LOS ANGELES—In a historic victory for consumer safety, a Ventura County judge has denied the defendants’ Motion for New Trial, officially upholding a $2 million jury verdict obtained by Brian Virag, trial attorney and founder of MYBEDBUGLAWYER, INC. The case—Alvaro Gutierrez and Ramiro Sanchez v. Dario Pini and DLP Management Company—arose from a severe bed bug infestation at the Shores Inn in Ventura, Calif. During a 2020 stay, the plaintiffs awoke to find live bed bugs crawling on the bed, furniture, and walls. The infestation was so significant that the mattress and bedding contained visible blood smears, fecal spotting, and insect casings, indicating a long-standing and untreated problem. Both Gutierrez and...

WILMINGTON, DEL.—Diversey, a Solenis company and global leader in cleaning and hygiene solutions, has launched Suma D-GREAZEE D9.9, a new degreaser designed for professional kitchens. The aluminum-safe, caustic-free formula eliminates the need for protective gear and removes grease and carbonized soil from ovens, grills and fryers. Suma D-GREAZEE D9.9 enables faster, easier cleaning with enhanced operator safety and sustainability. Developed with input from marketing, R&D, and regional teams, the product meets both customer needs and stringent regulatory standards. “This launch reflects a collaborative, cross-functional effort,” said Kathryn Berry, Global Strategic Marketing Director for Diversey. “By listening to our customers and incorporating market insights into product development, we’ve...

I attended The Hospitality Show in Denver this past week. The event is a production of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex, the publisher of Hotel Management. It was a great chance to touch base with suppliers I have gotten to know in past years and to make many new contacts. It would be impossible for me to highlight all the companies I interacted with in this column but here is a list that caught my attention: Two companies—CMP Water and AquaFlow Technologies Inc.—both featured valves that compress the air before it reaches the meter, so you only pay...

FRANKLIN, TENN.—Quore, a leader in hotel operations management, will reveal its next-generation Learning Management System at The Hospitality Show (THS). The event, to be held October 26 to 28 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, will give hotel owners and operators the tools they need to streamline operations and drive profitability. In Booth #1022, Quore will introduce attendees to “Quore University,” designed to elevate the way hotel teams engage with training. Quore University will combine cutting-edge gamification features with 12 tailored learning paths, in multiple languages, covering 42 different job titles, each crafted to boost team engagement, reduce employee...

HORSHAM, PA.—With cold and flu season in full swing, facilities should refresh their cleaning protocols to ensure they align with today’s hygiene standards and technology. Sofidel, a leading provider of paper for hygienic and domestic use, shares practical tips to help facilities tackle the season with ease. “Restrooms are one of the most common places where germs spread, making them a hot spot during cold and flu season,” said Tahnie Gilliland, Marketing Specialist at Sofidel. “By leveraging smart technology and proven hygiene methods, facilities can take proactive steps to help protect facility occupants.” Four tips for maintaining a more sustainable and hygienic...

DANBURY, CONN.—Meyer Jabara Hotels celebrated International Housekeeping Week (September 14 to 20) across its portfolio of 45 branded and independent hotels in recognition of dedicated department professionals keeping its hotels clean, safe, and welcoming for guests every day. “Housekeeping is one of the most important roles in the hotel industry,” said Justin Jabara, President of Meyer Jabara Hotels. “Unlike front-desk or guest-facing staff, housekeepers work diligently behind the scenes, ensuring every detail meets the highest standards. A clean room directly affects guest satisfaction, loyalty, and the hotel’s reputation. Guests often judge a hotel within minutes of entering their room. A...

CHANNEL HARBORS, CALIF.—A new generation of cleaning professionals is reshaping the conversation around green cleaning, according to Steve Ashkin, internationally recognized as the “Father of Green Cleaning.” “Many of the questions I’m hearing today were never raised before,” says Ashkin. “It’s a reflection of how much the industry has evolved.” He adds that, “green cleaning is no longer a niche concept—it’s central to how we think about health, sustainability, our industry, and our future.” Frequently Asked Questions from Today’s Cleaning Professionals Q: Has green cleaning evolved in the past twenty years? Ashkin: Yes. Once defined simply as reducing cleaning’s impact on cleaning workers, building...

NATIONAL REPORT—Your lodging property might have a hidden energy thief that’s hurting your sustainability goals: your air ducts. Problems like leaks, poor insulation, or blockages can prevent air ducts from functioning as efficiently as they should. And the harder your HVAC system has to work to compensate, the more energy it consumes—increasing your carbon footprint as a result. When air duct issues arise, many people notice higher energy bills but struggle to pinpoint the cause. This problem can persist for a long time. But when you’re familiar with the most common air duct problems that waste energy, how to spot...

SAN FRANCISCO—eTip, the pioneer in digital tipping for hospitality, announced the close of Housekeeping Week with a historic milestone: a single tip of $14,000 given through the platform. This unprecedented moment highlights both the generosity of guests and the growing importance of digital solutions that make staff recognition seamless and impactful. Hotels can benefit from an exclusive eTip x Amex offer on annual subscriptions. Even more striking, the overall volume of tips processed during Housekeeping Week increased 10x compared to last year, underscoring the rapid adoption of digital tipping as the new standard in guest-to-staff appreciation. Housekeeping Week is designed to spotlight the individuals...

FRANKLIN, TENN.—In honor of International Housekeeping Week, September 14 to 20, Quore celebrated the vital role housekeepers play in hotel operations and highlighted how technology can simplify the hardest and often most thankless job they perform. Quore’s Cleanings Plus gives housekeeping teams a smarter way to stay connected. By streamlining communication and enhancing efficiency across shifts, the platform helps housekeepers and managers stay on the same page. And when paired with a hotel’s property management system, it adds another layer of seamless integration to keep operations running smoothly. Members of Quore’s Customer Success Team—many with deep housekeeping operations backgrounds—share their...