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News Briefs

  • 10/11/2024

    Hospitality America Strengthening its Tech Stack to Enhance Business Intelligence and Decision Making

    Hospitality America Logo

    Hospitality America is investing in its technology infrastructure aimed at revolutionizing business intelligence across its hotel portfolio. The initiative will empower leaders at both the property and corporate levels with real-time insights, actionable data, and robust forecasting capabilities to facilitate proactive and agile management. Spearheading the effort is Wes Cargen, newly appointed vice president of business intelligence and former operations manager for the third-party management company. Most recently with Actabl (ProfitSword), Cargen brings expertise in AI-powered business intelligence, labor, and operations automation to Hospitality America hotels. 

    “Leveraging an AI-enabled Microsoft tenant, our goal is to reduce workloads through automation while enhancing portfolio insights,” Campbell said. “To oversee this transformation, we brought Wes Cargen back into the fold. Wes will leverage his unique hotel technology and operations expertise to help us better understand things like loyalty program efficacy and how it relates to guest behavior patterns so we can enhance our personalization and retention strategies. He will analyze hotel and market sentiment from customer reviews and feedback and advise on how we can better monitor guest satisfaction and adjust services proactively. And he will bring predictive maintenance capabilities to Hospitality America to help us to better anticipate and resolve equipment or facility issues before they escalate into costly problems.”

    Better Agility = Better Decision Making

    Part of its business intelligence approach involves integrating all data feeds into the company’s Microsoft 365 platform, and consolidating information from various sources, such as property-management systems, revenue-management tools, customer reviews, and market reports. This comprehensive approach will allow for the seamless analysis of market intelligence data, including competitive set analysis, local demand generators, and event schedules, enabling Hospitality America to monitor market trends and swiftly identify shifts.

    “Agility in decision-making is crucial in today’s fast-paced hospitality landscape,” Cargen said. “The new dashboards and reporting tools we will be building internally will empower hotel leaders and corporate executives to drill down into data for quicker, more informed decision-making.”

    The initiative also includes an alert system for performance anomalies, enabling immediate intervention. Hospitality America will compare performance across properties to identify underperforming assets and share best practices from high-performing hotels. Compliance with brand standards and operational benchmarks will be closely monitored, while long-term forecasting based on macroeconomic indicators and travel industry trends will help align resources with demand.

    “Hospitality America is committed to supporting scenario planning for various market conditions, ensuring that our leaders are prepared for economic downturns and seasonal fluctuations,” Cargen said. “The integration of cross-departmental collaboration will facilitate the sharing of best practices and vendor recommendations.”

    “We plan to uncover patterns throughout the revenue cycle to better equip our leaders with the insights necessary to make informed, impactful tactical adjustments,” said Ben Campbell, Hospitality America CEO. “By delivering real-time key performance indicators (KPIs) to our hotel leaders, we can better understand and manage critical metrics such as labor costs, energy usage, and maintenance expenses.

    Right Man for the Job

    Cargen’s years of experience in hotel operations combined with his know-how for implementing cutting-edge BI solutions within the hospitality sector, made him the right person to introduce a more collaborative approach to BI for Hospitality America. His expertise in integrating advanced analytics and predictive modeling will enable leaders to extract actionable insights from data.

    "Business Intelligence is crucial in today's hospitality landscape as it enables data-driven decision-making, operational efficiency, and competitive advantage,” Cargen said. “By leveraging BI, we can optimize revenue management, enhance guest experiences, streamline operations, and identify new growth opportunities. In an increasingly competitive and dynamic market, BI provides the insights necessary to stay ahead and maximize profitability."

    As an implementation specialist for Actabl, Cargen was responsible for leading the implementation of ProfitSword Business Intelligence solutions, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance for hoteliers. He served as the primary point of contact for clients throughout the project lifecycle, from initial scoping to final deployment, providing training and ongoing support. He also collaborated with cross-functional teams, including development and support, to resolve issues and customize software to meet client-specific needs. While working for Hospitality America, Cargen wore many hats including that of General Manager and Operations Analyst/Internal Controls Auditor.

