Viewpoint
Globetrotter:
Running a firm with worldly experience
Passion and drive in both work and play are fundamental assets
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Passion and drive in both work and play are fundamental assets
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Nurture Talent to Retain Talent
Design firms that can ignite creativity and spark passion will reap the rewards
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Design firms that can ignite creativity and spark passion will reap the rewards
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The Art of Collaboration
Regular Hotel Business Design readers know that editor Lauren Esposito normally writes the Viewpoint column. Recently, however, she has had a few more pressing things to tend to, namely her son, Caden Alexander, who made his debut last month. Lauren will be back soon.
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Regular Hotel Business Design readers know that editor Lauren Esposito normally writes the Viewpoint column. Recently, however, she has had a few more pressing things to tend to, namely her son, Caden Alexander, who made his debut last month. Lauren will be back soon.
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Environmental innovation
The increasingly steady stream of renovation and conversion announcements coming across my desk lately has been a very welcome change after the hol- ding pattern that has existed across the industry for the last couple of years. Yes, the new construction announcements are still few and far between but even those are coming back as well. But what’s even more refreshing are the number of projects, be it renovations or new builds, that are incorpora- ting elements of sustainability into their plans.
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The increasingly steady stream of renovation and conversion announcements coming across my desk lately has been a very welcome change after the hol- ding pattern that has existed across the industry for the last couple of years. Yes, the new construction announcements are still few and far between but even those are coming back as well. But what’s even more refreshing are the number of projects, be it renovations or new builds, that are incorpora- ting elements of sustainability into their plans.
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Ready for a Facelift
It was around this time last year that we began to finally see a noticeable increase in the number hotels finally hitting the ‘start’ button on their planned renovations. While a great many of these projects were small in scope, often including just soft goods or focused on one portion of the property, it was a healthy sign of the industry’s impending recovery and it was only a matter of time before minor cosmetic work gave way to the full-scale property refurbishments that were common place several years ago.
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It was around this time last year that we began to finally see a noticeable increase in the number hotels finally hitting the ‘start’ button on their planned renovations. While a great many of these projects were small in scope, often including just soft goods or focused on one portion of the property, it was a healthy sign of the industry’s impending recovery and it was only a matter of time before minor cosmetic work gave way to the full-scale property refurbishments that were common place several years ago.
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We can work it out
At Hotel Business DESIGN’s recent Architects & Designers Roundtable in addition to discus- sing the very obvious challenges that present- ly exist in the industry, there were multiple instances where different panelists called attention to some of the positives that have come from the recession and its aftermath.
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At Hotel Business DESIGN’s recent Architects & Designers Roundtable in addition to discus- sing the very obvious challenges that present- ly exist in the industry, there were multiple instances where different panelists called attention to some of the positives that have come from the recession and its aftermath.
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The Business of Boutique
I’ve stayed at my fair share of boutique hotels and a few stand out in my mind. At one, there was no closet, just an obviously custom-designed wardrobe that could barely fit a coat, much less a suitcase. At another, the shower was a mod half-glass enclosure that made it virtually impossible to shower and not soak the entire bathroom floor. Then there was the hotel that had the bed only about a foot off the floor and the lighting over the bed was such that I repeatedly hit my head on it. I’m not going to name names, but I never went back to any of them.
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I’ve stayed at my fair share of boutique hotels and a few stand out in my mind. At one, there was no closet, just an obviously custom-designed wardrobe that could barely fit a coat, much less a suitcase. At another, the shower was a mod half-glass enclosure that made it virtually impossible to shower and not soak the entire bathroom floor. Then there was the hotel that had the bed only about a foot off the floor and the lighting over the bed was such that I repeatedly hit my head on it. I’m not going to name names, but I never went back to any of them.
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Survival of the Fittest
A few years ago, it seemed like the hotel industry was on brand overload. You couldn’t go a month without hearing about plans for a new hotel brand and it wasn’t just from the usual suspects. Fashion designers, luxury retail brands and even socialites were throwing their hats into the ring. And then…silence.
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A few years ago, it seemed like the hotel industry was on brand overload. You couldn’t go a month without hearing about plans for a new hotel brand and it wasn’t just from the usual suspects. Fashion designers, luxury retail brands and even socialites were throwing their hats into the ring. And then…silence.
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Truly inspired
When beginning the process of selecting indivi- duals to highlight for Hotel Business DESIGN®’s third annual People Issue, we found ourselves once again faced with a very good problem—how to nar- row the field. It has been a rough couple of years, but when it comes to talent in the hospitality industry, there continues to be an overwhelming abundance.
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When beginning the process of selecting indivi- duals to highlight for Hotel Business DESIGN®’s third annual People Issue, we found ourselves once again faced with a very good problem—how to nar- row the field. It has been a rough couple of years, but when it comes to talent in the hospitality industry, there continues to be an overwhelming abundance.
