News Briefs

As part of their deliberate development strategy, East Coast Wings + Grill (ECW+G), a casual dining restaurant franchise, has taken the next step in their growth with the hiring of Ashley Mitchell as Vice President of Marketing. With decades of consumer marketing experience with world-class brands such as The Walt Disney Company along with franchise industry giants like Goldfish Swim School, Soccer Shots and Streamline Brands, Mitchell will help drive the new and updated 5-year growth strategy while continuing to elevate brand awareness, local store marketing and lead generation.

Mitchell brings with her an extensive background in marketing and communication – having held several positions where she was responsible for creating and driving marketing strategy, overseeing the growth of the business through consumer marketing and communication, contributing to overall strategic planning as part of company executive leadership teams, and executing high-profile events. Her experience with The Walt Disney Company and several franchises in industries including youth enrichment, home services, beauty concepts, QSR and B2B services led to recognition as a leader in the franchise industry, most recently as a Top Franchise Influencer and Top 50 Franchise CMO Gamechanger.

"Over the past few years, we have been meticulous, patient, and laser-focused on creating a multi-brand strategy within our ecosystem within our brand to attract new talent and drive our growth," said Sam Ballas, CEO & Founder of ECW+G. "Bringing on a heavy hitter like Ashley is the talent reboot we have been preparing for. Our plan is all coming together at this moment, and it is the perfect partnership to throttle ECW+G into the next gear. We are thrilled to have Ashley's level of talent on board and it will be exciting to watch what she will do."

Mitchell's efforts will support the company's long-term growth plans to sign an additional ten locations this year while opening another four across the country by year's end. In addition, Mitchell will be focused on bringing meaning and connection to the East Coast Wings + Grill brand and telling its story while building and developing her marketing team to be the best in the industry.

In addition to Mitchell's hiring, ECW+G also hired a multi-unit manager for the brand's corporate locations and a franchise business coach with 32 years of experience in the field.

"For years, I've admired what Sam and the team have built at ECW+G," said Mitchell. "I'm thrilled to join the brand as we head into this next level of growth. We have a strong foundation and reputation in the communities we serve, and I look forward to continuing to elevate that in the years to come."

Hospitality management platform Cloudbeds has observed a moderate (1%) uptick in medium-term stays globally in 2023, accompanied by a slight decline of 2% in short stays.

The findings come from Cloudbeds’ 2024 ‘State of Independent Lodging Report’, which suggests the surge in three to four-night stays may be an indication of the rising popularity of “bleisure” or blended travel, as more travelers take advantage of the flexibility of remote work to extend their stays.

The technology provider says the return of international tourism could also play a role in the shift towards longer stays, as inbound tourists tend to stay longer and spend as much as 90% more than domestic travelers.

Adam Harris, co-founder and CEO of Cloudbeds, said: “Longer stays are a boon for hoteliers. When guests stay longer, they’re more likely to spend on additional experiences and services. By increasing revenue per guest, boosting occupancy rate, and reducing room turnover costs, hoteliers benefit. But this isn’t just about the bottom line. When travelers stay longer, they foster deeper relationships with the staff and have a better guest experience because of it, contributing to the hotel's long-term success.”

Overall, the data reveals average length of stay patterns in 2023 showed relative consistency with previous years. Almost three-quarters of bookings at independent hotels were for stays of one to four nights, with 43% of booked room nights being one or two- night stays and 30% being three or four nights.

Cloudbeds’ findings are grounded in data from a sample of 10,000+ independent properties, encompassing boutique hotels and guest houses, B&Bs, and hotel groups in over 100 countries across North America, Latin America, Europe, and the APAC region. For comprehensive global insights into the independent lodging landscape in 2024, download a free copy of Cloudbeds’ annual ‘State of Independent Lodging Report’ at https://www.cloudbeds.com/hospitality-industry-report.

Concord Hospitality, a hotel management and development company currently operating more than 140 hotels across North America, welcomes Marsha Ray as its new Executive Vice President of Operations. In preparation for further expansion, Concord Hospitality is proactively enhancing its executive team to better address the unique requirements of its individual properties.