    "Returning to Hospitality America feels like coming full circle,” Cargen said. “This is where my career in the hospitality industry began 15 years ago, providing me with a strong foundation and invaluable experience. I've chosen to return because of the company’s stellar reputation and the exciting opportunity to lead a critical function. Hospitality America’s commitment to innovation and data-driven decision-making aligns perfectly with my expertise and vision for the future of hospitality management. Returning enables me to contribute my wealth of experience to the very company that launched my career, driving it forward in this new era of data-centric hospitality."

    Immediately, Cargen will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the company’s current BI capabilities and implement quick-win solutions to improve data accessibility and reporting. Long-term he aims to build a world-class BI ecosystem that positions Hospitality America as an industry leader in data-driven hospitality management.

    "Owners and investors should know that our enhanced BI capabilities will directly translate to improved asset performance and ROI,” he said. “By leveraging advanced analytics and predictive modeling, we'll be able to optimize pricing strategies, identify cost-saving opportunities, and make more informed investment decisions. Our commitment to data-driven management will provide owners with unprecedented visibility into their property's performance and market positioning, ultimately leading to increased profitability and asset value."

    For more information about Hospitality America and its commitment to innovative technology solutions, please visit www.hospitalityamerica.com.

  • 10/9/2024

    Industry Visionary Skip Kimpel Launches Magicgate, a Consultancy to Help Hospitality Harness the Power of XR, AI and Next-Gen Tech

    Skip Kimpel

    Hospitality industry veteran Skip Kimpel is tapping his passion for XR (extended reality), AI and next-gen tech to power up Magicgate, an exciting new consultancy laser-focused on bringing the art of the possible to restaurants, hotels and hospitality venues worldwide. 

    Focused on personalized experiences and digital transformation, Magicgate provides tailored strategies, VR training, AI-powered solutions, and XR innovations to enhance guest experiences, streamline operations, and drive growth in the rapidly evolving hospitality landscape resulting in operational efficiencies and reducing labor costs.

    According to Accenture, 83% of Gen Z expects companies to personalize experiences. They also expect seamless experiences fueled by advanced technologies like AI and ML, while younger Gen A is even more immersed in tech. “Research suggests the newest generations will grow up with the most sophisticated understanding of emerging technologies like AI, AR and VR,” said Kimpel. “It’s time for companies to embrace next-gen tech if they want to win over and stay relevant with future generations.”

    Under the Magicgate banner, Kimpel will offer guidance to help organizations navigate increasingly blurred lines between what’s real, what’s virtual, and how these multiverse worlds are becoming ever more connected. “Our approach goes beyond just adopting new tech—it’s about reshaping entire business models,” says President and CEO, Skip Kimpel. “We help companies stay ahead of digital disruption by offering tailored strategies that combine XR, AI, and more to deliver real business value.”

    Key Offerings:

    • Custom Strategy: Tailored roadmaps for XR, AI, spatial computing, metaverse and other disruptive technology integrations.
    • XR Solutions: XR strategy from immersive customer experiences to advanced training techniques.
    • VR Training & Onboarding: Reduce learning curves, ensure employees are job-ready faster. Minimize travel costs, particularly for global organizations.
    • Remote AR Support & Maintenance: Procure AR solutions to enhance real-time remote support, allowing technicians to overlay digital instructions onto physical objects in real time.
    • AI-Powered Innovation: Discovery, procurement and implementation of AI / ML tech, like predictive analytics, chatbots, and business operations including the use of advanced Computer Vision.
    • Digital Twins: Optimize facility management, enhance guest experiences, and improve sustainability by providing real-time data on operations, predictive maintenance, and personalized guest services.

    “We’ve tapped Skip’s expertise to help navigate the training processes into the VR world,” added Cam Crowder, Former Franchise Owner, Tim Hortons. “We see the potential of positive ROI - and it will be an absolute game-changer.”

    According to Zarnik and EHL Hospitality Insights, the global market for smart hotel technology alone is projected to reach $24.46 billion by 2027, driven by the adoption of AI, XR, IoT, and other innovative solutions. And according to QSR Magazine and Mordor Intel, AI is rapidly transforming the restaurant sector, with the market for AI-powered solutions expected to reach $49 billion by 2029, up from $9.68 billion in 2024.

