HOSPITALITY at a Glance

February 12, 2010

Don't know where to dine for V-Day?

It's not too late to surprise that special someone on Valentine's day with a romantic diner. Visit www.ridine.com to see participating locations redeeming your RIDine gift cards.

Green Certification Training Workshop

Date: Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010
Location: Sheraton Providence Airport Hotel, Warick, RI

Time: 9:00am - 11:30am

Cost: $10.00

Topic: How to earn Green Hospitality Certification or Recertification, Energy Efficiency, Water Use Reduction and Waste Management. Register here.

For more information contact Lauren at 401-223-1120.

3rd Annual Green Certification Breakfast

Date: Thursday, April 22, 2010
Location: Sheraton Providence Airport Hotel, Warwick, RI
Vendor Showcase: 7:30am
Breakfast: 8:30am
Tickets: $17.00

AD Space Available

Want to reach out to your target audience through Hospitality at a Glance? Contact Adam at adam@rihospitality.org or 401-223-1120 x11 for more information on newsletter sponsorship opportunities and more!

Sustainability & Social Responsibility

MEMBER QUESTION:

Q: I need to compare our housekeeping costs with other hotels
A: Housekeeping payroll is routinely lumped together with the rooms department, which would include front desk agents and perhaps reservation staff (if the property is small).

The following percentages are Rooms Department Payroll as a percentage of Rooms Department Revenue for the total US, chain-affiliated and independent hotels, the geographic region of New England, economy hotels, and hotels with under 150 rooms.

Percentage
Total U.S. 16.3%
Chain-Affiliated 15.6%
Independent 21.2%
New England 16.5%
Economy Hotels* 22.3%
Under 150 Rooms 17.7%

*Budget full-service and economy properties are grouped together.

SOURCE: STR Global's 2009 Hotel Operating Statistics Report (www.strglobal.com). Here is a sample page from the report, along with details and price for the entire report:

http://www.strglobal.com/Samples/NA/2008%20HOST%20Highlights.pdf»

MEMBER QUESTION:

Q. How do we handle Sales Taxes for Government employees if they don't have a federal credit card?
A. Sales and Use Tax - Exempt Purchase Certificate - Government
Exempt Purchase Certificate must be filled out by the Purchaser in order for you to waive sales taxes from Federal Government and RI Government purchases. Here is an example.

NCAA Tournament Information

March Madness is coming to Providence! On March 18 & 20, 2010, Providence College will host the First and Second Rounds of the 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Here is a very important memo from the NCAA about use of their marks and tickets in your local marketing activities.

If you have any questions at about licenses, street closures, tents, advertising, event planning, or marketing for this tournament please contact:

Providence Contact List

City of Providence Service Contacts

Profitability & Entrepreneurship

Tweets Audible Over D.C. Snowstorm

Washington D.C., restaurants used Twitter to get the word out about openings, closings and snow day specials during last weekend's snow storm. American City Business Journals/Washington, D.C. (2/9)

Learn How To Use Social Media To Promote Your Business

Social Media Interactive Seminar

Speaker: Bryan Lavin, National Sales Manager, PWCVB

Date: Friday, March 5, 2010
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Location:

Johnson & Wales University

Xavier Academic Building

Computer lab - Room 202

Providence, RI

Cost: $25 Members/$50 Non-members

Register here or call 401-223-1120.