel's largest risk exposure may lie in the water. Legionella outbreaks have been reported at several hotels nationwide. This deadly bacterium can be fatal. When it spreads, it affects multiple guests. And when your hotel receives a claim, you may not be covered if your insurance policy includes a bacteria exclusion. This article walks through common causes of guest injuries – from legionella and E. coli to bed bugs and molestation – and offers best practices for preventing injuries, protecting your hotel and safeguarding your guests. READ MORE

If every answer to a complicated guest request is that it requires the approval of management then the opportunity to have a personalized guest experience is lost! Empowered employees who are trusted to say yes in the moment become engaged employees and take ownership of the guest's overall satisfaction. When you empower your staff and give them the tools and processes they need to succeed they will feel like leaders in your organization and that they are contributing to the overall success of the hotel. Engaged hotel staff results in higher guest satisfaction and ultimately higher profits. READ MORE