Latest news with #concierge
Vogue
20-07-2025
- Vogue
How to Plan a Beach Proposal for the Perfect Coastal Engagement
A beach proposal is a favorite for a reason. The calm crashing of the waves, the feeling of your toes in the sand, and the spectacular backdrop of the ocean sky at sunrise or sunset are a dreamy combination to craft the perfect romantic moment. Not to mention, it's incredibly easy to get perfect engagement photos at this seaside location. But, there are plenty of logistics you need to figure out to ensure your beach proposal goes off without a hitch. From organizing proposal photography to setting up an intimate setting for your surprise, planning a beach proposal takes a bit of work. (As someone who planned a beach proposal herself, I've learned that proposing by the water requires quick thinking to adapt to unexpected stressors.) Ahead, see all the proposal planning tips you'll need to kick off your beach engagement. Find the Perfect Location Choosing the right beach location is key to guarantee a beautiful proposal setting. First, consider the destination that feels right for the engagement. If there is a beach you often frequent together? It could be special to revisit this place in your romantic history for your proposal. Planning a beach vacation? Scout out the best beaches for proposals near your destination with a beautiful lookout, or seek a more private cove. If you are less familiar with the area, you might want to check online for frequented spots or ask your hotel concierge for any tips. If you're staying at a resort, they may even have a special area on the property that can be the perfect location for your big moment. Choose the Right Time As you likely don't want hundreds of spectators around that can take up prime sand real estate, it's important to decide on a not-so-busy time to get down on one knee. Consider hitting the beach in the off-season when there aren't as many sunbathers about or at an hour where the location is relatively empty like when most people are at dinner. You can even plan a romantic picnic on the beach during this hour before you pop the question. It's also important to consider the best ambiance based on the time of day. If you're on the East Coast of the United States, you might want to catch the sunrise with your partner. On the West Coast, try for a sunset proposal as it dips below the horizon line. Not only will it be beautiful to watch (and give you an excuse to get your S.O. out there for the surprise), but the light will be wonderful for photos. Helpful hint: Bring a sweater or extra blanket in case the temperatures drop when the sun is no longer in sight. Make a Plan in Case of Inclement Weather As I am well aware, bad weather can easily put a wrench in your proposal plans. In my case, a windy forecast made my plans for a post-engagement dinner on the beach a less-than-ideal situation. So, we had to change the location for the second act of the proposal just hours before we got down on one knee. No matter your situation, it's always important to have a rain contingency plan. Especially if you have hired a photographer or pre-planned a celebration afterward, you may need to find another covered spot to pop the question. Always have a backup in place when you are first scouting out your ideal beach locale. Pick the Right Beach Proposal Outfit Deciding on the right outfit for your proposal is a tricky task. On the one hand, you don't want to give away the surprise by showing up overdressed for a beach day. But, you also probably want to look more polished than normal—especially if you're documenting the proposal. Try to find a happy medium or create an excuse for a slightly more put-together look. For example, you could offer to take a quick walk on the beach before a dinner reservation. If you want to do a full engagement shoot after the proposal, you could also keep a change of clothes for both you and your partner hidden away in the car. Another important factor of your ensemble is it needs a spot to hide a ring box. A jacket with an inner pocket, spacious pant pockets, or a bag can be key to keep your surprise hidden away. Just be sure your hiding place is secure so you don't leave the ring on the beach. Capture the Moment While you will always have the memory of your proposal, it's always fun to have images or videos of the special moment to come back to and share with your loved ones. One of the best solutions is to find a local photographer to document the moment as it happens. This can lead to a great photoshoot with you, your new fiancé, and that engagement ring you spent months picking out. If you don't want to hire a pro, you could also task a friend or family member to do the job with an iPhone. Just be sure they can stay hidden to not give up the surprise and are a trusted hand with tech. Make Post-Proposal Plans Once your partner (hopefully) says yes, it's time for you both to celebrate! Don't just plan the proposal itself. It's a great idea to also have plans in place to take in the moment—whether in an intimate atmosphere or with your closest circle. A bottle of bubbly and a beach picnic can be the perfect way to enjoy your newly engaged bliss. Or, you can make a reservation at a nearby restaurant for a more polished toast. Some to-be-weds like to kick off their engagement era with a bang and invite friends and family for a surprise engagement party. Just be sure you've had previous talks of engagement and know it's a done deal before you have anyone fly out for the festivities.
