TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY
businesswire | April 24, 2023
National Restaurant Association Show, Visit Booth #2784--DTG, the leading provider of industrial-strength power systems and mobile workstation solutions, today launched a new generation of its popular mobile Chef PowerStation. The next-generation carts offer increased power and output capacity, as well as features and functionality that accommodate the needs of mobile food and beverage operations in hospitality markets, such as sports stadiums, clubs and resorts, and other event venues, where the ability to untether concessions from fixed locations can drive a better patron experience, reduce wait times and boost profitability.
DTG’s new generation of battery-powered mobile Chef PowerStations now feature increased power capacity leveraging new models of DTG’s Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries, which offer advanced power to mobilize food and beverage operations for up to 18 hours. The new models also provide improved ergonomics for food preparation, and additional options for refrigeration, heating and storage.
“A new wave of challenges is forcing hospitality businesses such as restaurants, resorts and event venues to find new ways to reach more customers with innovative offerings,” said Steve Shaheen, DTG CEO and co-founder. “Our mobile hospitality workstations are helping businesses differentiate themselves and elevate their food and beverage services at a time when consumers are becoming more discerning with their discretionary food and entertainment spending and their time.”
DTG’s Chef PowerStations were recently featured at the Chef-to-Chef event, a premier conference by Club + Resort Chef, where some of the nation’s leading chefs used the new workstations in a variety of formats including a culinary competition in front of a live audience. According to Kevin Silk, Executive Chef, Savannah Yacht Club, “The DTG workstation was a great tool for the competition; it had plenty of power for the oven and my other electric appliances and had a lot of tabletop space for me to utilize for prep. I could definitely see my club using these for action stations during events or for cooking classes! I would recommend these carts to all of my colleagues.”
The Chef PowerStations have also been used to meet the food and beverage needs at Texas A&M football games at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, a venue that seats more than 100,00 fans. In partnership with the Levy Group, the mobile workstations were employed to reduce customer wait times, increase profitability, and address critical staffing shortages.
About DTG
DTG is the global leader in the design and delivery of mobilized battery powered workstations and advanced Uninterruptible Battery Systems (UBS) for industries such as industrial materials handling & logistics, healthcare, commercial food services and manufacturing. The company brings workforce automation and unrivaled battery system power to the point of task. DTG is privately held and based in Wilmington, Mass.
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HOSPITALITY TRENDS
prnewswire | May 17, 2023
Funds advised by Apax Partners LLP ("Apax") announced today that they have reached a definitive agreement to invest approximately $450m to acquire a significant minority stake in IBS Software, a leading provider of modern Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions to the global travel and logistics industry, from Blackstone. Following the transaction, Apax will partner closely with IBS Software's Founder and Executive Chairman, V K Mathews, who will remain the majority shareholder.
Founded in 1997 with a vision of redefining the future of travel through technology innovation, IBS Software provides next-generation SaaS solutions that power the most mission-critical operations at the world's leading aviation, tour and cruise, hospitality and logistics companies. With a comprehensive portfolio of modular, cloud-based solutions purpose-built for the travel industry, IBS Software helps travel companies accelerate innovation and drive efficiency across a broad set of core business processes, including cargo and logistics, flight operations, passenger services, loyalty programs, cruise operations, energy & resource logistics and hospitality distribution platforms. Backed by a team of 4000 professionals across the world with more than 25 years of deep domain expertise, IBS Software's scalable, cloud-native platform and demonstrated market leadership, position it to define the future of mission-critical technology for the travel industry.
V K Mathews, Founder and Executive Chairman of IBS Software said: "We're excited to partner with Apax as we enter a new phase in our mission to transform how travel companies operate in a digital world. This investment is an endorsement of our strategy and our commitment and contribution to the industry, and we have a shared vision with Apax for the future of the business. We thank our customers and employees who have been instrumental in our success so far. We're grateful to the Blackstone team for their invaluable support over the years and we look forward to an exciting and fulfilling journey ahead with Apax."
Anand Krishnan, CEO, IBS Software, added: "As the travel industry rapidly embraces digitalisation, we have a vital role to play in helping our customers accelerate revenues, drive efficiency and create differentiated customer experiences. Apax has deep experience in partnering with leading SaaS providers and will be a strategic partner for IBS Software as we embark on a new phase of growth. We thank Blackstone for helping us create real value and a true partnership."
Jason Wright, Partner, Apax, commented: "We are thrilled to partner with VK and the management team at IBS Software. Having closely monitored the travel software sector over the last several years, IBS Software stood out to us as uniquely positioned in the industry, offering a next-gen software suite that we believe is truly unrivalled. Over the last two decades, IBS Software has invested in products, innovation, and culture, while continuing to scale the business. We believe there is tremendous growth potential ahead and look forward to leveraging our software experience to help IBS Software become a world leader in travel and logistics software."
Amit Dixit, Head of Asia Private Equity, Blackstone, said: "We are happy to have played an important role in IBS Software's transformation to a SaaS company with global leadership in Travel and Logistics. IBS is already one of the largest enterprise SaaS companies out of India. We thank VK for his strategic vision and for being a terrific partner, and Anand and the management team for their impeccable execution. Value creation at IBS Software demonstrates our business-building approach to investing and reinforces our conviction in Technology as a sectoral theme."
