October 29th, 2010 by TRT Blog

The stimulus bill was a hotly contested topic for many in Washington when it was announced. The potential of new jobs and a boost to the struggling economy outweighed the negatives mentioned by opposition, and as we all know, it ultimately passed. However despite the benefits we’ve seen for many industries with the stimulus money, there are still funds collecting dust and not being put to use.

Clean tech is one industry which is awaiting a majority of its allocated funds from the stimulus. According to the Recovery Act’s website (designed to provide transparency on where and how the money is spent) only 23% of the $31bn in funds has been paid out for various clean tech activities. As this blog post states, much of the money that has been awarded to companies, over 730 groups totaling $1.2bn in 2009 alone, hasn’t been dispersed yet. Unfortunately with the complex contract system in place this may end up being the case for many that go on to win stimulus money.

At this rate – even though virtually all of it has been awarded – the industry is estimated to wait an additional six years before everything is paid out and some companies simply can’t afford to wait that long. The point of the stimulus was to create job growth and invigorate the economy. A shift in action with these funds, namely focusing on paying out awardees instead of the roundabout claiming of funds, is needed to truly make this stimulus work the way it was intended, otherwise even though the recession may technically end, we won’t see the growth and return to prosperity promised from it.

Green technology, Sustainability, Technology

October 26th, 2010 by TRT Blog

There’s been a lot written about offshore wind farms recently.   First the United Kingdom announced that it had the world’s largest wind farm – the, based in the North sea, which can produce up to 300MW.  But that seems to be a short-lived British title as the Chinese announced that it had started building an offshore wind farm at Bohai Bay which will generate a whopping 1,000MW.  The location, just a few hours away from Beijing, is owned by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), with the aid of a massive $2.2 billion in funding from the Chinese government.

Yes, that’s right the China National Offshore Oil Corporation- it does have the word ‘oil’ in it.  Which on hand may seem strange, as if an oil company would not be focusing on renewable energy. BP was meant to portray ‘Beyond Petroleum’, but we see how that worked out, so you can imagine there might be an eyebrow raised here or there with the latest news from CNOOC.

In this case there are two different elements at play here: first, our need for alternate energy sources – it is not just a concern for us as consumers, but for energy companies as well.  After all, if you have a product that has a limited lifespan, it’s a necessity to seriously review alternatives.

On another, more practical level, if you’re going to source electricity offshore, then oil companies – which have dealt with the pains and torments of offshore access, personnel, rigs, and platforms – have the ideal experience and could be just the platform to make offshore wind farms work.

CNOOC, energy, renewable energy, Thanet, wind, wind farm

October 22nd, 2010 by TRT Blog

As the economy continues to rebound, more and more ways of effective cost reductions are popping up. Homeowners do their own painting, hotels look to renovations instead of new construction, and businesses look to reduce consumption in order to buy new materials less often. Airlines are also making adjustments, in some cases with the repair of planes in their fleets. While there have been savings for many carriers, it has raised fears that this is coming at the expense of customer safety.

Highlighted in an article from Condé Nast Traveler, a damning case document from the FAA against St. Louis based carrier Trans States shows that between 2007 and 2008 the airline suffered through maintenance lapses, resulting in a $2.5 million fine. An example of a misstep the carrier committed was failure to adjust a wing strap which allows the pilot to adjust the plane’s angle and slow down upon landing.

Unfortunately these fines aren’t just being levied against small economy based airlines. In the first half of 2010, six airlines were hit with multi-million dollar fines, including Delta and American Airlines. Though everything is not as dire as it may seem. Many of the facilities outside the US are as competent as their US counterparts, but there has been enough concern about the quality and control of these facilities that it has garnered the attention of Congress.

Travelling hasn’t been the same in the last decade and many companies in the airline industry all have been looking to cut costs and increase revenue as many ways as possible through job cuts, higher fares and outsourcing aspects of the job. But by outsourcing tasks, in particular heavy repairs to fleets, airlines risk losing just as much in fines as they would by keeping the maintenance domestic, and stunting job growth at home.

