New Tech for Hospitality Training

The Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Motel Assn., Orlando, FL, and Payback Training Systems, Cedar Knolls, NJ, announced an agreement to enable Payback to convert EI hospitality videotape content into a rich interactive platform for CD-ROM and web-based training to be developed by Payback.

Payback Training Systems is a leading developer of computer-based training solutions for large employee populations in the service industries, including the hospitality sector. The CD-ROM training library will be introduced at HITEC '99, the technology tradeshow of the hospitality industry, in Atlanta, GA, June 22-24. Topics include food safety, restaurant training, front office reservations, telephone skills, and guestroom cleaning. Additional titles planned will be available in August. Courseware produced under this agreement will be subject to approval by EI.

According to Anthony Marshall, president and CEO of the Educational Institute, Payback's "technology coupled with our industry-tested training content can deliver a winning combination for the lodging industry." Wade Baker, president and CEO of Payback says his company's vision "is to provide cost-effective training materials for every level of the hospitality industry."

The Educational Institute was established in 1953 as the nonprofit educational arm of AH&MA and claims to be the world's largest hospitality communication resource center. It provides training for hotels, hotel management companies, casinos, private clubs, academic institutions in over 120 countries, and all branches of the U.S. military.

It currently uses interactive CD-ROM programs, videos, textbooks, seminars, and the Internet to provide training for every aspect and every level of lodging operations from delivery of exceptional guest service to financial management. The institute also manages certification programs such as the CHA-Certified Hotel Administrator.