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close end of Q2 2023. Financial terms were not disclosed.
J.P. Morgan is acting as financial advisor to IBS Software and Blackstone, Drew & Napier LLC is acting as legal counsel to IBS Software and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is acting as legal counsel to Blackstone.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as legal counsel and Jefferies LLC is acting as financial advisor to Apax.
About IBS Software
IBS Software is a leader in providing SaaS solutions for the travel industry based in Singapore. It manages mission-critical operations for clients in the aviation, tour & cruise, and hospitality industries. The aviation industry solutions provided by the company include fleet & crew operations, passenger services, staff travel, loyalty programs, aircraft maintenance, and air cargo management. It also operates a B2B and B2C distribution platform that provides hotel room inventory, rates, and availability to a network of hospitality companies and channels. Additionally, it offers a comprehensive, customer-centric digital platform for the tour and cruise industry that includes onshore, online, and on-board solutions. IBS Software is a Blackstone portfolio company with 15 offices worldwide.
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HOSPITALITY TRENDS
prnewswire | April 04, 2023
Cambria Hotels, part of the Choice Hotels International, Inc.family of brands, continues its nationwide expansion with the grand opening of its first hotel in Georgia: the Cambria Hotel Savannah Downtown Historic District. The brand's newest downtown addition will provide modern travelers with the upscale amenities they need to discover all the opportunities Savannah has to offer.
To commemorate the grand opening of Georgia's first hotel, which officially opened its doors in December, the Cambria Hotel Savannah Downtown Historic District welcomed community members and distinguished guests to a ribbon cutting ceremony. Guests were treated to a Savannah-inspired reception and property tours featuring the hotel's full-service bar and restaurant, contemporary and sophisticated guestrooms, and state-of-the-art fitness center.
Speakers at the event included Janis Cannon, senior vice president, Upscale brands, Choice Hotels, Savannah city officials, and Lois Model, Executive Director at Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision, who each expressed their enthusiasm about the brand's debut in Georgia.
"Known for its hospitality, innovative history, and vibrant culture, Savannah is a corporate, entertainment and industrial hub," said Janis Cannon. "At Cambria Hotels, our expansion stays focused on growth in markets with strong business and leisure demand. This makes Savannah the ideal spot to debut the Peach State's first Cambria. We're proud to welcome guests to yet another brand-defining property in our growing lineup of Cambria hotels nationwide."
The new six story, 101-room Cambria hotel positions guests in the heart of the city's National Historic Landmark District, providing modern travelers with easy access to top Savannah landmarks, renowned architecture and more than 100 restaurants situated along the neighborhood's cobblestone streets. The Cambria Hotel Savannah Downtown Historic District is within walking distance to the Savannah Civic Center, the SCAD Museum and Forsyth Park, and is a short drive to several top area employers, including Georgia Ports Authority – one of the busiest container gateways in the nation – Gulfstream, Hunter Army Airfield, St. Joseph's Hospital, and Mitsubishi Hitachi Power System's North American headquarters. The hotel's charming design is reflective of the surrounding Savannah community, known for its stunning buildings, iconic city squares and parks, and coastal landscapes.
The Cambria Hotel Savannah Downtown Historic District, which participates in Choice Privileges, the award-winning loyalty program from Choice Hotels, features upscale amenities and approachable indulgences that appeal to today's travelers, including:
Multi-purpose indoor and outdoor spaces, including a lobby bar, for productive work or relaxation.
Locally inspired design décor, reflecting the unique personality of the surrounding National Historic Landmark District community.
Contemporary and sophisticated guest rooms, complete with design forward fixtures, abundant lighting and plush bedding.
Immersive, spa-style bathrooms with Bluetooth mirrors.
Onsite dining with freshly made food, local craft beer, wine and specialty cocktails, as well as to-go options.
Multi-function meeting and event spaces.
State-of-the-art fitness center.
The Cambria Hotel Savannah Downtown Historic District showcases how Choice Hotels has become the go-to challenger brand for developers looking to move to upscale with the flexibility to build at a reduced cost while retaining a design-forward experience. This property was developed by HOS Management Group, a second-generation hospitality and development group with over 30 years of industry experience managing a diverse collection of iconic hotel brands, and is managed by Peachtree Hotel Group, a private equity management firm focusing on opportunistically deploying capital across its distinct operating and real estate divisions.
There are currently over 65 Cambria hotels open across the U.S. in popular cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, New Orleans, and Phoenix, with over 70 hotels in the pipeline. Cambria guests visiting any of these locations and more are able to gain enhanced rewards and benefits through the Choice co-branded, no fee credit card program.
About Cambria Hotels
The Cambria Hotels brand is designed for the modern traveler, offering guests a distinct experience with simple, guilt-free indulgences allowing them to treat themselves while on the road. Properties feature compelling design inspired by the location, spacious and comfortable rooms, flexible meeting space, and local, freshly prepared food and craft beer. Cambria Hotels is rapidly expanding in major U.S. cities, with hotels open in Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Nashville, and Phoenix. There are currently more than 65 Cambria hotels open and nearly 70 hotels in the pipeline. To learn more, visit www.choicehotels.com/cambria.
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