Increases in corporate travel budgets are not keeping up with increases in corporate hotel rates. Follow the link for some great information, as well as several useful infographics about the trend in corporate travel expenses and the savings a corporate housing provider can offer business travelers.

How serviced apartments can save money on corporate accommodations

In addition, Kansas City property management expert Kristy Wisdom has joined the Blvd Suites team as the regional manager overseeing the office. Wisdom brings 20 years of experience in property management, including managing corporate housing processes, and has spent the previous 14 years with AMLI Residential in the Greater Kansas City area. As a Kansas City native, she has intimate knowledge of the area and the key business opportunities represented there.

“We recognize there is a tremendous opportunity to capture new business in mid-sized markets. Blvd Suites has experienced remarkable growth and success in this space since we initially started serving Metro Detroit a decade ago,” says Blvd Suites President and Chief Marketing Officer Mike Dunklee. “Our current growth strategy is two-pronged: identify pockets of opportunity that may be outside of the largest MSAs, and find a dynamic, entrepreneurial person who is also a local expert to lead our efforts there. We are thrilled to have Kristy on our team as that local expert.”

“In addition to just new business, our clients increasingly have regional, national and global temporary housing needs. Opening Kansas City allows us to better accommodate their needs with a team that has boots on the ground,” says Blvd Suites CEO Jeff Hurley. “We have a culture at Blvd Suites where everyone who joins our team brings something to the table that no one else can. Kristy is a Kansas City native, and she has worked in both the furnished and unfurnished apartment industries there for two decades. That gives us, and therefore our clients, an invaluable resource whether they are seeking to accommodate an employee who is traveling for business or making a permanent relocation to the area.”

“I’m very excited for this opportunity and challenge, and I want nothing more than for Blvd Suites to be a success in Kansas City,” says Wisdom. “I am impressed by the company’s culture and the team’s passion for finding solutions, as well as the outstanding support and commitment to providing a unique guest experience.”

Hurley adds that Blvd Suites’ partners in GO Furnished Housing Providers will also benefit from the expansion into Kansas City as it will also allow GO to accommodate clients by using a trusted partner with a local presence.

GO is an international partnership of furnished housing providers that are dedicated to offering an outstanding product and experience while providing best-in-class furnished housing in sought-after locations. Each owner-managed GO member company provides the highest level of personal attention, thanks to one point of contact and a devoted local customer service staff.

About Blvd Suites Corporate Housing
Blvd Suites is a provider of fully furnished, temporary housing. Established in 2003, the company is based in Metro Detroit with offices in Grand Rapids, Mich., Indiana, Ohio and Kansas City. In addition, Blvd Suites services corporate housing needs globally via its participation in GO Furnished Housing Providers, a partnership of best in class regional providers driven by the customer experience to uphold exacting standards in service and quality.

The company was named Company Member of the Year by the Corporate Housing Providers Association in 2009, and has been a finalist for the award in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011.

Blvd Suites can be found online at www.BlvdSuites.com. Follow us @BlvdSuites and join us at Facebook.com/BlvdSuites.

Brad H., Relocation America

Pete

Weichert Relocation Resources Survey Predicts Increase In Corporate Relocations

Business Wire

06/14/12 – 09:00 AM EDT

The pace of corporate relocations is expected to pick up in 2012, spurred by a gradually improving economy, more favorable real estate trends and faster evolving business priorities. According to the results of Weichert Relocation Resources Inc.’s (WRRI) 2012 Employee Mobility Survey, an overwhelming majority of companies expect their relocation activity to increase (40%) or remain at the same level (54%) over the next twelve months—a stark contrast to the post-recession landscape of just a few years ago.

Now in its sixth year, WRRI’s 2012 Employee Mobility Survey captures the input of approximately 150 U.S.-based corporate relocation managers responsible for 25,000 annual moves.

“A key takeaway from our results is that companies are shifting back into growth mode and planning to deploy talent in greater numbers,” said Ellie Sullivan, Vice President of Consulting. “This underscores the key role relocation plays in helping companies execute their growth and talent management strategies and can also be viewed as a bellwether of economic improvement.”

