In order to meet the immense physical demands brought about by a growing economy, the City of New York must revamp the way it plans, pays for, and builds its vast network of roads, bridges, transit, schools, and other vital infrastructure systems, according to Building a Better NYC Capital Budget, a policy report released by the New York Building Congress in conjunction with its research, educational, and philanthropic arm, the New York Building Foundation. In the report, the Building Congress urges the adoption of a series of user fees and taxes that would be dedicated solely to infrastructure investment. To ensure that these additional revenues are leveraged to the maximum possible extent, the report suggests specific steps designed to create a far more strategic and realistic approach to the City’s capital budget planning process and to increase the odds of completing capital projects on time and on budget. Said Building Congress President Richard T. Anderson, “Despite the City’s increased capital commitments in recent years, New York’s infrastructure is currently straining to keep pace with the remarkable growth of the City’s workforce, population, visitors, neighborhoods, and transportation ridership over the past few years. These strains are manifested in crowded schools, slower commutes, wear and tear on streets and bridges, and growing capital backlogs at public housing and healthcare facilities. As a City, we must do more to meet these challenges.”
Several NYSAE members spoke at Kellen’s Association: 2020 and Beyond Conference, held June 10 at the Intercontinental New York Barclay. CEO Luncheon & Roundtable discussion leaders included: NYSAE Board Member Joanne Barry, CAE, Executive Director & CEO, New York State Society of CPAs; JuWon Choi, Executive Director, Association of Junior Leagues International; NYSAE Chair-Elect Gerard M. Thiers, CAE, Executive Director, ASAH; and Kimberly Unger, CEO & Executive Director, Security Traders Associations of New York. Amy Geffen, Interim Executive Director, Financial Women’s Association, served on an executive panel discussing Building a Board That Works for You.
An expanded partnership between Hilton Worldwide and Uber further brings together their respective mobile apps. In a first for the hospitality industry, Hilton HHonors members can now order an Uber straight from the HHonors app, and Uber riders can now view their hotel stay information and check-in, all accessed via the Uber app en route to their hotel. The expanded partnership builds on the success of the companies' Local Scene and Ride Reminder partnership. When a traveler's reservation reminder time approaches, the Uber app pre-sets the hotel as the recommended destination. Once in an Uber, the guest can tap the "view stay details" option in the Uber app, which then, via the HHonors integration, guides guests to the HHonors app to check-in, choose their room and request a Digital Key, all while on their way to the hotel. The integrated apps are the next step in Hilton and Uber's partnership, which began in September 2015 with Local Scene and Ride Reminder, both of which have seen significant usage.