Hotelier & Hospitality Design - July 2023

Hotelier & Hospitality Design

AHLA Announces 2023 Top General Managers and Hospitality Tech Innovators

The American Hotel & Lodging Association today announced its 2023 General Managers of the Year, TechOvation, and Technology Acceleration Award winners during presentations at The Hospitality Show at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas.

AHLA’s 2023 General Managers of the Year are:

• Travelodge by Wyndham Memphis General Manager Harold Daniels, AHLA General Manager of the Year – SelectService Property

• Embassy Suites by Hilton Minneapolis Airport General Manager Katie Ward, AHLA General Manager of the Year – FullService Property

• Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa General Manager Brian Kramer, AHLA General Manager of the Year – Resort Property

• Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa Managing Director Chris Sommers, AHLA General Manager of the Year – Independent Property

• SpringHill Suites by Marriott Orange Beach General Manager Michelle Davis, AHLA General Manager of the Year – Extended Stay Property

• Hyatt Regency New Orleans General Manager Michael O’Keith Smith, AHLA General Manager Lifetime Achievement Award

General managers received their awards during the inaugural General Managers Summit at The Hospitality Show. The first-of-its kind event will be held annually and bring together hotel GMs from across the country to hear from expert speakers, share best practices, network, and celebrate the industry’s best GMs via an awards ceremony.

AHLA and its technology committee, HTNG, announced that PolyAI is the winner of the annual TechOvation Award for its guest-led voice assistants, which use advanced conversational AI to understand and respond to common guest requests. The TechOvation award recognizes the most significant recent innovation in hospitality technology. Judges and members of The Hospitality Show audience picked this year’s winner from ten semifinalists who presented their innovative products to The Hospitality Show attendees.

AHLA and HTNG also named the following winners of the inaugural Technology Acceleration Award:

• Actabl

• Agilysys

• Belmond

• BOUNTE, INC.

• BluIP

• Clairvoyix

• Directful

• Hapi

• Instio Expericences, Pvt Ltd

• iOpen Innovations

• Logistics

• Phonesuite

• TigerTMS

• TipQwik

• Visual Matrix

Each year, the AHLA Technology Acceleration Award will recognize companies that have taken specific steps to advance innovation in hospitality. This year, the award showcased companies that have adopted HTNG Express, a new solution that shortens the process for post-booking hotel property management system integrations from months to just days.

“These esteemed winners represent some of hospitality’s brightest stars and most innovative companies,” said AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers. “The Hospitality Show provides an ideal forum in which to recognize the individuals and organizations who embody excellence in hospitality service and ingenuity. We look forward to recognizing America’s top hotel GMs and technology innovators again next year at The Hospitality Show 2024 in San Antonio.”

Next year, AHLA’s General Manager of the Year, TechOvation, and Technology Acceleration Award winners will be announced at The Hospitality Show 2024, which will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, through Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024.

Henderson Park Buys Landmark Edinburgh Hotel

Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian Is a Favourite of Famous People

Henderson Park, the private real estate investment fund manager, with its in-house hospitality operator and asset manager, Klarent Hospitality, has bought the landmark Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian.

The price paid has not been disclosed but is understood to be around £80 million.

Completed in 1903, the five star 241-room hotel is a category A listed building with a red sandstone facade. The ‘Caley’, as the hotel is known locally, has a list of famous former guests having hosted the late Queen Elizabeth II and former US President Barack Obama, as well as Hollywood legends including Laurel and Hardy, Judy Garland, Charlie Chaplin and Sean Connery.

The hotel, which takes its name from the Caledonian Railway Company, the original owner of the building, is on Princes Street, Edinburgh’s main retail street.

Henderson Park and Klarent Hospitality said they have identified a number of opportunities to invest in the hotel to create value and improve the consumer experience, including room renovations, as well as upgrading and restoring public areas and facilities.

It is the third Edinburgh hotel in Henderson Park’s Klarent Hilton portfolio, having purchased the Carlton on North Bridge, at the other end of Princes Street, and the Doubletree Edinburgh Airport as part of a 2,424-room, 12-hotel portfolio acquisition in November 2021.