The survey also found that as skills gaps widen, recruitment becomes increasingly competitive and the talent pool diversifies, more companies view relocation as either a “critical” (43%) or “important” (49%) part of their talent management strategy.

“Based on our survey results, we anticipate further alignment in the coming years between relocation and talent management and greater opportunities for corporate relocation managers to be viewed by senior leadership as strategic allies,” said Sullivan.

Other compelling findings include:

• Relocations are taking longer to complete, as indicated by the two most common policy exceptions: extension of temporary living and extension of the overall relocation timeframe.
• Ninety-six percent of companies offer some form of home sale assistance to their relocating employees. Other popular benefits were loss-on-sale assistance (73 percent) and pre-decision assistance (67 percent).
• Sixty-seven percent of companies have adopted pre-decision programs on a formal or case-by-case basis, up from 53 percent last year.
• Fifteen percent of companies plan to add a pre-decision program or extend such assistance to more employees. Thirteen percent intend to add or increase loss-on-sale assistance.

For the complete survey results, email solutions@wrri.com.

About Weichert Relocation Resources Inc.: Weichert Relocation Resources Inc. (WRRI) is The Next Practices Company^®, delivering the next generation of relocation and assignment management services that help some of the world’s leading companies meet their talent management objectives. For more information, visit wrri.com.

Oak Park, Mich. (April 25, 2012) – Blvd Suites Corporate Housing, a leading provider of fully furnished, temporary apartments in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, has recently added relocation industry veteran Cathy Jo Anderson to its team.

Anderson, who will work out of the company’s Mid-Michigan office in Grand Rapids, will assist in the expansion of the corporate housing business in popular metro centers such as Grand Rapids, Lansing and Kalamazoo. She will also assist Blvd Suites with augmenting its offerings to relocating individuals and companies throughout the U.S. specializing in relocation.

“Cathy Jo is a highly respected professional in the relocation industry. She understands every aspect of  the business side of moving a family or individual across country, as well as the unique personal needs that must be met in order to comfort the client and put them at ease,” says Blvd Suites President Mike Dunklee. “With 25 years experience in relocation, having Cathy Jo on our team isn’t merely adding a industry expert, it’s like having a living, breathing resource guide who is also highly passionate about what she does.”

“We have a culture at Blvd Suites where everyone who joins our team brings something to the table that no one else can,” adds CEO Jeff Hurley. “The wealth of knowledge and experience Cathy Jo possesses in relocation, and that she can bring to a corporate housing business, is invaluable. Ultimately, it is our clients and guests who are benefitting by her joining our team.”

Says Anderson, “Blvd Suites Corporate Housing has been the corporate housing provider for my clients and their families for many years. Blvd Suites truly offers the human touch and white glove service our families need in order to feel right at home and not like just a number.

“Their passion for our industry mirrors my passion for our industry, and therefore I feel I have made a wonderful move to become a part of their family. I am looking forward to watching us grow as we service our clients’ and relocating families’ needs.”

Anderson has specialized in relocation since 1987, beginning her career as a counselor.  Soon after, she guided families within the household goods industry.  Most recently, as the relocation director for Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel Hoppough in Troy, MI,  she managed the relocation process for agents, offices and managing brokers throughout Southeast Michigan and the Greater Grand Rapids area, including assisting with obtaining temporary housing.

“Managing the varying needs of literally hundreds of agents, offices and vendors at once while ensuring every one of those audiences feels their need is the most important is one of the many skills Cathy Jo possesses that attracted us. Service, trust and communication are cornerstones of our culture and she exemplifies all of them,” says Director of Sales Shelly Bishop.

About Blvd Suites Corporate Housing
Blvd Suites is a provider of fully furnished, temporary housing. Established in 2003, the company is based in Metro Detroit with offices in Grand Rapids, Mich., Indiana and Ohio. In addition, Blvd Suites services corporate housing needs through North America via its participation in GO Furnished Housing Providers, a partnership of best in class regional providers driven by the customer experience to uphold exacting standards in service and quality.

The company was named Company Member of the Year by the Corporate Housing Providers Association in 2009, and has been a finalist for the award in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011.

