Up Close

Gonzaga University students rev up resumes with Honda marketing competition

Marketing 490 class sets sights on first place in national competition

April 11, 2013

A team of 16 Gonzaga University seniors accepted for enrollment in a Marketing 490 class is competing against 19 other college teams nationwide in what's called the Honda Civic Marketing Challenge.The class has been using a $3,000 Honda-funded a

â€”Photo courtesy of Washington Business Week

Washington Business Week program aims to spark student interest

Nonprofit wants to increase its enrollment in Eastern Washington

April 11, 2013

Jessica Valencia

For Washington Business Week and its backers, the key for continued growth of its business and economics programs lies in increasing the number of participating teenagers from Eastern Washington, where it has been lacking over the years, says Hyer.

Post-Katrina New Orleans shows strong visitor gains

Last year's 9 million total was city's highest in nearly 10 years, recent study finds

March 28, 2013

PR Newswire

New Orleans' tourism industry welcomed 9.01 million visitors in 2012, record numbers not seen by the city in nearly 10 years, and those visitors spent a record $6 billion, a recently released study shows.Total visitor numbers increased by 3 or a

Traveler spending, hoteliers' profitability expected to rise

U.S. establishment owners more optimistic than their counterparts elsewhere

March 28, 2013

PR Newswire

Forty-two percent of U.S. travelers who participated in a recent survey said they are planning to increase travel spending this year, and 79 percent of U.S. hoteliers said they are optimistic about increased profits this year.TripAdvisor, which

Hilton, Marriott, Four Seasons most 'relevant' brands

Study used methodology based on conversational buzz to reach conclusions

March 28, 2013

PR Newswire

How do you choose a hotel? By the quality of service? The view? What your friends might think? How about the water pressure in the shower? Don't laugh.Brodeur Partners, a Boston-based communications company, looked into the heart of what really

Hotel price index reports strong growth

March 28, 2013

PR Newswire

The average price of a hotel room around the world rose by 3 percent during 2012, compared with the previous year, according to the latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index.The rate of increase has moderated when judged against the 4 percent rise in

Growth through partnerships

Red Lion, Magnuson, FairBridge sign more properties to networks

March 28, 2013

Treva Lind

Spokane plays host to the corporate headquarters of three hospitality companies that all say they are in a growth mode, even if their business models are slightly different.Red Lion Hotels Corp., Magnuson Hotels, and FairBridge Hotels each are a

Lincoln Center finds niche with flexible space mix

Venue sees rise in rentals for corporate gatherings, weddings

March 28, 2013

Mike McLean

As the economy slid into a recession five years ago, it was an unnerving time to open a new event center in Spokane, says Richard Heftel, sales manager, marketing director, and co-owner of The Lincoln Center, at 1316 N. Lincoln.Still, The with a

Loan appraisal requirements set to change

Regulators are wanting closer look at homes with higher-priced mortgages

February 28, 2013

Six federal financial regulatory agencies last month issued a final rule that establishes new appraisal requirements for what are being termed as higher-priced mortgage loans.The rule implements amendments to the Truth in Lending Act made by the

B of A helps provide more than $2.6 billion in housing

Community development work last year to create 11,000 affordable units

February 28, 2013

Business Wire

Through its lending, tax-credit equity investments, and real estate development programs, Bank of America Merrill Lynch says it last year provided more than $2.6 billion for community development—commitments that it claims will help create in