Group items tagged

The Miami Passport Agency has shut down due to a water pipe that burst. For Miami folks it is going to be little inconvenient to get their passports for quite some time. However, there are alternatives from where you can get your in-process passport or apply for one. The passport experts at PassportInfo has answered all the questions you might be looking for after the sudden pause on Miami Passport Agency services.

Getting a passport for your child can be slightly different than getting a new passport for an adult. US citizens age 15 or younger require both the parents with them while applying for a passport. To get the complete details on the process along with the fee structures and the passport offices where you can apply, check this minor passport infographic by PassportInfo.com

If you are a first time applicant for US passport and looking for an authentic guide to understand the process, you have landed to the right place. This infographic by PassportInfo.com, has all the answers related to the new passport application including, the eligibility criteria, complete list of required documents, passport fees, and how/where to submit the passport application. Visit now!

If you are a frequent traveler who visit different countries around the world every now and then, then you must know the hassle of getting a consular visa. Submitting your physical passport book to the consulate; along with a signed visa application and other hard copy document requirements; then wait for it to get processed and delivered back to you along with your all important documents and passport book. Quite a struggle, isn't it? But what if you could get your next travel visa online? Not all but some of the countries around the globe has started eVisa services. So you can log on to their embassy/official sites and apply for an eVisa online. Where you don't have to send your physical passport book or any other hard copy of documents. Find out more about these eVisas, list of countries offering such services, authentic websites, and detailed procedure to apply for an eVisa.

The My Place Hotel-Green Bay is now open in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It is owned by Asharam, LLC led by Principal Atul Patel. The 64-room extended-stay hotel is the 61st My Place hotel in the U.S. and the second in Wisconsin. It is part of My Place's Trend Hotels & Suites brand launched earlier this year. It is near Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. "My Place is the perfect fit for this area. With a seamless building and opening process, we are excited to continue bringing family like hospitality to our guests," said Patel. Terry Kline, My Place executive vice president for franchise sales, said the My Place Hotel-Green Bay is suited to the current COVID-19 pandemic crisis. "As we continue to make sense of the new normal that continues to change around us, we look forward to the bright future ahead of us as we inspire future guests with our spirit of hospitality in Green Bay," said Kline.

HILTON HAS LAUNCHED a new extended-stay brand, Project H3, designed to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding $300 billion workforce travel market, looking for apartment-style accommodations for 20 nights or more. Launching in the U.S. as Hilton navigates the final stages of the trademark process, this lower midscale, extended-stay brand is the newest addition to Hilton's portfolio, the company said in a statement. Hilton is engaged in more than 100 active development conversations with many owners expressing interest in multiple locations. According to the statement, the product provides a foundation for the long stay, allowing guests to make the most out of every day, and delivers an exciting investment option for developers looking to diversify their portfolio under the Hilton name. "Project H3 is perfectly positioned to serve the unique needs of the long-stay traveler, thanks to its innovative design, strong value proposition for our owners and of course, the hospitality our team members offer every day," said Chris Nassetta, Hilton president and CEO. "We aim to serve any guest, anywhere in the world, for any travel need they may have, and this new brand represents a greater opportunity for us to grow our portfolio while providing the reliable and friendly service our customers expect from Hilton." Hilton's in-house research shows long-stay travelers, including traveling nurses, military personnel, and those experiencing workforce relocations, place quality time and comfort above all else. In addition, those looking for a long stay will book an average of 20 or more nights and desire a reliable home base that allows them to maintain their routines while delivering simplicity, consistency and convenience.

