Hotel & Motel Management - October 1, 2007 - (Page 6)

Checking In H&MM October 1, 2007 | HotelMotel.com EDITORIAL Elections, selections, retirement … and beer IN THE details Catching up on the news Capital gains changes? Red Roof going home? Starwood’s new leader By Jeff Higley Editorial Director I t’s not even the primary and we’re seeing an ugly presidential campaign. There’s deﬁnitely no shortage of candidates, which means the cheap shots, accusations and general boorish behavior that has become accepted as the norm in a political race is upon us. And the TV ads have yet to get into full swing. There are plenty of things at stake for the lodging industry in the next election. Immigration, Social Security reform and minimum wage, among others, will be key issues as the campaign unfolds. One issue that hasn’t made it to the forefront—yet—is a revision of the tax codes. When President Bush took ofﬁce in 2000, sweeping tax changes were quickly enacted, including the reduction of the capitalgains tax. Rick Kelleher, principal and c.e.o. of Pyramid Advisors, mentioned during August’s Memphis Lodging Industry Summit that what happens to the tax code could be one of the biggest questions of the presidential election. If the Republicans maintain control of the White House, little will change. If a Democrat takes the Oval Ofﬁce, expect the capitalgains tax to rise, and in turn, there will be a ﬂurry of transactions conducted as companies try to cash out prior to any cap- ing the summit. I can’t say that he lived up to his reputation as being gruff; however, his welldeserved reputation as being an astute businessman is clear in his assessment of the potential capital-gains tax issue. Back to Ohio? It wouldn’t be too surprising if the Red Roof Inn chain moved its headquarters back to Columbus, Ohio, eight years after moving to Dallas. Red Roof moved to Texas when Accor acquired it, and now that Accor has completed its deal to sell the economy chain to Citi’s Global Specials Situations Group and Westbridge Hospitality, it is searching for a new HQ. C.E.O. Joe Wheeling, who has been at Red Roof forever, it seems, and has deservedly moved up the ladder, said the company plans to assess sites that meet current needs and allow for future expansion. James Trueman opened the ﬁrst Red Roof in Columbus in 1972, and with so many properties in the Midwest, the city would make a perfect home for Red Roof—again. ital-gains tax increase. The exit strategies of many companies could change quickly and drastically as they try to avoid paying a 30-percent capital-gains tax instead of a 20percent capital-gains tax, Kelleher said. I met Kelleher brieﬂy dur- Le Mener’s legacy We’ll leave the light on for Georges Le Mener, Accor North America’s president and c.e.o. Le Mener in September retired and was replaced by Olivier Poirot (c.e.o.) and Jim Amorosia (president and c.o.o.). Le Mener always has been a deep thinker and true gentleman. The industry won’t be better off without him. there’s a difference between the Dutch native and Steve Heyer, the company’s previous leader. It was clear during the conference call introducing van Paasschen that the company was looking for a complete opposite to Heyer’s ego-driven, ivory tower approach. The term “people person” was used many times when describing van Paasschen, the former Coors Brewing Co. c.e.o. and president who started his new job on Sept. 24 and was moving to the East Coast right away—something Heyer never did as he commuted from Atlanta. Van Paasschen promised communication between himself, other executives, employees, franchisees and the media. Considering that Heyer’s alleged downfall occurred as a result of some improper e-mails, van Paasschen might consider doing all of his communicating face to face. Starwood’s new leader has his hands full heading a company that is known for innovation, coolness and savvy. But I can’t help but compare van Paaschen’s old company and his new one—at least on the surface. All I can think about is that commercial with the Silver Bullet train on a hot day cooling everyone off. Starwood’s stock symbol, of course, is HOT. And it’s the only hotel company that employs a chief beer ofﬁcer (Four Points by Starwood’s Scott Kerkmans). That does it for now. Suddenly, I have the urge to pop a cold one. jhigley@questex.com 600 Superior Ave. East, Suite 1100, Cleveland, OH 44114 Jeff Higley, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR . . . . . . . . . jhigley@questex.com Ph: (216) 706-3728 | Fax: (216) 706-3711 Stephanie Ricca, MANAGING EDITOR . . . . . . . sricca@questex.com Ph: (216) 706-3791 | Fax: (216) 706-3711 Elaine Simon, SENIOR EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . esimon@questex.com Ph: (216) 706-3782 | Fax: (216) 706-3711 Stacey Mieyal Higgins, SENIOR EDITOR . . . . . .shiggins@questex.com Ph: (216) 706-3783 | Fax: (216) 706-3711 Heather Gunter, ASSOCIATE EDITOR . . . . . . . hgunter@questex.com Ph: (216) 706-3792 | Fax: (216) 706-3711 Jason Q. Freed, ASSOCIATE EDITOR . . . . . . . . jfreed@questex.com Ph: (216) 706-3727 | Fax: (216) 706-3711 Amy B. 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Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Hotel & Motel Management - October 1, 2007

Hotel & Motel Management - October 1, 2007 Contents Independents Rely on Guest Feedback Models Showcase Aloft, Element Brands Trainers Emphasize Communication, Cooperation Perspective At Your Risk Satisfaction Trends Sales Clinic Energy Star Update HotelWorld Update Trends & Stats Dressing Walls in 'Green' Music Programming Provides a Sound Solution Remote Check-In/Out for Leisure Travelers Q&A: Western U.S. Pipeline Softgoods - Beds and Bedding Transactions A Cause Célèbre Awards People on the Move Events Cleaning and Maintenance Solutions Marketplace Ad/Editorial Index Classifieds Checking Out

Hotel & Motel Management - October 1, 2007

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