Blvd Suites can be found online at www.BlvdSuites.com. Follow us @BlvdSuites and join  us at Facebook.com/BlvdSuites.

The Corporate Housing Industry Report 2012 Illustrates Continued Recovery; Outpaces Other Lodging Markets

– Just-released Corporate Housing Industry Report 2012 reports $2.49 billion industry

Indianapolis, Indiana (PRWEB) April 06, 2012 – The Corporate Housing Providers Association’s (CHPA) release of the annual report on the state of the corporate housing industry, Corporate Housing Industry Report – 2012, shows a 9.5% increase in revenue over 2010. This anticipated report indicates the corporate housing industry continues to rebound from the recession and is a $2.49 billion industry.

“These continued increases illustrate significant strength within the corporate housing industry,” says CHPA’s Chairman of the Board, Brad Laspe, CCHP, CRP, VIP Corporate Housing. “Although corporate housing often follows the same cycles as the overall lodging industry, corporate housing revenue actually outpaced overall hotel room revenue.”

The report estimates there were approximately 62,204 units in the US corporate housing market in 2011. While this is a decrease from 2010, corporate housing providers are able to successfully adjust inventory to respond to client demand. This inventory flexibility enables the industry to maintain operating margins better than the overall lodging industry during recessions. Despite the decline in inventory, corporate housing providers forecast a 2.7% increase in units in 2012.

“All of the gain in corporate housing room revenues in 2011 came from an increase in average rates, which rose 6.8%,” says CHPA Chief Executive Officer, Mary Ann Passi, CAE. “This was significantly stronger than the overall hotel average rate, which is why corporate housing outpaced hotel room revenue.”

Restricted financing for new development means that the growth rate in hotel room supply will be relatively slow in the foreseeable future and corporate housing’s market share should increase as a result. However, the increase in market share of inventory might not be as rapid as during the previous expansionary period because of a relative shortage of available apartment units for corporate housing companies to lease. According to the report, lack of inventory was a common concern among corporate housing providers.

“This data is critical information for corporate housing providers,” says Laspe. “Increasing market share by introducing more individuals and companies to corporate housing will be a great source of new business going forward and will help the industry acquire more of the lodging industry market share.”

Fast Facts on the State of the Industry:

• Revenues increased by approximately 9.5% to $2.49 billion annually.
• The corporate housing average rate grew 6.8% in 2011 to $123.81.
• In 2011, the US corporate housing market is estimated at approximately 62,204 units.
• Corporate housing provider companies project a 2.7% increase in units in 2012.
• For the first time, Los Angeles is now the largest market with 5,223 units, followed by Washington DC, New York and Houston, respectively.
• Overall occupancy in the US corporate housing was 88.6%, nearly flat over the last four years.
• The average stay in the US corporate housing market was 86 nights in 2011, up from 83 nights in 2010.

The complete report is available complimentary to members of the media. CHPA representatives are available for comments regarding the data and its application to the corporate housing industry. Please contact Amanda Cook, acook(at)chpaonline(dot)org or (317) 328-4631 for more information on interviews and article opportunities.

CHPA is the only trade association dedicated exclusively to the corporate housing industry. The association continually strives to uphold the highest standards in business and professionalism; provide valuable insight, knowledge and resources to the industry; and increase visibility among related industries. Along with networking, education, certification, and information sharing, CHPA members grow their business and expand their reach through an international network of partners. Find out more about corporate or furnished apartments at http://www.chpaonline.org.

Contact Information
Amanda Cook
acook@chpaonline.org
317-328-4631

Nearly One-Third of Employers Willing to Pay to Relocate Employees in 2012, CareerBuilder Survey Finds
CareerBuilder Launches CareerRelocate.com to Help Workers Identify Top Markets Where Their Skills Are in Demand

Published Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012

CHICAGO, Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — As 2012 ushers in an improving, but still highly competitive job market, more workers may be looking beyond their own backyard for employment options. Forty-four percent of workers said they would be willing to relocate for a career opportunity, according to a nationwide study by CareerBuilder. Of workers who were laid off in the last year and found new jobs, 20 percent relocated to a new city or state.*

Infographic: http://cb.com/xcB27t

At the same time, employers struggling to find workers for skilled positions said they are willing to pay to bring talent to their locations. Thirty-two percent reported they would be willing to pay to relocate new employees in 2012. Nineteen percent would be willing to pay a smaller first year salary in order to give a signing bonus to relocate an employee. The national survey was conducted from November 9 to December 5, 2011 among more than 3,000 employers and more than 7,000 workers.

