Olivia Rizzo
Jumping into Lodging from Another Marketplace
Originally a restaurateur, Mike Whalen, principal at the Heart of America Group, entered the lodging industry accidentally. The company’s original Machine Shed restaurant on the outskirts of Davenport, Iowa, was located next to a...
Tech Startups: When Will the Bubble Burst?
With new apps and web-based companies popping up every day, it can often feel like there is no slowing down in the technology market. But the prosperous times of the tech startup market cannot...
Generating Value Through Local-Friendly Restaurants
Throughout the years, hotel food and beverage programs have grown and evolved to accommodate lodging industry trends. Today, these programs are so much more than a continental breakfast and room service. They include local...
Greeting Guests with Gifts
Greeting guests with a little something extra at check in is one of the easiest—and surest—ways to make them feel welcome and foster loyalty. DoubleTree by Hilton has its chocolate chip cookies. Through a...
Investment in Uber-Lux Hotels Ramps Up
Travelers’ increased desire for a unique hotel experience has given way to the uber-lux hotel, a brand-associated luxury property that provides guests with a distinct stay. Teresa Goebel, a partner in Goodwin Procter’s Business...