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THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association formed a new partnership with the AHLA Foundation, and the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education to grow the future workforce of the hotel and hospitality industry. As part of the collaboration, which came into effect on June 13, ICHRIE will distribute AHLA Foundation materials and facilitate access to its membership and communication channels. Besides, they will explore future opportunities to engage hospitality management faculty and students, an AHLA statement said. AHLA will also recruit a larger workforce and promote hospitality career opportunities. "We are thrilled to partner with ICHRIE and its outstanding deans, directors, program leaders and members of the major hospitality universities and schools, and work together on our shared mission to strengthen the hotel industry's talent pipeline," said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA. "As the global leader in hospitality and tourism education and research, ICHRIE will help maximize our reach to students and educators across the nation. Together, AHLA, the AHLA Foundation, and ICHRIE will ensure that all Americans preparing to the enter the workforce are aware of the multitude of great hospitality career opportunities available to them." AHLA's chief operating officer will serve on ICHRIE's new Industry Council to help facilitate relationships, and both AHLA and the AHLA Foundation will participate in ICHRIE's 75th Anniversary Conference this August in Washington, D.C.

EXTENDED STAY AMERICA is continuing its support for The American Cancer Society with a new video series. The series will focus on ESA's Hotel Keys of Hope program that provides free and discounted rooms for cancer patients and their caregivers. The "Stay Stories" video series will feature the stories of families who have to travel for cancer treatment, such as Candace Bennik, the subject of the first video who traveled from her home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Houston for treatment for stage four lung cancer. "One of ESA's core values is to put people first and care for our community, a sentiment that is demonstrated through our support of the ACS," said ESA's Director of Creative Services Holly Hester. "As part of this partnership, our goal is to help patients and their families overcome the financial stress of travelling for treatment and gain access to the care they need. We are honored to share their incredible stories."

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING stations are a growing fixture at hotels around the U.S. Now, EV charging hardware and software producer EVPassport has released a new cloud-based system that connects its users to the hotel's guest services platform. The EVPassport Hotel Cloud, a variation of the company's cloud platform designed specifically for the hospitality industry, offers several options beside a simple charge. Guests can use the platform to locate the hotel on all EV charging location maps and apps. It allows owners to set charging prices, manage access and get details on energy usage, earnings history and carbon offset. EVPassport Hotel Cloud's "scan and charge" QR code technology allows users to pay without needing fobs, apps or cards. Hotels get an extra revenue stream from the stations, which can be wrapped in the hotel's name, logo and colors.

AAHOA MEMBERS RECENTLY testified in support of New Jersey Assembly Bill 1958, which would make changes to the New Jersey Franchise Practices Act that could benefit the hospitality industry. The association's support for specific parts of the bill is at the center of a division between AAHOA and two major hotel companies over franchise reform. On March 22, 30 AAHOA members attended a hearing of the New Jersey Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee during which the bill was passed out of the committee. Several of the members also testified, according to AAHOA. AAHOA members own 45.4 percent of New Jersey hotels, representing 46,124 rooms, the association said. "As the largest hotel owners association, representing the exclusive interests of America's hotel owners, AAHOA showed up in New Jersey to testify in support of amendments to the legislation to improve the franchise model," said Nishant "Neal" Patel, AAHOA chairman. Last May, a contingent of AAHOA members testified in favor of the bill in front of the New Jersey Assembly Judiciary Committee, particularly the aspects of the bill that match AAHOA's 12 Points of Fair Franchising. Specifically, the franchise reform changes supported by AAHOA include restricting non-competes for longer than six months; prohibiting requiring a relocation or capital investment greater than $25,000 more than once every five years unless hotel franchisers can establish a return on the investment; requiring a franchiser that receives "any rebate, commission, kickback, services, other consideration or anything of value" to fully disclose them to the franchisee and turn them over to the franchisee; putting restrictions on mandatory sourcing of goods or resources; and prohibiting suspending, restricting or preventing access to franchise services.

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GEORGIA HOTELIER NAVIN Patel has contracted with Hospitality Ventures Management Group to manage his 111-room boutique Darwin Hotel in Atlanta. HVMG oversaw the complete rebranding and renovation of the hotel. The four-story Darwin is in Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward and features eight individually themed suites and a lobby that displays a collection of local art. It is named after evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin and the themes include the Bar Room, featuring a full bar for entertaining; the Bunk Bed Room, with bunk beds and extra space for families and young adults; and the Audiophile Room, which includes a turntable and access to the hotel's vinyl music library. Navin Patel and his two sons, Shyam and Sagar, purchased the property in 2016. "We hope to showcase the best of what Atlanta has to offer," Navin Patel said. "This hotel is a love letter to our ever-changing city and pays homage to its history. Being in the heart of a large metropolitan city creates opportunities for artists, businesspeople, world travelers and people from all walks of life to all unite in our space."

