As we approach the midpoint of 2017, itÕs time to pause for a minute and take a look back at the events that have rocked the hospitality industry over the past 12 months. From the acquisitions we all saw coming to the partnerships we never expected, thereÕs been a lot to keep up with. Take a look through our calendar and see if thereÕs anything you missedÉ

Creating a great commentary for your owners and corporate is a monthly mainstay in almost every hotel. It can also be a large dose of drudgery. This article is about how you can create an effective system in your hotel to generate a strong and meaningful commentary based on information from all areas of your business.

Millennials are a widely overlooked audience for hotels, whether itÕs because there is a general perception that they are entitled and hard-to-please, or because they are assumed to have no money to spend on traveling but ignoring Millennials is a huge mistake for hoteliersÕ bottom lines.

Marketing to your guests isnÕt just about winning them over at planning and at booking. ThereÕs actually seven steps to the customer journey, and technology can help you optimize your marketing, every step of the way. When marketing your hotel to your guests, itÕs tempting to think there are only two phases of the guest journey that matter: planning and booking. As a result, many hotels optimize their technology for just these two stages.

Social media is affordable, easy-to-use once youÕre familiar with the ins and outs of each channel, can be accessed 24/7 and delivers messages to potential customers globally, in real-time. It is changing the way consumers search for and book trips, making it an operational imperative for B2C companies to have a presence on the top B2C-focused social media sites.

TodayÕs rapidly-evolving technology and hyper-connected society have revolutionized the tourism industry. The ever-increasing use of smartphones to book travel can represent a blessing or a curse for hoteliers, depending on how they choose to tap into the tech-driven transformation of the industry.

If we are what we eat, then for world-renowned chef, entrepreneur and author, Alain Ducasse, the very definition of what we are starts with respect. Ducasse spoke recently to students at Ecole h™teliere de Lausanne about his new book ÔManger Est un Acte CitoyenÕ, along with his co-author, Christian Regouby, DŽlŽguŽ GŽnŽralÊof the Collge Culinaire de France.

The swift pace in which hotels are being constructed and opened has led many industry experts to question how prepared hotels are for optimizing their revenue potential. This becomes especially apparent in the face of strong competition from both independent properties and established global hotel chains.

Illicit drug use and abuse have negatively impacted various aspects of society. With the growing number of cases of drug abuse in the workplace, the situation has risen to an alarming level. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, more than 68.9 per centÊof all drug users are actively employed at their workplace.

With the desire for healthy eating, exercise and all-round wellness on the rise, creating an environment conducive for guests at your hotelÕs fitness facilities is paramount. As a road warrior staying at some 50 different properties annually, IÕve had the opportunity to experience a wide variety of these amenities.