| December 10, 2008 | News for hotel and lodging professionals |
 |  |
| Front Desk |  |  |
|
- CFO sees bumpy road for Marriott next year
Marriott International's chief financial officer, Arne Sorenson, has warned in a blog post that the company is anticipating tough times in 2009. Sorenson said Marriott is adjusting its time-share investments according to weak demand, but debt levels are likely to decline in the next year because of solid cash flow and modest investment spending. The Boston Globe/Reuters (free registration)
(12/9)      
| Business Update | | |
|
- Owner's troubles spell difficulty for 2 Atlantic City casinos
Two of Atlantic City's smallest casinos appear to be in trouble, as owner Resorts International Holdings has reported missing a monthly interest payment. The owner of the Resorts Casino and the Atlantic City Hilton also reported that it is in debt-restructuring negotiations with its lender and, at Resorts, it will no longer match employee 401(k) contributions beginning Jan. 1. The Philadelphia Inquirer
(12/10)
- As Buffalo subsidizes new hotels, local hoteliers cringe
Buffalo, N.Y., is pouring millions in subsidies into new hotels that existing hoteliers say are the last thing the city needs. One hotel that is heavily subsidized is under way, and two others have been approved; combined they would increase the city's inventory of rooms by 22%, and hoteliers say they don't know where the business for the hotels will come from. The Buffalo News (N.Y.)
(12/8)
| Market Trends | | |
|
- Celebrities hop on the hotel-ownership bandwagon
The hottest new accessory for celebrities is a hotel to call their own. Like celebrity chefs, celebrity hoteliers bring a brand of their own to help market the hotel, and some of more recent celebrities to discover hotels include U2's Bono and the Edge; Robert De Niro, who is among the owners of the Greenwich Hotel in Manhattan; and film director Francis Ford Coppola, who owns several hotels. Hotel Interactive
(12/8)
| Best Practices | | |
|
- 5 key actions to stay afloat during the recession
Suggestions from The Hackett Group on how to weather the recession include speeding up activities that will bring the greatest return in six months; aggressively managing your working capital; leveraging your best suppliers; and re-examining IT investments. Business Finance
(12/5)
| Development | | |
|
- Portland convention center hotel plans lose support
Plans for Portland, Ore., to build a convention center hotel appear to be up in the air. The city's regional government that has been managing plans for the hotel has recommended the project's cancellation because of concerns about selling public bonds, and the financing plan is still uncertain. The Oregonian (Portland)
(12/9)
| Government Affairs | | |
|
- Hotels urged to be ready if Employee Free Choice Act passes
Hoteliers have just a few months to take action and win the loyalty of their employees before the pending Employee Free Choice Act is likely adopted under the Obama administration and the unions come on strong, Jim Butler writes on Hotel Law Blog. Butler posts an article by his law partner, Marta Fernandez, that notes that the federal legislation would allow workers to organize without a secret-ballot vote and that offers some tips for preparation, including taking action at the executive and property level and educating employees on what their signature with the union means. Hotel Law Blog
(12/1)
| AH&LA News | | |
|
-
New to the Industry?
With an economic downturn, new green initiatives, changing technology and drastic legislation on the horizon, there's a lot to keep your eye on, whether you're new to the industry or a veteran. But it helps to know the resources available to you that ensure you'll stay one step ahead of the curve. Click here to learn more.
-
H-2B exchange: Easily exchange your temporary labor needs
AH&LA members now have an easy way to exchange information about available H-2B workers who may be eligible to transfer to other properties after their employment term ends. The AH&LA "H-2B Exchange" allows members to view available workers and post their own H-2B worker needs. Hoteliers with opposite peak seasons may alleviate their own labor shortages through this service.
| Editor's Note | | |
|
-
Poll result: Do you work from home?
 From Monday's poll:- 31.85% said yes
- 31.55% said no
- 30.95% said occasionally
- 5.65% said never
| SmartQuote | | |
|
 | Too often travel, instead of broadening the mind, merely lengthens the conversation."
--Elizabeth Drew,
journalist and author
|
| |
| |
|
Read more at SmartBrief.com |
|
A powerful website for SmartBrief readers including:
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| | Recent AH&LA SmartBrief Issues:
- Tuesday, December 09, 2008
- Monday, December 08, 2008
- Friday, December 05, 2008
- Thursday, December 04, 2008
- Wednesday, December 03, 2008
| | | Lead Editor: Angela Giroux-Scheide
Contributing Editor: Nancy Melville
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005 | |
| |
|
| © 1999-2011 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information |
|