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Paint it Green
Sustainability can be a touchy subject in the hospitality industry. In between the staunch supporters and those who well, really couldn’t care less, falls the majority whether you are a vendor, owner, operator, brand, architect, designer, purchasing agent, or general contractor. By now, the lodging world has moved beyond just tossing the term ‘green’ around as a buzz word or a marketing tool to focus on how to actually be more environmentally conscious. That alone is a big step and the impact can be clearly seen. So what now?
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Sustainability can be a touchy subject in the hospitality industry. In between the staunch supporters and those who well, really couldn’t care less, falls the majority whether you are a vendor, owner, operator, brand, architect, designer, purchasing agent, or general contractor. By now, the lodging world has moved beyond just tossing the term ‘green’ around as a buzz word or a marketing tool to focus on how to actually be more environmentally conscious. That alone is a big step and the impact can be clearly seen. So what now?
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Renovations rejuvenate hotels
Last year at this time when we reflected on 2009, the most positive thing many could say was, “we survived it.” Looking back on 2010, per- haps the best thing to say about it is, “we got through it.” But now here we are, welcoming 2011 with, fingers crossed, significantly more enthusiasm.
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Last year at this time when we reflected on 2009, the most positive thing many could say was, “we survived it.” Looking back on 2010, per- haps the best thing to say about it is, “we got through it.” But now here we are, welcoming 2011 with, fingers crossed, significantly more enthusiasm.
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Resourceful design
Attend any hospitality conference these days or just have a conversation with someone about the state of the industry and chances are you’ll hear one or all of these statements: There’s not enough capital. The credit markets need to loosen up. The banks need to start loaning money again.
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Attend any hospitality conference these days or just have a conversation with someone about the state of the industry and chances are you’ll hear one or all of these statements: There’s not enough capital. The credit markets need to loosen up. The banks need to start loaning money again.
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Onward and upward
Am I the only one who is a little tired of talking about the recession? Yes, this downturn has been as dismal as it has been prolonged. And no, we don’t seem to be out of the woods yet. But it has been exactly two years since the economy fell off the deep end and the hotel industry as a whole has brushed itself off and continued to move forward.
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Am I the only one who is a little tired of talking about the recession? Yes, this downturn has been as dismal as it has been prolonged. And no, we don’t seem to be out of the woods yet. But it has been exactly two years since the economy fell off the deep end and the hotel industry as a whole has brushed itself off and continued to move forward.
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Brands amp up new build, renovation activity
As we continue making our way through the recession, progress is beginning to appear in several different forms, all of them encouraging. After so many months of quiet it is refreshing—and a relief—to see new signs of life in the hotel industry.
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As we continue making our way through the recession, progress is beginning to appear in several different forms, all of them encouraging. After so many months of quiet it is refreshing—and a relief—to see new signs of life in the hotel industry.
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Celebrating the people behind the projects
It’s a simple fact that too often, once any project, hotel or otherwise, is complete, the focus tends to shift to the finished product rather than the people who played a role in its creation. However, here at Hotel Business DESIGN®, one of our founding principles has long been to focus on the people and the process that together culminate in the form of extraordinary hotels.
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It’s a simple fact that too often, once any project, hotel or otherwise, is complete, the focus tends to shift to the finished product rather than the people who played a role in its creation. However, here at Hotel Business DESIGN®, one of our founding principles has long been to focus on the people and the process that together culminate in the form of extraordinary hotels.
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Celebrating the people behind the projects
It’s a simple fact that too often, once any project, hotel or otherwise, is complete, the focus tends to shift to the finished product rather than the people who played a role in its creation. However, here at Hotel Business DESIGNЁ, one of our founding principles has long been to focus on the people and the process that together culminate in the form of extraordinary hotels.
Continued...
It’s a simple fact that too often, once any project, hotel or otherwise, is complete, the focus tends to shift to the finished product rather than the people who played a role in its creation. However, here at Hotel Business DESIGNЁ, one of our founding principles has long been to focus on the people and the process that together culminate in the form of extraordinary hotels.
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New name designed to convey a clear message
Comedian George Carlin once bemoaned the fact that product manufacturers use the term “new and improved” when debuting an updated product. “If it’s new, then there has never been anything before it,” he said. “If it’s an improvement, then there must have been something before it, so it couldn’t be new.”
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Comedian George Carlin once bemoaned the fact that product manufacturers use the term “new and improved” when debuting an updated product. “If it’s new, then there has never been anything before it,” he said. “If it’s an improvement, then there must have been something before it, so it couldn’t be new.”
