Blvd Suites Inc.

Nearly One-Third of Employers Willing to Pay to Relocate Employees in 2012

blvd — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:00:20 +0000

Some really great news for folks who are looking for another career opportunity. Employers are adding staff and are even willing to pay relocation costs to bring in the very best talent. Meaning? Everyone has a much bigger ocean of opportunity to swim in!

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

CNN: Business travelers opt for homier digs on the road

blvd — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:54:32 +0000

There are many luxurious amenities a business traveler enjoys while sleeping on the road: fluffy beds, room service, decked-out fitness centers and concierges.

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.”

Blvd Suites supports Longest Lemonade Stand record attempt

blvd — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:22:27 +0000

In August, Blvd Suites Corporate Housing was among the Detroit area companies sponsoring local Michigan elementary school children as they successfully attempted the Guinness Record for Longest Lemonade Stand. There were 350 lemonade stands told, stretching 1,399 feet, 11 inches, which easily eclipsed the Guinness Requirement of 1,200 feet.

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

Corporate Housing Industry Rebounds after Recession

blvd — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:17:10 +0000

– Just-released Corporate Housing Industry Report 2011 states $2.47 billion industry –

April 4, 2011 — The Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA) is pleased to announce the release of the annual report on the state of the corporate housing industry. This anticipated report, the Corporate Housing Industry Report – 2011, indicates the corporate housing industry has rebounded from the recession and is a $2.47 billion industry. This is an approximate revenue increase of 7.4% over 2009.

“This report illustrates significant gains in the corporate housing industry over 2009,” says CHPA President Kimberly Smith, CCHP, AvenueWest Corporate Housing. “Corporate housing is poised on the brink of even larger a growth opportunities as business travel continues to increase.”

The report estimates there were approximately 65,396 units in the US corporate housing marketing in 2010. Corporate housing provider companies project a 3% increase in units in 2011. However, in the 2009 report, providers projected a 3% inventory increase but the actual inventory increase was 4.7%. If the early indications of another strong increase in lodging demand continue in 2011, corporate housing can be expected to increase inventory by more than 3% in 2011.

“Corporate housing has the unique ability to release inventory when not in use and add as quickly as needed,” says CHPA Executive Director Mary Ann Passi, CAE. “This allows companies to adjust to the demand and operating margins were better than the overall lodging industry during the recession. This has significantly impacted companies’ abilities to maximize the opportunity of the market as demand has increased.”

According to the report, restricted financing for new hotel development means the growth rate in hotel room supply will slow considerably in the foreseeable future and corporate housing’s market share should increase as a result. This trend occurred during the last post recessionary period as well.

“This is a critical opportunity for corporate housing,” comments Smith. “Managing this spill-over demand to introduce 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.”

The numbers at a glance:

Revenues increased by approximately 7.4% to $2.47 billion annually.
The corporate housing average rate was 1.3% higher than in 2009, at $115.88 in 2010.
In 2010, the US corporate housing market is estimated at approximately 65,396 units.
Corporate housing provider companies project a 3% increase in units in 2011.
The Washington DC Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) remains the largest market with 5,962 estimated units including Washington DC and its sub-markets, followed by Los Angeles, New York and Houston, respectively.
Overall occupancy in the US corporate housing industry increased to 89.2% in 2010, up from 88.1% in 2009.
The average stay in a US corporate housing unit was 83 nights in 2010, down from the all-time high of 92 nights in 2009.

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@chpaonline.org or (317) 328-4631 for more information on interviews and article opportunities.

Frequently Asked Question sections

blvd — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 00:30:00 +0000

Please refer to our frequently asked questions section, which is subdivided into these categories:

My neighbors are too noisy.

blvd — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 00:22:39 +0000

If your neighbors are being disruptive, please call your leasing agent during regular office hours. After hours, please contact our hotline at (866) 258-9001 ext. 3. If the noise sounds dangerous or as if someone’s life is in peril, please call the local police. The non-emergency phone number for the local police and other important phone numbers are included in your Blvd Suites Welcome Packet and inside local your phone book.

Can I have the second bedroom switched out for home office furniture?

blvd — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 00:22:04 +0000

Yes. A change-out fee will occur if you make this change after you move in.

I’m moving out. How do I get my mail forwarded?

blvd — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 00:21:33 +0000

You can file a United State Post Office Change of Address form online or at the local Post Office branch in your neighborhood.

What do I do with my keys when I move out?

blvd — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 00:21:13 +0000

Your Welcome Packet includes an envelope in which to place your keys. Please
drop the envelope off at the apartment community’s leasing office.

I need extra door keys for my family.

blvd — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 00:20:35 +0000

Your leasing agent can make additional keys available if you contact them
during regular business hours. Extra fees will be charged for
additional keys.