Boston Lodging Pulse – 2018

The Cornell Hotel Society of New England, in partnership with the Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, held its seventh annual Boston Lodging Pulse on October 3, 2017.

The event consisted of the 2018 Lodging Pulse presented by Michele Russo ’87, Founder & CEO of HotelAVE, as well as a lively panel discussion addressing the current and future state of hospitality labor. Caroline Warren, Chief People Officer & EVP of Pyramid Hotel Group, and Ernest Lee, VP Development for citizenM, joined Ms. Russo to share their perspectives from human resources, ownership & development, and asset management.

The panel discussion, along with audience participation, addressed the challenges to sourcing and retaining great talent, creative and innovative ways to manage labor costs, understanding not just the millennial traveler but also employee, automation and the “human touch,” among many other interesting issues facing an industry that is so labor intensive.

Ticket and sponsorship proceeds led to a combined contribution of over $2,500 to the CHS of New England and Boston University SHA scholarship funds.

This annual CHS New England event is designed to provide a forward-looking insight on the latest national and local market industry forecasts and create an interactive discussion amongst professionals in the hospitality industry. Topics in years past have included online reputation management and social media, the Massachusetts gaming industry, the value of a hotel brand, disruptive innovators in the hospitality market, and an in-depth look at the Boston hotel investment landscape.