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Pharmacy Business is a monthly magazine for independent and community pharmacists. With a circulation of over 10,000, it is the first choice among community pharmacists for breaking news, analysis, expert commentary and business advice. Founded in 1998, it covers all the burning issues in community pharmacy, from commissioning of pharmacy services and decriminalisation of dispensing errors to the drugs shortages and pharmacy funding. It also showcases the best of community pharmacies up and down the UK, highlighting the ways pharmacy teams go the extra mile for their patients, whether it is helping them to manage their long-term conditions, use their medicines correctly or deal with mental health issues. Pharmacy Business has won the "Best Support for Independent Pharmacy" at the Avicenna Media Awards on three occasions and keeps pharmacists updated on developments through the pages of its print magazine, website, podcasts, newsletter and Twitter and Facebook sites. The title is a must-read for community pharmacists, national pharmacy bodies, pharmaceutical companies and anyone with an interest in community pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry. The Pharmacy Business Awards were launched in 2000 to shine a light on the best of community pharmacy.

THE AMERICAN HOTEL and Lodging Association relaunched its "Hospitality is Working" campaign to highlight hotels' commitment to workforce, guests and communities, according to a statement. The campaign aims to reengage travelers and showcase the economic and community benefits hotels provide in neighborhoods across the U.S. As more Americans begin to travel, the initiative will highlight the broad range of benefits hotels provide the communities they serve and point out the industry's strong commitment to investing in its workforce, providing quality career opportunities and protecting employees and guests, AHLA said. "In every American city, hotels support employees and their families and serve our communities," said Chip Rogers, AHLA's president and CEO. "Hotels are investing in our workforce to create good jobs that power local economies. We're keeping guests and employees safe. Six in 10 hotels are small businesses, and they're creating opportunities for other small companies to grow and thrive. Hotels also help fund vital government services through local, state and federal taxes. Hotels are a net benefit to the communities we serve, and as we seek to reignite travel, we look forward to growing together."

HILTON RECENTLY DONATED nearly $500,000 to support local relief efforts in response to the wildfires that consumed more than 2,500 acres of land and took the lives of over 100 residents in Maui, Hawaii. The new donation supplements the $325,000 previously pledged by Hilton, the Hilton Global Foundation and members of the broader Hilton community since early August, the company said in a statement. At a recent gathering in Las Vegas, more than 9,000 Hilton hotel sales and operational leaders from Focused Service and All Suites brands across the Americas raised nearly $175,000 for Maui relief efforts, Hilton said. The donations will benefit the Hawaii Community Foundation's Maui Strong Fund and United Way Maui. The company has been operational in Hawaii for more than 60 years, the statement added. "Hilton stands in solidarity with the people of Maui and the Hawaiian community," said Katherine Lugar, executive vice president of corporate affairs at Hilton. "Lahaina holds a special place in our hearts, and we're dedicated to aiding our team members and relief efforts in every possible manner. The collective efforts of our team members, hotel owners, community partners, and guests have been truly inspiring. Our thoughts remain with those in Maui."

FIVE PROPERTIES IN the hihotels by Hospitality International portfolio have won the brand's 2023 awards for meeting and exceeding the company's standards of operations. All are Asian American owned. The hihotels 2023 winners are: President's Award - Scottish Inns & Suites in Hitchcock, Texas, owned by Nareshkumar Patel and Tejal Patel. Given to a franchisee who has been loyal to hihotels by Hospitality International, consistently demonstrated a willingness to accept positive change within the hotel industry, and received positive communication from their guests. Gander Award - Red Carpet Inn in Rochester, Minnesota, owned by Veena Patel. Given to a franchisee who embraces their local community in offering sponsorship for local events or teams, participates in charitable events, or embraces the needs of the local community. Named after Gander the service dog from Operation Fetch, a non-profit that performs planned acts of community kindness to further appreciation, education and awareness about service dogs PTSD, and dogs for visible and invisible wounds.