Much more can be found at the Condé Nast Traveler site here.

airlines, Conde Nast, FAA, flights, Travel

October 21st, 2010 by TRT Blog

We’ve been talking a lot about the events that we’ve had the pleasure of attending these past few months, and as you may have guessed we view and value each one as integral methods for us to stay on top of emerging trends and hot issues, reconnect with fellow colleagues in the industry and forge new relationships.

This week, the TRT team headed west to Las Vegas for the BITAC Purchasing & Design West convention at the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa where we were able to mingle and learn from many of our fellow industry suppliers and decision makers that added up to the sold out crowd of the more than 300 attendees.

One of the things we’ve come to love and expect from BITAC events is the never failing stimulating agenda packed with speakers and panel members, and this year’s West Coast event was certainly no exception. Led with thought provoking interactive sessions throughout, the conference offers invaluable relationship building opportunities through endless opportunities for face to face meetings, an open marketplace and a diverse dining format that kept us on our toes.

We had a chance to catch up with fellow lodging executives and suppliers early in the week and were treated to sessions including panel discussions on everything from some of the world’s largest hotel brands backing renovation efforts to the nightmare scenarios that both buyers and suppliers have been faced with since the recession hit and how new signs of life are starting to make their way back in to the picture slowly, but surely.

Bruce Ford of Lodging Econometrics gave an industry report on the state of the lodging and hospitality industries and where we’re headed and further panel discussions revisited the ever-popular green design element where we saw great progress.  Designers have begun looking at new, more innovative ways to address the financial concerns of the owners they are catering to.

BITAC is always a fantastic stage to reconnect with many of our current customers, rekindle past relationships and forge new ones as another year begins to wind down. It was a very successful event for TRT and we look forward to seeing “pens put to paper” with the overflow of great ideas that came from all of the discussions had amongst some of the industry’s finest.

BITAC Purchasing and Design West, hospitality, Las Vegas, Philagreen Hospitality

October 19th, 2010 by TRT Blog

It’s event season and here at The Refinishing Touch it’s full steam ahead as we hit the road, meet prospects, wow clients, and mingle with associates.  There’s a whole range of events (hint: to see out all the events we’re attending and have planned, check out our website) and we’re showing our whole range of services: from furniture re-engineering and refurbishment, to hardware replacement and reupholstery.  As our customers and our business is across hospitality, government and eduction, there’s a variety of events we attend.

Last week was one of our education events, as we showcased at the 8th Annual ACUHO-I/APPA Housing Facilities Conference in Charlotte, NC.  The conference, this year subtitled ‘Keeping on Track: Providing the Foundation for Quality Student Housing: Foster Leadership, Address Challenges, and Explore Trends in College and University Housing’, is a key gathering for Housing Facilities professionals to assess the challenges and the solutions open to them.

The Refinishing Touch shared the platform with other vendors and key members of housing departments from universities such as Wake Forest, East Carolina University and the University of Notre Dame to talk about housing facilities and to demonstrate and learn about how colleges and universities can improve sustainability and usability at their campuses.   It’s a topic close to our hearts – and an area we’ve worked extensively in, having completed refinishing and refurbishing projects with more than 100 colleges and universities across the USA in the last 30 years.

Consider the college campus: students come and go, just passing custodians in a place they want to feel safe and call home for the standard four years. While many  colleges and institutions market the history of their location, buildings and architecture, the pressure to maintain high standards in aging facilities is a tricky one.  Every college bursar and facility team we speak to has one key concern – how to maintain the quality and standards of their school and its facilities, to maintain the high standards that help them attract students, scholars- and also great staff – and to do so within their budgets.

Following the opportunity to show our services and examples of completed projects on  Wednesday, the remainder of the week was an opportunity for registered guests to attend seminars, learn and share ideas around dozens of topics – from general facilities management and master planning for housing, to the LED University program that is helping colleges and universities around the world begin deploying LED lighting to significantly reduce their energy use.  Fanning out from the central theme of housing facilities, discussions were based on sustainability, maintenance and operations, custodial, construction and technology.

Education is going through an interesting phase – the economic downturn, the strain of meeting new environmental opportunities – and demonstrating this to new green-aware students and prospects.  These challenges mean that now, more than ever, is the time for facilities professionals in the eduction sector to seize the opportunity to innovate, and for the industry to debate, discuss and share their ideas.

