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Machines serving people: A new reality or a futuristic concept?

Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

Last week, Starwood's Aloft Hotel in Cupertino, California, added a new member to the service team called A.L.O. (pronounced as "el-oh"). A.L.O., however, is not a traditional employee. It only takes electricity as salary and tweets as tips, and it will work as a "Botlr" (robotic butler) for the hotel.

The trade show manager’s deadline tracker

Karin Roberts Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

Deadlines that are weeks or months away are the hardest to manage. How can you organize a large amount of work across such a span of time to ensure the project is done on time? These tips associated with your trade show booth that will help you stay on track with your deadlines.

Keeping up with the elders: Senior living offers choice, convenience

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

For some time now, senior living has been migrating from a healthcare model to a hospitality model. While availability and quality-of-care services still rank high on the list of priorities for residents and their loved ones, today's healthier, more active seniors want a living environment that is less institutional and more conducive to socializing and keeping fit.

Global unrest affecting US travel

Bambi Majumdar Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

The 2014 Portrait of American Travelers, the annual survey released by MMGY Global, shows the emerging preferences, travel habits and goals of Americans every year. But in the face of current global events, such as the violence in Israel and Ukraine, how likely are we to get these desired travel points really fulfilled?

Shark Week reality check: The truth about beach safety

Ryan Clark Waste Management & Environmental

Once a year, the Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" takes over the cultural consciousness, and we're all reacquainted with our old toothy friends from the deep. Recently, however, there have been some objections bubbling underneath the surface from scientists and actual shark experts who don't appreciate the sensationalized and sometimes all-out fictionalized depictions of sharks and their threat to humans.

Do’s and don’ts for hotel site inspections

Anne Rose Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

Personal hotel site inspections are quite valuable in learning about a hotel's attributes and limitations and what kinds of clients would fit perfectly in those properties. Over the years I've performed hotel site inspections as part of a formal FAM group and also independently.

Impeccable service can only be delivered by well-trained, friendly staff

Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

Last week, I stayed at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina for the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education Conference. The recreational facilities in the property were nice, and the room I stayed in had a gorgeous marina view. However, this hotel still left me with a negative impression after I checked out: This was a "cheap" Sheraton.

Make a list — and check it more than twice

Robert C. Harris Association Management

Checklists detail the best ways to accomplish projects. Airline pilots rely on them from preflight to landing the plane. Health care professionals use them to make certain they consider every option, especially in life-saving situations. Where one omission can cause disaster, a listing of tasks, steps, best practices and protocols is essential.

Airports consider switch to a privatized TSA

Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & Automotive

Transportation Security Administration agents are usually one of the first faces people see at most U.S. airports. Since 9/11, TSA agents have been a source of controversy after gaping holes were found in airport security. However, a little-known fact is that airports could apply to opt out of using Transport Security Act agents and appoint private contractors instead.

Does technology bring down our dining experience?

Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

I was taking my friends out to one of my favorite Cantonese restaurants for dim sum the other day. I felt a little embarrassed, however, when I pointed the location to my friends on Google Map, because the restaurant only had a 3.0 rating on a 5-point scale on Google.

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