Nick Weber, chief executive and founder of Henderson Park, said in a statement: “This transaction presents us with a rare opportunity to acquire an iconic hotel with an incredible 120-year heritage that is part of the very fabric of Edinburgh society. As custodians of this landmark property, we have a number of planned investments that will improve the guest and visitor experience and ensure the Caley retains its status as one of Edinburgh’s most emblematic hotels going forward.”

John Brennan, chairman of Klarent Hospitality, added: “In the wake of COVID-19 Edinburgh has proven to be one of the most resilient real estate and hospitality markets in the UK. Our Edinburgh Carlton hotel, for example, delivered significant revenue per room growth last year compared to 2019, which was driven by a quicker than expected recovery in overseas tourism and business travel and supported by continued strong domestic leisure demand. Our plans for The Caledonian will ensure that it remains well placed to capture this strong demand.”

Pop-Up Pioneers launched by BM

BM has launched ‘Pop-Up Pioneers’, a new initiative delivering innovative pop-ups across the business by tapping into the creativity, heritage and experience of its teams.

Sunil Varma, who was appointed the company’s pop-up chef Guru last year to oversee the development of street food concepts, has brought together a team of chefs from across the business to come up with pop-up ideas, design concepts and lead their activation at client sites.

Varma will lead the group, as well as guide and support the chefs, drawing on his own experience running pop-ups at BM sites over the last decade.

Several of the chefs have been able to contribute experience running their own pop-up concepts, with some having already operated street food stands at festivals, while others have regular pop-ups at London markets. Others will have the chance to contribute culinary inspiration from their travels, careers, backgrounds, or heritage.

Pop-Up Pioneers has been designed as both a creative outlet for BM’s chef team and to meet a growing demand among customers for authentic street food, trend-led dishes, and diverse culinary options.

The project already has a pipeline of pop-ups planned inspired by Gambian, Japanese, Indonesian, Cuban and Caribbean experiences, as well as fried chicken, and chimney cake-focused concepts.

Sunil Varma, Pop Up Chef Guru from BM said: “We’ve got such a wonderfully diverse team at BM with a range of backgrounds and experiences. Pop-Up Pioneers is another way we’re giving our team members free reign to express their creativity by designing their own food concepts as well as the chance to experience what it’s like to run a pop-up within the workplace.

“I’m really excited by the ideas the team have already brought to the table and look forward to launching these at our client sites.”

BM is a workplace catering company owned by Westbury Street Holdings (WSH). It has 700 employees serving 40,000 customers across 90 clients in London, the Home Counties and the South-East.

Bao to open noodle shop concept at Battersea Power Station

The Bao restaurant group will open a Taiwanese noodle shop in London's Battersea Power Station on 17 July.

It will launch as a standalone 88-cover restaurant in Arcade Battersea, JKS Restaurants' second food hall, overlooking Turbine Hall A.

The space will feature a U-shaped counter wrapped round the open kitchen and bar; and a private KTV room for karaoke parties for 10 diners.

The menu at Bao Battersea has taken inspiration from Bao Noodle Shop in London's Shoreditch, which opened in July 2021. It will focus on beef noodle soup with two different versions of noodles, sourced and imported directly from Taiwan.

Typical dishes will include Taipei-style broth with slow-braised beef cheek, spiced beef butter and fermented greens and Tainan-style broth with 400 day-aged white soy and rare poached beef rump.

Bao Battersea will also serve exclusive dishes such as the sanbei tofu bao made with breadcrumbed tofu fried in sanbei sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce and vegan mayonnaise, as well as crispy cheese croquettes with pickled plum ketchup and hot sauce.

It will also feature the group's first kids' set menu, with dishes such as baby bao, boiled cull yaw dumplings and Taiwanese fried chicken with garlic mayonnaise.

