NEW YORK— When the subject at hand turned to “E-Business and the Bottom Line,” attendees at the 86th annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show here learned that— in the context of this facet of the lodging/hospitality operations arena— “less is expressly designed to result in more.” As specifically noted by KPMG Consulting’s Frank Nardozza, who doubles as chairman of the E-Business Committee for the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the underlying purpose of e-business initiatives is to “increase revenues [and profits]while reducing investment costs [working capital as well as fixed investments].” As Nardozza pointed out, the overall aim of e-business and its application within the ranks of the lodging/hospitality industry is to generate “a better return on intangible assets.” Joining Nardozza on the cutting-edge panel were: D. Lee Davis of Unisys; IBM’s Clay Dickinson; and Scott Anderson of Swan. Richard Jackson of the AH&LA moderated the session which was aimed as much at the “more than 50% of the hotel sector that is already wired for high-speed Internet access” (according to Davis) as well as to those who have not yet taken this “necessary” step.—Michael Billig
