Women in restaurants, hospitality and technology are joining together to create a professional women's organization aimed at mentorship, support, and empowerment. Women of Restaurants, Technology and Hospitality (WORTH) launched March 7, 2023, at the Multi-Unit Restaurant Technology Conference (MURTEC).

Founded by Brittany Amerson (Farmers Restaurant Group), Cristal Ghitman (SynergySuite), Deena McKinley (Papa Gino’s), Kim DeCarolis (Fat Brands), Lauren Selman (IFBTA), Suzanne Stopp (IPConfigure), and Tammy K Billings (Aben), WORTH aims to provide a safe space for women to ask questions, share and gain insight into personal and professional challenges in these industries.

"We recognized the conversations we often have between women about our experiences in this industry should have a larger platform, to leverage our commonalities and provide representation, visibility and safety for both industry veterans and women just entering hospitality," said Ghitman, WORTH cofounder and Director of Strategic Partnerships at SynergySuite. "WORTH is a decentralized group that aims to connect and support women in all areas, from mentorship to advocacy to friendship."

WORTH has launched an online community through LinkedIn and plans to organize meetups, webinars, conference events, and other opportunities for engagement soon. To get involved in WORTH, please contact the group through their LinkedIn page.

Think Simplicity, a cloud communication technology provider of all-inclusive voice and chat solutions for the hospitality industry, announced today a program designed to help both hoteliers that are switching from analog wiring to ethernet cable or new build hotels. The plan provides no-cost phone system equipment for “Pure IP” hoteliers that meet certain conditions.

The bulk of existing hotels today have analog wiring throughout the building and therefore use analog telephones in guest rooms. These legacy systems are dependent on old copper wiring, but many will be tasked with replacing this wiring with ethernet cabling in the near future.

New build hotels that are running ethernet cabling to guest rooms for telephone connections and utilizing IP telephones in those rooms will need a reliable vendor to take advantage of today’s cloud communication innovations. Regardless of the scenario, beginning April 1, 2023, hotels with a Pure IP setup can take advantage of Think Simplicity’s No Cost Phone System, for a limited time. 

Joseph De Ciantis, co-founder of Think Simplicity, said: “As the sunsetting of traditional copper-based landlines begins to impact older properties there will be a larger need to migrate to a digital system. Our goal is to help older hotels that are updating their wiring to IP/Ethernet or newer hotels that have a pure IP setup make the transition to cloud communications systems quickly, easily, and affordably.”

This offer is based on certain configurations and specific conditions must be met. Phones and onsite installation are not included.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, a hotel franchisor with approximately 9,100 hotels spanning more than 95 countries, announced a new agreement with Groups360 to bring instant online multi-room bookings to Wyndham hotels in 2023.

Powered by GroupSync™, a direct booking solution, Wyndham hotels will have the opportunity to seamlessly integrate the platform with their hotel reservation systems, providing travel planners—from groups and events to those managing infrastructure, logistics and corporate accounts—the ability to view best available rates and availability as well instantly book rooms online.

"Over the last three years, Wyndham has invested over $100 million in major technology initiatives, giving our franchisees access to best-in-class offerings that unlock new efficiencies while helping to grow their bottom line," said Lisa Checchio, chief marketing officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. "Bringing franchisees access to GroupSync is just the latest example and one we believe offers incredible opportunity for franchisees, particularly those in the economy segment, where such technology is an industry first."

Hotel companies that publish live inventory and rates within the GroupSync Marketplace save travel planners valuable time by allowing them to search, shop and book blocks of rooms. Whether it's short one-to-two-night group events like youth sports, weddings and family reunions or multi-week infrastructure or logistics project like commercial construction, bridge repair or highway expansion, GroupSync empowers planners to quickly and easily book their preferred hotel instantly online or through a Smart RFP.

"Wyndham is a major player in the hospitality industry with offerings that span every segment of the industry," said Tim Flors, chief customer officer, Groups360. "Travel planners increasingly expect their hotel purchase experience to be seamless, instantaneous, and online. Wyndham's deployment on GroupSync Marketplace does just that, all while saving hotels time and helping them better serve their guests."

Planners can already book guest rooms and meeting spaces using Wyndham's global properties via GroupSync's Smart RFP and group guest rooms are expected to start being available in GroupSync for instant, online booking later this year. All are a part of Wyndham's innovative Wyndham Business program, which through a suite of tools and resources, aims to simplify business travel bookings. To learn more about Groups360 and GroupSync Marketplace, visit www.groups360.com. To learn more about Wyndham Business, visit www.wyndhambusiness.com.

Curator Hotel & Resort Collection (“Curator”) is announcing its naming of ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions as a preferred provider to supply its member hotels with RFID door locks and access solutions. This new alliance will ensure that member hotels have access to the most innovative security solutions at favorable industry pricing.

“Across the industry, we are still seeing many supply issues that make it difficult to track the delivery of products and the installation process can be inefficient and frustrating,” said Austin Segal, Vice President of Curator Hotel & Resort Collection. “Through our agreement with ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, we are able to ensure a smooth and efficient solution for our members—allowing them to track their security and door lock systems, take advantage of reduced costs for hardware and services, in addition to receiving these in a timely manner. This strategic relationship is key in guaranteeing that when guests visit a Curator property, they’ll enjoy a safe stay thanks to a convenient, user-friendly, and innovative technology.”

With this new association with ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, Curator members will also have access to an industry-leading support model to help keep projects delivered on time and on budget.