AAHOA MADE CHANGES to two leadership positions Monday with a promotion and a new hire. Heather Carnes to executive vice president for communications and chief strategy officer and hired Phelps Hope as its new executive vice president for operations and chief development officer. Carnes has been with AAHOA for three years, most recently as the association's vice president of marketing and communications, and has worked nearly her entire career in the association space, according to AAHOA. In her new role, she will focus on organizational strategy, marketing and communications, organizational culture and HR, education/program development and strategic partnerships. "It's an incredibly important time for AAHOA and our industry," Carnes said. "I'm thrilled to be moving into this new role where I can have an even greater impact on the organization, our overall strategic initiatives, and working alongside Laura Lee, Phelps, and the rest of the AAHOA team to make big things happen on behalf of our nearly 20,000 hotelier members."

BLACK HISTORY MONTH is a time to think about unity in general and hoteliers of all races acknowledged that this year. AAHOA observed the month, as did others in the industry through actions and testimonials. A way to engage the local community California hotelier and philanthropist Sunil "Sunny" Tolani in a recent article discussed the importance of the month to him. Tolani is CEO of the Prince Organization in Anaheim, California, and in an interview with New York Wire magazine, he discussed diversity and his company's participation in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service in January. The event supports a sense of family among his employees, Tolani said. "Employees make time to volunteer and the MLK Day of Service is a great way we engage with our local community while honoring the legacy of Dr. King," Tolani said. "Whether we plan on cleaning up a public space, mentoring and providing internships to young people, mentoring our staff, inviting the local students to tour the back of house hotel operations, what they do makes a world of difference. Our entire organization felt a sense of pride at what we were able to achieve." Tolani said supporting minority rights also builds meaningful relationships within the communities in which they operate and "taps the passions of millions of guests."

AAHOA OFFICERS RECENTLY participated in a White House reception for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. AAHOA Chairman Miraj Patel and Laura Lee Blake, the association's president and CEO, represented the association. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris made remarks at the reception held in the Rose Garden, recognizing the AANHPI community, AAHOA said in a statement. "We were honored and privileged to represent AAHOA and our 20,000 members at the historic White House celebration," said Patel. "This event highlights the AA and NHPI communities' remarkable contributions to the U.S., mirroring AAHOA's representation of Asian American entrepreneurship in hospitality for the past 35 years. As we reflect on our rich heritage during AANHPI Month, we honor the incredible legacy of Asian American hoteliers and entrepreneurs who have shaped, and continue to shape, our industry and nation."

TIMES ARE QUICKLY changing, but never so much as the ongoing advancements in telecommunications. The Federal Communications Commission is taking steps to force carriers to stop selling copper phone lines, or "plain old telephone service" (POTS), which means the legacy analog copper phone line is being phased out sooner rather than later. Networks are aging, parts are unavailable, and technicians are retiring. How does this affect the phone system in your hotel? Depending on what upgrades and advances you have made over the last five years, you may need to switch your PBX systems to a cloud communication platform sooner than later. Oftentimes, however, it is difficult to see the forest for the trees. Considering the recent upheaval in our industry, the challenges facing hoteliers can be overwhelming. The steady increase in travel as restrictions lift, the ongoing trend of "bleisure" travel as more and more offices shut down and employees are allowed to work from anywhere and the pent-up demand to meet in person are exacerbated by the ongoing staffing shortage. Hoteliers have a lot on their plates and replacing a phone system is likely at the bottom of their list.

Whistle your horse and get started on the trail of Indians and other cowboys to discover the most famous American settings, the Westerns. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal ParkTribal Park Monument Valley is a vast wilderness (12 000 hectares) inhabited by Indians. Here, within the Navajo Nation, saw the largest community of Indians, the Navajo. The community lives in the great outdoors while respecting the traditions and living livestock and agriculture.

ASIAN HOSPITALITY IS A B2B NEWS MAGAZINE AND WEBSITE THAT COVERS THE U.S. HOTEL INDUSTRY. OUR NICHE READERSHIP AND TARGET MARKET ARE INDIAN AMERICAN HOTELIERS, WHO OWN MORE THAN HALF OF THE HOTELS IN AMERICA. THE COMMUNITY OF HOTELIERS IS AMONG THE MOST AFFLUENT GROUP BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE U.S., WITH AN ESTIMATED $35 BILLION IN BUYING POWER. ASIAN HOSPITALITY uniquely provides editorial in Gujarati, the language spoken by most Asian American hoteliers who have roots in Gujarat, India. Its sister publication, PRIYA, is the business magazine for entrepreneurial women. In Indian American hotel businesses, women make most of the buying decisions. They also have carved their own paths to business success, leading family enterprises and starting their own ventures. The next generation of the Asian American hotelier community is made up of highly educated and experienced women and men who are eager to take hotel development and operations to the next level. ASIAN HOSPITALITY is with them every step of the way.