Bao co-founder Erchen Chang said: "As we all have backgrounds in art and design, it feels very special to be opening Bao Battersea in such an iconic building. Our KTV room in particular feels like a glimpse into an imagined future from the 1960s, with references to the Power Station's industrial past as well as one of our favourite films, Playtime.

"The menu reflects the comforting soup bowls that we grew up with in Taiwan, along with some exciting new dishes that we've been working on behind the scenes."

It comes after the group launched of dumpling house restaurant Bao Mary in London's Marylebone in May

Edward Jones appointed finance director of EasyHotel

Edward Jones has been named finance director of EasyHotel, which has revealed plans to double the size of its portfolio over the next four years.

Jones was previously group finance director of pet supplements company YuMove, where he managed and trained a UK and US finance team and supported M&A activity.

Prior to that, he was finance manager of the National Basketball Association (2012-2015) and an auditor at Baker Tilly.

Jones will be supporting CFO Charles Persello to execute the group's expansion plans regarding new hotel openings, franchisee partners and acquisitions.

His appointment comes after recent hires Kay Pithwa, UK

Stock Market Grill at Gary Neville’s hotel closes after five months

The Stock Market Grill restaurant at Gary Neville's Stock Exchange hotel in Manchester has closed only a few months after its launch.

It was opened in February by brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield, who are behind the city's Schofield and Atomeca bars, and wine-expert James Brandwood to replace Tom Kerridge's Bull and Bear restaurant.

Jones said: "I am delighted to be joining easyHotel at an exciting time as it executes its ambitious growth strategy. As a great value and low-carbon operator, we're seeing fantastic results with revPAR surging 32% compared with last year. Our value credentials and excellent brand recognition look set to fuel further growth throughout the rest of the year."

The budget hotel chain received a €50m (£42.66m) commitment from shareholders Ivanhoé Cambridge and ICAMAP towards its growth in December 2021, which unveiled plans to more than triple its estate in Europe by 2026.

The British brasserie restaurant was led by head chef Joshua Reed Cooper, who had worked in the kitchen at Stockport's Where the Light Gets in and the French and Mana in Manchester.

The Schofield brothers also run the Sterling bar at the hotel, which remains open.

A spokesperson for the hotel said: "Stock Exchange Hotel have taken the decision to close the doors to Stock Market Grill, as of 3 July 2023. The restaurant will, however, continue to serve breakfast and in-room dining to all overnight guests.

"In the meantime, the focus will be on Sterling, the premium cocktail bar located in the Vault at the Stock Exchange Hotel. The team are continuing to develop the Sterling concept and it's offering."

When Kerridge closed the Bull and Bear last year he said the restaurant was unable to open seven days a week despite the hotel being a full-time operation.

The Stock Exchange hotel said further details on its new food and beverage concept would be revealed in due course.

The hotel building originally opened as the Manchester stock exchange in 1906 and was relaunched by Neville's GG Hospitality in 2019.

CARRIER’S NEXT-GENERATION HYBRID HYDRONIC UNIT MEETS UNIQUE REQUIREMENTS OF HOTELS AND HOSPITALITY VENUES

Guest benefits include high indoor air quality, excellent comfort and quiet performance with use of induction ventilation and variable-speed fans

Carrier has introduced IdroFan® 36XH, a next generation of high-efficiency, hybrid hydronic terminal unit specifically designed for hotels and hospitality venues with intermittent occupancy. Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions.

The new IdroFan 36XH is a hybrid hydronic terminal that can operate as a stand-alone unit to maintain stable, comfortable conditions for guests, while delivering energy-efficient operation, reduced running costs and flexibility for building owners. Connected to a high-performance Carrier air handling unit, IdroFan 36XH provides enhanced indoor air quality by delivering filtered, conditioned fresh air to the space. To further enhance indoor air quality and occupant wellbeing, an optional integrated carbon dioxide sensor can be fitted to the terminal unit.

“Rooms with intermittent occupancy, such as hotels, restaurants and bars, pose particular challenges for effective air conditioning and ventilation,” said Alexandra Chanu, Product Manager, Europe, Carrier. “Carrier’s next-generation IdroFan 36XH hydronic hybrid terminal is designed to address the unique requirements of this segment, combining thermal responsiveness, energy-efficiency and guest comfort in a cost-effective package.”

