Part of the momentum that is a Brand New DAE, is an enhanced focus on owner’s representation in Hospitality including projects such as Double Tree One Magnificent Mile, Sheraton Downtown Dallas, Holiday Inn Cherry Creek/Denver and Waikoloa Beach Marriott in Hawaii.

It’s why Dan Ezra, DAE Group principal, recently attended The Lodging Conference –the hotel industry’s top conference—in Phoenix.

The Lodging Conference brings together the hotel industry’s most influential owners, operators, presidents, CEOs and dealmakers to strategize about development, finance, franchising, management, construction, design, and operations.

More than just a conference, the entire event is a THINK TANK where everybody joins in the conversation, discusses issues, and solves problems.

Here’s some of Dan Ezra’s insights and take-a-ways from those conversations:

  • 2018 is shaping up to be one of the strongest years for occupancy and room rate increases. This is triggering more plans for new construction and renovation.
  • Time tables for projects need to watched carefully as suppliers are taxed to keep up with demand for “branded” materials.
  • The optimistic outlook needs to be tempered by the increased costs for labor and construction.
  • The best way to maximize profitability is to manage labor and construction costs.
  • Depending on the location, explosive construction growth is extending timelines as projects are squeezed for labor.
  • Design driven hotels are on the rise as companies look to create competitive advantages based on local design and cultural opportunities.
  • Soft branding is on the rise as chains look to give more local flavor to hotels to help them compete more effectively.
  • Dual, triple and quadruple branded developments are on the rise putting a premium on coordination and cooperation between all parties in the construction process.
  • There are more high-tech concepts being introduced into hotels so choosing an owner’s rep with expertise in IT and technology is a plus.
  • Modular construction is being utilized more and more as a way to reduce costs & time to build while increasing quality (yes, it’s true).

For more details on the latest in hotel construction trends, contact Dan Ezra, 720-208-9039.