NATALIE ROBINSON IS now vice president of people and culture for Peachtree Group. Also, the Atlanta-based company, led by Jatin Desai and Mitul Patel as managing principals, also says it's on the way to a record year for new hotel construction. Good with people Previously, Robinson was the human resource director of title company OS National, according to Peachtree Group. She began her career developing accounting and billing policies and procedures, as well as human resources systems for two Atlanta law firms. She holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and criminal justice from the University of Georgia. "It's an exciting time at Peachtree as our organization expands and evolves," said Vivian Clarke, Peachtree's senior vice president of people and culture. "Natalie's strong leadership skills will advance our culture, drive our growth and talent strategy, and strengthen our reputation as an employer of choice. We are proud of Peachtree's high team member engagement, and the company culture built and recognize the opportunity to improve our people processes and discipline as we further scale the business." Peachtree made several changes to its structure and leadership in September.

SONESTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS Corp. recently launched Sonesta Essential, a new upper-midscale select-service brand. The company now offers 15 brands. Sonesta Essential is meant to offer easier new builds and conversions with modest brand standards, limited food and beverage requirements and simplified conversion processes, according to the company. "Sonesta Essential is a fresh, new brand carefully designed by Sonesta to deliver a core selection of services compared with other hospitality experiences," said Brian Quinn, Sonesta chief development officer. "With tremendous demand in the select-service category, we are confident that Sonesta Essential will become a leading brand in an exciting, timely and relevant segment." The first two Sonesta Essential hotels will be a franchise in Vacaville, California, which is set to open in late spring 2023, and a managed property in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which will be converted from a Sonesta Select in the fall of 2023.

CONTACTLESS CHECK-IN TECHNOLOGY firm Virdee is now integrated with commerce technology platform FreedomPay. The companies will offer a PCI-validated, point-to-point encryption solution with EMV, NFC, currency conversion and real-time data capabilities. The transition will help Virdee to offer end-to-end protection for credit card payments made through FreedomPay's cloud-based payments platform. It also provided FreedomPay compatibility with Virdee's check-in/check-out process with software for identity verification, payment collection, access control and remote support, according to Virdee. "Our integration with Virdee offers our customers expanded options, flexibility and, most important, security," said Chris Kronenthal, president of FreedomPay. "We help streamline and simplify complex payment options, while providing a single flow of data to facilitate consumer insights and engagement for our hotel clients. We're proud to partner with best-in-class solution providers, like Virdee, as we work together to revolutionize hotel operations and guest-facing technologies."

THIRD-PARTY HOSPITALITY management company Twenty Four Seven Hotels has added four California hotels to its West Coast portfolio, a statement said. A member of the Newport Beach, California-based company's executive team said it's part of a controlled growth strategy. The new properties are the 128-room Hyatt House Sacramento/Midtown, the 112-room Hyatt Place Newark/Silicon Valley, the 90-room Hampton Inn & Suites Marina and the 119-room Holiday Inn Express Chino Hills. Currently, the firm is providing pre-opening services and these properties are expected to be fully operational in December, the statement added. "We continue to expand our management footprint throughout California, with these four additions bringing our total Golden State portfolio to twenty. By focusing exclusively on the West Coast, our area operational expertise is unparalleled. This also allows for the ability to more readily share best practices and enact economies of scale," said David Wani, CEO, Twenty Four Seven Hotels. "Twenty Four Seven Hotels provides a full-suite of services, starting at the earliest phases of the pre-construction process to create advantages over companies acquiring or assuming operations at a later stage."

MORE THAN A week after Hurricane Ian devastated parts of Florida, AAHOA is on the ground providing aid and training for members. Hoteliers in affected areas are now in the process of working with insurance companies to repair damages while also taking care of their communities' basic needs. On Sept. 28, Hurricane Ian brought massive flooding from its storm surge in Florida, where at least 119 people died as of Oct. 18, according to NPR. According to AAHOA, 65 percent of hotels in Florida are owned by its members. Rahul Patel, AAHOA's Florida director, owns five properties in the Fort Myers-Sarasota area. He was at his America's Best Value Inn in Fort Myers, Florida, during the hurricane.

