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Judith L. Singer, Ed.D., ISHC, President & Co-Owner, Health Fitness Dynamics, Inc. (HFD Spa) is an internationally recognized and respected spa consulting company that specializes in turn-key and operational advisory services for spas within fine hotels, resorts, day spas and mixed-use developments. She shares in this column

Staffing remains a spa's greatest asset and expense.
Many spas are merging the lines between spa, fitness, recreation and wellness.
As traditional healthcare undergoes restructuring, exciting innovation is coming from the spa, hospitality, medical, wellness and travel industries.

In this ever-competitive spa industry, it is more critical now than ever to differentiate your spa from that of your competitors.

2012 - A Great Time to be a Borrower and a Seller = Video Mar 21, 2012: Jones Lang LaSalle surveyed 186 borrowers, and they noted that lenders need to provide certainty of execution as the number one factor they consider in the loan origination process.

How Relationship Marketing Will Increase Hotel Occupancy Feb 25, 2012: Are you allowing your employees to represent your Hotel Brand in a Strategic way?

U.S. - Hotel Lending On an Upswing in 2012 Feb 24, 2012: Since the end of 2011, there's been a surge of lenders re-entering the hotel lending market, including CMBS. Jones Lang LaSalle's Matt Comfort discusses why some lenders have been leery about this asset class in the past and what's changed to make them feel more comfortable. He also weighs in on what we can expect in the year ahead.

US - Borrowers' and Lenders' Expectations in 2012 Feb 14, 2012: An industry survey indicated that borrowers and lender expect mortgage rates to rise .6 to 0.7 bps in 2012. Jones Lang LaSalle's Wes Boatwright doesn't expect rates to rise this year but he does see borrowers facing an environment where commercial banks will continue to use recourse loans. On the upside, he says there should be a stronger level of capital availability this year.

Trends for 2012 Jan 20, 2012: Even hotel general managers of rooms only properties should be aware of
Restaurant and Hospitality Trends for 2012

Your Hotel's Safety Measures Jan 20, 2012

Hotel safety and security is a partnership between hotel and guest, and both are responsible for ensuring that guidelines are followed in order to protect the traveler and the property. Customer service is always important, but it’s not an excuse for accommodating would-be guests at the expense of breaching security. At the same time, guests must follow guidelines the hotel provides for them. Security is a two-way street, and everyone has to do their pa

Federal Energy Tax Deductions for Green Hotels Jan 1, 2012

EcoGreenHotel Most reduce total annual energy and power costs with respect to the interior lighting, systems, heating, cooling, ventilation and hot water systems by 50%, but partial deductions are allowed

5 Top Travel Trends for 2012 Dec 26, 2011: What can typically on-the-go planners look forward to in the New Year? According to New York City-based marketing communications company JWT, ever-developing electronics and evolving social/geopolitical trends will continue to impact travelers in ways that will ease the journey and/or make it more interesting. Here are some highlights of JWT's 2012 forecast.

The 2012 Business Environment Dec 24, 2011: Columnist Conor Kenny from Conor Kenny and Associates considers the 2012 business environment and “rouses” you into action for the New Year ahead!

6 Steps to a More Marketable LinkedIn Profile Dec 16, 2011: Overall, LinkedIn may be the best social media platform for entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals. Unfortunately, your LinkedIn profile may not be helping you to create those connections if somewhere along the line you started treating it more like a resume. It's time to fix that.

Rethinking Small Business Saturday - Year end 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition Dec 11, 2011: This is about supporting your local, home town operated and owned businesses that have their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open. Now many local businesses are franchises of national brands, but locally owned and operated. Profits remain in your community, as do most of the jobs and tax revenue.