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Economy lagging, but sustainability makes strides
This time last year, when New Look® published its first Green Issue®, we tapped the minds of different experts within the various segments of the hospitality industry to discuss the achievements as well as the road blocks each was experiencing with regards to the sustainability movement. Although everyone expressed bright spots of progress, a continuing lack of understanding and education about the different definitions of a green hotels and green products coupled with the struggling economy made it clear sustainability still had a long way to go if it was ever going establish a strong presence in the lodging world.
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This time last year, when New Look® published its first Green Issue®, we tapped the minds of different experts within the various segments of the hospitality industry to discuss the achievements as well as the road blocks each was experiencing with regards to the sustainability movement. Although everyone expressed bright spots of progress, a continuing lack of understanding and education about the different definitions of a green hotels and green products coupled with the struggling economy made it clear sustainability still had a long way to go if it was ever going establish a strong presence in the lodging world.
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Going 'green' is about saving more than the planet
Sustainability continues to be a hot topic in the hospitality design community and it appears that the movement to “Green” hotels has made the transition from trend to a part of everyday life in our industry. Perhaps most interesting is the timing of the movement’s maturation, when hotel development has been slowed as a result of the worldwide economic downturn.
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Sustainability continues to be a hot topic in the hospitality design community and it appears that the movement to “Green” hotels has made the transition from trend to a part of everyday life in our industry. Perhaps most interesting is the timing of the movement’s maturation, when hotel development has been slowed as a result of the worldwide economic downturn.
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Strategic planning could make all the difference
For the past year, everyone in the hotel industry has been working as hard as possible to maintain the status quo in the midst of a credit crisis, projects falling through and declining rates. But at some point, we all have to pick up the pieces and look forward.
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For the past year, everyone in the hotel industry has been working as hard as possible to maintain the status quo in the midst of a credit crisis, projects falling through and declining rates. But at some point, we all have to pick up the pieces and look forward.
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Finding the positives as a challenging year closes
So, is 2009 over yet? The good news is that one of the more difficult years economically over the past half-century will soon be a memory and 2010 will give everyone in the hotel design community a chance to hit the reset button and look toward what we all hope will be a brighter year financially.
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So, is 2009 over yet? The good news is that one of the more difficult years economically over the past half-century will soon be a memory and 2010 will give everyone in the hotel design community a chance to hit the reset button and look toward what we all hope will be a brighter year financially.
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Recession Taking Designers Down New Avenues
According to some experts, we may not yet have hit the bottom of this recession. Or we just did very recently. It depends who you believe and what your own experience has been. For the hotel industry, the news is not particularly surprising or unexpected, as the majority of companies in all segments of business have kicked into survival mode in an effort to stay afloat in this global downturn.
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According to some experts, we may not yet have hit the bottom of this recession. Or we just did very recently. It depends who you believe and what your own experience has been. For the hotel industry, the news is not particularly surprising or unexpected, as the majority of companies in all segments of business have kicked into survival mode in an effort to stay afloat in this global downturn.
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Sacrificing Style For Price A Short-Sighted Decision
It was just about a year ago that the economic world came to a screeching halt. The credit market’s seized, panic ensued on Wall Street and the ripple effect across the nation hit nearly every industry including hospitality.
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It was just about a year ago that the economic world came to a screeching halt. The credit market’s seized, panic ensued on Wall Street and the ripple effect across the nation hit nearly every industry including hospitality.
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Midscale Brand Revamps A Sign Of The Times
Change is inevitable, and while we all struggle through these trying economic times, it’s important to recognize that as an industry, the importance of quality design has not diminished. If anything, it has been heightened as falling occupancy and RevPAR has left hotels competing more aggressively than ever to maintain market share.
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Change is inevitable, and while we all struggle through these trying economic times, it’s important to recognize that as an industry, the importance of quality design has not diminished. If anything, it has been heightened as falling occupancy and RevPAR has left hotels competing more aggressively than ever to maintain market share.
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Economic Realities Sharpening Business Acumen
The state of the nation’s economy has been much discussed since early last fall when credit markets seized and the stock market tanked. Businesses from coast to coast were forced to quickly adapt to the new reality of operating in what some have termed “The Great Recession.”
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The state of the nation’s economy has been much discussed since early last fall when credit markets seized and the stock market tanked. Businesses from coast to coast were forced to quickly adapt to the new reality of operating in what some have termed “The Great Recession.”
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Midscale Brand Revamps A Sign Of The Times
Change is inevitable, and while we all struggle through these trying economic times, it’s important to recognize that as an industry, the importance of quality design has not diminished. If anything, it has been heightened as falling occupancy and RevPAR has left hotels competing more aggressively than ever to maintain market share.
Continued...
Change is inevitable, and while we all struggle through these trying economic times, it’s important to recognize that as an industry, the importance of quality design has not diminished. If anything, it has been heightened as falling occupancy and RevPAR has left hotels competing more aggressively than ever to maintain market share.
