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A Common Sense Review Process for Capital Investments Jun 27, 2012: In this time of global uncertainty, there is a hesitancy to spend capital dollars without having a clear sense of the timing of the ROI (return on investment). That concern is reasonable, but it may also cause some hoteliers to delay needed updates or improvements at a time when lower occupancy allows for both availability of space and potentially lower costs from those providing the products or physical improvements. This delay could also allow new competitors to more quickly enter markets when the cycle does improve if existing hotels are not competitive or not meeting the current needs of evolving clientele.

Hotel Franchise Agreements and the 5 biggest mistakes a hotel owner can make Jun 26, 2012: Jim Butler, HotelLawyer.com

the 5 biggest mistakes a hotel owner can make

For many years, hotel brands have been growing in importance for the success of hotels in the United States and abroad.

The trend toward branding is quite a phenomenon. The branding is often accomplished by a franchise or license agreement from a company owning the brand or through a management agreement providing both the brand and management for the property.

this article focuses on hotel franchise agreements and outlines the 5 biggest mistakes an owner can make when seeking a hotel franchise arrangement. If this sounds all too familiar, you have probably learned these lessons the hard (and expensive) way. If you haven't stumbled on these yet, you won't want to miss the warning flags and the traps they portend.

Uniform System Of Accounts For Lodging - 10th Edition - Major Changes Jun 23, 2012: The Financial Management Committee of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA), in conjunction with the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), published the tenth edition of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) in the fall of 2006. The first edition of the USALI was published in 1926 by the Hotel Association of New York City.

Eight Ways to Potentially Add Efficiency to Your Hotel's Housekeeping and Laundry Department Jun 22, 2012: How has your hotel used process improvement to reduce expenses?

Consider this potentially controversial list of ideas from Amy Bair, one of the Guest Columnists @ HospitalityEducators.com

Expanding Your Markets - Building A Diverse Customer Base Jun 20, 2012: The ADA protects the civil rights of people with disabilities and helps businesses develop a diverse customer base from a market of more than 50 million Americans.

Can you pass this ADA Quiz? Jun 20, 2012: Can you pass this 3-question ADA pop quiz?
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group®
Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com

"If You See Something, Say Something™" Campaign Jun 18, 2012

“If You See Something, Say Something™” TV and Radio PSAs

To support the nationwide launch of the "If You See Something, Say Something™" public awareness campaign, Secretary Janet Napolitano released a new series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) encouraging the public to contact local authorities if they see suspicious activity.

Hotel Safety and Security: Major TV Report Jun 17, 2012

NBC's Dateline examines a number of security issues at hotels in major destinations. This kind of material should be viewed as part of training classes and procedures should be reviewed regularly.

Send Faxes From Home Without a Fax Machine or Landline Jun 14, 2012: Send Faxes From Home Without a Fax Machine or Landline

Feasibility of New Hotel Projects - Insights from Steve Rushmore Jun 9, 2012: Steve Rushmore on the Feasibility of New Hotel Projects

When designing a hotel, the architect and development team need to create a project that is ultimately economically feasible. Unless the hotel’s owner is ego driven rather than economically motivated, most investors are looking for a return on their invested capital. Since feasibility means different things to different people, and as a hotel consultant having prepared thousands of feasibility studies, I have been asked to provide my perspective on this topic.

How to avoid liability for inadequate hotel security Jun 3, 2012: While no security plan can guarantee the safety of all guests, there are certain common-sense areas that should be the focus of any comprehensive security plan for a hotel. Ultimately, addressing these areas well in advance of a lawsuit may prove to be critical in defending a failure to provide adequate security claim.

Successful joint ventures for hotel development, acquisition and financing May 30, 2012: At JMBM's recent hotel finance conference in Los Angeles, a panel of experts talked about how well joint ventures are working to provide financing for hotel development and acquisitions.