STONEHILL PACE, THE Property Assessed Clean Energy financing division of Stonehill, has provided $16.3 million in its first commercial property assessed clean energy (C-PACE) financing in Washington, a statement said. The loan is for the Cornus House, a new 199-unit multifamily project with 1,233 square feet of retail development in Tacoma, Washington. The C-PACE financing is over a 30-year term and will fund lighting, covered process, seismic and qualifying soft costs, according to Stonehill PACE. The project development is expected to start before the year end and is scheduled to be finished by Nov. 1, 2024. "For eligible projects, C-PACE financing remains one of the more attractive venues to get a project over the finish line," said Jared Schlosser, Stonehill's senior vice president and head of Stonehill PACE. "The Cornus House is a great project in a strong market led by a savvy ownership group with 30-plus years of commercial real estate experience and a portfolio of more than 800 apartments. This C-PACE financing is the final piece to complete the financing puzzle."

Phil Norman is executive vice-president of people resources and development for third-party hospitality management company Twenty Four Seven Hotels. Previously, he was chief human resources officer with Canyon Ranch where he operated human resources functions for 1,840 U.S. employees across hotels and cruise ships. Norman will provide oversight for talent management, including leadership development, organizational capability and change management in this newly created role, the company said. He also held similar positions as human resources director at the Homestead, America's oldest resort property dating to 1766, and the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, where he oversaw 1,250 team members, while ensuring safety and building an inclusive environment. "With 35 years of hospitality human resources experience, Phil is the ideal candidate to take over our people resources and development team as well as provide immediate support to our on-property teams," said David Wani, CEO for Twenty Four Seven Hotels. "His performance at both the hotel and corporate levels has been amazing, creating workplaces where every associate is gratified by their work and where they feel they belong. Phil's reputation of aligning systems and processes and his focus on workplace culture create the potential for exceptional stakeholder returns and in turn support the growth of the company."

Melissa Ross Smith is now chief operating officer for Peachtree Group. She will be responsible for the overall performance, strategy and organizational development of Peachtree and its operating businesses. Before joining Peachtree, Smith held several high-level positions at organizations. Most recently, Smith was managing director of OS National, where she managed more than 250 professionals and was responsible for evaluating performance management systems and devising improvements to strengthen controls and optimize results, Peachtree said in a statement. "As Peachtree continues to evolve, improving our foundational processes is imperative to the future growth of our business," said Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO of Peachtree Group. "Melissa is an excellent complement to our team as she has an exceptional blend of leadership, vision and execution needed to be Peachtree's COO." Smith will report to Friedman, and will be a key executive team member, Peachtree's statement said. Peachtree Group is led by Jatin Desai and Mitul Patel as managing principals. "I am deeply impressed by Peachtree's success," Smith said. "Not only am I excited about the future opportunities, knowing that I can help execute and bring operational excellence across all segments, but I am also pleased to be joining an executive team representing some of the best people in commercial real estate."

VIRDEE, THE CONTACTLESS check-in technology firm, secured $12.4 million in an oversubscribed Series A funding round led by Moneta Ventures, bringing its total funding to $21 million. These funds will be used to finance research, expand product features, grow the workforce, and strengthen the company's presence in the hospitality sector, the company said. Other participants in the latest fundraising process include Silverton Partners, Koch Real Estate Investments, Alumni Ventures, DJR Advisors, Capital Factory, and strategic partners, Virdee said. This investment follows Series Seed financing led by Silverton Partners in February 2022 and a 2020 angel investment led by Rajiv Trivedi, former brand president for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc.'s La Quinta Inn and chairman of TST Capital.

