April 25, 2017: Hotels Are Spending More on Tech Features for Guests, United Airlines Ad Dropped From Tribeca Film Fest, State Department Takes Down Mar-a-Lago Promotional Page After Criticism

1. HOTELS ARE SPENDING MORE ON TECH FEATURES FOR GUESTS: More and more hotels are helping guests through technology—including mobile check-in services to speed up the front desk process. The New York Times: "While apps are not new in the hotel industry, the use of them and other tech tools has grown exponentially in the last five years as hoteliers seek new ways to meet the needs of guests, gain repeat customers, differentiate their brands and, ultimately, increase revenue. And since the hotel tools are available at all hours, hotel experts say they may go a long way toward keeping guests happy and avoiding negative reviews on social media and websites like TripAdvisor. Hotels are spending as much as 6 percent of total revenue on technology, according to Hospitality Technology’s 2017 Lodging Technology Study. Titled 'Frictionless Hotels: Enabling the Omni-Experience,' the study said that 57 percent of hotels planned to spend more on technology this year than they did in 2016, while 42 percent planned to spend about the same and just 2 percent said they would decrease their I.T. spending. Hotel occupancy rates in the United States are at 65.5 percent, the highest since 1984, said Bjorn Hanson, a professor of hospitality and tourism at the Tisch Center of New York University. Though they had typically been slow to adopt new technologies, hotels are seeing a place for tech tools to make sure that guests’ needs are met. In the last five years alone, communication with Marriott International from mobile devices has quadrupled, said George Corbin, senior vice president for digital at the hotel chain. In addition, 75 percent of all Marriott guests used a smartphone, tablet or laptop during their most recent stay." http://nyti.ms/2pZ0c7N

2. UNITED AIRLINES AD DROPPED FROM TRIBECA FILM FEST: A United Airlines ad was pulled from the Tribeca Film Festival, as the airline company still faces scrutiny from an incident that involved the violent removal of a passenger on a plane earlier this month. The Hollywood Reporter: "United Airlines 30-second spot—advertising its Polaris Business Class—had been running before film screenings (United serves as one of the fest's Signature Partners) but has since been pulled following a wave of comical reactions from audiences. On opening night, April 19, prior to the world premiere unveiling of the Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives, the spot 'touting United Airlines' pampering of passengers drew so much derisive laughter it drowned out the next ad entirely,' writes THR critic John DeFore. Others note that it played like a parody. Festival attendees confirmed that similar reactions plagued other screenings—both public and industry—where the spot was shown over the next two days. By Friday evening, April 21, the spots had mostly been pulled and by Saturday the spots were gone completely. 'I wonder who thought that was a good idea,' sniffed one attendee. 'United is a valued partner of the Tribeca Film Festival and we are grateful for their continued support of our filmmakers and the arts,' relays Tribeca Film Festival spokesperson Tammie Rosen. It is understood that it was a joint decision between United and Tribeca to remove the spot, and United remains integral to the festival landscape as the airline helps get all the filmmakers to New York for the event." http://bit.ly/2pvp5bs

3. STATE DEPARTMENT TAKES DOWN MAR-A-LAGO PROMOTIONAL PAGE AFTER CRITICISM: The State Department removed a page promoting President Donald Trump's for-profit Florida club Mar-a-Lago after receiving criticism that it was an improper use of taxpayer money. NPR:Critics complained that resources were being used to tout the for-profit club, which Trump refers to as the Winter White House. The club, in Palm Beach, Florida, is held in Trump's trust, of which he is the sole beneficiary. "'The intention of the article was to inform the public about where the President has been hosting world leaders. We regret any misperception and have removed the post,' a State Department official said in a statement that has now replaced the original article. The ShareAmerica website says it 'is part of the Bureau of International Information Programs, which works with U.S. embassies and consulates in more than 140 countries to engage with people around the globe on U.S. foreign policy and American society.' But on the webpage about Mar-a-Lago, there was no discussion of policy. The page showed photos of the members-only club's opulent rooms and exterior, and noted that 'When he acquired the house, Trump also bought the decorations and furnishings that [original owner Marjorie Merriweather] Post had collected over the years, preserving Mar-a-Lago's style and taste.' American Oversight, a watchdog group that includes some lawyers who worked at agencies in the Obama administration, said earlier Monday it would file a complaint with the State Department's inspector general and the Office of Government Ethics." http://n.pr/2pbu51Y

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Wylie Inn and Conference Center has completed its multimillion-dollar renovation, which includes design renovations and tech upgrades to its 17,500-square-foot conference center.

CHICAGO:  The Peninsula hotel will host Kentucky Derby festivities on May 6, including afternoon tea and a Derby-theme chocolate bar in the lobby.

After a hiatus last year, Strawberry Fest will take place June 23-25 in Historic Downtown Long Grove.

LOS ANGELES:  Valentino restaurant has announced a collaboration with chef Luciano Pellegrini for a new dinner menu.

For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce's 16th annual fund-raising gala, presented by Wells Fargo, will take place May 13 at Hilton Miami Downtown.

North American Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Events' industry event Ibtm America will take place June 14-16 at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood.

NEW YORK:  Bronx Children's Museum's first-ever gala will take place May 2 at the Tribeca Rooftop; Sunny Hostin will host.

J/P Haitian Relief Organization, a nonprofit focused on bringing sustainable programs to Haiti, will host its benefit dinner and auction May 5 at Sotheby's New York. Presented along with Creative Artists Agency and Sotheby's, the event will be co-hosted by Sean Penn, Bryan Lourd, and David Geffen.

For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE:  JW Marriott Camelback Inn Scottsdale will add 35,000 square feet of meeting and event space in 2018. New additions will include a 15,000-square-foot ballroom that will accommodate more than 1,500 guests. The ballroom will have adjustable walls to create as many as eight separate meeting spaces.

SAN DIEGO:  For the 150th anniversary of the Gaslamp Quarter's founding, the Gaslamp Quarter Association will host special events including "Rabbitville," an installation of 15 fiberglass rabbit statues that go on display this month.

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With contributions from Alesandra Dubin and Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

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