Membership Payment Accepted Online
from NYSH&TA
To those members who have already paid 2009 membership dues, THANK YOU. By renewing your NYSH&TA membership, you made a commitment to yourself and your organization to be a leader in the hospitality and tourism industry. If you still owe all or part of your 2009 membership dues we have made it easy for you to continue your membership. Just click here to pay online. If you have any questions, contact Membership Services Manager Darcy Lyle at 800-642-5313. Don’t forget to check out our New Resources and Information Center. This FREE member benefit provides up-to-date information to educate you and your staff on specific industry concerns that you need answers on daily. With over 600 pieces of research material available, some of our categories include: ADA Regulations, Alcohol Licenses, Credit Card Information, Hotel Operations, Reception & Ejection of Guests, Safety & Security and State & Federal Alerts. Enter your NYSH&TA ID number in the password field and click on Resources and Information. If you don't know your ID number, please e-mail Tina, or call: (800) 642-5313. More

IH/M&RS Announces Finalists for 29th Annual Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design
from IH/M&RS
The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show® (IH/M&RS) has named finalists for the prestigious Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design, an honor bestowed annually to design firms representing the most innovative hospitality properties completed or renovated within the past 18 months. Finalists were selected by a panel of notable industry experts from more than 225 projects in 24 countries. More

Online Hotel Marketing Strategy Maximizes Your Web Exposure
from TravelWires.com
While traditional marketing in the forms of radio, TV, print advertising and public relations can be effective for brand promotion and brand reinforcement, the direct impact on generating hotel bookings is limited and the bookings it does generate cannot be measured accurately. More

Due Date Approaching for Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax
from NYSH&TA
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance is administering a new payroll tax on behalf of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The tax is effective in the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District, composed of New York City's five counties and the seven surrounding counties of Rockland, Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester. The tax is imposed on most employers and self- employed individuals doing business in those 12 counties, and the filing deadline for the first return due is quickly approaching. Taxpayers must file a return and pay the tax by November 2, 2009. The initial tax return and payment will cover the March 1 to September 30, 2009, filing period. Go to www.nystax.gov to learn about who the tax applies to, due dates, and how to file a return or Contact the Tax Department at (518) 485-2392. More

The Green Premium
from Hotels Magazine
Are consumers facing green fatigue? Are wallets biting back during tough economic times? Does the green movement have legs during an extended recession? You couldn’t hear enough about green hotelkeeping before the economy tanked in 2008. Now, do you hear the drum beat nearly as often or as loud? The author of this article doesn’t think so, especially when too many hoteliers are fighting for their professional lives and have to place green initiatives on the back burner. More