Under the program committee, chaired by University of Florida’s Tanya Hughes-Joiner and North Carolina State University’s chair-elect, Barry Olsen, this conference certainly did that, fostering a sense of innovation, networking and leadership – and showing that the eduction sector really can teach other sectors, while keeping open to learning about new ways to improve themselves.

ACUHO-I/APPA Housing Facilities Conference, college, education, facilities, housing, university

October 15th, 2010 by TRT Blog

As we mentioned last week, we were given the fine opportunity to participate in Hotel Interactive’s first webinar around hotel renovation. Held two days ago (Wednesday, October 13^th), it lived up to every bit of excited anticipation with plenty of informative discussion between the panel and interaction with the listeners.

Joined – literally – by people from across the world, we were treated to great insight into the minds of hotelier’s when considering renovation on their properties. Each member of the panel brought their own unique experience – from Disney, to Best Western — even luxury resorts in Asia, and shared his and her thoughts about what it takes to make a great renovation. Not just by comparing dollars and cents but also by getting the most “wow” out of guests.

Unsurprisingly everyone agreed that whatever route taken to get the most out of rooms, it is simply a must that hotel guests have the kind of great experience that they want to share with others. The décor, soft goods such as pillows and mattresses, and bathroom all are all equally important factors to visitors, and none should be sacrificed for another.  Beyond simply redesigning a room, it was emphasized that hoteliers must also look at re-creating and re-engineering a room when renovating. And while it wasn’t discussed in great depth like other topics, technology did get mentioned, most prominently in a poll of the listeners on what features matter most when experiencing a room. Over 50% said that the technology was most important – over the feel of a room, the art, and work space.

You can listen and watch the entire presentation here (http://video.webcasts.com/events/pmny001/viewer/index.jsp?eventid=36055&adid=thankyou).

We’re very pleased to have been invited and be a part of it, and can’t wait for the opportunity to join them again!

Hotel Interactive, podcast, The Refinishing Touch, webinar

October 12th, 2010 by TRT Blog

Advertisers are on a fast track to improve customer satisfaction, and we – the consumer – will benefit.  Today it’s about the authenticity of a product or service, a fact that’s being driven by transparency of social networking and consumer voices that can be heard. And as authenticity becomes a necessity for consumers, it’s become the focus for brands.

Beyond social networks there are specific ways consumers can share feedback. For example, applications such as layar allows shoppers to research products before they buy. Using a camera on a mobile device such as a smartphone, users can retrieve information, whether it’s the specifications or user feedback on a product, the nutritional value or taste comparisons of foodstuff, available coupons, or special offers on a product – instantaneously. With this technology, advertisers need to focus less on packaging and more on the substance behind the packaging: the product or service itself.

And, as ever, the pace of technology shows no sign of slowing. The internet and television continue to weave around each other to give consumers all the opportunities to browse and shop at home as they do on the go. Ever imagine you were watching your favorite cooking show and a recipe you liked was being prepared? Eventually, you will have the ability to, at the click of a button, sync the recipe list to your grocery supplies so required ingredients will be added to your shopping list. The possibilities are endless.

So, how is this going to affect the travel industry?  Think about the opportunities for consumers to see a commercial or advertisement and to instantly book a hotel reservation, click to have a virtual tour of a destination property, or even upload some of their personal preferences to optimize their hotel stay – all without leaving the couch.  It won’t just be about the convenience, it’ll be about what marketers tag the ‘call to action’: the opportunity to see something, want it, and have minimal barriers to take the action.  One day you’ll see your dream vacation on the television, and at the press of a button be able to book it.

Technology will play a huge part in personalization and customization: imagine that all your preferences are tracked and archived, then applied each time you visit to ensure you have the best possible experience every single time.  For vacationers who prefer fast check-ins, and for business traveler in a rush, a new system being developed will convert a device, such as your cellphone, into your room key using infrared technology.

