On the Road: HITEC 2007 Jun 27, 2007 By: Lynne Brakeman

Between educational sessions and a super-charged trade show floor, attendees had a lot to digest at this year's Hospitality Industry Technology Expo and Conference. This visual essay skims the surface of this year's signature hospitality technology event. Check out our snaps from GuestRoom 2010, the trade show floor and just a few of the concurrent educational sessions. [Left: attendees admire the full-wall morphing artwork in GuestRoom 2010.]

On the Road: Researcher challenges revenue managers to change their assumptions Jun 26, 2007 By: Lynne Brakeman

At HSMAI's Revenue Management Strategy Conference in Orlando this week, Garrett van Ryzin, a professor and researcher at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business, presented cutting-edge research into the use of customer behavior to model demand and set prices. Van Ryzin (left) suggested revenue managers consider changing their perspective from the focus on the product, to a focus on customer behavior.

NYU Conference demonstrates industry's good health Jun 7, 2007 By: Stacey Mieyal Higgins

NEW YORK--From the lively panels to the deal making, New York University's 29th Annual International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference was a three-day whirlwind of investment information and action from June 3 to June 5 at the Marriott Marquis. Left: Kathleen Taylor [right], president and c.o.o., Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, tells Lalia Rach that the company's new private life is not much different than when it was public in terms of strategy. Taylor also squelched rumors of a new brand.

Hyatt remakes a 1971 classic atrium hotel Jun 7, 2007 By: Stephanie Ricca

ROSEMONT, ILL.—What a difference a facelift makes. In the case of the recently redesigned Hyatt Regency O'Hare outside of Chicago, Phase I of the property's $60-million renovation accomplished more than just a few lifts and tucks. First designed by John Portman & Associates, the Hyatt Regency O'Hare is one of the original Pritzker-owned assets in the company's portfolio and one of the first to raise the profile of tiny Rosemont as an alternative to Chicago.

On the Road: Green means go at design show May 17, 2007 By: Paul Rusnak

Las Vegas--"Green" was the buzzword during the HD Expo & Conference in early May, and I'm not talking about the color. The challenges and benefits of applying sustainable practices in design and architecture were top-of-mind issues during the four-day event held at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. At left, Vito Lotta, hospitality director-North Central Region, Gensler, discusses sustainability issues during a panel session.

Hampton speakers stress people, strengths May 10, 2007 By: Elaine Yetzer Simon

WASHINGTON-The theme of Hilton Hotels Corp.'s Hampton g.m. conference was "Voyage," but the feel was more like a revival meeting than a typical brand conference. Left, Wayne Brady woke up attendees at an 8:30 a.m. session with songs and comedy skits.

Carlson focuses on global connections in Paris May 10, 2007 By: Stephanie Ricca

PARIS-With an emphasis on creating global strategies, Carlson Hotels Worldwide gathered in Paris this week to redefine its goals as a truly international hotel company. [Left, Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Carlson Cos. president and c.e.o. addressed attendees oncorporate social responsibility.]

On the Road: AmericInn works to deliver on 'delight' May 3, 2007 By: Heather Gunter

St. Paul, Minn.--A lineup of high-energy keynote speakers conveyed the importance of connecting with guests during AmericInn International's annual conference. At right: Arnold Angeloni, c.e.o. of AmericInn (right), interviews owner Paul Krienke about how to delight guests.

On the Road: Conference conveys positive vibe for Vista May 3, 2007 By: Paul Rusnak

NASHVILLE--It's nice to be part of something new. This was the feeling that came to mind during my visit to the Vista brand 2007 national conference at the Hotel Preston in Nashville.

Choice, Summit unveil Cambria Suites Apr 19, 2007 By: Jeff Higley

Boise, Idaho?Welcome to the neighborhood, Cambria Suites.

On the Road: USFS brands roll out welcome mat for guests of short stature Apr 5, 2007 By: Elaine Yetzer Simon

ATLANTA-It's not often that attendees of a hotel company conference are handed a release form to sign when they pick up their registration materials, but the US Franchise Systems annual convention and trade show was different.

MEMPHIS-The talk of cycles is more than a whisper in the lodging industry, and while no one wants to be considered a naysayer by predicting the end of a good economic run, several hotel-company presidents attending a dinner held in conjunction with the Metropolitan Memphis Hotel & Lodging Assn.'s annual summit said reality is what dictates a cycle's longevity.

The 19th Annual Hotel Investment Conference: Conference speakers take balanced approach to cycle Mar 22, 2007 By: Heather Gunter

Atlanta?More than 850 attendees at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, March 18-20, heard industry figures discuss the intracacies of making deals and the implications of brand proliferation. See what they had to say about the possibility of recession and the state of the development pipeline.

On the Road: AH&LA goes to Washington Mar 15, 2007 By: Stephanie Ricca

Members visit the Hill, attend a White House briefing and share dialogue with headline speakers Carlos Gutierrez, secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio).

On the Road: AAHOA panel commits to change Mar 14, 2007 By: Stephanie Ricca

A spirit of no-holds-barred conversation permeated the industry issues panel at the Asian American Hotel Owners Assn. convention in Charlotte, N.C., last month. Franchisors and franchisees tackled tough questions about how to achieve a healthy and constructive dialogue. Bharat Patel [left], president and c.e.o. of Sun Development and Management Corp., and Jay Patel, c.e.o. of LHS Cos., listen to the frank exchange.

On the Road: IHIF Conference's global message: Things are cooking Mar 8, 2007 By: Jeff Higley

Berlin?Optimism permeates the international hotel community, and even third-party observers, like Roger Bootle of Capital Economics, said during the 10th anniversary of the International Hotel Investment Forum that the lodging industry is in a prime position to be an economic engine around the globe.

On the Road: Looking outside the industry to find answers Feb 28, 2007 By: Jeff Higley

Hilton Hotels Corp. invited an all-star cast of corporate leaders to its annual focused-service owners conference. Bradbury Anderson, c.e.o. of Best Buy; Gordon Bethune (left), former c.e.o. of Continental Airlines; Martin Coles (center), president of Starbucks Coffee International; and Richard Teerlink, former c.e.o. of Harley Davidson shared their thoughts on service-based business issues their industries hold in common with hospitality companies.

On the Road: Marriott concepts come to life Feb 28, 2007 By: Heather Gunter

During this week's full-service general manager's conference at the Marriott San Francisco, Bill Marriott Jr., chairman and c.e.o., focused on the company's culture, Bill Shaw, president and c.o.o., highlighted the company's strong performance in 2006, and g.m.s got a sneak peek at new initiatives in the "experience zones."

Super 8 'Moves Forward' with brand improvements Feb 22, 2007 By: Stacey Mieyal Higgins

John Valletta, president of Super 8 Motels, congratulated attendees at the company's annual conference for a banner year, including a $100 million increase in revenue. Valletta urged attendees to reinvest in their properties with the new brand standards, including a new prototype guestroom.

New leader, new logo for Days Inn Feb 22, 2007 By: Heather Gunter

At the 2007 Days Inns Worldwide conference in Las Vegas, much-loved brand leader Joe Kane (left) shared his reasons for choosing semi-retirement with hundreds of attendees. In addition, the brand introduced its new logo and Dino Pallotta, v.p. of operations, shared plans for taking service to a new level.