Hotel & Motel Management - November 5, 2007 - (Page 6)

Checking In PERSPECTIVE H&MM November 5, 2007 | HotelMotel.com EDITORIAL Difﬁcult road ahead for Big Easy IN THE details Slow recovery continues Residents retain charm Hyatt sale is symbolic Government taking blame By Stacey Higgins Senior Editor How to contact the H&MM editorial staff 600 Superior Ave. East, Suite 1100; Cleveland, OH 44114 Tel: (216) 706-3700 Fax: (216) 706-3711 www.HotelMotel.com M y ﬁrst trip to New Orleans also happened to be the ﬁrst event I covered for Hotel & Motel Management as an associate editor three years ago. As a young journalist wandering the gritty, balmy streets of the city in a business suit between general sessions, I immediately fell in love with city’s architecture, food and laissezfaire attitude. It’s not everywhere that you can walk out of a restaurant where you dined on bananas foster onto the street to back—in person and through stories—to the area to analyze the hurricane recovery. Immediately following the disaster of late August 2005, we dedicated nearly an entire issue to stories of survival and “picking up the pieces.” In February 2006, I reported that an increase in crime caused hotel owners to believe that the city’s reputation in the national spotlight was complicating the tourism recovery (“Outlying murders slow New Orleans recovery,” Feb. 5, 2007, page 1). In a symbolic move for the hotel industry in New Orleans, the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, which became an visual icon for the damage done to hotels during Katrina, with its blown-out windows and curtains ﬂuttering 31 stories up, was sold by Strategic for oneﬁfth of the price it paid for the property in 1997. Poydras Properties Hotel Holdings Co. LLC purchased the hotel for $32 million, according to Laurence Geller, Strategic’s c.e.o. Why you’re seeing green HOTEL & MOTEL MANAGEMENT has introduced a new icon to indicate coverage that relates to sustainability and green issues in the lodging industry. rub elbows with cross-dressing partygoers. I don’t think anyone would argue that the old New Orleans had a lovable unique character, and even now, two years after Hurricane Katrina, the city’s residents retain their southern hospitality and charm. I was surprised to read the news that Strategic Hotels & Resorts planned to sell the Hyatt Regency New Orleans for a fraction of what it paid for it. Just when it seemed the city was poised (or deserved) to make a comeback, Strategic admitted defeat. H&MM’s editors have gone .EDITORIAL MISSION STATEMENT. . While I won’t argue with Strategic’s right to uphold its business strategy, what does it mean when an active supporter of NOLA, such as Geller, cashes in his lodging chips? Even the locals continue to be frank about the situation— Bill Langkopp, executive v.p. of the Louisiana Hotel & Lodging Assn., tells H&MM on page 94 of this issue that decreased per-diem rates are adding to the ﬁnancial burden New Orleans hotels continue to bear post-Katrina. And if the lodging industry in the city isn’t able to take advantage of strong rates and oc- cupancy now, what will happen when the rest of the country hits the inevitable downturn? So, what will it take to pick up the pieces in New Orleans? Perhaps what is missing is that carefree attitude of the old city. Who can be worry-free when the economic, political and social fabric of New Orleans is strained? Sure, Mardi Gras continues and Café du Monde is serving up beignets (praise the Lord), but people visit New Orleans to let the good times roll. At a time when crucial businesses such as lodging still are suffering, it’s a difﬁcult proposition. Geller told H&MM he thinks it’s a national disgrace that government, on all levels, hasn’t ﬁgured out how to revive the city. He said it will take something on par with Roosevelt’s New Deal to help get the city off of life support. And he’s probably right. But government can’t be held solely responsible for the effort. As Geller points out when discussing the National Jazz Center, there has been a lack of support from the private sector—including the hotel industry. Geller said, “I am stunned that my colleagues and peers and the brands haven’t glommed on to this as a good idea.” And so I ask of an industry built on hospitality, is it time for a call to action to help fellow citizens in a difﬁcult situation? shiggins@questex.com Jeff Higley Editorial Director jhigley@questex.com (216) 706-3728 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 Emily Hanna, ASSOCIATE EDITOR . . . . . . . . . ehanna@questex.com Ph: (216) 706-3784 | Fax: (216) 706-3711 Patricia Sheehan, MANAGING EDITOR, Hotel Design Ph: (216) 706-3753. