[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZtO2Zq-I5Q]
This live panel discussion from the Bed Bug Business Plan event identifies the most critical bed bug issues in the hospitality, commercial real estate and multifamily property management industries.
Expert representatives include Kevin Maher of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), Patricia M. Areno of Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA), and Scot Haislip of the National Apartment Association (NAA).
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Filed under Conferences, Guest Issues, Health, Liability, Maintenance, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Training
CLICK ON "SEE" TO WATCH "EYE ON AWARENESS" PREVIEW
Hotel bombings in Baghdad, Jakarta, and Morocco—hospitality properties have become popular targets for terrorism in recent years. Not surprisingly, a majority of today’s guests list safety and security as their most important concern when planning a hotel stay.  How can your hotel ensure a sense of security and still offer a welcome and inviting environment for guests? A property’s front-line employees may well be the most crucial, yet often overlooked, element of effective hotel security.
Developed in partnership with international security experts, hospitality leaders, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s If You See Something, Say Something™ campaign, Eye on Awareness—Hotel Security and Anti-terrorism Training™ provides the skills and knowledge essential for hotel employees to recognize, report and react to suspicious situations at their property.
For more:Â http://www.ahlei.org/eyeonawareness/
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Filed under Conferences, Guest Issues, Injuries, Liability, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Technology, Training
“…more incentives (should be) put in place to encourage more secure methods of payment authorization. One example of this is the “chip and PIN†system in use outside of the United States. In this system, credit cards use a tiny PIN-activated microchip that protects payment information...”
“As it stands, virtually every Western and Eastern nation have migrated to this (system)…which countries haven’t? Iran and the U.S.â€
Data security also is going to be a major focus at this year’s Hospitality Law Conference.
Right now, liability is on the merchants’ side of things but not on the payment systems, and that has to change, said Cannon, who is counsel to the Merchants Payment Coalition.
“Right now, all liability runs downhill and at the bottom is the merchants’ coalition and, partially, the hospitality industry,†he said.
The federal government is reviewing the issue of data security liability and could potentially come up with a new way of assigning liability by 21 July of this year.
“In terms of the regulatory process, this is the speed of light,†Cannon said.
For more:Â http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Articles.aspx/4809/Hospitality-Law-event-to-examine-privacy-PR
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Filed under Conferences, Crime, Guest Issues, Insurance, Liability, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Technology
Momentum is gathering behind a planned federal summit on bed bug control. Bed bugs are now spreading beyond the nation’s beds. They’ve been found in numerous public spaces, including federal office buildings. The Federal Bed Bug Work Group encompasses several agencies, including the EPA and the departments of Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, Defense and Commerce. Also, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The summit will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center in  Washington DCÂ
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(From a PRWeb.com article)Â Deadly outbreaks of foodborne illnesses over the past few years have focused increased attention on food safety and preparation. The Obama Administration has announced new steps to upgrade the US food safety system, with a public health-focused approach based on prevention, strengthened surveillance and enforcement, and improved response and recovery. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration recently released its updated Food Code, a model code and reference manual for the state and local agencies that regulate more than one million restaurants, retail food stores and vending and food service operations.
These recent changes are the focus of food safety expert and Pearson author Tara Paster’s new training guide for the food service industry, The HACCP Food Safety Employee Manual, 2nd Ed. The book debuted today at the 12th Annual Food Safety Summit in Washington, D.C., the largest and most established trade show focusing on food safety, quality assurance and food security.
Designed for workers in casinos, restaurants, schools, the military and retail outlets, The HACCP Food Safety Employee Manual is a user-friendly guide to the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) training processes to prevent foodborne illness in retail food service. The second edition incorporates the new FDA Food Code guidelines to assist the industry in prioritizing their food safety interventions and inspections. Participants receive a Basic HACCP Certification upon completing the course.
Filed under Conferences, Health, Training
“Based on the traveling behavior of bed bugs, any industry or travel destination with a high visitor turn over is particularly at-risk for infestation,†said White. “It will be especially important for the hospitality industry to be educated on this matter so they can respond competently to a situation where treatment and legal costs can spike quickly.â€
(From a PCTOnline.com article)  Pennsylvania’s hospitality sector has recognized the risks bed bugs pose to their industry and will gather March 25 to attend a bed bug seminar hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association (GPHA) to learn how to combat this emerging issue.
GPHA is an association that represents the interests of the hospitality industry throughout Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Their activities include civic representation, community partnerships and industry education.
The association’s statewide seminar titled, “Bed Bugs and the Hospitality Industry: Little Bugs, Big Problem†will be held at the downtown Marriott Hotel in Philadelphia, PA, March 25 at 8:30 a.m. The event will address the latest information on bed bugs and the most recent treatment breakthroughs to minimize cost. The seminar will also tackle the problems this pest represents that are unique to the hospitality industry.
Suzanne Geyer, an associate director with GPHA acknowledged that the bed bug seminar would present important information to industry management regarding the correct procedures needed to effectively approach dealing with bed bugs.
“This seminar will be especially important for practitioners because the information provided here is specific to hospitality and will provide a deeper understanding of bed bugs and some of the strategies needed to minimize the operational impact these pests can inflict,†said Geyer.
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2010 AH&LA Legislative Action Summit
March 15-16, 2010
J.W. Marriott Hotel
Washington, D.C.
Join other AH&LA members from across the country in the U.S. lodging industry’s annual legislative summit. Come to the AH&LA Legislative Action Summit in Washington, D.C., during March 15-16, 2010, and make a difference through coordinated visits to Capitol Hill to share your perspective to lawmakers on key issues affecting your own workplace.
This is your chance to visit your Senators and Representative and let them know your opinion on pending legislation. There is no better opportunity for hoteliers to come make a big difference on the legislation that matter most to you in 2010: economic recovery, hotel taxes, healthcare reform, card check, and travel promotion.
At the 2010 LAS, you will gain insights from lawmakers and top industry executives on how impending legislation will impact your business decisions. LAS’s Industry CEO panel will feature an in-depth discussion on issues from these top industry leaders:
• Jim Abrahamson, President, The Americas, InterContinental Hotels Group
• Steve Joyce, President & CEO, Choice Hotels International
• David Kong, President & CEO, Best Western International Inc.
• Christopher Nassetta, President & CEO, Hilton Worldwide
With the economy, healthcare, and card check legislation on the table during the 2010 election year, Congress needs to hear your point of view.
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Filed under Conferences, Legislation