It features three operating modes, Eco/Quiet, Comfort/Quiet and Active Fan/Boost, to address the different requirements of intermittently occupied rooms, ensuring comfortable conditions at all times for guests and minimising operating costs.

The Eco/Quiet and Comfort/Quiet modes enable prioritisation of lower operating costs or comfort, with conditioned fresh air supplied via the terminal by a remote air handling unit, ensuring quiet in-room performance. Eco/Quiet mode is ideal for nighttime use when low sound is required and thermal conditions are less variable. The high level of fresh air renewal aids restful sleep and supports guest well-being. Comfort/ Quiet mode provides the same fresh air benefits with quicker temperature adjustments as needed throughout day. Active Fan/Boost mode provides super-rapid response for refreshing room air and adjusting temperature when a space has been previously unoccupied or when seasonal conditions require.

When outdoor conditions are favourable, the system offers free-cooling, further enhancing energy-efficiency in cooling mode and during night-time operation.

Carrier’s IdroFan 36XH is backed by a certified Product Environmental Profile, useful for building sustainability assessments for certification standards such as BREEAM and LEED. The compact system is designed for easy positioning on site, and quick access during installation, commissioning and maintenance. Energy-efficient solutions such as IdroFan 36XH support Carrier’s 2030 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Goals.

For more information please click here

GRANDECO INTRODUCES WORLD’S FIRST GERM-KILLING WALLPAPER

Self-disinfecting Pure & Protect® range kills 99.9% of bacteria

Wallpaper producer Grandeco is aiming to provide safer spaces for all with the launch of the world’s first germ-killing wallpaper.

The self-disinfecting Pure & Protect® range reduces the threat of germs, disease and sickness spreading in both commercial and private spaces.

It derives its protective capabilities from innovative, transparent disinfectant coating Nobacoat®.

Used extensively in the automotive and construction industries, this is the first time this technology has been applied to wallpaper.

Patrick Molemans, CEO of Grandeco WallFashion Group said: “By taking a proactive approach to fighting bacteria, viruses and even mould, the Pure & Protect technology aims to make work, commercial and even private spaces safer to be in.

“Covid-19 caught the world unprepared and as pandemics are predicted to become more frequent, it is now crucial we take precautions to prevent germs spreading so easily in our homes and work spaces.

“Pure & Protect wallpaper allows companies to take control, protecting spaces, such as children’s nurseries and schools, care homes and hospitals, to keep our most vulnerable safe and minimise disruption.

“What's more, this is just the beginning, we will continue to develop products that improve our nature, and the health and wellbeing of our customers.”

Air-borne bacteria, viruses and moulds are efficiently eliminated by coming into contact with the wallpaper. Its coating obtains an elimination rate of 99.9% in just one hour and stays effective for at least 12 years.

The coating also adds to the surface abrasion resistance, meaning it can withstand regular wiping, scrubbing and is resilient to wear and tear.

Due to its heavy-duty nature, this wallpaper is ideal for the work and family environment where there are large amounts of traffic and people.

In addition to killing 99.9% of bacteria, it also prevents mould by eradicating fungi spurs in the same way it does viruses.

Grandeco now brings this technology to your home. In our Atmosphere collection, Grandeco combines the best of two worlds. Thanks to Grandeco’s innovative Pure & Protect® technology, this trendy wallpaper collection is finished with an antiviral and antibacterial coating. Choose from the uni or striking stripe patterns in subdued colours and get creative. For an interior with impact!

To find out more about Pure & Protect® please click here

Tapping into the elevation of DOOH (Digital Out of Home) advertising

DOOH is one of the advertising sector’s biggest success stories of recent years, with a proven track record in delivering efficiency, engagement and capturing attention. And for organisations looking to embrace the media, Schindler’s Digital Media Services (DMS) can provide the ideal starting point.