    “There’s no doubt XR and AI will transform hospitality,” commented Michael Cohen, Managing Partner, Growth Advisors International Network (GAIN). “Skip is already a go-to source for organizations looking to navigate this world, so this represents a natural next step for him, and a big win for the industry at large.”

    “We’ve seen XR adoption start to transform industries like aerospace and healthcare” said John Cunningham, COO of the VR/AR Association. “Hospitality is the next horizon, and this consultancy - with Skip at the helm - will help accelerate the industry.”

  • 10/9/2024

    Sapia.ai Adds Tool for Interview Management in High-Volume Hiring

    AI man holding tablet

    Sapia.ai, a provider of AI-driven recruitment solutions, launches  Live Interview , a tool designed to simplify interview scheduling for hourly hiring. With a focus on ease of use, Live Interview  makes scheduling as intuitive as booking a restaurant - especially benefiting store managers overseeing hourly workers.

    Building on Sapia.ai’s Smart Interviewer  platform, which automates the screening & assessing of candidates, Live Interview™ enhances the interview process, offering more personalization, intelligence, and efficiency at a critical hiring stage. Integrated with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) like Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, and iCIMS, Live Interview  supports bulk scheduling without relying on external calendars, ensuring managers can focus on people, not logistics.

    "Our mission is to humanize hiring while driving efficiency," says Barb Hyman, CEO of Sapia.ai. "While AI simplifies screening, the human interview remains pivotal. With Live Interview™, users can add a personal touch, like sharing values or introducing themselves via video - bringing personalization to scale for high-volume hiring."

    Following the success of Talent Hub, which reduced recruiter workloads by aggregating candidate data and cutting clicks by 90%, Live Interview™ extends Sapia.ai's commitment to delivering intelligent, user-centric solutions. Leading brands such as Woolworths Group and Starbucks have already experienced the impact, reporting Net Promoter Scores (NPS) exceeding 80 for improved candidate and hiring manager experiences.

    Live Interview™ is now available via the Sapia.ai platform

  • 10/10/2024

    SevenRooms Launches Text Message Marketing to Help Restaurants Reach their Guests More Effectively

    logo, company name
    SevenRooms, the leading CRM, marketing and operations platforms for the hospitality industry, today announced the launch of its new Text Marketing solution – developed exclusively for restaurants. Built on the foundation of SevenRooms’ acquisition of AI SMS marketing platform HeyPluto, this new feature empowers restaurants to create and send one-time marketing campaigns via text message (MMS) with unlimited characters, emojis and multimedia attachments like event invites or happy hour menus. 
     
    With the U.S. SMS Marketing industry projected to reach over $12B by 2025, restaurants are uniquely positioned to tap into this growing channel and drive direct ROI. With the launch of integrated text message marketing, SevenRooms continues its commitment to industry-leading innovation, helping operators launch personalized, data-driven campaigns in minutes. Restaurants can now track reservation bookings and spend directly back to guest profiles, clearly demonstrating the ROI of every message.
     
    This new functionality helps restaurants reach guests directly on their mobile devices with timely, relevant and personalized marketing messages. For diners, text marketing provides a quick, easy channel to engage with marketing from their favorite restaurants, with more personalized messages from the restaurants they repeatedly patronize. 
     
    Applying HeyPluto's advanced capabilities and learnings, SevenRooms has tailored 15 distinct text marketing templates for the hospitality industry, empowering operators to craft more personalized and impactful messages that boost engagement, drive reservations and enhance the guest experience.
     
    “As part of our long track record of industry-leading innovation, we’re bringing Text Marketing to the hospitality industry, helping operators connect with guests directly and more personally than ever before,” said Allison Page, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer at SevenRooms. “Designed exclusively for restaurants, this easy-to-use marketing tool lets them select from restaurant-specific templates to send targeted messages to customizable, automated guest segments with a few clicks, reaching guests instantly. Plus, with point-of-sale integrations tied directly into SevenRooms’ CRM, we’re enabling operators to deliver personalized campaigns that elevate the guest experience while driving measurable ROI – an industry first.”
     
