Turn old buildings into smart ones

Old buildings are some of the biggest and most inefficient users of energy. They come with legacy infrastructure, equipment and systems that are usually added over time. Often this means everything functions in a silo, and any data generated is a mixture of structured and unstructured. The need for better energy efficiency, lower operating costs and greater responsiveness to building conditions and tenant activities only increases. This means it’s a matter of when, not if, your customers’ buildings will need to incorporate smart technology to modernize their legacy buildings.

Challenge

Infrastructure costs for large installs can be prohibitive depending on the technology required, particularly if it means adding hundreds of sensors or devices to a network.

Solution

Our IoT solutions offer a cost-effective and fast-implementation method for smart building projects. By monitoring elements such as occupancy and air quality, they provide valuable usage and environmental data for hospital staff and users alike. Energy usage data can also allow managers to adapt their sustainability agenda and meet associated targets.

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Hospitality Deals Launches, Invites Vendors and Buyers to Join as Preferred Partners

The only true marketplace for hospitality industry offers opportunity to sell goods on common website

FARGO, N.D. – November 10, 2022 – Hospitality Deals is thrilled to announce its launch and is inviting companies to become certified hospitality vendors. Hospitality Deals has already been recognized as a top hospitality resource in the industry with the best deals from vendor partners.

In order to become a vendor, companies can register to have a common storefront to sell their goods. With access to more than 40,000 hoteliers, there will be a dedicated, personal administrator area and the opportunity for companies to increase profit share by using the Hospitality Deals website.

As a special offer, vendors will receive specialized brand labels for products to highlight qualified vendor status. Customers can put frequently used items on auto ship to save up to 5% and vendors can earn more money.

Hospitality Deals was formed as the premier source for the hospitality industry and is known in the industry as the best central hospitality company that sells merchandise directly to hotels, motels, Airbnb’s, gyms, spas, bed and breakfasts, country clubs and resorts, government, military, universities, churches, camps, vacation rentals, hospitals, rehab centers, and senior living centers.

Some of the most requested hospitality supplies and goods include bath, bedding, cleaning, technology, maintenance, housekeeping, restaurant, furniture, office, lobby, signage and services.

For instance, regular customers request popular items on the website. This can range from several sizes of hotel safes to fit all types of closets or wardrobes. There are top-of-the-line room Wi-Fi routers, security cameras, speakers and complete housekeeping carts with all necessary compartments for soaps and shampoos, towels and cleaning supplies. Restaurant supplies range from glasses, mugs and cutlery to chef aprons and other items.

“We pride ourselves on bringing vendors and buyers great value,” said the spokesperson for Hospitality Deals. “We are known as the ‘Amazon for hospitality’ and make it so easy for your customers to order from you on the common, central website. Ordering is easy. Creating a storefront and getting franchise approval is easy. For a limited time, there is neither an entry fee nor a monthly fee. Our success is measured by your success.”

Hotel Owners are able to sell used items that are in high demand like FF&E and Ptacs, with fast shipment fulfillment. Vendors will earn more money when customers subscribe for recurring orders. Hospitality Deals offers featured products in its quarterly catalog.

For more information and to sign up to be a vendor, visit hospitalitydeals.com.

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COVID-19 Changed the Hospitality Industry for the Long Term

By Francine L. Shaw  

The hospitality industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. CRBE predicts that 2020 will be the worst year on record for hotel occupancy, due to stay-at-home orders, travel restrictions, quarantines, and consumers’ ongoing fear of contracting the highly contagious virus. To put it into perspective, Tourism Economics stated that COVID-19’s impact on the travel industry has been nine times worse than post-9/11.  

This global health pandemic has been scary, overwhelming, disruptive and financially devastating for many. But the hospitality industry is resilient and adaptable. Now, seven-plus months into the crisis, basic COVID-19 protocols—washing hands, frequent disinfecting, practicing social distancing, and wearing face masks—have become standard operating procedures. These changes will be long-term.

In addition to basic protocols, implement the following in your hotel to manage safety, mitigate risks, and reassure guests:

• Demonstrate your commitment to safety. Many consumers remain wary about traveling and dining out due to COVID-19 concerns. Demonstrate—through words and actions—that your establishment is safe. Guests should see your employees following proper protocols: cleaning regularly, social distancing, wearing PPE, etc. Communicate regularly—through social media, signage and in-person conversations—that you’re taking every safety precaution.
• Utilize digital tools. Track inspections, self-audits and other safety and quality measures using digital tools for a holistic view across your business—whether you have one hotel or a chain. Tech tools can provide instant, accurate data about safety and quality initiatives, allowing you to easily identify (and fix) problems before they become liabilities. Use digital tools instead of manual systems, as there are major downsides to paper records or spreadsheets; they don’t provide the same broad views, are less accurate and make it difficult (or impossible) to access and analyze information across the enterprise and drilled down by location.
• Prioritize training. Ongoing safety training should be a top priority. Educate employees about COVID-19 protocols and other safety processes. Make safety rules non-negotiable. Take immediate corrective actions if/when employees aren’t following protocols. Provide reminders via onsite signage, e-mail, messages on employees’ smartphones, pre-shift meetings and “refresher” training sessions.
• Emphasize cleanliness. Clean your entire facility often, concentrating on high-touch areas, including elevator buttons, doorknobs, restrooms, etc.  Clean and disinfect items—such as pens—after each guest has used them. Provide disinfecting spray in your fitness center so guests can wipe down equipment before and after use. 
• Clear the air. Change filters frequently in HVAC units and ensure the systems are properly maintained. Open doors and windows to increase airflow whenever and wherever possible. Arrange equipment (and furniture) so it is not blocking any airflow. Keep vents clean. Dirty vents are not just unsightly, but bacteria can easily accumulate in those dust bunnies.
• Develop safer ways to serve food. Avoid displaying shared bowls of fruit in your lobby, nuts at the bar or snacks in other areas of your hotel. Don’t offer self-serve coffee where multiple people touch (and potentially contaminate) the coffee pot’s handle. Eliminate buffets at corporate events and social events, including weddings (serve pre-plated, individual meals instead).
• Revisit your crisis plan. Update your crisis plan to identify the crisis team (person in charge, spokesperson, legal representative, etc.) and emergency personnel (e.g., police, fire, ambulance, local health department, etc.) with all contact information compiled. Include how you’d handle a COVID-19 case (or cases) at your hotel (e.g., close temporarily, conduct a deep clean of the facility, test all employees, etc.) While the specific messaging will depend on the incident, most of your plan can (and should) be created in advance of a crisis.

Now, more than seven months into the pandemic, it’s clear that COVID-19 is more than just a short-term inconvenience; it’s a long-term problem. During this frustrating, disruptive time, focus on what you can control. Prioritize safety and follow proper protocols to mitigate risks. Take actionable steps to help protect your employees, guests and business.

Francine L. Shaw is president Savvy Food Safety, Inc., and provides world-class brands with food safety education, COVID-19 response plans, collaboration on the creation of digital food safety and COVID-19 digital platforms, crisis management, consulting, HACCP writing and implementation, curriculum development, public speaking engagements and more.

This is a contributed piece to Hotel Business, authored by an industry professional. The thoughts expressed are the perspective of the bylined individual.