To help workers zero in on markets with the greatest demand for their skills and assess costs of moving to and living in a particular area, CareerBuilder launched CareerRelocate.com. Through this new site, workers can:

– Run a simple keyword or category search and view a map detailing where the most and fewest opportunities are for their line of work.
– View actual relocation opportunities in different cities.
– Learn what they would need to earn in order to maintain their current standard of living in another city.
– Research homes, property values, mortgage quotes, moving and storage costs.
– Tap into articles and advice on relocating and hiring trends.

“One of the key trends we saw coming out of the recession is the movement of labor in and out of markets across the U.S.,” said Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder. “Workers have had to expand their job search geographically and employers in need of hard-to-find, skilled talent have had to recruit across state lines. Our new site CareerRelocate.com helps workers identify relocation opportunities and understand related costs, so they have the right information in hand for their next career move.”

While employers will move current staff and new hires for a wide variety of positions, the top areas for which they are most likely to pay to relocate employees are tied to technology and revenue-generation:

Engineering – 30 percent of employers
Information Technology – 23 percent
Business Development – 21 percent
Sales – 21 percent
Financial – 16 percent
Marketing – 13 percent
Legal – 11 percent

The vast majority of workers who relocated in the last year – 77 percent – reported they were happy with the move and didn’t regret the decision. Workers reported benefitting in the following ways:

Made a fresh start – 30 percent
Made new friends – 31 percent
Had new experiences we wouldn’t have had anywhere else – 29 percent
Earning at a higher level gave the family more spending options – 27 percent
Better long-term career opportunities – 22 percent
Area is nicer and schools are better – 19 percent

Of those workers who relocated in the last year, 41 percent said their family didn’t relocate with them and they have to travel to see them. Top challenges associated with relocating included:

Cost of living is higher – 26 percent
More stress on the family unit – 24 percent
Difficult to make new friends – 18 percent
Feeling homesick – 16 percent

*CareerBuilder nationwide study of 686 workers who were laid off from full-time jobs completed in September 2011.

Survey Methodology This survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive© on behalf of CareerBuilder among 3,023 hiring managers and human resource professionals and 7,780 U.S. workers (employed full-time, not self-employed, non-government) between November 9 and December 5, 2011 (percentages for some questions are based on a subset, based on their responses to certain questions). With pure probability samples of 3,023 and 7.780, one could say with a 95 percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/- 1.78 and +/-1.11 percentage points, respectively. Sampling error for data from sub-samples is higher and varies.

About CareerBuilderCareerBuilder is the global leader in human capital solutions, helping companies target and attract their most important asset – their people. Its online career site, CareerBuilder.com®, is the largest in the United States with more than 24 million unique visitors, 1 million jobs and 40 million resumes. CareerBuilder works with the world’s top employers, providing resources for everything from employment branding and talent intelligence to recruitment support. More than 9,000 websites, including 140 newspapers and broadband portals such as MSN and AOL, feature CareerBuilder’s proprietary job search technology on their career sites. Owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), Tribune Company and The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI), CareerBuilder and its subsidiaries operate in the United States, Europe, Canada and Asia. For more information, visit www.careerbuilder.com.

Media Contact:CareerBuilder, Jennifer Grasz (773-527-1164 / jennifer.grasz@careerbuilder.com)

http://www.twitter.com/CareerBuilderPR

SOURCE CareerBuilder

These amenities make traveling more comfortable. But when it comes down to it, take it from Dorothy: There’s no place like home.

Some business travelers say they prefer staying in furnished vacation rentals, corporate housing and inns versus hotels, particularly for lengthier stays.

