-
Better days ahead for remodelers
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsThe homebound nature of American life since March has produced a boom in the home improvement industry, especially in product sales. For remodelers and designers, however, it has been a mixed blessing. While demand for professional services has rebounded in recent months from the historic lows in early spring, it has been dampened by the large number of homeowners choosing to undertake home improvement projects themselves. That trend is expected to change in the months ahead as homeowners shift their attention from smaller, simpler repairs to more substantial renovations requiring more expertise.
-
A record hunting season could be on the horizon in Texas, other states
John McAdams Recreation & Leisure2020 has been an extremely unique year in many respects. Among the other significant occurrences that we’ve seen in this year, it’s quite possible that the state of Texas may set a hunter participation record as well. We’ll have to wait a few months to see exactly how things shake out, but data gathered so far this year indicates that 2020 has already seen a massive jump in hunter participation. For one thing, many states have reported gigantic increases in hunting license sales this spring for turkey season. Other states saw record numbers of applicants entering the lottery for drawn hunts and had leftover hunting licenses and tags snapped up in record time.
-
Event trends designed to keep guests safe during the COVID-19 pandemic
Jonathan Morse Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementDue to the COVID-19 pandemic, people are now thinking of health and safety more seriously, especially when it comes to public places with large crowds — including events. In order to keep guests safe and aid in the prevention of spreading illness or disease, there are certain new measures event coordinators must take. Let’s take a look at some creative event trends designed to keep guests safe when they return to events post-lockdown.
-
A ‘satisfaction guaranteed’ promise holds you hostage to another’s…
Anne Rose Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWe recently discussed the real hazards of stamping "lifetime warranty" on your products. A close corollary to that is promising "satisfaction guaranteed" on your professional services. You might make that offer because you are proud of the quality of your services — so confident that your work will be above reproach that you are implicitly claiming that you’ll redo the work or refund to make the customer happy. Think about that outrageous promise. How can you possibly guarantee another’s happiness? Why hold yourself hostage to that?
-
How COVID-19 has affected world airport rankings
Matt Falcus Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementA new report has shed light on the effect COVID-19 has had on the world’s busiest airports, outlining the drop in passenger figures handled so far in 2020. It also sheds light on the enormous job airports have on their hands in rebuilding their former stature, and how we may see a permanent shift in global airport rankings. The World Airport Traffic Report by Airports Council International (ACI) lists the top 10 busiest airports in the world in 2019. To highlight the changes being experienced this year, its summary also lists the percentage difference in passenger numbers seen in the first half of 2020.
-
The ultimate WFH guide: Everything you need to create the perfect home…
Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWorking from home is the new normal for millions of Americans. In the past, you may have occasionally worked from home — which typically involved balancing a laptop on your knee or creating some space on your kitchen countertop. But now that you’re working from home on a regular basis, neither is a viable option. However, creating an effective (and comfortable) work-from-home office space includes various components. We rounded up a variety of interior designers, organizers and other experts, along with some of the coolest WFH items, to create the ultimate home office guide.
-
Top 10 American ghost towns
Dave G. Houser Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementAbandoned towns — or ghost towns as they’re most often called — are not as rare as you might think. According to GPS fleet management company Geotab, which has extensively plotted ghost towns in the U.S., there are more than 3,800 of them scattered across the country. A few ghost towns have survived the elements, looters and vandals to experience boom times once again as popular tourist attractions. So, for those seeking a glimpse of what life was like during the gold rush days, here’s our list of the top 10 American ghost towns.
-
Gallup poll: Farming, agriculture receive highest marks from consumers…
Scott E. Rupp Food & BeveragePoliticians, media professionals and lawyers could learn a thing or two about brand management from their counterparts in the farming and agricultural industries. It turns out Americans have the most favorable view of the profession, a recent Gallup poll shows. It's the first time those working the fields and farms have received such high marks in more than two decades of Gallup conducting a poll that registers Americans’ views of various business and industry sectors.
-
Confinement is changing our attitudes toward our homes
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesFamiliarity has not bred contempt for our living spaces, but it has set us thinking about what kind of homes we want now that we are spending more time in them. Recent surveys of consumers and home professionals show that after months of confinement homeowners have redesign on their mind. In part, they are motivated by the changes in home life resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. The trend toward greater concern for wellness and more contact with nature has increased as well.
-
The pandemic has taught us that school facilities need attention
Brian Stack EducationThe pandemic continues to expose weaknesses in various parts of our educational system. This fall, one of the most debated was one that is often forgotten: The state of our 100,000 elementary and secondary public school facilities. America seems to have a love-hate relationship with its school facilities. They are costly to replace, yet when they are in disrepair, they can be expensive to maintain. For many communities, however, they are some of the most heavily used community resources.
All Facilities & Grounds Articles