I just got this post from the people at Hotels Magazine. I wonder how this will effect Restaurants & Institutions? [ed note – it shuttered as well]
Is the cost such that we can’t even keep the online version?
Just getting the news out there…. in my opinion they were the best in the industry, and this is a HUGE hole to fill. What’s more… the March issue was, quite literally, a thing of beauty. I read most of that mag when it comes in the mail… even if some of the info had already come and gone due to the pace of social media…. but I read every single article in that issue. It was a fantastic edition…. something that shone so brightly just to go south. So sad.
Be well guys, and thanks for all your work! Not sure what I can do, but reach out to me and our little corner of the social world and we will do all we can!
[ED UPDATE: R&I aka Rimmag aka Restaurants and Institutions Magazine has also, obviously, suffered the same fate.]
————————————-
Dear Michael Hraba,
Our parent company, Reed Elsevier, announced in July of 2009 its
intentions to substantially exit its Reed Business Information U.S.
publishing business, while retaining other businesses. Â Over the
past several months, multiple publishing brands have been divested.
On April 16, 2010, we announced the closure of the remaining
publishing brands and their associated products and services.
Consequently, the April 2010 issue was the final issue of
Hotels Magazine and our web sites will cease operating as of April
30, 2010.
We are proud of the role we have played in informing our industry
over the years and it has been our pleasure to serve you.
Regards,
The Staff of Hotels Magazine
As sad as it is to see HOTELS shut down, even worse was the way they handled it – especially since they have been trying to divest since last year.
The worst example is the treatment of Associate Editor Adam Kirby who was notified via text message ON HIS HONEYMOON in Europe that he was unemployed.
While the hotel industry deserved HOTELS to continue, it is obvious that Reed deserved it to fail.
It’s a shame the staff, advertisers and the readers were treated so callously by Reed.
Well I certainly think our industry that poured over his journalism will be able to step in and help. Adam when you read this, let us know! Not sure where or how I can help, but I would do just about anything considering how much help and heart you gave to our industry (and me personally).
Robert, thanks for that info…. I am astonished. Beyond bad form. But this is what the groundswell is about right… alerting others who may become involved with that sort of style of business. In fact, that sort of style of business may not do so well in the 21st century. It’s not a threat, it’s just probable likelihood.
Wow.
By the way… the same message went out to readers of Restaurants and Institutions (RIMMAG). That was another solid leader in the field. It’s a sad day. Wow (again)
Really sad news.
Time for a new initiative?
Thanks Michael for your support. To clarify the circumstances of my being informed of the closure of HOTELS, the text message came from a colleague, not from the company. Reed Business Information has handled the closure of the magazine with complete professionalism–it just happened that the first notification I got was via text, and that was due mostly to the fact that I was otherwise unavailable due to being on my honeymoon.
It was unfortunate timing, but there wasn’t much the compnay could do about it.
I’m sad to be leaving HOTELS, but I’m also excited to see what the next stage of my career and life have in store. I hope to cross paths with you all again soon, and if anyone needs a writer, a social media person or any other role you think I might be qualified to try, my personal email is askirby(at)hotmail.com.
Thanks all!