The GG2 Power List profiles Britain's 101 most influential Asians, providing a snapshot of Asian power and influence in Britain today. Each year, the list undergoes an extensive refresh and our panel of senior editors and experts face an arduous challenge in whittling down our long list to 101. The list celebrates the extraordinary talent that exists in the British Asian community: an eclectic mix of talent across the nation. It features exclusive interviews with pioneers across the arts, media, business science, technology and the public sector. As the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "the GG2 Power List is about the best and most talented people in the country, who just happen to be Asians". The list serves to inspire and nurture the next generation of leaders and achievers. The GG2 Power List is launched in October at the GG2 Leadership Awards. Along with the Leadership Awards and Diversity Conference, we celebrate the success of ethnic communities in Britain and showcase how a more inclusive society can unleash talent.

TARAN PATEL, MANAGING principal of A-1 Hospitality Group and AAHOA Northwest regional director, has received the 2023 Lodging Operator of the Year award by the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association for his outstanding contributions to both the hospitality industry and communities. "Oregon's hospitality industry is filled with remarkable, passionate people who go above and beyond on a daily basis because they love what they do," said Jason Brandt, ORLA president and CEO. "These recipients represent not only some of our industry's most dedicated leaders and advocates, but also the exemplary service that sets the high standard for the entire industry to achieve." Following the completion of his MBA in 2015, Taran began working in operations and development, contributing to the company culture established by his parents. Under his leadership, A-1 Hospitality Group's hotels not only offered crucial assistance to their communities during the pandemic but also stayed operational, safeguarding job stability for their team members and enabling them to provide for their families during challenging times.

THE AHLA FOUNDATION, is re-launching its ForWard program, created to advance women in leadership and ownership within the hotel industry, and plans to integrate the program with the recently acquired Castell Project, an organization focused on promoting women in hospitality leadership. Also, the foundation presented the 2023 Peggy Berg Castell Award to Julienne Smith, IHG Hotels & Resorts' chief development officer for the Americas. The integration of ForWard and the Castell Project will result in a unified platform offering resources, events, professional development, and community-building opportunities, the AHLA Foundation said in a statement. "There is tremendous opportunity for us to do more to celebrate, champion, and create community for women," said Anna Blue, president of AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel and Lodging Association. "AHLA Foundation is uniquely positioned to collaborate across industry and invest in the women who are advancing hospitality."

AAHOA's 12 POINTS of Fair Franchising are meant to serve as a template for hotel franchisers to use in how they relate to association members. One of those franchisers, G6 Hospitality, recently responded and let AAHOA leadership know how they're applying the points. G6, parent company of Motel 6 and Studio 6 economy brands, provided an analysis of all the 12 points in which the company provides additional commentary and clarification around the brand's practices related to its franchisees, according to AAHOA. The association released the 12 Points in April as part of educational offerings. Rob Palleschi, CEO of G6 Hospitality, said his company emphasizes open communication and collaboration with its franchisees. "We value our relationship with AAHOA and are committed to open communication and collaboration to support both our owners and our industry," said Rob Palleschi, CEO of G6 Hospitality.

HILTON IS ONE of the largest hotel companies in the world, known usually as parent company to higher end brands, such as Hilton Garden Inn and Canopy by Hilton. Now, the company is moving into the "premium economy" segment with its new brand, Spark. Spark will include several features meant to appeal to owners, according to Hilton, primarily by providing the company's reservation network, business model and commercial engines. It also includes supply chain management, a cost-effective pricing model and automated customer offerings such as digital check-in and Digital Key. "Spark by Hilton was developed in close collaboration with our developer community, and we are thrilled by the positive feedback and excitement we have received to date," said Alissa Klees, brand leader, Spark by Hilton. "In fact, we already have more than 100 deals in various stages of development across the U.S., with the first properties anticipated to open this year." Each hotel will feature colorful exterior walls and artwork. The public space will feature multi-functional seating, such as communal tables and rocking chairs, for guests to eat breakfast, socialize or work throughout the day. Guest rooms will have practical amenities, including an open closet, in-room refrigerator, multi-purpose work surface and bathroom. To ensure a consistent, quality guest experience, each hotel will be required to complete a full renovation, encompassing all guest-facing areas of the hotel, prior to joining Spark by Hilton. The new brand will fill a certain niche, said Matt Schuyler, Hilton's chief brand officer.