Forbes
10-07-2025
- Health
- Forbes
The Rise Of Private Medicine In The U.S.: Considerations For Physicians
Dustin Mangas, managing director of Pure, helps doctors create patient-first concierge practices with direct care and personalized service. For years, we've been told that the healthcare system in America is just the way it is: complicated, inefficient and built more for insurance companies than for actual patients or doctors. But something is happening right now that many people don't seem to be paying attention to: More doctors are walking away from traditional insurance-based medicine and building private-pay, membership and concierge practices. "While those practicing concierge and DPC medicine are a small percentage of the more than 1 million active doctors in the US, the industry is expanding," the Washingtonian reported. And many of these physicians, I've found, are not just doing it for better income; they're doing it because they want their careers and lives back. I know because I've helped dozens of doctors make that leap. Why Private Medicine Has Gained Traction Today, with rising deductibles, out-of-pocket costs and a growing frustration with the system, more patients are open to alternatives to traditional healthcare models. A 2022 survey by Hint Health found that 83% of patients would consider switching to a direct primary care membership-based model if their employer provided it. At the same time, many doctors are exhausted. In 2021, nearly 63% of physicians reported experiencing at least one symptom of burnout—the highest rate ever recorded. Since then, that number has lowered to 45%, but U.S. physicians are still at higher risk of burnout relative to other occupations, the American Medical Association said. When you're seeing 30 to 40 patients a day just to keep your doors open and still battling insurance paperwork at night, it can be easy for some to forget why they went into medicine in the first place. For some doctors, private medicine is preferable because it lets them focus on fewer patients and rewards better care, deeper relationships and proactive wellness. This is something I've watched happen firsthand. For instance, one primary care doctor I worked with went from 3,000 insurance patients to 250 concierge members and earned higher revenue in the first 18 months. She was able to spend more time with patients, lowered her stress and gained a higher income. Another client cut his work week in half without sacrificing his income. I don't share these stories to brag, but to show how some doctors are changing how they practice. And the shift toward private pay doesn't appear to be slowing down. I expect the private-pay, concierge and membership medicine sector to continue growing. In fact, the concierge medicine industry is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.3% in 2028 and exceed $31 billion. Considerations For Physicians However, it's important to note that a private medicine model isn't the right fit for every doctor, and making the shift can bring a few challenges. For example, you'll need to shift your mindset from employee to entrepreneur, which isn't for everyone. That includes marketing your practice, building systems and managing growth. I've also seen there's often a learning curve in re-educating patients on membership-based care and its potential benefits. Most importantly, you'll need to be patient. Like any business, this model rewards commitment and consistency. Given this, if you're a physician thinking of making this shift, there are a few questions to ask yourself: • Am I constantly burned out, overworked or feeling disconnected from my patients? • Do I want more time to focus on patient outcomes? • Am I actually interested in building a business? • Am I comfortable with the uncertainty of building something new? • Do I enjoy the idea of marketing and managing my own practice? • Am I ready to educate patients on a different model of care? • Do I have the patience to grow something long-term rather than seek immediate results? Ultimately, if you're a doctor who prefers structure, isn't interested in running a business or doesn't want to take on the risks of going solo, sticking with a traditional model may be a better path. Final Thoughts Many patients are tired, and so are many doctors. And I believe change is going to come from doctors who decide to build something different. This is just the beginning. In my view, the future of American healthcare isn't just in the hands of corporations or insurance companies. It's also in the hands of doctors who are willing to lead. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Travel Weekly
10-07-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Clear expands and rebrands its airport concierge service
The private airport screening service Clear has expanded and rebranded its concierge service, which is now available in 14 airports. The service, in which an agent meets flyers at the airport door, helps with their luggage and guides them to the Clear security lane or all the way to their gate, launched in Denver last September under the name Ambassador Assist. It's now called Clear Concierge and is offered at Austin, Dallas Love Field, Denver, Detroit, Houston Hobby, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Orlando, Palm Springs, Salt Lake City, San Juan, Tulsa, Washington Dulles and Washington Reagan National airports. Atlanta will be next, Clear said, and more rollouts are planned in the coming months. Members of the Clear Plus program have two concierge options. Concierge Express costs $99 per use and includes an escort from curbside through the Clear security lane. Concierge Gate Service, which extends the escort to the gate, costs $179. Clear is one of several companies offering meet-and-greet concierge programs at U.S. airports. Others include SkyVip, Royal Airport Services, Perq Soleil, SkySquad and Global Concierge. Airlines, including American, Delta and United, also offer branded concierge services. Offerings often include escorts, not only to the gate, but also for transfers and upon arrival.