So whether it’s the convenience of booking your next vacation, having all your preferences remembered, using your own phone as your key, and checking out at the speed of light, technology is propelling us all.  So here’s to the future and achieving the perfect vacation of tomorrow.

airlines, Hotels, Technology, Travel

October 7th, 2010 by TRT Blog

We’re always looking for new and exciting endeavors to be a part of. This has taken us to some unique, informative conferences, led us to engaging speaking opportunities and next week, we’ll be participating in a historic web-based conference. Our founder, Mario Insenga will be joining other leaders in the hospitality industry on Hotel Interactive’s very first webinar.

Hotel Interactive is a leading voice in the hospitality industry, providing news, and opinions around anything involving the hotel industry, and its approaching webinar, titled “Rethinking Renovation & How to Maximize the Wow Factor” will provide a forum for an insightful discussion about hotel renovations from leaders in the hospitality industry. The event will be moderated by the editor of the site, Glenn Haussman, and attended by senior members of Disney Resorts and Best Western Hotels among others, as it is a free event for hotel owners, operators, and managers that will bring six lodging industry experts together for insightful discussion about hotel renovations.

With everything from increased value of room rates, improving guest experiences, and of course the impact it has on our environment on the agenda, we’re excited about the questions and discussions that come along with the combined experience of all involved.

It will no doubt be an exciting event, and it’s one that we’re proud to be a part of. Click here for more information and be sure to tune in next Wednesday, October 13^th to hear what The Refinishing Touch and other hotel leaders have to say!

hospitality, hotel, Hotel Interactive, Mario Insenga

October 5th, 2010 by TRT Blog

As the global economy has started showing signs of repair and recovery after the challenges of the last few years, hardworking families and individuals have started reclaiming their financial stability, and consumer spending is on the up and up. The breaks we’ve been cautious to take have started to slowly (but surely) climb their way up the priority list as much needed opportunities for rest and relaxation from the daily grind.

According to a survey, consumers around the world want to take a break – and 60% say they plan to in the coming year by spending the same amount or more than they have in the last year.  More than half of Chinese and Singaporeans along with one third of New Zealanders and Australians are planning on spending more this year on travelling then they did last year. Meanwhile, the Japanese and our own fellow Americans said they were looking to cut back spending on vacation budgets.

One thing is certain, no matter where you live in the world, vacationing is never far from your thoughts. About 90 percent of the people surveyed agree that visiting another locale versus staying home is imperative, even when money is tight.

This survey, conducted by SSI (Survey Sampling International), was the result of 5,000+ adult participants from all over the world. The outcome is based on vacations planned that are longer than four days. Americans and Japanese are more likely to skip vacations this year that consist of four or more days of travel. While most other vacationers, about 82 percent, plan on taking domestic trips.  Chances are that this will result in less spend, but there are still a few countries that look forward to international excursions which will likely result in higher spending. The survey showed over half of Singaporeans, Germans, British and Chinese are all preparing for trips that will take them outside of their own country.

No matter which destination you chose to visit for vacation, or for how much, the point is to have a good time.

airlines, cost, hospitality, Hotels, Travel

October 1st, 2010 by TRT Blog

This week marked the end of Climate Week NY°C 20 where hundreds of government representatives, non-government organizations and business leaders gathered in the Big Apple for meetings, events, lectures, and activities all centered around climate change.

One of the key aims of the event was to review how: ‘progressive policy and finance mechanisms can unlock a clean industrial revolution necessary to generate sustainable low carbon development, boost energy security, create jobs and end global poverty’.

While some opening ceremony events were by invitation only, there were a range of events open for general attendees. The Climate Group hosted the week with a range of activities and discussions about the importance of the week itself and the need for global awareness. Meanwhile on a topic very close to our hearts at The Refinishing Touch – trees – the Rainforest Alliance spent time explaining to younger audiences the importance of forests.  A range of other non-profit organizations held tutorials and activities throughout the week.

As well as the educational aspect, Climate Week was the base for a range of political meetings to discuss our environment’s future. The United Nations, worldwide organizations, non-profits, the Secretary General, and Mayor Bloomberg participated in high-level discussions at the event to raise awareness about the vital concern of climate change.

With the United Nations’ General Assembly meeting just two months away, many of this week’s events were a prelude – and set the table for the discussions that all 192 members of the United Nations and other world leaders will be taking part in. We hope the momentum continues for the UN meeting, and look forward to news on that agenda.

awareness, climate week, green, NYC