Digital out of home (DOOH) is now one of the advertising industry’s fastest growing segments. Not only did spend grow globally by 21.2% in 2022 to $15.7bn, its second consecutive year of double-digit growth, the channel is also forecast to be the fastest growing media overall from 2022-2025. According to MAGNA 2020 report, it’s set to outperform mobile, video and even social to achieve average annual growth rates of 14% within the next three years.

There are all sorts of factors driving organisations to embrace DOOH, from its ability to significantly outperform other media when it comes to engagement to improving efficiencies and reducing waste. It also leverages the widespread embrace of digital media in a post-pandemic world, with digital screens now naturally embedded in everyday life.

And though the profligacy of the advertising channel leaves organisations with a raft of potential installations to choose from, elevators can offer the ideal environment to optimise all the best parts of DOOH.

With their naturally high dwell time, elevators provide an inherently effective environment within which building owners, employers or external organisations can deliver targeted digital messages to a high volume of visitors.

Reduced mobile network coverage meanwhile forces those people travelling in an elevator to temporarily put down smartphones, leaving them open and attentive to alternative distractions.

Plus, the clear intention with which people enter a building and step into an elevator – be it to shop, catch a plane on holiday or head into the office – provides advertisers with a mindset they can tap into to boost the relevance of any messages popping up on an elevator screen. For those in a shopping mall that could be discounts from retailers with stores in the building or for airports, it could be destination-based content from travel agencies or international tourist boards.

This was the approach by one apartment building in Berlin-Friedenau, whose owners worked with Schindler to integrate carefully tailored digital messages into their elevators to reflect the specific needs of tenants. This included updates on local weather, information regarding building management and advertising from businesses within the nearby neighbourhood. Within a few months of installation, tenants reported feeling better informed and even appreciative of the updates received on the short ride up to their apartments.

The ability to manage digital screens within elevators via a centralised network also drivers far greater efficiencies and performance. It allows multiple messages to be shown sequentially with no need for on-site intervention or logistics required - and zero material waste either. In fact, it’s the most energy-efficient medium, at just five to six grams of CO2 per 1,000 contacts. Emissions from print media are up to 2,000 times higher.

The bottom line for advertisers is that the rapid growth of DOOH in the last few years is no fluke, with digital signage a proven way to drive engagement and deliver targeted messages. And by taking advantage of the captive audience inside elevators, organisations can benefit from a highly cost-effective and sustainable way to start leveraging its potential.

Kärcher Professional UK Launches Buy Back Scheme

The purchase of cleaning machinery is an investment for most businesses, with a business case required to justify the outlay. That’s why Kärcher Professional UK has announced its new Buy Back* initiative, whereby commercial customers can trade-in their old cleaning machines for a discount against the new equipment, saving money on the purchase and safe in the knowledge that Kärcher will responsibly recycle the outdated model.

Kärcher prides itself on its outstanding customer service package, which features live support, expert engineers, machine repairs and loan machines to name a few. The new Buy Back scheme will enhance this existing Kärcher service offering with a completely new opportunity for customers to benefit from.

The initiative includes not only older Kärcher models, but also legacy machinery from other manufacturers. The only stipulation is that the customer is purchasing the same category machine they are trading in, for example a scrubber dryer traded in for a scrubber dryer. Once the new machine has been delivered, the old one will be transported to Kärcher HQ to be reviewed and categorised before following one of two

routes. Either removal to the Kärcher Used Equipment site for refurbishment, re-selling or donation, or, if not in a state of economical repair, it will be responsibly stripped of component parts, separated and then recycled through approved partners.

To take advantage of Kärcher Buy Back or find out more, customers should contact their Kärcher representative to register interest.

Paul Bensley, Sales Director at Kärcher UK said, “Utilising the latest cleaning equipment has a direct impact on the efficiency of cleaning processes and team productivity. While we are very aware that businesses may hesitate to buy brand-new equipment, we believe the results will make it worthwhile and hope our Buy Back scheme will help make the purchase decision easier. As well as upgrading their cleaning arsenal, customers can enjoy easy and sustainable disposition of their old equipment, while realising some of the value of their legacy asset. We very much hope our Buy Back scheme will give companies the impetus to improve and enhance their cleaning machines.”

