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On the roads again: Transit after COVID-19

Jeremy Zuker Transportation Technology & Automotive

During the pandemic, many workplaces have switched to telecommuting, schools tried online learning, and theaters, parks, and beaches stood empty while restaurants had to survive on takeout-only transactions. Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) dropped by 16.3% nationwide in July 2020. Now, with vaccination rates growing, entire states have begun lifting emergency measures. As social distancing and mask mandates become a thing of the past, a whole world of cooped-up people will burst back out onto the streets. However, various factors will influence just how transit looks in the post-coronavirus world.

Will the lodging industry’s supply growth outpace demand?

Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

The COVID-19 vaccination rate is climbing steadily in the U.S. At its current rate, three in four people, or 75% of eligible residents, will be vaccinated by June. Businesses are reopening. The U.S. economy is now operating at 88% of its pre-pandemic level, with hope for continuous improvement. According to STR, a world-leading provider for data benchmarking, analytics, and marketplace insights for hotels, the U.S. lodging industry reported the highest demand and occupancy levels since the pandemic began for the week ending April 10. Furthermore, the U.S. opened 220 properties, or 26,057 rooms, in the first quarter of 2021.

Infographic: The future of nursing homes

Brian Wallace Healthcare Administration

Ever since the pandemic began impacting the United States directly, countless news articles have featured an industry that isn’t usually in the spotlight — nursing homes. Our seniors are an aging population that is among the most susceptible to the impact of the pandemic and must be cared for properly. That said, many seniors have been lonely as they have been physically away from their loved ones. We’re at a critical juncture as the future of nursing homes is now before us. In what ways can nursing homes be set up for success?

10 ways to vacation lavishly during the pandemic

Jordan Brown Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

As the world slowly starts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, travelers are beginnings to set their eyes on luxury travel in 2021. After all, so many of us are overdue for lavish experiences and some much-deserved relaxation. While luxury travel during the pandemic is possible, it is important to remember to follow CDC guidelines to ensure your health and safety. Experts continue to recommend social distancing, wearing masks, taking viral tests before and after traveling, and following local guidelines. In our guide below, we have listed the top 10 travel tips during COVID to ensure you have the safe and lavish vacation you have been dreaming of.

Nicknames: Every state has one (or more)

Dave G. Houser Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

Nearly everyone knows that the United States has 50 named states. What isn’t so well-known is that each of those states has a nickname — or maybe more than one. And it’s not just because they needed a clever or unique slogan for their license plates. It’s because each state has its own history and backstory that it’s proud to share. Some nicknames come from the pages of history while others come from indigenous animals and what grows there. A few nicknames identify a prominent natural feature, and others simply want to entice you to visit. To non-residents, a state’s nickname might seem strange or mysterious — or not at all what you think it means. Let’s look at some examples.

Audio marketing: From radio to Clubhouse

Kristen Klepac Marketing

Audio has substantially evolved since its early analog radio days, and today, it is an incredibly effective way to emotionally resonate with audiences and leave a lasting impression. In the past decade alone, there has been a continual upward climb of audio markets. As consumers look for ways to multitask or consume content on the go, podcasts, audiobooks, and streaming services are becoming more popular. As businesses learn about the power of audio, incorporating it into their marketing strategies will give voice to their brands and help them connect to customers through authentic conversations.

Outdoor learning improves engagement and mental health

Sheilamary Koch Education

Under tall mango trees between a dry riverbed and two large warehouses, kids ranging between three and 12 years old gather midday for story time. They sit on stumps spaced in a circle. A few interact with some ants and each other. After they introduce themselves in big outdoor voices, Nicole Majewski reads a story interjecting commentary and inviting response as she goes along. Since the beginning of the school year, Majewski, education director at EntreAmigos, a nonprofit in San Pancho, Nayarit, Mexico, and other educators have been bringing activities like watercolor painting, mud play and treasure hunts to kids outdoors.

A look at how the restaurant business has shifted during the pandemic

Bambi Majumdar Food & Beverage

It has been a whole year of pandemic craziness, bringing a wave of deaths, health issues, and unprecedented economic loss. While most industries suffered heavily, restaurants perhaps got the very worst of it. One major area of revenue for restaurants came from office workers during lunch or happy hours. Restaurants that cater to the office crowd have gone through a harrowing year. With many of their clienteles working from home for the past year, a significant portion of their business vanished into thin air. As fewer people go to a physical workplace now and in the future, some will have to rethink their entire business strategy.

Infographic: Changing nursing homes from the inside out

Brian Wallace Medical & Allied Healthcare

After the world as we knew it shut down thanks to the pandemic, the nursing home industry was in the spotlight — and not in a good way. Nowadays, it is great to see that our elders, a vulnerable citizen population, are getting vaccinated quickly. As COVID outbreaks are now being better contained in such facilities, many will look to live in nursing homes. People making such a life adjustment will want the comforts of home. Nursing homes will likely do a good deal more when upgrading their physical appearance.

Infographic: The rise of Bitcoin

Bruce L. Gordon Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Ah, Bitcoin. Whether you are a believer or not, there is no doubt that it has been on the rise lately. The question to many is — why? Bitcoin first came on the scene in 2009 — right at the fall of the housing market crisis. While there were then some ups and downs, Bitcoin didn’t hit the stratosphere until 2017, when it jumped from $1,000 to over $19,000. The year 2018 brought on a big crash, especially with a number of fraudulent ICOs (initial coin offerings). All that said, Bitcoin is back. Every day it seems it’s hitting new records — even briefly crossing the $60,000 line.

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