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Skift
2 days ago
- Business
- Skift
Planners Fear Immigration Crackdowns Will Make Hotel Labor Shortages Worse: Exclusive Survey
The hospitality industry has struggled with a labor shortage since the Covid pandemic. Now, immigration enforcement and an anti-immigrant sentiment are adding a new layer of complexity. An exclusive Skift Meetings survey of U.S. planners shows that they expect to grapple with the effects of Trump-era immigration policies on their events, with growing concern about hotel staffing across the board. More than two-thirds of respondents (72%) said they expect hotel staffing to be affected in 2025–2026 because of immigration policies. Only 13% foresaw no impact. 'Hotel staffing never fully bounced back after the pandemic. We're still experiencing some gaps in service in certain markets and at certain properties,' said Kyle Jordan, director of meetings at the Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences (INFORMS). Staffing issues are being felt at more than hotels. 'Challenges extend to other key partners like AV providers and vendors that support our meetings,' said Jordan. 'While it's hard to predict the full impact, I would expect that deportation activity could further strain staffing in some destinations.' Concerns stem not just from general staffing shortages but also the effect of revived immigration enforcement policies. 'The main issue is that for many workers in hotels, while they may be legal immigrants, the feeling toward immigrants in general has turned toxic,' said Mark Phillips, CEO of LamontCo. 'No one wants to live and work in such an environment or put families through it, so over time we will see less available even legal immigrant workforces. It already appears to be happening in several cities.' ICE Raids and Protests Exacerbate Immigration Issues In Los Angeles, several days of protests followed large-scale immigration raids by ICE. Protests have spread to other U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, D.C, and New York City. a'The hospitality industry relies heavily on immigrant labor especially in back-of-house roles like housekeeping, food and beverage service, and maintenance. Stricter immigration enforcement, increased deportations, and general anti-immigration rhetoric have created fear and uncertainty among these workers, not to mention ICE raids, and I-9 audits. This leads some to leave the industry or self-deport, reducing the labor pool, making it even harder for hotels to fill critical positions,' said Robert Kraus, founder of Small Conferences. Kraus added that there are concerns about the future of the H-2B visa program and similar initiatives. 'There's also a worry that H-2B visas and other temporary worker programs will be curtailed plus general apprehension on potential workers to risk coming to the U.S. just to be told they can't enter or later be sent home only after a short amount of time. This could easily limit the number of foreign workers applying, which is critical for meeting seasonal demands of resorts and other hospitality businesses.' Labor shortages have already disrupted event logistics.'In several cases, my groups suffered through multi-hour lunch services because the hotel restaurant kitchen could not keep up with demand,' he said. Legal Compliance Doesn't Eliminate Anxiety Michael Dominguez, president and CEO of ALHI, argues that deportation is not necessarily a direct impact to hotel staffing. 'It has been required by law for any employee to complete an I-9 form, which verifies legal status and requires documentation,' said Dominguez. 'Any company or hotel not doing that is in violation of Section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1986. Everyone working in a hotel needs documentation, or they are breaking the law.' Still, legal status does not erase worker anxiety, said Melanie Nathan, human rights advocate and executive director of the African Human Rights Coalition. 'I know people who are perfectly legal and who have filled in those I-9's who are too scared to go to work. They are standing back to try and ride out what they feel like is a storm. Some fear they might get picked up in workplaces where there are likely to be raids.' Guest Services and Sales Take a Hit The staffing crunch is also affecting guest experience and hotel revenue. 'Daily housekeeping is no longer a given. There are hotels where it is now every other day or on request,' said Akshar Patel, VP of corporate strategy and development at eShow Event Management Solutions and a hospitality expert. Beyond guest services, the staffing crunch is slowing business development efforts. 'A staffing shortage on the sales side is delaying RFPs,' said Patel. Andrea Milrad Heilweil, VP of sales and marketing at The Hutton Group, agrees. 'I have found that since Covid I have to be much more proactive with follow-up. Between people furloughed, laid off, or leaving the industry altogether, RFP responses, requests for contracts, setting up site visits, and general communication have been delayed.'
USA Today
18-02-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Dr. Richard Larson's Model-Based Thinking Solves Everyday Problems
Jason Phillips Contributor Hear this story For more than five decades, Richard Larson, PhD, has shaped the field of operations research with a deep commitment to solving real-world problems. Since 1969, he has worked as a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Though he is now retired, Dr. Larson's expertise has influenced urban emergency response systems, educational innovation and model-based thinking. An Invitation to Greatness The power of mathematics and analytics is the central focus of Dr. Larson's influential career. The field of operations research has broad applications, and throughout his career, he has served as a bridge between mathematics and practical problem-solving. The work he's done has impacted public policy and improved decision-making processes. Dr. Larson found inspiration in the mentorship of professor Al Drake, who invited him to attend MIT. The guidance he received led to a 54-year tenure at the prestigious institution. As a professor, he applied advanced theoretical knowledge in ways that impact cities and institutions worldwide. A Mathematical Model That Saves Lives Dr. Larson co-founded an applied research and consulting firm known over the years as ENFORTH Corporation and Q.E.D. The firm aims to share its work beyond the halls of academia. This endeavor reflects his focus on the practical implementation of ideas, as he believes research should contribute to tangible improvements in society. Dr. Larson's Hypercube Queuing Model, a sophisticated mathematical framework that optimizes emergency response systems, exemplifies this improvement mindset. This model improved how police, fire and medical services allocate resources. A key outcome of this project was faster response times in critical situations. A Champion for Open-Access Education A passion for education is an integral part of Dr. Larson's career. As a co-founder of MIT BLOSSOMS (Blended Learning Open-Source Science Or Math Studies), he seeks to make science and mathematics more accessible. This initiative, created alongside MIT professor Dan Frey and his late wife, Mary Elizabeth Murray, offers students worldwide free science and math video lessons. The program is one of the earliest large-scale open-source learning repositories and is available on YouTube. Dr. Larson has also been president of the Operations Research Society of America (ORSA) and the Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences (INFORMS). These leadership roles embody his dedication to knowledge sharing within the industry. A Better Way to Make Decisions INFORMS published Dr. Larson's latest work, 'Model Thinking for Everyday Life," in 2023. This reader-friendly book encapsulates his lifelong interest in analytical reasoning. The guide is a resource on how structured thinking models benefit everyday decisions. Readers can use the information to refine their decision-making skills. Dr. Larson hopes to change how people approach personal and professional problem-solving. As he sees it, model-based thinking can lead to better business, government or daily life choices. Looking Ahead to Impact More Lives Even after retirement, Dr. Larson continues his involvement with the National Academy of Engineering and supports various charitable initiatives. At some point, he plans on expanding the reach of his book onto other platforms, such as Barnes & Noble. He aims to promote the adoption of mathematical models in everyday decision-making. For those aspiring to enter operations research or related fields, Dr. Larson advises staying open to new ideas and incorporating personal experiences into one's work. This acumen has helped him make life-changing contributions to emergency response optimization, open-access education and model-based thinking. Applying mathematical rigor to real-world problems solidifies his influence beyond academia. About Marquis Who's Who®: Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms worldwide. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website,