For more information, visit www.kaercher.com for more details or call 01295 752099

29%

compared with 29% of masks when using paper towels.

New Mask Study Shows That The Method of Hand Drying Can Affect The Spread Of Viruses Through The Air

89%

When using jet air dryers, 89% of masks were contaminated by viruses

More details about the results of the study, can be found here

Virus load significantly higher with jet air dryer use than with paper towels

Scientists have found that contamination of hand dryer users by splattering was found to be 10-fold higher when using jet air dryers than when using paper towels and contamination of other washroom users was also significantly greater.

ETS is the European Tissue Paper Industry Association. The members of ETS represent the majority of tissue paper producers throughout Europe and around 90% of the total European tissue production. ETS was founded in 1971 and is based in Brussels. For more information: www.europeantissue.com

Being awarded ‘Best for Innovative Hard Surfaces Restoration and Repair Services 2022’ by Design and Build Awards and with 30 years’ experience in specialist repairs and restoration, Magicman can assist.

Our customers include celebrated hotels, famous cruise lines and busy international transport hubs. From

Park Lane to Pakistan, Bermondsey to Bermuda, we provide repair and restoration services all over the UK and around the world. At Magicman, we know that a good repair is the best thing to do.

If your premises are in need of some TLC, we have the services and equipment to help you out. We can handle minor chips, scratches, and

other superficial issues as well as more major damage such as dents, burns and cracks.

Our skilled technicians can restore your premises in the highest order by addressing any unsightly damaged items in a timely manner and in an affordable manner. There’s no need to worry about how much time it will take us to complete repairs because our team is always on time—and ready to go!

We do not limit our services to small repairs; we are able to restore main entrances and windows while also working on door frames, cills and even entire buildings or shops fronts. Inside or outside, we can fix any colour, grain, or pattern you may want! We use only certified technicians who are trained and experienced with every job they undertake.

Our goal is always customer satisfaction!

We remove the panic when sudden and unexpected damage occurs which has the potential to push clients into penalty clauses. As completion deadline approaches, it is imperative that snagging issues are remedied promptly and to a standard

The appearance of your hotel is of paramount importance when inspiring confidence and delight amongst clientele.

that assists you to handover to client ‘defect free’. Magicman has both the skill sets and the ability to provide the numbers to ensure this happens.

Most items are produced in batches and replacements, in addition to being subject to long lead times, may not be the same colour or sheen of the original. A Magicman repair is the easy, cost-effective solution.

When you’re a hotelier, you can’t afford to have a room that’s not up to snuff.

That’s why Magicman is the perfect solution for when your rooms need a little work.

We’ve been providing repair services for hotels for over 30 years, and we know how important it is to keep your rooms looking and feeling brand new. We also know that sometimes things happen maybe there’s an incident that causes damage, or maybe it’s just time for an upgrade. Whatever the case may be, we’re here to help you find solutions—and fast!

Our team can handle most problems with efficiency and ease, whether they involve cabinets or furniture. We’ll even handle any of your snagging issues before you hand over possession of the room to your client, so they don’t have to worry about paying extra fees due to incomplete repairs.

We’ve got all kinds of options when it comes to repairing damaged items in your hotel rooms.

What does this mean for you?

Our business model of repairing items on site instead of ordering and installing replacements, saves you

time and money and is better for the environment. Typically repairing on site saves between 50– 80% of the cost of installing a replacement. Repairing on site reduces waste to landfill and greenhouse gases created in production and delivery of replacement items. It avoids long delivery times; any possibility of ancillary damage and items can often be back in use within hours. Magicman provide teams of technicians who repair, restore, and rejuvenate (in-situ) doors, floors, furniture, sanitaryware, baths, basins, shower trays, whirlpools, ceramic tiles, handrails, panels, artworks, sculptures, reception desks, walls, common areas including bars, restaurants, gyms, and spas.

