In 1998, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association identified a set of standards called the 12 Points of Fair Franchising by which to judge the actions of franchise companies. Now, nine years later, AAHOA has updated the 12 points and has embarked on a survey of franchisors to assess their compliance with these fair franchising standards.

This new generation of hospitality Sales professionals must deal with a much more sophisticated, knowledgeable and demanding meeting planner. Never has it been more critical for Sales directors and managers to know their “stuff” and share their knowledge; to master the art of people connecting and to respond quickly and accurately at all times. Today’s planners represent a $120-plus billion meeting planning industry - - that’s larger than the medical manufacturing and pharmaceutical industry. There are now more than a million off-site meetings a year in the U.S.; less than 10 percent are for groups using 500 rooms or more; 70 percent of those meetings are for groups of 30-35 people or less.

Hotel Lawyer on GREEN hotels. Business Week just published an eye catching story on "Little Green Lies" -- why some environmental initiatives may not currently make economic sense, even if others do. But what are the real economics behind GREEN hotel development, conversion and operation? Is this the time to go green? Can you afford to wait?

Hotel Lawyer on why the SEC may soon be pushing the GREEN Bandwagon. Technically, most SEC disclosure guidelines or rules only require "disclosure." They do not impose substantive regulation. But SEC guidelines tend to set the disclosure standards for state laws, and establish industry standards for fair disclosure. And frequently the bright spotlight of disclosure focuses such intense attention on particular issues, that it changes behavior as effectively as a substantive regulation. That might well become the case with "GREEN".

Hotel Lawyer at the Phoenix Lodging Conference. The 13th edition of The Lodging Conference in Phoenix is very unique. For the first time in many years, there does NOT seem to be an overwhelming consensus about what is happening -- at least as to the credit markets, and that is the big news here. Lodging fundamentals continue very strong, although occupancy may slip a small amount in 2008, and RevPAR growth will likely slow down (but it will continue to grow).

Hotel Lawyer at the Phoenix Lodging Conference. Morris Lasky's Phoenix Lodging Conference is always one of my favorite hotel gatherings each year, and last night the 13th edition of this event got underway with more than 1,400 people registered -- up from 1,200 last year.

Blackstone’s Acquisition of HiltonIf you want my considered opinion about the Blackstone acquisition of Hilton, just remember that private equity investors buy and sell companies usually with other people’s money. They put up a tiny slice of their own capital and multiply it with investments from pension funds, wealthy individuals and foreign government investments. They shake the acquired companies up, cut spending, reduce reserves and then resell them to smaller investors in the public markets. Some of these equity firms “rip, strip and flip”. Look at the Hilton family of brands one year from now to see which have been sold and discarded. Look at the roster of Hilton executives one year from now to see whether a personnel bloodbath has taken place.

Hotel Lawyer in Beverly Hills with good news for luxury hotel mixed-use aficionados. The trend of hotel mixed-use continues. This time, Beverly Hills will get its turn as the city anxiously awaits the latest luxury hotel development by the internationally acclaimed Montage Hotels & Resorts. Just steps from Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive, and in the City's "golden triangle," this 201-room luxury hotel will be a fresh breath of air to those who appreciate "the best."

Bill Walsh was an extraordinary visionary, communicator and mentor whose legacy far transcends football and sports in general. He was a quintessential business model for anyone who manages and motivates athletes or employees - - especially so today for our hospitality industry. Pro football fans old enough to remember the San Francisco 49ers’ dynasty of the ‘80s are mourning the loss of the Hall of Fame coach and three-time Super Bowl champion who died recently at the age of 75 after a three-year battle with leukemia.

In 1998, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association identified a set of standards called the 12 Points of Fair Franchising by which to judge the actions of franchise companies. Now, nine years later, AAHOA has updated the 12 points and has embarked on a survey of franchisors to assess their compliance with these fair franchising standards. In each of my next Hotel Interactive articles, I will highlight the 12 points.