GEOFF BALLOTTI, PRESIDENT and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, is the second recipient of the Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award. The award is presented by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the American Hotel & Lodging Foundation and the BHN Group. Ballotti will receive the award Jan. 22 AHLA Foundation's premier fundraising gala, Night of a Thousand Stars, and again during the 22nd Annual Americas Lodging Investment Summit in Los Angeles on Jan. 24, according to AHLA. The award is named after Arne Sorenson, the former president and CEO of Marriott International who passed away in 2021, and in December of that year David Kong, the recently retired president and CEO of Best Western Hotel Group, was the inaugural recipient. "Geoff - much like Arne - is a true embodiment of all the good that hospitality represents. His empathy, his accessibility and his commitment to doing the right thing is what makes him one of our industry's greatest leaders," said Chip Rogers, AHLA president and CEO. "The story of his success, from dishwasher to CEO of the world's largest hotel franchisor, is inspirational - as is his dedication to ensuring the success of future hotel leaders. I am lucky to call Geoff a colleague and friend, and it fills me with pride to honor him with this award."

AAHOA MEMBERS IN the U.S. will now have access to more workforce training opportunities and products from India under the new "Made in India" agreement made with that country. The agreement came about as a result of meetings between a delegation of AAHOA board members and Indian officials. Bharat Patel AAHOA chairman, Treasurer Kamalesh "KP" Patel and others met with the Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel to discuss the partnership, AAHOA said in a statement. It includes: Partnering with India-based educational institutions to implement training programs and skill-development initiatives that will equip young individuals to pursue successful and global careers in hospitality. Actively promoting, prioritizing and providing support for the sourcing of "Made in India" products, including textiles, furniture, and plumbing fixtures, for U.S.-based hospitality businesses. "With strong family ties and a significant footprint in the United States encompassing more than 36,000 properties, the AAHOA community is uniquely positioned to showcase the best of India to the world," said Bharat, who mentioned the program in June when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the U.S. "Our new initiatives aim to not only fuel economic and workforce development and progress, but to create a stronger platform for the exchange of ideas and innovation between the world's leading democracies."

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association has partnered with hiring software provider Hireology to provide AHLA members access to industry-specific tools and services, AHLA and Hireology said in a joint statement. Hireology also will organize a series of leadership exchange events, aiming to bring together professionals in the hospitality sector to discuss current challenges, trends, and solutions. "Hireology is a hiring technology leader and provider of hotel-specific workforce knowledge," said Chip Rogers, AHLA president and CEO. "Joining forces will allow us to take our services to the next level and further our mission to empower the American hospitality industry." Partnering with Hireology brings hiring technology and expertise into the association's catalog of resources, the statement said. The program stands as a practical resource for hotel operators addressing their business challenge in the coming years.

HOS Management, led by President Kris Patel, recently acquired Residence Inn Savannah Midtown in Georgia. The 66-key hotel is near City Market, Oglethorpe Mall, Candler Hospital, historic downtown Savannah, River Street, SCAD, and Memorial Health University Medical Center. The property also provides easy access to the beaches of Tybee Island, St. Simons, and Jekyll Island. "We had a great experience working with Hunter Hotel Advisors, especially Mayank Patel and his team, on this acquisition," said Patel. "The Residence Inn Savannah Midtown is the perfect Marriott addition to our portfolio." HOS Management, based in Savannah, Georgia, is a family-operated hotel development and management company with properties under brands like Marriott International, Hilton, IHG Hotels and Resorts, and Wyndham. Founded by brothers Anil and Kirit Patel, the company began with the acquisition of the Benton Motel, their first independent motel, in 1985.

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association recently renamed its On the Road series of regional events to The Hospitality Show, providing networking opportunities and industry updates to hospitality professionals nationwide. The events enable hoteliers, suppliers, and service providers to connect and stay informed on market data and policies at federal, state, and local levels, AHLA said in a statement. The events, accessible to all individuals in the hospitality industry, will expand The Hospitality Show brand, the primary industry event launched last year, slated for Oct. 28 to 30 in San Antonio, the statement said. "After the phenomenal success of The Hospitality Show last year, we're bringing the best-in-class networking and learning opportunities from this industry-leading event to hospitality professionals in cities all across the country," said Kevin Carey, AHLA's interim president and CEO. "We can't wait to connect with stakeholders from Boston to California."

Sudhakar Veluru is now the executive vice president and chief information technology officer at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. Prior to this role, he served as the chief technology officer at MGM Resorts International, spearheading digital transformation initiatives that enhanced access to e-commerce, customer loyalty programs, and casino games across mobile and online platforms, Four Seasons said in a statement. Before joining MGM, Veluru held various senior leadership positions at The Walt Disney Co. He will report to Alejandro Reynal, Four Seasons' president and CEO. "We are excited to welcome Sudhakar at this important time in Four Seasons information technology transformation," said Reynal. "Sudhakar's extensive experience in technology and IT innovation will be instrumental in shaping our digital-first future, further enhancing the guest, resident and employee experience across our growing global portfolio of luxury properties."

