Innovation

💾 At MURTEC 2025, Jason Lechner of Pizza Ranch and Felicia White of Ascent Hospitality Management discussed how advanced training technologies in foodservice improve onboarding, skill-building, and employee retention. Key topics included the people-to-people aspect of the industry and the value of a well-trained team.

📲 Square launched Square Handheld, a portable POS device, today. Weighing 11 ounces, under an inch thick, with IP54 rating, 6.2" Gorilla Glass touchscreen, barcode scanning, 16 MP camera, full payment functionality, and integration with Square's software ecosystem. Square Handheld operates with the unified Square Point of Sale app, featuring seven customizable modes like Quick Service, Bar, and Retail. The device is essential for various businesses, especially restaurants and retailers, which composed 50% of Square's GPV in 2024. Available for $399, with Belkin SheerForce cases starting at $39. This release is part of Square Releases, a biannual product launch event.

🏨 Ascott plans to open over 300 properties by 2028, creating more than 12,000 jobs, including 1,500 leadership roles. To support this, they launched Ascott Accelerate with three tracks: Aim, Advance, and Aspire, for leadership development. A digital platform complements the program, offering flexible learning in key operational areas. Ascott also promotes global exposure through the Ascott Global Exchange Programme and industry events. This strategic talent development aims to ensure sustainable growth in hospitality.

🏨 In 2022, Hotelverse emerged in the post-pandemic era, focusing on hyper-personalization in hospitality. Guillermo González discussed with Florencia Cueto how "attribute-based selling" enables precise room selection, enhancing guest satisfaction and revenue. Guests pay a premium, 1.5%-15% of ADR, for preferred rooms. Integration of digital twins allows virtual room tours, boosting pre-arrival engagement. Technology connects hotel systems, freeing staff for guest interactions and upselling opportunities, transforming the booking process into a personalized experience.

📑 May 14, 2025, Ben Wolff, co-founder of Onera and CEO of Oasi, discusses the barriers to innovation in the hospitality industry. He emphasizes how unique properties outperform others. This episode is featured on the Hospitality Daily Podcast. Wolff's insights aim to encourage leaders to innovate for better business outcomes.

📱 Today, Square launched Square Handheld, a portable point-of-sale device available for $399 online at Square Shop. Weighing 11 ounces and less than an inch thick, it features a 6.2" Gorilla Glass touchscreen, barcode scanning, and a 16 MP camera. Designed for fast-paced businesses, it supports tap and dip transactions and integrates with Square’s software ecosystem. In 2024, restaurants and retailers accounted for 50% of Square’s gross payment volume. Belkin offers cases starting at $39.

💻 Conviva's 2025 State of Digital Experience Report shows that 91% of consumers had frustrating digital issues in the past year. 55% abandon purchases, 50% switch companies, and 39% cancel subscriptions due to poor experiences. If negative digital experiences rise from 1% to 2%, user time drops by 42%. Surveying 223 million global sessions and 4,000 U.S. and UK consumers, the report highlights businesses risk revenue and reputation if digital service fails to meet expectations. 93% return with positive experiences.

🔐 70% of consumers prefer digital keys over traditional key cards for safety. Digital keys leverage encrypted communication, biometric authentication, and enhance guest experiences by allowing seamless access via mobile apps. Traditional key cards, being easily lost or cloned, pose security risks and operational inefficiencies. Digital keys offer benefits such as enhanced security, seamless guest experiences, privacy, operational efficiency, and eco-friendliness. Future developments include integration with mobile wallets and advancements in Bluetooth, IoT, and AI. FLEXIPASS Digital Keys, a global technology company with over 30 years of experience, specializes in keyless door opening solutions for the hospitality industry.

📅 On May 14, 2025, Amadeus expanded its partnership with BCD Travel, launching "Cytric Easy for Microsoft Teams" as a new reseller offering. The integration allows efficient planning and booking of flights, hotels, and cars within Microsoft Teams, aiming to reduce corporate travel costs and increase productivity. Features include "Share My Transfer" for better coordination among travelers, streamlining corporate travel by combining booking, reporting, and policy compliance.