As temperatures start to warm up and thawing begins, many hoteliers across the country are thrilled to say goodbye to winter. In some regions, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest, this winter proved to be a hotelier's worst nightmare. With above freezing temperatures and blizzard-like conditions, it was difficult for some guests to even travel to their destinations. Keeping entranceways, parking lots and sidewalks clean and safe was another challenge many hotel owners and managers faced this winter. Now that winter has officially come to an end, it's time to prepare your landscapes for spring. READ MORE

Looking ahead to 2016 travel, there's a new player on Palm Springs ever-growing hospitality scene. Uniquely positioned to further revitalize South Palm Springs, the desert's newest hotel offering, V Palm Springs Hotel opens its doors this March, just in time for some of the nation's top festivals, including Coachella and Stagecoach. Managed by Filament Hospitality a full-service management company and owned by celebrity lawyers, Mark Geragos and Brian Kabateck, V Palm Springs promises to redefine the desert experience. Thanks to Len Cotsovolos, Director of Interior Design for WESTAR Architectural Group, their vision will be fully realized when 140-room hotel opens its doors this March. READ MORE

Just how energetic are you today? Enthusiastic about life and work? Feeling happy, satisfied and full of promise? Or, is the opposite true? A little lethargic, sluggish or lifeless? Careers and life are never static. They languish when we lose focus, lack plans, become bored and forget to live in the present. It happens when we lose PEP … and not just the feeling. And, when we lose PEP, our guests lose too. Guest satisfaction is directly tied to just how engaged we are in the hospitality industry. If we want to engage our guests, we have to engage the “hearts and minds” of everyone they encounter during a stay. READ MORE

Scientists and philosophers have long believed that the mind consists of three components. Of course, most people are well aware of both the cognitive (intelligence) and affective (emotions) aspects of the mind; however, relatively few are familiar with the conative (instinct) component, which determines how each individual naturally takes action and solves problems. These three aspects of the mind all play a part in determining who we are and how successful we will be. However, while the affective aspect will drive what we want to do, and the cognitive aspect will determine what we know how to do, it is the conative aspect of the mind that actually determines how we will take action to accomplish a task. READ MORE

When we find ourselves in the struggle of challenging relationships, we wonder how we got there, and more importantly: How can we resolve these situations? How can we change the course of these relationships from conflict to collaboration? By confronting, being vulnerable, and listening we can create an atmosphere of open communication and trust. These are the foundation required to prevent conflicts from becoming personal. When combined with a focus on collaborative problem-solving, we help others seek solutions that will satisfy their needs while simultaneously satisfying ours. Together these tools will enhance our interactions and lead to more effective results. READ MORE