A look back: AH&LA Fall Conference
The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show, the industry's premier gathering, took place from Nov. 7 to 11 in New York City, and it proved to be the must-attend event for the industry.

AH&LA's 2009 chairman, Joe Martin, who owns and operates Oklahoma-based Stillwater Hospitality, said his strategic plan as chairman will involve three C's -- Connect, Communicate and Collaborate -- and he plans to target areas including membership, mentoring, branding and working more closely with associations.

The Show offered abundant opportunities for networking, learning from experts and peers during sessions and round-table discussions, and listening to inspiring keynote sessions. Other events included:

• A welcome reception
• The trade show floor
• More than two dozen committee meetings
• Board of directors meetings
• Educational sessions, including Under 30 Gateway professional boot camp
• Women in lodging mentoring lunch
• One-day hospitality leadership forum
  

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Emerging Trends & Technology

Bathroom Pod offers developers a bathroom in a box
An innovative prefabricated bathroom called the Bathroom Pod drew a crowd at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show in New York. Created by Lebanon, N.J.-based Kullman Offsite Construction, the pods can be built to a developer's specs and allow for plug-and-play installation to include stubbed-out connections for electric, plumbing and HVAC requirements. HotelBusiness.com (11/9)

CE firms help hotel guests stay connected while on the road
Remember the Dark Ages when it was difficult to stay connected while away on a business trip? These days, companies such as Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony are working with hotel chains to offer the latest high-tech gadgetry in lobbies and guest rooms so travelers can stay in touch with family and colleagues. NYTimes.com (11/10)

U.S. says number of international visitors up 9%
The Department of Commerce said nearly 40 million foreigners visited the U.S. from January through August, an increase of 9% over the same period last year. Russian travelers made up a large part of the increase, with 28% more making the trip this year. The number of visitors from Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Africa also increased significantly. Travel Agent Central (11/10)

Hospitality & Social Media

Ervin: Hoteliers find it's getting easier, less costly to go green
About 400 hotels have registered for LEED certification and more than 60,000 people have become LEED accredited professionals, said Christine Ervin, former CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council, in a keynote speech on sustainability at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show. Ervin called the perception that going green involves a big investment "an urban myth," noting that the typical cost is only about 2% more, and the number is declining. HotelBusiness.com (11/10)

Green groups create travel industry sustainability standards
Green Globe International and Green Hotel Certification have partnered to establish eco-friendly guidelines for hotels, resorts and tourism properties. Under the co-branding alliance, the Green Globe brand and logo will designate hotels and other businesses that have received green certification. The Green Meeting (11/11)

Panel: Green-building techniques nearly standard
Green building has become almost essential in new construction, according to a panel of experts speaking at a round-table discussion sponsored by Incisive Media and Williams Real Estate in New York. That's a dramatic shift from 18 months ago, when tenants and builders would debate whether the initiatives justified the cost. GlobeSt.com (11/12)

Design, Development & Construction

Hotel construction pipeline hit record high in first half of '08
The global hotel construction pipeline had a record-breaking 1.8 million hotel rooms in 10,781 projects through the first half of the year, according to Lodging Econometrics. With 41% of total pipeline projects already under way, hotel openings are expected to rise in the next two years. GlobeSt.com (11/14)

Hotel chains work to keep things quiet
Hotel chains are working to make their rooms as quiet as possible for guests. At AmericInn, that has involved using masonry construction called SoundGuard Construction, while the Tribeca Grand Hotel installed a sound-masking system when the hotel was built eight years ago. Hotel Interactive (11/17)

New Programs & People on the Move

Former Wyndham president Danziger to return as CEO
The Wyndham Hotel Group has named Eric Danziger, a former president with the company, as its CEO. Danziger served as the company's president in 1990, when it was much smaller, and he has since served as president and CEO of Starwood Lodging, which increased from 11 hotels to 1,600 hotels worldwide during his tenure. BusinessTravelNews.com (11/17)

Rinck named to head Hilton's Asia-Pacific operations
Hilton Hotels has named Martin Rinck to lead its expanding Asia-Pacific operations. Rinck, who was named to the equivalent position at Carlson Hotels Worldwide a year ago, will oversee 50 Hilton-branded hotels, leases and franchises in the region. BusinessTravelNews.com (11/17)

Hilton Chicago's GM started career in room service
John Wells, general manager of the Hilton Chicago, discusses how he rose from a position in room service to the head of the hotel. Wells said the best advice he's received was to let decisions bubble up, so they can be viewed in a different light. Chicago Tribune (11/17)

SmartStat

SmartStat
Launched July 1, 2008, the Under 30 Gateway membership category is AH&LA's first-ever program dedicated to addressing the personal and professional needs of young hospitality professionals. Learn more here.

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