STAFF MEMBERS OF two hotel industry associations donned blue in January to recognize National Human Trafficking Prevention month. AAHOA and the American Hotel & Lodging Association also sought to encourage hotel owners to take advantage of their educational programs on detecting and preventing trafficking in their properties. Like his predecessors since 2010, President Joe Biden issued a proclamation officially designating January as the month to focus awareness on trafficking prevention, according to the U.S. Department of State. The month recognizes the work done by foreign governments, international organizations, anti-trafficking entities, law enforcement officials, survivor advocates, communities of faith, businesses and private citizens to raise awareness about human trafficking, the State Department said. "Since human trafficking disproportionately impacts racial and ethnic minorities, women and girls, LGBTQI+ individuals, vulnerable migrants, and other historically marginalized and underserved communities, our mission to combat human trafficking must always be connected to our broader efforts to advance equity and justice across our society," Biden said in his proclamation.

Mohare Danda Trek is a newly opened trekking trail that traverses the foothills of Annapurna. Mohare Danda Trek is also known as Mohare Danda Community Trek, which is designed to develop and support the local community along the route. Moreover, Mohare Danda Trekking is also the best way to give back to the locals and make the trek eco-friendly. The trek offers beautiful views, remote villages, dense forests, and friendly locals.

IHG HOTELS & Resorts hotel Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia in Atlanta partnered with food waste management firm Goodr to rescue its surplus food, according to IHG. It will be the first IHG property to use the service. As part of the partnership, edible, unsold food from the location's restaurants and corporate dining events will now be donated to Goodr's local non-profit partners, according to IHG. It also supports IHG's Journey to Tomorrow, a 10-year responsible business plan, which includes combating food insecurity in communities around the world and minimizing food waste. "We're excited about our new partnership with Goodr to help do our part to combat the issue of food insecurity in the local Atlanta area," said Sharon Kilmartin, the Crowne Plaza's area general manager. "Together, we can help make a difference in the lives of many people in our community and we urge other hotels to do the same."

WHITESTONE CAPITAL RECENTLY partnered with PJD Capital to purchase the 152-room Holiday Inn East Mountain in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, marking the first joint venture between the two real estate companies. Whitestone Capital, a division of Whitestone Companies, is led by CEO Jay Batra, while PJD Capital is headed by CEO Prakash Datwani. The Holiday Inn East Mountain features 152 guestrooms and more than 6,000 square feet of event space, the companies said in a joint statement. "We are excited about our new partnership with PJD Capital to reposition this property into a product the Wilkes Barre community has been craving," said Batra. "We expect the transformation to happen in two phases, with the first phase starting later this year. The property will be converted to a very select class of DoubleTree Hotels. A DoubleTree in name, driven by the power of Hilton, but not a typical DoubleTree. This property will feel more like a soft brand with design centered around a community-focused, light resort feel."

GEOFF BALLOTTI, PRESIDENT and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts will be recognized by UJA Federation of New York at its annual Hospitality Division event in June. The event is held in conjunction with the NYU Hospitality Investment Conference and will raise funds to support UJA-Federation's annual campaign, which supports a wide network of nonprofits. UJA Federation will hold the event on June 4, at 4:30 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The federation works with a network of hundreds of nonprofits in New York, Israel and 70 other countries to provide $180 million in grants affecting 4.5 million people annually. "For 15 years, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has supported UJA and the vital work it does caring for those in need while creating and fostering diverse communities where all are welcome," Ballotti said. "Together with my hospitality colleagues, we'll celebrate the extraordinary work of UJA and how it improves lives in communities across the globe."