National Post
09-07-2025
- Business
- National Post
Hotel Communication Network Named One of Canada's Top 20 Moonshot Ventures™ of 2025
Article content Keiretsu Forum Canada recognizes the world leader in AI Concierge powered hotel room tablets as a company most likely to achieve 'unicorn' status Article content OTTAWA, Ontario — Hotel Communication Network (HCN), the world leader in AI Concierge powered guestroom tablets, has been named one of Canada's Top 20 Moonshot Ventures™ of 2025, an exclusive honor presented by the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO), a Government of Canada agency established to encourage innovation and support capital raising for pre IPO companies. Article content Article content The announcement follows a closed-door showcase at the NACO Summit where Canada's most promising early-stage companies were unveiled to an elite audience of investors and innovation leaders. Selected through a rigorous nomination and evaluation process, the Moonshot represents the country's boldest, most visionary ventures in sectors spanning AI, cleantech, healthtech, space, and more. HCN was nominated by Keiretsu Forum Canada, recognizing its pioneering work in revolutionizing hotel communications and enhancing the digital guest journey. Article content Leveraging advances in AI technologies, HCN developed the first human-looking AI Concierge persona capable of addressing guests individually with full voice integration and providing voice-activated access to all guest services during their stay at HCN partner hotels. To make this technological achievement even more compelling, HCN's new ad-supported revenue model makes the entire platform highly subsidized with a possible revenue share for hotels. Article content 'Being selected as one of Canada's Moonshot Ventures is a major milestone for HCN,' said Kevin Bidner, Founder and CEO of Hotel Communication Network. 'This recognition from NACO and its national network underscores our commitment to transforming the hospitality experience through cutting-edge, guest-focused technology.' Article content The Top 20 Moonshots were chosen from more than 100 nominations submitted by NACO member organizations—including Canada's top angel groups, accelerators, and incubators. From this curated pool, 23 companies were selected to present on the Moonshots Stage™ at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa during the NACO Summit 2025. The showcase offered each founder a TED-style platform to tell their story to a handpicked audience of angel investors, venture capitalists, and corporate leaders. Article content 'These founders represent the bold ideas, entrepreneurial drive, and global ambition within Canada's innovation economy,' said Claudio Rojas, CEO of NACO, in a prepared statement. 'We are proud to spotlight companies like HCN that are not only driving technological advancement but redefining what's possible in their industries.' Article content 'We're proud to have HCN in our portfolio. With strong backing from highly sophisticated investors spanning North America, Europe, and Asia, the company has built impressive momentum, positioning it to become a truly global player,' said Ozan Isinak, President of Keiretsu Forum Canada. With over $190 million collectively raised by this year's Moonshot cohort, the companies represent a cross-section of Canada's emerging innovation economy. Ventures hail from across the country, with HCN proudly representing Ontario's contribution to global travel and hospitality innovation. Article content 'We are honored that Keiretsu Forum Canada — part of the world's largest angel investor network — believes so strongly in HCN,' Bidner said. 'We are grateful that they recommended us to NACO as 'the most likely to achieve unicorn status' in the travel and media sector.' Article content Hotel Communication Network (HCN) is the hospitality industry's leading provider of in-room guest engagement and monetization platforms. Following its acquisition of Crave Interactive, HCN now operates the largest global network of smart hotel tablets and mobile solutions, seamlessly integrating guest services, hotel operations, and contextual media delivery. The combined platform delivers personalized digital concierge services, revenue-generating programmatic advertising, and strategic brand activations at scale. HCN supports major hotel brands across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, offering a turnkey solution that enhances the guest experience while unlocking new revenue streams for hotel operators. For more information, visit Article content Article content Article content Article content Media Contact: Article content Barb Worcester Article content Article content Article content
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tourist who shipped her clothes straight to her hotel to avoid hassle with luggage suffers devastating mishap
A tourist who shipped her clothes straight to her hotel in order to avoid hassle with heavy luggage has suffered a devastating mishap. Meg DeAngelis, from New York, recently took to TikTok with a video that unraveled the unfortunate error. In the clip, the content creator could be seen standing at the front desk of the hotel asking the concierge about her deliveries. The text over her video read: 'When you think you're being smart by shipping your clothes to the hotel so you don't have to carry a giant suitcase.' 'Did you have packages shipped here? It should have been two,' Meg said at the start of the video. The concierge said the hotel does indeed receive packages but he had some bad news for Meg about her own shipment. 'We had to return those because they weren't for a guest that we had,' he mumbled. Meg's friend gasped in horror before she started to explain the situation further to the hotel worker. 'Wait, I called and said, "Is it okay that I'm not a guest?" And they said, "It's okay you're not a guest," and I verified by saying "My name isn't on the room,"' the stressed influencer shared. 'What do you mean return them?' she asked, to which the hotel employee responded, 'The UPS had to take them back.' Meg buried her head in her hands before continuing: 'That's why I called, and I was like, "Hey, should I put it under the person who has the room?" 'And they said, "No, because you need your ID to pick it up." 'So I was like, "Oh, it's okay they're not staying there and I'm not listed?" and they were like, "Yeah, just make sure you have your ID." 'This would have been two or three days ago.' She asked where her packages were going, and the worker said he 'guessed' they would have been returned to the postal distribution center. The chaotic misunderstanding captured in the video quickly amassed more than nine million views and 2,000 comments. Many people argued that the hotel was in the wrong and offered her words of support. 'They were in the wrong, but PLEASE never do this. It's always a mess,' someone wrote. 'Asking beforehand and then being slapped in the face is my biggest pet peeve omg,' another person said. 'Bruh, when employees don't communicate with their manager or with each other, this is what happens,' one comment read. 'As a hotel worker, that's crazy,' a user wrote. 'I work at a hotel and they are so in the wrong for this. I hope they offered you compensation for the HUGE inconvenience,' another worker said. 'The hotel is very unprofessional for this. I'm sure somebody didn't do their job and forgot to log a trace for this package, or one of the workers took the package,' a user considered. 'Yea, 100 per cent hotel is wrong. They need to offer you some major discounts or refund your stay because now you have to spend money to buy all new clothes and s**t,' a person demanded. Another penned: 'This is so frustrating. I'm sorry Meg.' In a follow-up video about the mishap, Meg called UPS customer service and was told her clothes would be delivered on July 7.