    Text marketing boasts an average open rate of 98% and generates average reservation revenue of $1.64 per text message sent on SevenRooms, nearly 14X the industry average of $0.12. Integrated directly into SevenRooms’ CRM to help operators maximize the value of every message sent, Text Marketing is already in use by leading restaurant groups including Maple & Ash and Fabio Viviani Hospitality. In six months, Fabio Viviani Hospitality drove $432,000 in revenue, generating 5,726 covers and 1,784 reservations using the solution
     
    “Text message marketing has transformed how we connect with our guests,” said Henry Kaminski, CMO at Fabio Viviani Hospitality. “The ability to reach our guests directly on their mobile phones with personalized, timely offers has significantly boosted our engagement, with nearly 1,800 reservations booked as a direct result. With open rates close to 98%, we know our messages are being seen, and the results speak for themselves – more than $440k in revenue generated in just six months. It’s not just about filling tables; it’s about creating a more connected and meaningful relationship with our guests. SevenRooms’ text marketing has allowed us to do that more effectively than ever before.” 
     
    SevenRooms' new text marketing solution empowers the hospitality industry to unlock unprecedented levels of guest engagement, driving meaningful connections and measurable results that transform the way restaurants interact with their guests. Learn more at sevenrooms.com
  • 10/9/2024

    Rubio’s Restaurant Group Partnerswith HR Services and Learning Management Solution

    Rubio's exterior with a taco in hand

    Konnect, an independent Human Resource service provider, and TREW Capital Management, owner of Rubio’s Restaurant Group, today announced a multi-year partnership to offer comprehensive HR services and a learning management platform tailored for the Rubio’s brand.

    Rubio’s, which was recently purchased by TREW Capital Management, is known for their Baja-inspired food that celebrates Mexican, coastal roots. Founded in 1983 in San Diego, Rubio’s operates 85 locations across California, Nevada and Arizona.

    “We are excited to partner with Konnect to provide industry-leading HR services and an innovative learning platform to our Rubio’s team,” said Jeff Crivello, Owner, Rubio’s Restaurant Group. “Their extensive knowledge in the restaurant industry and ‘center of excellence’ approach to HR allows us to implement an expert-level people strategy that will support business growth.”

    Konnect’s "Center of Excellence" philosophy ensures that when clients partner with Konnect they get access to industry experts in each facet of HR. Whether they need help with performance management, leadership development, DEI initiatives or HR technology implementations, the Konnect team has the expertise to deliver top-tier results in each area.

    For Rubio’s, Konnect will provide HR services designed to streamline workforce management while ensuring compliance and operational efficiency. Konnect will support Rubio’s in implementing a standardized HR infrastructure across all locations, facilitating smoother transitions in employee relations, payroll, and benefits administration. Additionally, by leveraging Konnect’s integrated learning management system, KonnectEd, Rubio’s will gain access to tailored training programs, enabling staff development and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

    “HR has the power to shape culture, build trust, and elevate the entire organization,” said Jamie Viramontes, Founder and CEO, Konnect. “We are excited to partner with Rubio’s Restaurant Group to bring ‘best in class’ HR services that will help fuel this new chapter for Rubio’s.”

    For more information about Konnect’s custom HR service packages, visit www.hrkonnect.com.

     

  • 10/8/2024

    Square Launches Orders Platform

    square logo teaser

    In the third quarter of 2024, Square completed a significant infrastructure shift, creating a best-in-class commerce platform with leading payments and ordering capabilities for sellers. The new platform fundamentally changes how the company builds products and will provide expanded commerce capabilities like Pre-Auth and Bar Tabs to sellers of all sizes across verticals in the U.S.

    Square’s new order-based infrastructure is designed to help sellers grow their business by enabling them to complete a sale anywhere and anyhow, which allows them to run an efficient operation that delights customers and gives sellers time back.

    “We are thrilled that sellers in the U.S. are now on the new Orders Platform, which is currently in general availability. This is a key unlock for innovation and we expect this will accelerate product velocity going forward,” said Saumil Mehta, Head of Product for Square. “With the Orders platform, Square will be able to provide more checkout flexibility to sellers - whether their customers are seeking to order ahead, open a bar tab or set up a subscription, sellers using Square will be able to offer more options to capture sales across their businesses.”

    To learn more about Square’s latest offerings, visit www.squareup.com.

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