I love boutique hotels, and until this week, I was an advocate for the tiny room movement we’re seeing in hospitality. But one recent tiny hotel room experience drew big opinions from me.

As Tropical Storm Lane continued to move away from the Hawaiian Islands over the past few days, life in the islands is quickly returning to normal, according to George D. Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), with no major impact to the tourism infrastructure.

When I first agreed to speak at Nerd Nite East Bay in Oakland, California, I thought I could get away with reading an especially gnarly passage from the book version of Shattering Conventions, crack a couple of jokes and answer a question or two. I was totally wrong about this.

In response to the growing number of active shooter incidents, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in May 2018 released “NFPA 3000,” a provisional standard created with insight from law enforcement, fire officials, EMS, medical providers, facility managers, the CIA, the FBI and other experts. The standard provides whole-community guidance on planning for, responding to and recovering from an active shooter incident and other hostile events.

MGM Resorts International opened Massachusetts’ first resort-casino, MGM Springfield, August 24. The property occupies three city blocks in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts, and features a 125,000-square-foot casino floor with 2,550 slot machines, 120 gaming tables, a poker room and a high-limit VIP gaming lodge, according to MGM. The resort was reported to cost $960 million to build.

Located in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood, The Dominick announced the newest appointment of Marianna Di Franca as the director of catering & conference services.

Bryan Gay was named senior vice president of sales and conventions at SLS Las Vegas Hotel & Casino and the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nev.

Château Élan Winery & Resort announced the addition of Kevin Phenegar to its executive team as director of food and beverage. In this role, Phenegar will be responsible for all food and beverage operations including planning and implementing the menu, oversight of personnel, food production, inventory, catering and more.

Hotel Crescent Court announced the appointment of Denise Mope as director of sales & marketing and Johanna Fein as director of communications to the executive team.