Implementing Effective Brand Transition through AI

Dennis Blair is an experienced director of hotel technology at Aimbridge Hospitality. With his hospitality, utility, and AI expertise, he has helped several organizations improve their efficiency and drive ROI. Blair has achieved numerous recognitions and accomplishments throughout his career, making him adept at assisting teams in implementing effective brand transitioning strategies.

How would you describe your journey with Aimbridge Hospitality, and what are your key responsibilities here?

As the Director of Hotel Technology at Aimbridge Hospitality, my key responsibility is reviewing hotel standards, brand initiatives, and partnerships with hotel vendors. In this role, I oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of hospitality technology systems and platforms for more than 1200 properties operated by Aimbridge Hospitality. Since we are franchisees, we efficiently manage properties and hotels to drive value for independent owners, REITs, and asset managers.

Please shed some light on today’s challenges and trends in the travel and hospitality space.

One of the critical challenges we currently face is the disruption of the supply chain and the shortage of chips. This leads to project delays, particularly for network components such as switches, access points, and firewalls. Additionally, labor shortages are causing unexpected delays in project completion. However, many projects put on hold during the pandemic are now being implemented with renewed emphasis from the brand.

“We are developing bestin-class hospitality technology stack solutions for independent and branded hotels and resorts. We aim to help property owners and asset managers implement effective brand transitioning”

In recent years, we have witnessed significant trends in the hospitality industry, such as ABS or attribute-based selling, which allows guests to choose the amenities they require rather than booking rooms by type. The use of AI in travel and hospitality has also transformed the industry, enabling hotels to focus on guests’ priorities and enhance their experience. Today, guests can book a hotel room, check in, and make special requests seamlessly through their mobile phones, making the process more convenient and efficient.

Are there any recent projects you have been working on, and what are some of the process elements leveraged to make them successful?

We are developing best-in-class hospitality technology stack solutions for independent and branded hotels and resorts. We aim to help property owners and asset managers implement effective brand transitioning. The components of our hotel stack include property management, point of sale, door lock, room entertainment, free-to-guest, hotel guest Wi-Fi systems, spa management software, business center, digital signage, and employee safety devices.

The purpose of these processes is to validate the financial viability of vendors and strengthen the management teams that work for them. Our technology stack solutions give guests seamless mobile access, especially around door locks, pointof-sale systems with contactless payments, and poolside payments. Whether it is checkin and check-out or in-room entertainment enrolment to Netflix or Hulu, everything can be done contactless with our technology stack solutions. These processes enhance overall efficiency, return on investment, and vendor data security.

In light of your experience, what will be your advice to fellow peers in the industry?

We need to stay up-to-date with the latest technology and trends in the marketplace. We must ensure they pass rigorous cybersecurity assessments when implementing new systems and processes. Cybersecurity awareness is crucial for successful IT operations in today’s environment.