Partner News

NATIONAL REPORT—Whether it’s celebrating an anniversary, receiving an award, earning a certification, debuting a new product or expanding the business, hotel companies and vendors achieve new milestones on a daily basis. Here’s a look at recent accomplishments:

CleanBrands’ CleanRest Products Certified to Block Viruses
CleanBrands LLC has revealed that its CleanRest products with MicronOne waterproof, breathable, sleep surface fabric have attained U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) highest classification of barrier performance (Level 4). Vartest Laboratories of New York certified CleanRest’s MicronOne fabric passing the ASTM F1671 Viral Penetration Test on April 8. The CDC-established test method assesses the ability of a fabric to block Phi-X174 Bacteriophage, which is approximately 32 nanometers in diameter. COVID-19 is known to be of spherical shape 120 nanometers in diameter or nearly four times as large.

“At this critical time, we are pleased to be of service to the global hotel industry, which is looking to provide its guests and housekeeping staff with the safest and most hygienic environment,” said Linda Bill, VP of sales at CleanBrands LLC. “Protocols including bedding products and cleaning frequencies will likely need to be strengthened to regain the confidence of global travelers and housekeeping staff.”

In addition to defending their pillows and mattresses against COVID-19 and other coronaviruses, hotel operators can benefit from the capability of CleanRest protectors and encasements to withstand more commercial launderings to maximize cleanliness, according to the company. CleanRest mattress encasements also have seven design features that minimize housekeeping labor time associated with laundering cycles.

Makeready Chooses ProfitSword Data Management Solutions
ProfitSword has been selected by Makeready to maximize its potential in rapidly acquiring new properties and ensuring that they are seamlessly incorporated into the company’s portfolio with the implementation of ProfitSage and ProfitPlan. The management company has implemented the software at all of its hotel properties across the U.S., and plans to implement the solutions at all new locations as well as its non-hotel operations.

Makeready ultimately decided to partner with ProfitSword due to the company’s expertise in seamlessly integrating disparate hotel systems into one easy-to-access data management dashboard. Now available to owners and employees across the organization, ProfitSage provides instant access to an array of valuable performance metrics in real time, including guest satisfaction scores and STR data. Additionally able to integrate into Makeready’s payable system, ProfitSage can provide staff with vital insight into contract labor productivity.

By also implementing ProfitPlan, Makeready and each of its locations can create and receive customized, web-based reports that can be tailored to provide specific performance metrics. This is in addition to the ability of scheduling such reports to be submitted to personnel on a preset basis, as well as being able to share any updates or notes with other company members in real time.

Knowland Adds Premium Contact Data
Knowland has released the Premium Contact Data (PCD) add-on to its subscription-based hotel group sales software platform, providing verified contact data with event booking history.

The company has enhanced its database to provide sales teams with the tools they need to start building the relationships that will fuel business recovery. Knowland PCD is a specially curated database that allows sales teams to easily identify and reach verified contacts with historical event history that matches their properties.

“While we all hope our industry will bounce back quickly, the reality is it will take active engagement by hotel sales teams to build the relationships that will fuel your hotel’s rebound as restrictions lift,” said Kristi White, VP of product, Knowland. “Premium Contact Data was specifically designed to help our customers regain control; optimize local and small meeting opportunities; and build a strong base of relationship-driven group business.”

UniFocus Provides Free Software to Hotels Serving Healthcare Workers
UniFocus is waiving all fees for its software at properties that use its labor management and/or time and attendance solutions who are providing lodging for healthcare workers and first responders. This includes both software and mobile application fees, ensuring that hotel partners have full access to the technology tools needed for scheduling and time recording for operational staff.

“We have seen firsthand the challenges the industry is facing with travel coming to a standstill in the COVID-19 crisis. Despite the financial burden this has created across the industry, hotel companies are demonstrating the selflessness that is inherent in hospitality by stepping in to serve healthcare workers engaged in fighting this epidemic,” said UniFocus CEO Mark Heymann. “We not only want to commend all the hotels for this, we want to ensure our partners have all of the tools needed to manage the unique needs of the environment with ease and are not shouldering the costs alone.”

UniFocus provides tools for managing labor that use smart technology to automate a hotel’s time-consuming scheduling and time-keeping tasks, freeing up managers to focus on service. The system provides a mobile app that lets staff easily access schedules and available shifts. It also enables managers to communicate instantly with staff to fill shifts quickly if needed. Additionally, staff can use the app to clock in and out via their mobile devices, an added safety precaution that allows for safe distancing and minimizes direct contact with time clocks.

HBF, HBF Textiles Produce and Donate PPE
HBF and HBF Textiles have taken up the call to action, supporting their local community in the fight against COVID-19. The brands have shifted manufacturing to produce and donate personal protective equipment (PPE) for local healthcare providers and first responders.

“Doing our part to help others has long been at the heart of the company’s culture,” said Dan Chong, HBF president. “We have been a member of the Hickory, NC, community for 40 years, and we are dedicated to supporting our local healthcare workers and heroes by converting our factories to produce PPE. As our team members selflessly came together in this effort, the strength of HBF and HBF Textiles’ values is more apparent than ever.”

Maestro PMS Recognizes Partner Hoteliers
Many operators and hotel companies are putting the true meaning of hospitality into action. Hundreds of operators with dozens of brands are making their properties and facilities available for use by medical personnel and first responders. Maestro’s team is proud to be associated with many of these hoteliers who are giving back to their communities by opening their doors during this difficult time.

As examples, The Silver Hotel Group is offering a safe and comfortable place to rest for frontline medical staff and first responders, while Accent Inns opened its doors to offer rooms at cost for frontline essential service workers, and partnered with the United Way Greater Victoria and created the Hotels for Frontline Workers Fund.

“Maestro’s entire team recognizes that these outstanding hospitality organizations and their people are working hard and investing time and money during this difficult time,” said Maestro PMS President Warren Dehan. “We are privileged and honored to be associated with these operators who are giving back to their communities. Thank you for all you are doing.”