| The latest news in hospitality risk management from Valor Security Services |  |
| Hospitality Risk Management |  |  |
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- Mumbai attacks offer critical lessons in hotel security
The terrorist attacks at hotels in Mumbai, India, in November offer important lessons about hotel security the U.S. State Department's Overseas Security Advisory Council is using to develop best practices for hotels. Some key lessons include the need for the entire staff to keep a keen lookout for anyone surveilling a property, for making security visible in certain locations, collecting intelligence about the hotel's security threat and hardening defenses. SecurityManagement.com
(4/1)     
- Britain trains 60,000 to boost hotel security
Britain is beefing up its hotel security measures to better prepare for potential terrorist threats. Under revised terror measures known as Contest Two, the country's Home Office is training about 60,000 workers, ranging from shop staff to hotel employees, to detect and respond to attacks. Telegraph (London)
(3/22)
- Hotels' financial woes sometimes affect service
The credit crunch and ensuing economic downturn have hit the hotel industry hard. While many hotels have struggled, some are expected to be forced into foreclosure or bankruptcy during the next few months. If a hotel is experiencing financial difficulties, guests could be affected. "Hotels are doing things like closing the restaurant two nights a week or having the nightclub only open one or two nights a week," said Molly Vincent, vice president of a Las Vegas destination and event management company. NYTimes.com
(4/13)
- Hotel veteran wins Security Officer of Year award
A 16-year veteran received the Security Officer of the Year Award from the Maryland Hotel & Lodging Association last month for providing security for the Greenbelt Marriott in Maryland. Jimmie Plummer, 61, looks after 18 floors, 284 rooms, four suites and 14 meeting rooms, and colleagues praised him as the "go-to-guy" who knows everything about the hotel. The Gazette (Montgomery County, Md.)
(4/9)
| Innovation & Developments | | |
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- Surveying the scene for less
A new security camera that is the size of a deck of cards, built with sensor technology borrowed from camera phones and priced at about $800 is slated for the market later this year. By incorporating several inexpensive sensors and software that ties the multiple views into a single streaming video, the surveillance device can be offered for a lower price than legacy cameras with a single, large sensor, according to this article. NYTimes.com
(4/11)
- Get creative when faced with IT cuts
When hoteliers look to their IT departments for savings during tough times, it's important to remember that a "saving through spending" mentality can be beneficial in the long term. Hotels can renegotiate agreements and purchases with vendors, for instance, but they shouldn't delay tech projects such as business intelligence systems, which can reduce labor costs while boosting operational efficiency. HotelsMag.com/Musings & Miscellany blog
(4/10)
| Business Operations & Strategy | | |
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- Sheraton overhaul continues
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide says its multibillion-dollar plan to revitalize its Sheraton brand is nearly 70% complete and is not being delayed, despite the slumping economy. The overhaul includes a more than $2 billion investment in new hotels, $1.3 billion for renovations and $400 million for other improvements, and much of the work is focused in North America, where the company has reported inconsistency in customer satisfaction. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model)
(4/13)
| Travel Watch | | |
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- U.S., other nations issue travel advisories for Thailand
While some celebrated Thailand's New Year water festival, others in Bangkok were witness to anti-government riots and other violence. The governments of the U.S., Australia, Britain, France and South Korea have issued travel advisories for Thailand. "The airport closures were bad enough," said Pusapa Krittiwan, the owner of a guest house in Bangkok. "But this is just getting out of hand. People are afraid to come and those that are here are thinking of leaving." The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model)
(4/13)
- U.S. updates Travel Warning for Georgia
The possibility of violent demonstrations in Georgia has prompted the State Department to update its Travel Warning for the country. The government advises Americans to avoid the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Read the official State Department Travel Warning for Georgia. TravelPulse
(4/14)
| News from Valor | | |
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Valor officers train for unexpected threats
Valor regularly conducts live emergency drills to stay ahead of possible threats. A recent "Search and Detain" exercise, executed in conjunction with county police and SWAT teams in Glenn Burnie, Md., allowed the Valor Security team to train with local authorities. A review and subsequent report is conducted after each drill to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the response during the drill.
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Valor Security Services attains TASER certification
Valor Security Services, in partnership with TASER International, has achieved the status of TASER Certified Security Provider, as recognized by TASER International. Valor Security Services has developed a staff of 10 TASER instructors, able to certify security personnel at security site operations, and is customizing TASER program materials for application in the vertical markets Valor serves.
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| About Valor Security Services |
Valor Security Services provides security management services and risk management expertise nationally to over 260 retail, hospitality, and mixed use properties
owned or operated by a variety of successful developers, owners, and management companies. Valor is exclusive to the hospitality, retail, and mixed use markets.
As a result, our training, operations, and efforts are focused on, and based on the requirements of, these markets.
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| | Recent Valor Security's Hospitality SmartBrief Issues:
- Wednesday, March 18, 2009
- Wednesday, February 18, 2009
- Thursday, January 22, 2009
- Wednesday, December 17, 2008
- Wednesday, November 19, 2008
| | | Lead Editor: Angela Giroux-Scheide
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