Checking In - October 2010

September 22, 2010

Tyler Davidson

It may be just me, but I think things are starting to look up in the hospitality industry.

Actually, it’s not just me, as industry consultancy Smith Travel Research recently revised its forecast for the year, and occupancy is moving up, with average daily rates expected to follow next year.

I know what you’re thinking: Rates going up are a bad thing, right? Yes and no.

As you’ll read in our gaming section this issue, those who lock in good rates now can reap bargains in the future, because let’s face it, prices have a habit of going up.

Think I’m full of it? Maybe so. But don’t sit there and stew; head over to MeetingsFocusForum.com to join in on the conversation with your fellow planners and suppliers!

About the author

Tyler Davidson is the vice president and chief content director for Meetings Today, which publishes the meetings industry trade magazine Meetings Today as well as MeetingsToday.com, various newsletters, webinars, the in-person Meetings Today LIVE! Hosted-buyer events and other meetings and events industry B2B channels.

Tyler has covered the travel trade for nearly 35 years. In his role with Meetings Today, which recently won the prestigious FOLIO: Eddies Award for best magazine issue, Tyler leads the editorial team on its mission to provide the most in-depth meetings content in the industry. Previously, he worked as the Asia, Canada, Pacific Northwest and Western U.S. editor at Travel Weekly magazine and TravelAge West. Before joining the dual editorial staff producing destination sections for Travel Weekly and TravelAge West, Tyler was the Africa, Israel, Middle East, Switzerland and Pacific Northwest editor at TravelAge West. He also undertook general news and feature assignments while working at the magazines.

Besides reporting on the travel trade, Tyler has covered the real estate industry, held various editorial positions at the San Francisco-based national satire magazine The Nose, wrote freelance technology industry pieces and covered the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders for a bilingual newspaper in San Francisco. He has a B.A. in Journalism from San Francisco State University, where he worked in various editorial capacities on its award-winning student magazine, Prism.

Contact: tyler.davidson@meetingstoday.com