Chamber seeks applicants for Leadership Chattanooga
The Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce has opened up its annual nominations through the end of March for its Leadership Chattanooga Class.
The 10-month leadership development program provides local professionals the chance to learn about Chattanooga and engage with other emerging community leaders. Monthly meetings explore various aspects of leadership and challenges facing the community.
A maximum of 40 people participate in Leadership Chattanooga each year, selected on their own merit through an application process conducted by the Leadership Chattanooga Selection Committee. Find more information and nominate rising leaders before April 1 at chattanoogachamber.com/leadership.
Other business news this week:
Kinley adds DiMaria as general manager
Vision Hospitality Group has named Michael DiMaria as general manager of the new Kinley Chattanooga Southside hotel opening this spring on Market Street.
With a decade of hospitality experience, DiMaria has opened new hotels by focusing on brand standards and capitalizing on strengths of the properties to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for guests, locals and employees, according to Vision. He is skilled in creating unique experiences attractive to both travelers and local explorers, the company said.
“We are thrilled to have Michael DiMaria launch and lead Kinley Chattanooga Southside,” said Mitch Patel, president and CEO of Vision Hospitality Group. “DiMaria is a forward thinking, hospitality-driven leader focused on delivering unparalleled experience to guests, making him a great fit for this position.”
DiMaria most recently served as general manager of Vision’s TownePlace Suites and Residence Inn by Marriott in Nashville, where he increased TripAdvisor scores and brand ranks, the company said. Prior to joining Vision in 2017, he held several different roles in the industry.
Kinley Southside Chattanooga, which will have 64 rooms, is accepting reservations beginning April 29.
Contributed by Vision Hospitality / Michael DiMariaLocal gas prices drop in past week
Chattanooga gas prices fell 1.8 cents per gallon in the past week, dropping to $2.08 per gallon for regular fuel, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 170 stations in Chattanooga released Monday.
Gas prices in Chattanooga are 2 cents per gallon lower than a month ago but stand 3.8 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. Chattanooga gas prices average 38 cents per gallon below the U.S. average price of $2.45 per gallon, GasBuddy.com said.
“Many factors continue to push oil prices higher, but at the foundation of the rise is the fact that the coronavirus situation continues to improve, pushing global oil demand higher as production continues to lag, pushing U.S. gas prices higher,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. “Until OPEC intercedes and raises oil production in the months ahead, motorists should continue to expect rising gas prices, which for the first time in some time stand at their highest in over a year.”
Delta limits seats through the spring
Delta Air Lines said Monday it will continue to block some seats on all flights through spring break and Easter to provide a bit more space between passengers.
The Atlanta-based airline announced Monday that it will limit capacity on flights through April 30. Delta said it will block middle seats in most cabins although groups of three or more passengers can choose to sit together.
During the early days of the pandemic, several U.S. airlines blocked middle seats, although United Airlines never did. The others that temporarily limited the number of seats for sale have since dropped the practice, at least in the main cabin, including Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska and American.
A Delta official, Bill Lentsch, said the airline will monitor virus cases and vaccination rates as it reassess its seating policy.
Airlines that no longer block seats cite research by the Pentagon’s transport command and others that concluded the risk of transmitting the virus that causes COVID-19 during a flight is very low.