That’s not just because alternative accommodations usually come with more space, free Wi-Fi, free laundry facilities and free parking, but doing so helps battle the lonesome blues while offering homey and off-the-beaten-path experiences.

“Living in hotels can be very depressing,” says Mark Mule, a traveling pit orchestra musician who is usually on the road for weeks or months at a time. “Corporate and vacation rentals are homes. This is good for your head.”

Hotel occupancy rates have slowly declined in recent years. Nationally, hotels enjoyed 63% average occupancy in 2005, according to Smith Travel Research. By the end of 2010, that figure had fallen to 57.6% (but it’s up from its five-year low in 2009 of 54.6%). That’s partly because of increased supply and less demand since then. As the economy recovers, travelers seek value.

In a September 2010 survey by vacation rental booking site HomeAway.com, 10% of travelers say they have stayed in a vacation rental for a business trip, and 42% say they would consider a vacation rental while traveling for business.

But booking a hotel still has its benefits. Survey results by market research group PhoCusWright show that hotels are, by far, the first-choice venue for corporate meetings and events, so staying in them is extremely convenient for attendees.

There’s usually a fully equipped business center, maybe a pool and wait service. Members of hotel loyalty programs enjoy perks like free nights, free room upgrades, access to VIP lounges and preferential treatment.

Sites like HomeAway.com, VacationRentals.com, VRBO.com, CorporateHousing.com, Wyndham Vacation Rentals and Craigslist.com have been around awhile for individuals to book short-term rentals, but new Web ventures such as AirBnB.com and Roomorama.com are making it possible for travelers to obtain cheaper rates for nightly lodging.

Adventurous entrepreneurs can rent a room, but full, vacant properties are also available. AirBnB, which started in 2007, booked half of its 2 million bookings in the last six months, but it doesn’t keep statistics on how many of those are business-related.

The convenience of paying one price for furniture, housewares, amenities and utilities is attractive to business travelers, says Amanda Cook, director of membership and marketing for the Corporate Housing Providers Association.

“Corporate housing is … specific to [clients'] unique needs and reduces stress for the user, which in turn makes them more productive at their jobs,” Cook says.

Saving money and hatred for nickel-and-diming are many travelers’ motivations for booking alternative lodging, particularly at inns, 91% of which have free Wi-Fi and full breakfast, says Marti Mayne of the bed-and-breakfast industry’s Better Way to Stay campaign. Many B&Bs also offer meal and activity packages, wine and cheese receptions, and 24/7 guest snack pantries.

Other travelers seek more control over their routines.

“I almost exclusively stay in places I find through services such as AirBnB,” says grant writer and frequent business traveler Ron Flavin. “The reason I do this is to stay fit. Staying in an apartment with a kitchen makes it easy for me to prepare healthy meals.”

Chris Brisson, an entrepreneur and co-founder of Automizeit.com, has used vacation rental websites AirBnB.com and VRBO.com to find private, local experiences for small, off-site company meetings. One of his recent snags? A three-story beachfront mansion in Costa Rica for $225 per night.

When traveling overseas for the long term, travel security expert Clinton Emerson suggests checking with the destination’s U.S. Embassy, which performs security and safety checks on vetted rental properties. This helps prevent what happened to Comunicano CEO Andy Abramson, who once reserved a corporate apartment online that did not turn out as promised.

“The matter got resolved, but not without a loss of time and effort to get the kind of apartment we had reserved,” he says. “Given the corporate apartment rentals are usually represented by multiple agencies, the key is to work with one that’s reputable and to find a company where the level of consistency is there.”

While more options are available for business travelers willing to be diligent, staying in a reputable hotel may be better when staying for the first time in a city, says Faruq Hunter, an executive vice president with GeniusCo who travels seven months out of the year. There’s a better chance it will be close to the action and meet a traveler’s comfort and safety standards, he adds.

“Remember the purpose of your trip,” Hunter says.

Those who don’t mind getting personal could consider staying with clients and colleagues, as public relations executive Elyse Bender-Segall does.

“I have established great relationships with all of my clients and enjoy getting to know them on a personal level when I am in their towns,” she says. “To me, it feels more like home rather than to wake up alone in an unfamiliar hotel in a random city.”