As a collaborative and results-oriented leader, Ray brings over three decades of invaluable hospitality experience to her latest endeavor. Her extensive background spans various hospitality sectors, including branded and independent hotels, luxury resorts, lifestyle accommodations, convention centers, city hubs and airport facilities. With an extensive background serving both the Canadian and U.S. hospitality markets, Ray boasts comprehensive expertise in all operational aspects, from food and beverage management to front office pre-openings, transitions, conversions, and beyond.

Ray will oversee the opening and expansion of Concord’s newest full-service hotels and resorts across North America, while focusing on brand and owner relations, financial oversight, and talent management to ensure each asset aligns with its strategic objectives.

“I'm thrilled to bring my expertise in organizational leadership and my passion for hospitality to the remarkable team Concord Hospitality has assembled,” says Marsha Ray, executive vice president of operations. “With a foundation built on collaboration and a relentless pursuit of results, I am committed to expanding our footprint and furthering Concord’s culture of excellence.”

“Marsha’s exemplary reputation and tenacity make her the ideal leader to propel Concord Hospitality to the next level as we aim to expand our portfolio even further,” explains President & Chief Executive Officer, Mark Laport. “With exceptional industry experience, specifically in the luxury markets in both Canada and the U.S., Marsha will be an integral part of our ever-growing team.”

Enso Connect, a digital guest experience platform for short-term rental professionals, announced a strategic partnership with Extenteam, a premier staffing agency serving the vacation rental industry. The collaboration introduces "EnsoAssist," a unique solution that combines Enso Connect's advanced automation and AI-powered unified inbox with Extenteam's professional hospitality dedicated team members.

Through this partnership, Enso Connect customers can now have easy access to round-the-clock assistance for their guests. The combination of Enso Connect and Extenteam partnership gives you the automation and human touch element that every business needs. Guest services specialists will be able to respond to inquiries from Airbnb guests, as well as guests from other OTAs and direct bookings, through email, SMS, and WhatsApp messages using the Enso Connect platform.

The services include handling booking inquiries, early check-in and late check-out requests, and addressing any other questions guests may have throughout their stay.

"This collaboration unites two industry leaders—one in global talent and the other in guest experience technology. It enables hospitality professionals to scale without the need for extensive human resources infrastructure or the expense of hiring full-time local employees," said Francois Gouelo, Cofounder and CEO of Enso Connect. "It allows Extenteam to use Enso Connect's AI-powered unified inbox technology to give short-term rental managers best-in-class guest services support around the clock."

"We are thrilled to partner with Enso Connect to offer this unique service to the short-term rental industry," said Ari Eryorulmaz, CEO of Extenteam. "By combining our expertise in hospitality support with Enso Connect's innovative technology, we can provide a comprehensive solution that allows hospitality professionals to focus on their core business while ensuring their guests receive exceptional service."

With EnsoAssist, scaling hospitality professionals can focus on business operations and growth. Meanwhile, the EnsoAssist team manages guest communications and resolves issues before, during, and after their stay.

Existing Enso Connect customers can reach out to request the EnsoAssist pricing options and get set up with 24/7 guest services support directly through their Enso Connect platform.

InnSpire, a provider of innovative hospitality technology solutions that help drive seamless, world-class guest experiences for some of the world’s most iconic hotels and brands, announces the global rollout of its transformative InnSpire.ONE AI platform, which is reshaping the landscape of luxury hotels worldwide. InnSpire.ONE AI represents a monumental leap forward in hotel operations, offering an integrated ecosystem that enhances communication, delivers personalized guest interactions, optimizes task management and facilitates executive decision-making.

"InnSpire.ONE AI marks a pivotal moment in the hospitality industry," said Martin Chevalley, InnSpire’s CEO and Co-founder. "This platform empowers hotels to elevate service standards, maximize efficiency, and maintain a competitive edge in today's rapidly evolving market."

