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A seller’s market with few sellers

Michael J. Berens Construction & Building Materials

Historically, the second quarter is one of the busiest times of the year for home sales. Currently, however, high demand and prices have created a seller’s market, but few sellers. That has been a boon for builders, but it also means many would-be buyers are shut out of the market at present. Construction of new homes (in units) rose 5 percent in May, compared to April, the industry’s biggest increase since January, and is up more than 20 percent for the year.

4 themes from HITEC Houston 2018

Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

Were you in Houston last week for HITEC 2018? The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference (HITEC) is hosted and organized by the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), and has become the world’s largest hospitality technology event. I spent a day walking through the exposition, where I experienced the latest tech products available in the hospitality industry. Through my observations, I was able to identify four themes from this year’s trade show.

Shelter or asset class? The financialization of housing

Lucy Wallwork Construction & Building Materials

Several years ago, a picture was taken at night of the One Hyde Park development in London. The building is home to some of the world’s most expensive real estate, reaping in up to $180 million for a single apartment. In the photo, there was not a single light on in the gleaming tower. Because no one lives there. As real estate prices continue to steadily rise, seemingly endlessly, we have seen the concept of a "home" become divorced from its original purpose as shelter, and becoming instead a financial asset class in built form.

Combating waste in the hospitality industry

Bambi Majumdar Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

Popular Southeast Asia destinations like Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines are beginning to close off areas due to overcrowding, unplanned development and pollution. These are countries where tourism forms a significant stream of revenue. They are risking business to save the environment, and other countries should follow suit. One of the most important steps taken in this regard is combating the use of plastic waste.

What is lighting-as-a-service, and why does it matter?

Scott E. Rupp Facilities & Grounds

Lighting-as-a-service (LaaS) is a service delivery model that allows lighting services to be charged on a subscription basis rather than via a one-time payment or the traditional manner of a facility or organization manually keeping up with equipment and paying the monthly bill. The business model has become more common in commercial installations of LED lights, with the primary aim of reducing installation costs.

Negotiating commercial leases: Buying a business?

Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield Retail

For many commercial tenants, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized salespeople. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate. Whether you are leasing a new location for the first time or negotiating a lease renewal for your business, here are two money-saving tips.

How food choices impact the environment

Bambi Majumdar Food & Beverage

There is a growing, worldwide consensus focused on reducing the use of nonrecyclable materials for environmental purposes. A new study conducted by a Swiss research institute and Oxford University says that our food choices can help, too. The researchers calculated the impacts of foods around the globe, and studied the food production chain from the farm to the fork. This extensive study found that switching to a plant-based diet will not only have positive health impacts, but could have a significant impact on the climate as well.

Creating noise oases in open-plan workspaces

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Sound masking systems, sound-absorbing ceiling tiles and panels, and enclosed pods are just some of the ways designers have attempted to combat the high levels of noise that plague open-plan workspaces. For their part, employees have resorted to wearing headphones or using white noise machines to block out unwanted ambient sound. None of these strategies has proven to be wholly effective. New technologies, however, may offer a more satisfactory solution.

More big brands join the war on plastic

Scott E. Rupp Waste Management & Environmental

The effort against single-use plastic straws has officially become more than a skirmish and is now an all-out war, as several more major brands have decided to do away with them in their businesses. SeaWorld Entertainment, in an effort to protect the environment, has removed all single-use straws and plastic bags from the company’s 12 theme parks. The Orlando-based company made the announcement June 8. SeaWorld, while leading in this effort, is not alone.

A long road ahead for Heathrow expansion, despite optimism

Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & Automotive

If anyone needed convincing on just how full London Heathrow airport is, the month of May saw a staggering 6.7 million travelers pass through, thanks mostly to a royal wedding and the start of the summer tourist season. So, when the U.K. government gave almost unanimous support for expansion on June 5, most of those who have to use the airport gave a sigh of relief. Yet, this 20-years-in-the-making saga has only taken a small step forward, and more agonizing hurdles could still blight the airport’s bid to expand and keep pace with its rivals in continental Europe.

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