“This collaboration is a direct reflection of the hard work and high standards put forth by both companies,” said Michael Beery, Regional Sales Manager at ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions. “Curator seeks out only the latest in security technology for its hotel members, which we have been honored to provide through our advanced solutions such as VingCard door locks and Mobile Access. As Curator's trusted security solutions provider, we look forward to further strengthening our relationships with each of their property stakeholders by ensuring that they have the advanced tools needed to deliver a guest stay experience that always exceeds expectations.”

 eviivo, a hospitality software company known for its property management system, eviivo Suite, and mobile app, eviivo Mobile, announces the launch of eviivo Collective to recognize unique, notable and luxury independent properties worldwide. As part of eviivo’s 10-year anniversary milestone of eviivo Suite, the original ‘all-in-one’ cloud booking system, eviivo Collective is designed to celebrate, support and raise awareness for independently owned properties, as well as boutique hoteliers, hosts and owners who work in the independent accommodation sector. 

“For over a decade, our mission has always focused on prioritizing and supporting the hardworking hoteliers, hosts and owners of independent properties, and today, we’re incredibly proud to launch eviivo Collective, one of the most groundbreaking programs in our company’s history,” says eviivo CEO Michele Fitzpatrick. “Our vision with eviivo Collective is to shine light on our incredible properties — many that speak for themselves as award winners or deemed the best in their region — and to go above and beyond with our commitment to the independent accommodation sector. Most importantly, we consider all our properties part of the eviivo family, so we’re thrilled to give them recognition they deserve in such a competitive landscape.”

This is the first time in history a travel tech company has launched a program designed to promote and advocate the independent accommodation sector, working with its partners — such as online travel agencies (OTAs) and other hospitality brands — to showcase its over 20,000 independently owned properties, many that are considered among the best in the world.

“Eviivo is more than just the best software,” says eviivo CEO Eric White. “We’ve truly championed the independent accommodation sector from day one, whether through our Stay For Heroes initiative to establish free rooms for frontline workers during Covid-19 or our renowned eviivo Awards. With eviivo Collective, like-minded, independent property owners can feel proud as part of a community and be recognized for their commitment to the industry — and their resilience, especially after three challenging years of the pandemic. We’re stronger together, and eviivo Collective offers a sense of belonging and empowerment.”  

From historic Airbnbs designed by famous architects in the US to The New York Times-recognized castles in Scotland to award-winning destination resorts in France, eviivo properties have more leverage to capture repeat business, ensure quality and trust and add value for their customers with eviivo Collective. This is the world’s first software vendor designed to advocate distinctive properties across all segments: a luxury vacation rental or an urban Airbnb can be part of the same collection as an award-winning boutique hotel.

To celebrate eviivo Suite’s 10-year anniversary, the company is taking its commitment to the independent accommodation sector further by officially registering a global "Independent Accommodations Day.” First launched in 2018, Independent Accommodations Day was part of eviivo’s renowned “International Week of the Host,” where properties ran flash sales and celebrated through promotions and social media . IWOTH also included eviivo Awards — dubbed “the Oscars of independent accommodations” by Daily Mail — which honored the best in the industry.

Independent Accommodations Day, a day of recognition, occurs globally and annually every March 24 — a day everyone is invited to participate and recognize independently-owned properties and their workforce worldwide. #HappyIADay

“With eviivo Collective, we’re extending considerable support beyond customer service to our property owners, hosts and hoteliers as they continue to rise above from the impact of the pandemic,” says Melanie Wexler, Head of Global Services. “All of our property owners have an incredible story to tell, and we offer them a well-deserved platform.”

Zipline unveiled its new platform that provides autonomous delivery directly to homes in cities and suburbs. The company’s next generation home delivery platform is practically silent, and is expected to deliver up to 7 times as fast as traditional automobile delivery, completing 10-mile deliveries in about 10 minutes.

Zipline has spent the last several years building and fine tuning its next generation technology, Platform 2 (P2), to provide an optimal customer experience at scale. Zipline’s drones, or Zips, fly more than 300 feet above the ground. When the Zip arrives at its destination, it hovers safely and quietly at that altitude, while its fully autonomous delivery droid maneuvers down a tether, steers to the correct location, and gently drops off its package to areas as small as a patio table or the front steps of a home. This is all made possible through major innovations in aircraft and propeller design.

Several businesses across the healthcare and restaurant sectors have already signed on to use Zipline’s new home delivery service. Sweetgreen is partnering with Zipline to further its mission of connecting people to real food in the U.S., while moving a step closer to its pledge to be carbon-neutral by 2027. By ordering through Zipline's marketplace, Sweetgreen customers can get their orders using 97% less energy than traditional automotive methods.

“The future of delivery is faster, more sustainable and creates broader access, all of which provides improved value for our customers,” said Jonathan Neman, Co-Founder and CEO of Sweetgreen. “We couldn’t be more excited to work with Zipline to complement our delivery strategy. Zipline’s sustainable technology and ability to reach customers quickly, with a great delivery experience, will help us give our customers what they want, when they want it.”

Michigan Medicine will use Zipline’s new service to more than double the number of prescriptions it fills each year through its in-house pharmacy. Intermountain Health will use it to deliver prescriptions to patients’ homes in the Salt Lake City metro area. MultiCare Health System plans to use the new platform to expedite diagnostics and deliver prescriptions and medical devices.

Zipline’s end-to-end solution seamlessly integrates with a business’s current operations. That includes its dual-use docking and charging hardware, software that easily works with third-party inventory management and ordering systems, and mobile app.