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Inspiring people at a time when inspiration is needed
It’s hard to believe how quickly a year has gone by and that another HD Expo is upon us. But perhaps what is even harder to believe is how different the conditions within the hospitality industry have become in that short year.
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It’s hard to believe how quickly a year has gone by and that another HD Expo is upon us. But perhaps what is even harder to believe is how different the conditions within the hospitality industry have become in that short year.
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Take an opportunity to start focusing on the future
With the hospitality design community gathering again in Las Vegas at the annual HD Expo & Conference, it’s a good bet that the current state of the nation’s economy will be a major topic of discussion throughout the show.
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With the hospitality design community gathering again in Las Vegas at the annual HD Expo & Conference, it’s a good bet that the current state of the nation’s economy will be a major topic of discussion throughout the show.
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Green needs less talk and more action to flourish
In the hotel industry today, if you attempt to zero in on a clear definition of sustainable design, let alone try to put that theory into practice, chances are you’re going to be swimming in some very murky waters.
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In the hotel industry today, if you attempt to zero in on a clear definition of sustainable design, let alone try to put that theory into practice, chances are you’re going to be swimming in some very murky waters.
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Slowdown A Good Time To Evaluate Sustainability
The sustainability movement in the hospitality industry has hit a slow down largely because of the nation’s economic recession. While some sustainable-focused projects are going forward, others are either being delayed or revamped to include building materials and other items that are not “green” focused.
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The sustainability movement in the hospitality industry has hit a slow down largely because of the nation’s economic recession. While some sustainable-focused projects are going forward, others are either being delayed or revamped to include building materials and other items that are not “green” focused.
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The next step in New Look’s evolution begins
Gradual development of something into a more complex or better form is one way to define the word evolution, and is the best definition to describe the continued evolvement of New Look® magazine as we begin 2009.
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Gradual development of something into a more complex or better form is one way to define the word evolution, and is the best definition to describe the continued evolvement of New Look® magazine as we begin 2009.
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Great design transcends economic woes
The economy may be struggling but the world of hospitality design is doing its best to continue flourishing. Times are tough, but certain constants remain. People are still traveling and many want to stay in hotels that are exciting and stylish, even if some are trading down a bit.
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The economy may be struggling but the world of hospitality design is doing its best to continue flourishing. Times are tough, but certain constants remain. People are still traveling and many want to stay in hotels that are exciting and stylish, even if some are trading down a bit.
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Sheraton Dallas Hotel Kicks Off $90 Million Renovation Project
Construction has begun on the first phase of a $90 million renovation project at the Dallas Sheraton Hotel. Slated for completion by summer 2009, the project includes a new design of the hotel’s public spaces, guest rooms in the north and center towers and conference center.
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Construction has begun on the first phase of a $90 million renovation project at the Dallas Sheraton Hotel. Slated for completion by summer 2009, the project includes a new design of the hotel’s public spaces, guest rooms in the north and center towers and conference center.
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First Holiday Inn Club Vacations Opens In Orlando
The first timeshare carrying the Holiday Inn Club Vacations brand has been officially unveiled with the recent opening at Orange Lake Resort in Orlando. The new brand is the result of a strategic alliance between InterContinental Hotels Group and Orange Lake Resorts.
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The first timeshare carrying the Holiday Inn Club Vacations brand has been officially unveiled with the recent opening at Orange Lake Resort in Orlando. The new brand is the result of a strategic alliance between InterContinental Hotels Group and Orange Lake Resorts.
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InterContinental Names Abrahamson President Americas Region
InterContinental Hotels Group has named Jim Abrahamson president of its Americas region, effective January 5.
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InterContinental Hotels Group has named Jim Abrahamson president of its Americas region, effective January 5.
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Renovated Greenbelt, MD, Marriott Features State-of-the-art Technology
The Greenbelt Marriott in Greenbelt, MD, recently completed renovating its 288 guest rooms that include contemporary furnishings and state-of-the-art technology in each room.
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The Greenbelt Marriott in Greenbelt, MD, recently completed renovating its 288 guest rooms that include contemporary furnishings and state-of-the-art technology in each room.
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This year's IH/M&RS maintains its position as valuable design resource
It’s hard to believe its November again and time for the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS). This time last year the industry was just wrapping up another stellar year. What a difference a year can make.
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It’s hard to believe its November again and time for the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS). This time last year the industry was just wrapping up another stellar year. What a difference a year can make.
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Jill Cole,
Cole Martinez Curtis and Associates
CMCA president Jill Cole provides a glimpse of her current projects and discusses industry challenges and changes as her firm turns 40 years old.
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Cole Martinez Curtis and Associates
CMCA president Jill Cole provides a glimpse of her current projects and discusses industry challenges and changes as her firm turns 40 years old.
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