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .psheehan@questex.com Amy B. Witek, ART DIRECTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . awitek@questex.com Rob Ghosh, ART DIRECTOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .rghosh@questex.com ADVERTISING/SALES/CIRCULATION 600 Superior Ave. East, Suite 1100, Cleveland, OH 44114 John McMahon, GROUP PUBLISHER . . . . . jmcmahon@questex.com 757 Third Ave., 5th Floor, New York, NY 10017 Ph: (212) 895-8243 | Fax: (212) 895-8212 Matt Waddell, PUBLISHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mwaddell@questex.com 2835 N. Shefﬁeld Ave, Suite 236, Chicago, IL 60657 Ph: (773) 880-2240 | Fax: (773) 880-2241 Mary Malloy, NORTHEAST, INT’L. . . . . . . . . .mmalloy@questex.com Ph: (216) 706-3790 | Fax: (216) 706-3711 Brian Levine, SOUTHEAST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . blevine@questex.com 757 Third Ave., 5th Floor, New York, NY 10017 Ph: (212) 895-8285 | Fax: (212) 895-8215 Jason Wallace, WEST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jwallace@questex.com 1461 S. 375 E., Kaysville, UT 84037 Ph: (801) 499-9999 | Fax: (801) 315-4137 Mary Jo Cotner, MIDWEST, CANADA . . . . . . .mcotner@questex.com Ph: (216) 706-3793 | Fax: (216) 706-3711 Brian Olesinski, CLASSIFIEDS, RECRUITMENT, DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .bolesinski@questex.com Ph: (216) 706-3794 | Fax: (216) 706-3711 Heidi Spangler, DIR., AUDIENCE DEV. . . . . . . . hspangler@questex.com Ph: (216) 706-3705 | Fax: (216) 706-3714 Stephanie Ricca Managing Editor sricca@questex.com (216) 706-3791 Elaine Simon Senior Editor esimon@questex.com (216) 706-3782 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Stacy Silver, BUSINESS DEV. DIRECTOR. . . . . ssilver@questex.com Ph: (954) 306-0747 | Fax: (954) 697-6265 J. Richard Casson, ASSOCIATE BUSINESS DEV. DIRECTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . rcasson@questex.com Ph: (212) 895-8426 | Fax: (212) 895-8210 PRODUCTION Stacey Higgins Senior Editor shiggins@questex.com 306 W. Michigan St., Suite 200, Duluth, MN 55802 Bonnie Ling, PRODUCTION DIRECTOR . . . . . . . bling@questex.com Ph: (218) 279-8820 | Fax: (218) 279-8812 Janelle Heller, PRODUCTION MANAGER . . . . . jheller@questex.com Ph: (218) 279-8834 | Fax: (218) 279-8815 (216) 706-3783 MARKETING/MAGAZINE SERVICES MARKETING/MAGAZINE SERVICES Ilene Schwartz, Kroll Direct, LISTS . . . . . . . . .ilene@krolldirect.com Ph: (216) 371-1667 | Fax: (216) 371-1669 PERMISSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . .questexpermissions@reprintbuyer.com Ph: (800) 494-9051 Ext. 100 REPRINTS . . . . . . . . . . .HotelandMotelManagement@reprintbuyer.com Ph: (800) 290-5460 Ext. 100 SUBSCRIPTIONS, CUSTOMER SERVICE. . Questex@sunbeltfs.com Ph: (866) 344-1315 | Fax: (615) 377-0525 BACK ISSUES, SINGLE CURRENT COPIES, CD-ROM, MICROFILM, MICROFICHE Ph: (866) 344-1315 | Fax: (615) 377-0525 Heather Gunter Associate Editor hgunter@questex.com (216) 706-3792 Jason Q. Freed Associate Editor jfreed@questex.com PRESIDENT & CEO—Kerry C. Gumas EXECUTIVE V.P. & CFO—Tom Caridi EXECUTIVE V.P.—Robert S. Ingraham EXECUTIVE V.P.—Tony D’Avino EXECUTIVE V.P., CORP. DEV.—Claudia Flowers V.P. & G.M.—Don Rosenberg V.P., DIGITAL MEDIA—Seth Nichols V.P., HUMAN RESOURCES—Diane M. Evans Copyright 2007 Questex Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopy, recording or information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use, or the internal or personal use of speciﬁc clients, is granted by Questex Media Group, Inc. for libraries and other users registered with the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Dr., Danvers, MA 01923; phone: (978) 750-8400; fax (978) 7504470; call for copying beyond that permitted by Sections 107 or 108 of the U.S. Copyright Law. For those not registered with the CCC, send permission request to questexpermissions@reprintbuyer.com; phone: (800) 494-9051 Ext. 100. Hotel & Motel Management does not verify any claims or other information appearing in any of the advertisements contained in the publication, and cannot take any responsibility for any losses or other damages incurred by readers in reliance on such content. Hotel & Motel Management welcomes unsolicited articles, manuscripts, photographs, illustrations and other materials but cannot be held responsible for their safekeeping or return. Questex Media Group, Inc. provides certain customer contact data (such as customers’ names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses) to third parties who wish to promote relevant products, services and other opportunities which may be of interest to you. If you do not want Questex Media Group to make your contact info http://www.HotelMotel.com http://www.HotelMotel.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Hotel & Motel Management - November 5, 2007

Hotel & Motel Management - November 5, 2007 Contents M&A Pace Slowing After Early Boom LodgeWorks Jumps Into Upscale Game Accor Reorganizes Leadership, Structure Perspective At Your Risk Travel Trends Sales Clinic On Finance Family Business Matters Cornell Insights Franchise Law Training Trends Satisfaction Trends Management Trends Events Guest Column Trends & Stats GM Survey Historic Property Conversions Offer Appeal for All Extended-Stay Brands Survey Green is the Word at IH/M&R Show Transactions Restaurant POS Handhelds Keep Managers Alerted Rising Costs Confront Midwest Builders Business Travelers: Breakfast Still an Important Perk IH/M&RS Product Preview Vacation Ownership Projects to Grow in U.S., Abroad Awards Training Programs Jump to Front Lines Refrigeration: Before You Break It, Fix It Lighting Enhances Property People Supplier News Best Western Aims High with Atria Vantage Makes Global Plans Sierra Moves Forward with New Name, High Expectations Maintenance Doctor Social Marketing Makes Way into Hotel Industry People Ad/Editorial Index Marketplace Classifieds Checking Out

Hotel & Motel Management - November 5, 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.