All without removal or replacement!

We are fully accredited, certified, and audited so we can deliver the standards you expect nationwide:

ISO 9001: 2015 Quality Management

ISO 14001: 2015 Environmental Management

ISO 45001: 2018 Occupational Health & Safety

We’re all about making your life easier.

That’s why we created Magicman: to help you save time, money, and resources. Our team of experts can repair hard surfaces to a wide range of different items and types of substrates, including:

• Wood and laminate

• Glass polishing

• Metal polishing

• Stone and marble repair & polishing

• Ceramic tiling

• Plastics / uPVC

• Corian

• Powder coated surfaces

• Painted surfaces (including wallpaper)

• Sanitaryware (baths, basins, and showers)

Big savings

The premise of Magicman is a simple one. Instead of replacing damaged items and surfaces we copy the colours, patterns, texture, and sheen to repair the original, typically saving between 50% - 80% compared with the cost of replacement. Better for you and better for the environment.

Because Magicman work on site (we come to you) and our repairs are so quick, without the lead time involved in ordering replacement items, the turnaround time is reduced, and costs are dramatically lowered. Also, your items are brought back into use much more quickly.

If you would like to know more, please contact enquiries@magicman.co.uk or visit our website www.magicman.co.uk

DE KUYPER LAUNCHES 360 UK ‘COLOURFUL COCKTAIL VIBES’

This summer De Kuyper Liqueurs is inviting bartenders and customers to discover their ‘colourful cocktail vibe’, perfectly matched mood-based cocktails.

Launching on 30th June, the new campaign channels De Kuyper’s vision to Own the Cocktail for the trade and the consumer. By simply pairing trending and classic cocktails with moods and moments, De Kuyper inspires every individual to find their perfect serve for any occasion.

The multi-channel campaign featuring the ‘Colourful Cocktail Vibes’ creative and the perfect range of De Kuyper Liqueurs to celebrate any summer drinking occasion includes PR, Social Media, Influencer, Digital, On and Off trade activations and Amazon amplification.

The campaign will run for 13 weeks and will be brought to life through various activations throughout the summer period:

Consumers visiting Stonegate, Marstons and Mitchells & Butlers will be invited discover their unique ‘Colourful Cocktail Vibe’ through a personalised quiz here. Accessible on menus and online, the quiz has been designed to unlock consumers cocktail personality, matching their mood and the occasion with a recommended De Kuyper serve.

What’s more, De Kuyper is offering exclusive deals now until the 31st August through Matthew Clark, where the brand recently launched its 70cl liqueurs and newly created syrups. With any purchase, operators receive a free ROS driving kit, including cocktail recipe inspiration booklets to gift customers ordering De Kuyper cocktails.

• Point of Sale activations include branded glassware, cocktail shakers, jiggers and strainers along with menu clips, A frame and tabletop chalkboards and posters that will help bring Colourful Cocktail Vibes to life.

• Retail partnerships online and instore with Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons including interactive quizzes via QR codes and promotions to drive ROS

• 9-10th September: De Kuyper will showcase its colourful cocktails alongside renowned Michelin-star chefs at The Home of Food festival at Lord’s cricket ground. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to book a Cocktail masterclass with De Kuyper’s Global Brand Ambassador Max de Smit and create their own ‘Colourful Cocktail Vibe’

• 30th April to 30th September: The first De Kuyper cocktail terrace with Delta by Marriott in Liverpool launches. This vibrant space will be open until the end of September, offering bespoke cocktails throughout the summer.

Godelief van Erve, De Kuyper’s Global Marketing Director said, ‘We’re excited to be bringing our Colourful Cocktail Vibes campaign to the consumers via social/digital media and on-trade & off-trade activations this summer, with a variety of vibrant and delicious serves, perfectly matched to suit any mood or occasion. Whether it’s a refreshing Blue Lagoon, a sophisticated Kir Royale or fruity Passionfruit Martini, there’s a serve to suit everyone’s cocktail vibe. With over 325 years of distilling experience and a commitment to use the best possible quality ingredients, we create the best liqueurs that we know bartenders and customers love using in their cocktails.’

