Former Knowland CEO Bzdawka appointed president of Hapi
He facilitated Knowland’s recent acquisition by Cendyn
By Vishnu Rageev ROct 22, 2024
Jeff Bzdawka is now president of Hapi, a provider of hospitality data and connectivity solutions. Bzdawka brings dual experience as a hotelier and hospitality tech leader, most recently serving as CEO of Knowland, where he drove growth during the post-COVID recovery and led its acquisition by Cendyn, Hapi said in a statement.
“I am excited and honored to have such a strong, proven hospitality leader and personal friend join our team,” said Luis Segredo, Hapi’s CEO. “Our teams and customers will benefit from his industry acumen and his drive to care for those he serves.”
Bzdawka previously served as senior vice president of Global Hotel Technology at Hyatt, overseeing the property tech roadmap for its more than 1,000 hotels worldwide. He also has held leadership roles at TravelClick and Pegasus Solutions and currently sits on the boards of BirchStreet Systems and Evention LLC.
“I am thrilled to join Hapi at this exciting time for the hospitality industry,” said Bzdawka. “Hapi has a strong track record of providing innovative solutions that help hoteliers improve their operations and guest experiences through the transport and transformation of data. I look forward to working with the Hapi team to continue to build on this success.”
Hapi supports more than 7,500 hotels worldwide, including IHG, Sonesta, Accor, Hyatt, Rosewood, Margaritaville, and SH Hotels & Resorts, the statement said.
Cendyn, a global hospitality cloud company, recently acquired Knowland, a data-as-a-service provider for meetings and events, to enhance sales prospecting and boost MICE bookings.
Sonesta launched Americas Best Value Studios, an extended-stay version of ABVI.
The model targets owners seeking limited front desk and housekeeping.
The brand meets demand for longer-term, value-focused stays.
SONESTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS Corp. launched Americas Best Value Studios by Sonesta, an extended-stay version of its franchised brand, Americas Best Value Inn. The model targets owners seeking limited front desk and housekeeping, optional fitness center and lobby market along with standard brand requirements.
The brand aims to address the growing demand for longer-term, value-driven accommodations, Sonesta said in a statement.
"Americas Best Value Studios by Sonesta represents a strategic evolution of our trusted Americas Best Value Inn brand," Keith Pierce, Sonesta’s executive vice president and president of franchise development, said. "We are expanding our offerings to directly address the increasing demand within the extended-stay segment, providing a practical solution for travelers seeking longer-term lodging at value. This new brand type allows our local franchised owner-operators to tap into a growing market while maintaining the community-focused experience that Americas Best Value Inn is known for."
ABVI has a majority presence in secondary and tertiary markets, the statement said.
The extended-stay brand’s operational model features a front desk, bi-weekly housekeeping, on-site laundry and pet-friendly accommodations, Sonesta said. Guests can also earn or redeem points through the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program.
In August, Sonesta named Stayntouch its preferred property management system after a two-year review of its ability to support the company’s franchise model. The company operates more than 1,100 properties with more than 100,000 rooms across 13 brands on three continents.
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