We are bombarded daily by the media about how much is changing in these times, from economics to politics to the environment. I wanted to focus on something that is not changing: Benjamin West’s business model and our corporate culture and value system. Yes, the hospitality industry is in the middle of a significant down shift. All firms that support our industry, from project management, architecture and design, procurement and logistics, to the vendors, have been affected to some degree. There have been, and will continue to be, significant changes and evolutions in the hospitality industry.

But, I want to focus on what has not and what will never change: Benjamin West’s 100% fiduciary duty and commitment to full transparency to the client/owner, with our disclosed fee as our sole source of compensation.

At Benjamin West:

1. we do not have vendors pay for our advertisements;

2. we do not charge any software user fees, even

though we will invest hundreds of thousands of dollars this year alone in our computer system that benefits our clients’ with state of the art information technology;

3. we will never change our commitment to global purchasing excellence; to maximizing the FF&E and OS&E goals of every client on each project.

More important than the fee, the terms, and the contract is the integrity of the firm and its people. The entire team at Benjamin West takes our responsibility to spend every dollar in the FF&E and OS&E process very seriously, and will al- ways use the industry’s highest ethical and business practices in all our dealings; it has been and will remain the foundation of our culture. This clear commitment will always be the cornerstone of who we are and why we exist. Especially in today’s world, I wanted to let all our stakeholders know the long term, global commitment of Benjamin West and where our client’s purchasing partner stands. I hope the next big change is overall industry positive REVPAR.

- Alan Benjamin

• In high humidity and salt air environments, chrome and other “plated” finishes (typically used on steel) are more likely to corrode and pit over time than other finishes. Consider using an aluminum or zinc metal with plated finishes.
  Or, try a powder coated or liquid painted finish applied to steel.
• The color and material of a lamp shade can greatly impact the resulting light output. The darker the shade material the less light output. For maximum ambient (area) light a white or off-white shade is best.
• For long-term cost savings, consider LED lighting. Since LED lighting does not provide effective ambient light, it is somewhat limited in its applications and is typically used where focused or direct lighting is required.

To continue reading “Fast Facts: Lighting”

An important part of the success of a hotel project relies on the collaborative relationship between the Interior Designer and Purchasing Project Manager. Through open communication, shared expectations, and a proactive work habit, the Designer-Purchaser relationship will be much more successful.

Keys to Success for the Interior Designer

• Purchaser remains sensitive to the integrity of the design and aesthetic issues when proposing alternates.

Keys to Success for the Purchasing Project Manager

• Designer makes selections that are within the Owner’s budget parameters. Items presented to Owner are within budget from the beginning.

To continue reading “The Designer and Purchaser: Allies not Adversaries” please click here.

The Chicago Benjamin West office recently attended The NeoCon World’s Trade Fair that took place in Chicago, June 15-17. The attendance was lower than the 50,000 people who turned out in 2008, but there was no drop in innovative new ideas to display. Environmentally savvy vendors displayed task chairs with weight-sensitive recline mechanisms that cut back on parts; and soy-based foam in stylized Egyptian chairs that were fit for a Pharaoh.

To continue reading “No Creativity Crisis” please click here.