BTN Expert Q&A

Los Angeles - Choice Hotels International in late January announced a pair of deals that expand its presence in areas where it eagerly wants to grow: the upscale market and locations outside North America. A marketing alliance with timeshare company Bluegreen Vacations added 21 new resorts to Choice's upscale boutique Ascend... Keep Reading

Los Angeles - Luxury hotel brand Sofitel Worldwide, part of Accor, in recent years has significantly repositioned itself, eliminating more than half of its portfolio and introducing two sub-brands. At the Americas Lodging Investment Summit here in January, Sofitel CEO Robert Gaymer-Jones spoke with Business Travel News... Keep Reading

JetBlue Airways vice president of sales and revenue management Dennis Corrigan last week sat down with BTN senior editor Jay Boehmer at the carrier's new headquarters in Long Island City, N.Y., to talk about the carrier's growth in the corporate market and approach to distribution. An edited transcript follows.... Keep Reading

Hospitality technology supplier Lanyon this week announced that it had been acquired by private equity firm Vista Equity Partners. Lanyon president and CEO Todd Tyler—who, along with the rest of Lanyon's senior management team, will remain in his position—spoke with Business Travel News lodging editor Michael B. Baker about... Keep Reading

Concluding a two-year pursuit that included a bidding war with Avis Budget Group and a protracted regulatory review, Hertz in late November sealed its acquisition of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group. While integrating Dollar Thrifty and positioning its brands to consumers and corporate clients will be among Hertz's priorities... Keep Reading

Business Travel News this month inducted Bill Marriott, son of Marriott International founder J. Willard Marriott, Sr., into the Business Travel Hall of Fame. Prior to his induction, the current executive chairman of the hotel company's board spoke with BTN hotel editor Michael B. Baker about his outlook for the industry and... Keep Reading

Hyatt Hotels Corp. president and CEO Mark Hoplamazian this month spoke with Business Travel News lodging editor Michael B. Baker about his outlook for 2013, the company's recent emergence as major multibrand competitor and how that has affected Hyatt's relationship with corporate accounts.... Keep Reading

Sean Worker, CEO of corporate housing supplier BridgeStreet Residences, Serviced Apartments and Suites, recently spoke with BTN lodging editor Michael B. Baker about the company's strategy for dealings with travel buyers, technology developments and challenges in using the request-for-proposal process for corporate housing... Keep Reading

Economy extended stay brand Value Place in 2011 shook up its leadership structure, bringing in CEO Dan Weber and COO Kyle Rogg to help reignite the brand's recognition and growth. Founded less than a decade ago by entrepreneur Jack DeBoer—also the founder of extended stay brands Residence Inn, Summerfield Suites and... Keep Reading

Nashville - In the second annual edition of The Buyer's Table during The Beat Live here last month, four seasoned travel management professionals discussed the challenges and opportunities related to consumerization in corporate travel. Fielding questions from attendees and The BTN Group executive editor and session moderator... Keep Reading