MIT SHAH-LED NOBLE Investment Group topped the "2023 Best Places to Work in Money Management" awards by the investment news portal Pensions & Investments. The selection process involved a thorough evaluation of workplace policies, practices, and employee feedback, with combined insights playing a key role in identifying top companies in the industry, Noble said in a statement. Shah, Noble's founder and CEO, expressed honor in being named to the list. "We take pride in the ongoing recognition of Noble's culture, emphasizing excellence, inclusivity, and professional growth," Shah said. "Our team, our greatest strength, shares a dedication to fostering an environment that values and supports one another, as reflected in this honor." "As their employees attest, companies on this year's Best Places to Work list showcase a commitment to cultivating a robust workplace culture," said P&I Executive Editor Julie Tatge. "Even amid challenges like volatile markets and ongoing pandemic stress, employees noted strong support from their managers, empowering them to perform at their best."

Jessica Brady is now the vice president of federal affairs for tax policy at the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Prior to joining AHLA, Brady served as the senior director of federal government relations at the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S., focusing on tax, trade, and other key issues. Before DISCUS, Brady led budget and appropriations advocacy as the associate director of global development policy and advocacy at Save the Children, AHLA said. She also handled congressional affairs and engaged in multilateral diplomacy at the State Department as part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program. "Jessica's extensive tax expertise and profound understanding of the federal policymaking process will prove invaluable for our members as we navigate a myriad of crucial tax issues in 2024 and beyond," said Chip Rogers, AHLA president and CEO. "This addition reinforces AHLA's commitment to securing policy victories for hoteliers."

THE U.S. STATE Department has indefinitely extended a program allowing consular offices to waive in-person interviews for low-risk non-immigrant visa applicants who apply within 48 months of their most recent visa's expiration. Initially scheduled to conclude on Dec. 31, the program will now persist without a specified end date, undergoing regular reviews. This policy applies to consular offices globally. Under the updated program rules, the State Department anticipates the pool of applicants eligible for an interview waiver will at least double, the U.S. Department of State said in a statement. From October 2022 to September 2023, the State Department issued a near-record 10.4 million non-immigrant visas worldwide, partly attributed to interview waiver authority. "Interview waiver authorities have significantly reduced visa appointment wait times at embassies and consulates," the State Department said. "In Fiscal Year 2022, almost half of the nearly seven million non-immigrant visas issued by the Department were processed without an in-person interview. This success in reducing global visa wait times, particularly post-pandemic closures, is ongoing, with continued efforts to swiftly minimize wait times, including for first-time tourist visa applicants."

DURING HIS LIFE and career, Jayanti P. "J.P." Rama touched a lot of lives and inspired people on all levels of the hospitality industry. Below are tributes from some of Rama's many friends and colleagues, as well as two of his brothers, following his death on Thursday. Hasmukh "H.P." Rama, brother "My bother JP was man of principle and in his own way he pursued what he strongly believed in. He was man of tremendous courage and stood up for a number of causes, many of which he made his life's mission. He was, like a coconut : from outside he appeared tough but inside was very soft and willing to accommodate anyone and do the right thing at the right time. He was a great entrepreneur who willingly learned all trades of the hospitality business, be it technology, understanding all aspects of the construction process or absorbing or financial information.

With the internet enabling dating a fully-fledged culture, online dating has become widely popular. Almost every young fellow understands how to meet girls online. They would be aware of a few techniques, online etiquette, and the best ways to pick up women. On the other hand, women would not mind such flirtatious conversation and an occasional pick up as well. The rising popularity of online dating The foremost reason for the popularity of online dating is it saves time. Earlier dating used to be a lengthy process where the man has to win the woman's heart, bring her flowers, buy presents, pull up to her place, book a place for a meetup, contact her for the next date, and think through the situation of your date. However, online dating has skipped several steps from the beginning. People have started to value words more than their actions. Online dating has united people from different parts of the globe. It does not need a comprehensive knowledge of the place to meet women online. You could reach anywhere across the world with a click of a mouse on Meetagirls, talk to a specific group, or develop a relationship with a woman whom you could never see otherwise. Online dating has brought a variety to the world. It has been amazing how easy you would unite people of different skin tones, races, complexions, religions, races, outlooks, and more. You would choose from a wide list of options or simply look for another available option.