IHG HOTELS & RESORTS recently introduced new prototype options for its three suites brands - Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, and Atwell Suites - focusing on space and efficiency while maintaining key features from current designs. These prototypes are scheduled to be available by the second quarter of 2024, with the first properties featuring them expected to open as early as 2025, IHG said in a statement. Initially, the prototype designs will only be accessible to U.S. properties, with the possibility of future adoption in Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America. "IHG continues to build on our nearly three decades of leadership in the extended-stay and suites space by evolving our prototype designs to increase owner value while offering the spaces and amenities short- and long-term travelers value most," said Kevin Schramm, IHG's senior vice president for development, mainstream brands, U.S. and Canada. "Our new concepts reflect guest and owner feedback, and enable new and existing owners to deliver our modern suite experiences-in various forms-to more markets without compromising consistency or quality."

We live in an era of global digitalization, in which technology has penetrаted all areas of our lives. That is why protecting your privacy is not just a crucial task but a top priority. One of the main elements of security is screen privacy protection. In particular, from visual hacking. The growing number of devices we use every day also gives rise to new methods of protection. For this reason, you should always be aware of display privacy strategies and how to apply them to resist hacker attacks on your private data. Privacy Screen Protectors Screen protector privacy is not only about protecting against external views but also against visual data hacking. Various software solutions can be used for this purpose. For example, those that provide encryption of the display content. Or additional security measures, such as using passwords or fingerprints to access sensitive data. A privacy screen protector is one of the first levels of protection for your display from unwanted eyes. Such screens provide a limited viewing angle. This allows you to use your device without fear that others can see your data. To minimize the risk of damage to your display, you should choose a screen protector made of high-quality material. This is the kind of display protector that will provide high-quality light filtration to avoid information leakage even when viewing the display directly.

Best Western North Side Inn in Wichita Falls and Best Western SeaWorld San Antonio are now open in Texas. The North Side Inn, owned by Nitin Chanana, offers 94 guestrooms, while the San Antonio property, owned by Aman Patel, features 70 guestrooms and 12 suites, Best Western said in a statement. "After a complete renovation, we are excited to welcome guests to our hotel, with recent updates that keep both leisure and business travelers in mind," said Harry Patel, Best Western North Side Inn's general manager. "With our convenient location that provides quick access to the best of Wichita Falls, the Best Western North Side Inn offers something for everyone." The North Side Inn features a fitness center, a meeting room for up to 25 people, business center services, and an outdoor lounge, Best Western said. The hotel is located near Sheppard Air Force Base, downtown Wichita Falls, the Wichita Falls Multi-Purpose Event Center, and Midwestern State University.

THE PROPOSED FRANCHISE reform legislation in New Jersey that has driven a rift between AAHOA and several large hotel companies has stalled in the state's legislature. AAHOA said it was misinformation that delayed the bill's passage, while the American Hotel & Lodging Association said the bill "would have destroyed the hotel industry's franchise model." It will return Assembly Bill 1958 would make changes to the New Jersey Franchise Practices Act that could benefit the hospitality industry, AAHOA said previously. Specifically, the changes include restricting non-competes for longer than six months; prohibiting requiring a relocation or capital investment greater than $25,000 more than once every five years unless hotel franchisers can establish a return on the investment; requiring a franchiser that receives "any rebate, commission, kickback, services, other consideration or anything of value" to fully disclose them to the franchisee and turn them over to the franchisee; putting restrictions on mandatory sourcing of goods or resources; and prohibiting suspending, restricting or preventing access to franchise services.

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ONE VERSION OF a proposed New Jersey bill that would reshape hotel franchising in the state has passed out of committee in the Assembly but efforts reportedly are under way to amend it to address opponents' concerns. The Senate version of the bill remains in committee. The American Hotel & Lodging Association, a long-time critic of the proposed legislation, called the Assembly Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture's passage of the bill a "dangerous step forward." Supporters of the bill, including AAHOA as well as sponsors of the bill, did not respond to requests for comment in time for this article. What's at stake The bills, A3495 in the Assembly and S2336 in the Senate, were introduced at the beginning of the year to replace the original legislation that stalled in the state's legislature last year. It is essentially the same as its prior incarnation. Specifically, the provisions include restricting non-competes that are longer than six months; prohibiting requiring a relocation or capital investment greater than $25,000 more than once every five years unless hotel franchisers can establish a return on the investment; requiring a franchiser that receives "any rebate, commission, kickback, services, other consideration or anything of value" to fully disclose them to the franchisee and turn them over to the franchisee; putting restrictions on mandatory sourcing of goods or resources; and prohibiting suspending, restricting or preventing access to franchise services.

SAVANNAH-BASED IMAGE Hotels recently acquired the Courtyard by Marriott North Charleston Airport/Coliseum in South Carolina. The hotel development and management company, which was founded in 1978, is led by Jay Patel as chairman and CEO and Kal Patel as president and COO. "We are thrilled to add the Courtyard by Marriott in North Charleston to our growing portfolio and to expand our footprint into South Carolina," said Kal Patel. "We expect the hotel to appeal to travelers coming to Charleston seeking a popular brand with modern amenities." The hotel, near Charleston International Airport, provides access to the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center, Charleston Tanger Outlets, Charleston Area Convention Center, South Carolina Aquarium, and various shopping, dining, and entertainment options, Image Hotels said in a statement.