I’m thrilled to sit down with Katarina Railko, a seasoned expert in hospitality with a deep background in travel, tourism, entertainment, and events. With her extensive experience in the industry, including a passion for expos and conferences, Katarina brings a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of hotel operations and safety. Today, we’re diving into the innovative partnership between Remington Hospitality and Smart Hotel Manager, exploring how their collaboration is revolutionizing emergency preparedness in hotels through cutting-edge mobile technology. Our conversation will touch on the challenges of maintaining safety in high-turnover environments, the impact of real-time digital tools, and the future of safety protocols in hospitality.
How did the idea of partnering with a technology company like Smart Hotel Manager come about for Remington Hospitality, and what were the driving forces behind this collaboration?
The partnership stemmed from a mutual recognition that the hospitality industry needed a fresh approach to emergency preparedness. Hotels face unique challenges, and Remington Hospitality saw an opportunity to leverage technology to address these issues head-on. We first connected through industry networks focused on operational innovation, and it quickly became clear that Smart Hotel Manager’s vision aligned with our goals. We wanted to enhance staff readiness, simplify compliance, and ensure that safety protocols were accessible and actionable, no matter the circumstances.
What are some of the biggest hurdles in hotel safety operations that this collaboration is working to overcome?
One of the most pressing issues is staff turnover, which can disrupt continuity in emergency training and preparedness. Additionally, traditional paper-based plans often become outdated or are hard to access during a crisis, leading to confusion. We’ve also seen how delayed response protocols can escalate minor incidents into major problems. This partnership focuses on tackling these pain points by providing tools that are intuitive, up-to-date, and readily available to every team member, regardless of their tenure or role.
Can you walk us through how the Live Safety platform integrates into the daily routines of hotel staff?
Absolutely. The Live Safety platform is designed to be a seamless part of a staff member’s workflow. It’s a mobile app that gives instant access to location-specific safety protocols, so whether someone is in housekeeping or at the front desk, they can pull up critical information in seconds. Features like multilingual audio support ensure that language barriers don’t hinder understanding, and real-time engagement tracking lets managers see who’s interacted with the content, which is crucial for accountability and training reinforcement.
What has been the reaction from frontline teams at the Remington properties where the platform is already in use?
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Staff appreciate how easy it is to access site-specific procedures right from their phones—no more flipping through binders or searching for the right document. It’s also made onboarding smoother for new hires, as they can get up to speed quickly with consistent information. We’ve noticed a real boost in confidence across different shifts, as team members feel more equipped to handle emergencies, no matter when they’re working.
There’s a powerful idea that preparedness shouldn’t just be a static document. Can you expand on what that means in the context of daily hotel operations?
It’s about making safety a living, breathing part of how a hotel runs. A static document sits on a shelf and gathers dust—it’s not practical for the fast-paced environment of a hotel. Preparedness needs to be woven into everyday tasks, reinforced through regular engagement, and adaptable to whatever situation arises. The Live Safety platform supports this by providing dynamic, real-time guidance that evolves with feedback and changing needs, ensuring that safety is always top of mind.
How is the platform evolving based on the insights and feedback from Remington properties?
We’re continuously refining the platform to meet the real-world needs of hotel teams. For instance, we’re enhancing navigation to make it even faster to find critical information during an emergency. Push notifications are also being integrated to alert staff instantly during drills or real incidents, cutting down response times significantly. These updates are all driven by direct input from the properties, ensuring the tool remains practical and effective for those on the front lines.
Looking ahead, what is your forecast for the future of emergency preparedness in the hospitality industry?
I believe we’re on the cusp of a major shift. The industry is moving away from reactive, manual processes toward proactive, technology-driven solutions. Mobile platforms like Live Safety are just the beginning—I foresee even more integration with smart systems, AI, and data analytics to predict and prevent issues before they occur. The focus will be on creating safer environments for guests and staff alike, with tools that are accessible, transparent, and tailored to the unique needs of each property. It’s an exciting time, and I’m confident we’ll see hospitality become a leader in safety innovation.
