THIRTY UNDER 30 Bill Dombrowski GM Best Western PLUS University Inn Hotel Olean, N.Y. HM: In your opinion, what is the biggest concern or threat facing the success of the global hotel industry? Dombrowski: The biggest threat is the advancement of technology and how rapidly it is growing. It is moving a lot faster than our hotels can keep up with. We need to look very far into the future when making investments and sound decisions with improvements to our property. These types of advancements are great for society, but that also comes with higher expectations from our guests. Herb Glose Director of hotel performance support B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group Bethesda, Md. HM: Tell us about your experience in hospitality before now, and what made you choose hospitality as a career? Glose: My introduction to the industry was serving as a butler in a small hotel at age 16. I became fascinated by the combination of business and service skills needed to excel and found a pathway to a wonderful industry. The experience in this small hotel led me to apply to the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell, where I specialized in operations and was mentored by several individuals that invested in me. Tramaine Cooper Manager openings & transitions, America – full-service brands Hilton Worldwide New York HM: In your opinion, what is the biggest concern or threat facing the success of the global hotel industry? Cooper: The biggest concern is a broad one, and that is the constantly changing environment we live in and the ability to adapt appropriately. Whether it’s technology (e.g. using smartphones for guestroom entry), catering to the demands of different travelers (e.g. baby boomers versus generation Y), or new forms of competition (e.g. Airbnb), there is change all around us. Chintan Desai VP of development Desai Hotel Group Jackson, Miss. HM: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Desai: Desai Hotel Group is currently in the process of implementing a construction branch of the company. In 10 years, I would like to be heavily involved in this branch. I see myself developing this branch and contributing to the overall growth of the company. I would use my experiences in the financial and operational fields to ensure a strong foundation and carefully implemented policies. Giovanni Forni VP Cedar Capital Partners London HM: What do millennials want in a hotel stay? Forni: A customized experience. Hotel companies are often too focused on hard attributes. While a traveler from my generation will expect to have a Wi-Fi connection that works well, he/she will not really care if a specific chair/desk/ sink/bar is a brand standard. The basics need to be right, the rest needs to be fun/ interesting/happening. Offer something we do not already get on a daily basis; offer something local; offer something customers will remember. Madison Gordon Revenue management strategist Vantage Hospitality Group Pompano Beach, Fla. HM: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Gordon: As revenue management continues to grow and evolve as a major discipline in the hospitality industry, I hope to do the same. Ten years down the road I see myself growing further within the VHG family, practicing revenue management at a larger scale, and hopefully teaching/ training our future strategists as well. I am always pursuing further education and hope to obtain my CRME certification soon. 6 HMYP Supplement October 21, 2015 HotelManagement.net
Hotel Management October 21, 2015 HMYP : Page 6