But travelers who really miss home may opt to skip overnights altogether.

“My schedule gets so tight sometimes that I choose not to spend a night in a hotel,” says Ismail Humet, co-founder of MyFreebeez.com.

“Instead, I take a red-eye flight back and get some sleep on the plane. Oftentimes, a last-minute upgrade to first class will cost less than a room plus meal expenses. First class is comfortable enough for me. It’s more important to get back home and spend time with my family.”

Nearly $50,000 was raised at the event, from which the proceeds went to support local school initiatives!

We are so proud to have been a part of this memorable event!

Please see the press release from presenting sponsor Ernst & Young LLP.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ernst–young-supports-longest-lemonade-stand-guinness-record-attempt-127839563.html

Ernst & Young Supports Longest Lemonade Stand Guinness Record Attempt

DETROIT, Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ –Ernst & Young LLP, a global professional services firm, will be the Presenting Sponsor of a Guinness World Records attempt by local area elementary school students to make history with the “Longest Lemonade Stand.”

The record-setting attempt will be made Saturday, August 20, National Lemonade Day, in Beverly Park in Beverly Hills, Michigan, with proceeds going to support local school initiatives. The Longest Lemonade Stand record attempt includes an age-appropriate curriculum specifically designed to use the lemonade stand concept to teach kids basic business principles.

The students have already sold nearly 300 individual stand “kits” to families representing 16 area public, private and parochial schools. Participating families will bring their individually decorated stand sections to the park on event day to create the 1,200-foot-long stand required for the Guinness World Record!

The Ernst & Young section of the lemonade stand will feature past winners of the Entrepreneur of The Year awards — an annual event produced by Ernst & Young in celebration of entrepreneurs who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses. The Entrepreneur of The Year winners will serve up their own lemonade recipes and help inspire the students.

The Longest Lemonade Stand event aligns well with Ernst & Young’s commitment to help make a difference in the community through education and the support of entrepreneurship. “Entrepreneurs are critical to driving the innovation necessary to fuel economic growth in Michigan,” said Jamie Simpson, Ernst & Young Partner and Director of the Entrepreneur of The Year program. “The bright young minds behind the Longest Lemonade Stand will be inspired at this event by some of our region’s top entrepreneurs and encouraged to achieve their full potential.”

“For most kids, a lemonade stand is a first business venture,” said Kari Silcox, parent volunteer for Longest Lemonade Stand. “We all intuitively know that kids learn better when they’re passionate about the subject matter. Longest Lemonade Stand has tapped into that passion and, we believe, will be a memorable, meaningful event for all the children and their families. We are so appreciative of Ernst & Young’s generous support!”

In addition to inspiring the kids and bringing communities together, Longest Lemonade Stand offers a proactive response to state educational funding cuts. “With the $470 per student state funding reduction, communities need to find ways to support their schools. The lemonade stand is a creative concept that raises money while furthering our core mission of positively influencing and educating our kids,” said Silcox.

The Longest Lemonade Stand is open to anyone. Area residents and Woodward Dream Cruise visitors are invited to attend the event beginning at noon on Saturday, August 20 at Beverly Park in Beverly Hills, MI. Guests can expect a fun filled day of activities and events including bounce houses, face painting, games and activities, food and, of course, lemonade! The official Guinness World Record will be set around 1:30 PM.

Longest Lemonade Stand would like to thank our valued sponsors including: Ace Hardware, Achatz Pie Company, Beverly Community Education, Birmingham Pediatrics, Blvd Suites, Bolyard Lumber, Brady’s Tavern, Dynamic Life Chiropractic, Edible Arrangements, Edward Jones, Ernst & Young, Girls Empowered, Goldfish, GS Leasing, Huron Capital, Marketing Associates, Northwestern Mutual, Pop Can Couture, Premier Pet Supply, Restyle Child, Robot Garage, Senior Helpers, Staffworks, Wolf Hulbert Insurance, and Wonderworks.

For more information on Longest Lemonade Stand or to make a donation, please visit www.longestlemonadestand.com.

SOURCE Longest Lemonade Stand

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