HMGT Internship Summer 2015

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/06/opinion/terms-of-service-in-new-york-restaurants.html?_r=0

This was an article written in the op-art section of the NY Times dated back to 2012 by Ben Schott. Every restaurant has their own little code words- usually indicated in their open table system which gets passed on to servers through soigné slips by the host/reservationist.

Thought this was a very fun read. Enjoy.

http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/global/154000320/4070568.html

Interesting article, especially for those who want to become a sales person in a hotel. How and where to up-sell our guests in hotel? What benefits can bring to hotels through up-selling?  Also, what is the meaning of up-selling?  Up-selling is used by a large companies across many different industries as a key component in their marketing and revenue generating strategy. In order to increase profits, they used to selling an existing customer a more expensive or additional product and allow a company to turn a perceived disadvantage into advantage. It shows a real example of up-selling runway view bedrooms that are not be very desirable. Also, something really catch my attention are all the up-selling methods including by training employees, at check-in, check-out and booking. They all so simple to do so but allow hotels to increase their revenue without investing heavily on marketing.

The opening of a Chocolate Academy in Germany shows the importance of Pastry Arts in the Hospitality Industry. This article explains the variety of opportunity that many students interested in pastry classes are exposed to. These classes not only include chocolate classes but also confectionery classes and cake design classes. This is not only a good opportunity to learn but it is also a good place to network with all the international Chefs that are part of this academy and who are also part of the Hospitality Industry.

http://www.sogoodmagazine.com/pastry-blog/pastry-news/barry-callebaut-opens-the-first-chocolate-academy-in-germany/

Industry Research #1

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hotel companies own 9 brands; Westin, Sheraton, Four Points, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, St. Regis, Le Meridien, Aloft, a Vision of W Hotels, and Element by Westin. Most recently, Adam Aron, Chief Executive Officer of Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced the name of their 10^th brand. Their newest brand, Tribute Portfolio inspires their guests to stay independent. The first location is at Royal Palm South Beach Miami, Florida with North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina in the works. To inspire their Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) members to try something new, they are celebrating their 10^th brand by offering SPG members 10,000 starpoints when they stay in a Tribute Portfolio hotel. The concept of Tribute Portfolio has been compared with Marriott International’s Autograph Collection and Hilton Worldwide’s Curio. However, Starwood executives would have to disagree because their newest brand will be tightly focused on the Upper Upscale portion of the 4 stars segment. I believe this is great news for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Being that the company already has over 1,000 branded hotels worldwide, this new collection could bring up revenue, profit, and guest loyalty. http://www.forbes.com/sites/douggollan/2015/04/16/why-starwood-launched-tribute-portfolio/

http://meetingsnet.com/careersalary/millennial-planners-here-they-come?page=2

In this read college students express their concerns and attitude towards the event industry as they approach their graduation. Careers in event planning is steadily increasing in the job market and becoming a competitive market as more Millennials are graduating with events degrees. As I am close to graduation I also have to consider the many routes that can be taken in event planning.

http://blog.overnightnewyork.com/hunting-down-the-greenest-hotels-in-new-york-city/

Going “Green” and being “Green” is not just a trend, but a lifestyle. Hotels are making effort to save energy, recycle, and reduce. There are 11 LEED certified hotels in New York City, but many hotels are participating in recycling and environmental projects to contribute to going “Green.” I believe being environmental friendly is so valuable because it provides a better atmosphere not just for us today, but for other future generations.