Bright pink, intense pool blue or a radiant orange: it’s not just the fashion world that’s going colourful this summer. Discover your #ColourfulCocktailVibe.

MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Celebration Vibes? Enjoy a Kir Royale.

Ingredients:

• 20 ml De Kuyper Crème de Cassis

• Top up with champagne or prosecco

Preparation: Add all ingredients to flute glass. Add ice. Stir gently to mix ingredients. Garnish if desired and serve.

Vacation Vibes? Enjoy a Blue Lagoon.

Ingredients:

• 40ml De Kuyper Blue Curaçao

• 20ml Vodka

• 20ml fresh lime juice

• Lemonade

Preparation: Fill a long drink glass with ice. Add De Kuyper Blue Curaçao, vodka and lime juice. Top up with lemonade and stir gently. Finally, garnish with a slice of orange and serve.

Party Vibes, Enjoy a Margarita

Ingredients:

• 20ml De Kuyper Triple Sec

• 40ml Tequila

• 20ml fresh lime juice

• 5ml sugar syrup (one barspoon)

Preparation: Fill a shaker or a large screw-top jar halfway with ice. Add all ingredients and shake vigorously for one minute. Strain into a margarita glass and serve immediately. As a garnish, a slice of lime on the glass is recommended.

Fruity Vibes? Enjoy a Passionfruit Martini.

Ingredients:

• 40ml De Kuyper Passionfruit

• 30ml Vodka

• 15ml vanilla syrup (three bar spoons)

• 20ml fresh lime juice

• Pulp of a passion fruit

• 1 egg white (optional)

Preparation: Fill a shaker or a large screw-top jar halfway with ice. Add De Kuyper passionfruit, vodka, vanilla syrup, lime juice, passion fruit and optionally an egg white. Shake vigorously for at least a minute and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with half a passionfruit. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Making first impressions count

This month we spoke to Stephanie Hickford, Brand Manager for OOH, at Border Biscuits on the importance of offering a selection of complimentary items in room and how this can have a positive impact on guests.

Going above and beyond

We know it’s important for hotels to maintain the little touches that enhance a guests’ experience, such as offering a selection of complimentary items inroom. It’s all about creating a memorable experience from start to finish, and these small gestures can really help to have a positive effect on guests and encourage repeat custom.

We know that majority of guests (91%) say that complimentary items in their room make their stay much more memorable –it ultimately creates a home from home experience, so adding additional touches will elevate their stay. What’s more, over half of people (57%) say they also enjoy complimentary refreshments upon arrival during the check-in process – another way to make a great hotel stand-out from the crowd.

Meeting guests’ expectations

Recent Border research shows that 96% people said they expect tea, coffee, and biscuits to be part of a complimentary package upon their stay. With this in mind, we can firmly say there is a need for operators to really consider their inroom offering to meet this expectation. Guests are also looking for quality where they can, as budgets and finances remain tight. Therefore, it’s important that hotels maintain the little touches such as using accessible premium products to enhance a guest’s experience. Going that step further and offering these brands will ultimately provide a memorable treat for customers.

How to further profit opportunities

In the UK, nearly half of guests (49%) will enjoy biscuits in their hotel room, so we know that it’s a worthwhile investment for hoteliers, as it also brings opportunities to increase profits across the wider business. For example, if there is a bar area of coffee lounge on site, hoteliers should add biscuits to beverage menus so customers can enjoy delicious Border biscuits again – just as they did in their room.

How we can help

As the UK’s number one premium biscuit brand in the OOH channel1, Border really is a go-to brand in the hospitality sector. We’re a family-owned business that has been operating in the channel for 30 years, which gives us a complete understanding on what flavours and formats are most popular and how to really enhance your guests’ stays.

If you would like to find out more information about our range and stockists, please visit border.co.uk

GOOD FO G AB AND GO BUT S BLIME WHEN SLOWLY SAVOU ED