The key features and benefits of the InnSpire.ONE solution include:

Personalized Guest Engagement: Leveraging AI-powered chat, InnSpire.ONE intelligently curates real-time replies in the brand tone and language, enhancing guest interactions by promptly addressing inquiries, offering personalized recommendations and proactively anticipating guest needs. This not only enhances the guest experience but also cultivates loyalty and elevates the brand experience.

Transformative Staff Communication: InnSpire.ONE AI fosters seamless communication among hotel staff, breaking down barriers and streamlining workflows. Through user-friendly interfaces and intelligent algorithms, staff members collaborate efficiently, boosting productivity and enhancing guest satisfaction.

Effortless Task Management and Efficiency: With InnSpire.ONE AI, task management becomes frictionless. The platform intelligently assigns and prioritizes tasks, while providing real-time progress tracking. This ensures meticulous attention to detail, enabling staff to efficiently deliver exceptional guest service and communication.

Strategic Insights Hub for Executives: InnSpire.ONE AI serves as an indispensable hub for strategic insights at the executive level. By consolidating data from diverse sources and leveraging advanced analytics, executives gain valuable insights into operational performance, guest preferences and market trends. Armed with this information, they can make informed decisions to drive profitability and enhanced competitive position.

"InnSpire.ONE AI allows hotels to harness the power of data and analytics, ultimately driving revenue growth," added Chevalley.

Since its initial launch at HITEC 2023 in Toronto, InnSpire.ONE AI has been successfully deployed at The Don CeSar, an iconic resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida, and is currently being implemented at a number of hotels across nearly every continent, showcasing its global relevance and impact for guests, staff and management. Through its innovative features and intuitive interface, InnSpire.ONE AI is reshaping the hospitality landscape, allowing these luxury hotels to elevate service standards, optimize efficiency, and remain ahead in an ever-evolving industry.

Parker Harvey, Room Division Director at The Don CeSar Resort, said, "At The Don CeSar Resort, our guests are at the heart of everything we do. With InnSpire.ONE AI, we're able to enhance our guest chat experience in ways never thought possible. From seamless communication to personalized attention, this innovative platform allows us to exceed guest expectations, ensuring each stay is unforgettable. InnSpire.ONE AI isn't just a tool; it's our secret to delivering unparalleled hospitality."  

For a deeper insight into InnSpire's comprehensive guest journey platform, which includes InnSpire.ONE AI solutions, mobile check-in, mobile key, casting, connected guestroom TV, entertainment solutions and more, please explore www.innspire.com.

DerbySoft, an innovative global technology company that connects suppliers with distributors and offers a variety of solutions for the hospitality and travel industries, announced today it has acquired PKFARE, a global leading travel trade marketplace. This milestone transaction brings together two industry leaders, enhancing capabilities and offerings to serve the evolving needs of the travel industry.

PKFARE's reputation perfectly complements DerbySoft's commitment to innovation and excellence. Focusing on breaking down barriers in the B2B travel distribution landscape, PKFARE brings expertise in seamless fulfillment and post-sales services designed to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.

"DerbySoft is focused on anticipating market needs and empowering our clients with a competitive edge by continually innovating and providing bespoke solutions that address their unique and complex needs," said Ted Zhang, CEO and Co-Founder of DerbySoft. "Adding PKFARE into our platform aligns seamlessly with our goal of accelerating travel commerce." 

While the specifics of the transaction remain undisclosed, this venture aligns with DerbySoft's mission of simplifying the travel business. PKFARE has an extensive global footprint, with approximately 60% of its business from North America, Europe, and the Middle East, and 40% from Asia Pacific.

"This venture represents a strategic step forward in our commitment to innovation and value creation in the travel distribution space," said Jason Song, President and Founder of PKFARE. "By providing our partners with more technological innovation, better services, and ultimately increased value, this partnership will help us deepen our collaboration and offer our customers even more flexibility in the booking process."

DerbySoft and PKFARE will optimize their joint operations by sharing selected corporate functions and technology resources while upholding independent business operations. This collaboration leverages their collective technological expertise to drive innovation and enhance offerings. Customers of both companies will experience seamless service continuity, underlining their commitment to customer satisfaction and robust data security.