Whether you’re planning a familiarization (FAM) tour or marketing an event, there can be a lot of gray area for a non-traditional public relations team at a CVB or hotel. For instance: How far in advance should you send an event press release? Should a release be sent after the event as well? Who...read more

Since the "GSA Scandal" and "AIG Effect" prompted a media frenzy a few years ago, it seems as if most of the meeting industry has continued to shy away from resort hotels and conference centers because they might appear as opulent or over-the-top. While these two meetings were egregious examples of...read more

Technology solutions such as the Cvent Supplier Network have made it easier than ever before for planners to research destinations, find venues and send electronic RFPs (eRFPs). Prior to the existence of eRFPs, it was difficult for planners to identify ALL of the possibilities for their upcoming...read more

When trying to understand a meeting planner’s needs for their upcoming event; the facts are essential, but understanding the demographics is beneficial too.    Have you ever made an assumption about the preferences of the planner or the attendees based on their age(s)? Maybe you assumed Gen Y places...read more

While living in metro Detroit for over thirty years, I have experienced the highs and lows of the great Motor City. What is happening now is so exciting that talking about it with you brings me chills! The media has provided the nation with a plethora of perceptions, focusing on the darkest days for...read more

When destination events are popular enough to result in hotels selling-out, hoteliers can relish it. Events like the Presidential Inauguration and Jazz Fest in New Orleans are popular events where most hotels sell out. But, what if your tentative bookings aren’t resembling a “sell out?" You'll need...read more

Do you sometimes feel like you’ve exhausted all ideas for increasing group business at your venue? Or maybe you’re struggling with the ways you currently handle attracting group business. Whatever the case, you need dive in deeper, take a look at your group business plan and come up with ways to...read more

Speed-dating a potential client isn’t a bad idea, is it? Especially when it guarantees you’ll be able to talk and make a one-on-one connection. Reverse trade shows where suppliers meet buyers for seven-minute appointments has skyrocketed. Where traditional trade shows were the original format,...read more

One of the biggest FAM tour turn-offs starts prior to stepping foot in a hotel. Unorganized FAM tours can give a planner a poor impression of your property and create a negative connotation of what future business would be like. Some of the best practices about creating a FAM tour invitee list are...read more

Leisure, group business, and weddings are three traditional avenues that generate revenue for your hotel. Both a destination and a hotel can have peak, low and shoulder seasons based on how individuals and group business travel; influencers on these cycles can be geographic weather, the fiscal year,...read more

The business teeter-totter from 2008-2011 really began to level off in 2012, giving relief and hope for a better bottom line. Time spent finding new ways to fill rooms, juggling dates and rates and scrambling to stay afloat creatively has defined a more streamlined approach to group rooms business....read more

t’s true, hospitality professionals don’t always take time to invest in their professional development. Instead, we take pleasure in satisfying clients that invest in their organization’s performance and morale at our meeting venues. On the other hand, there aren’t many educational workshops for the...read more

If you are a hospitality marketing representative, I know you answer  al lot of Request For Proposals (RFPs). And even though "dates and rates" are still part of the process, they are not the total package. Think instead of your RFP response as a way to tell your story. Yes, it will take more time...read more

As a Senior Product Consultant on Cvent’s Client Services team, I frequently work with properties around the world that quote meeting and event prices using package pricing in their proposals, rather than a standard sleeping room rate. Often, these properties struggle to show the planner what costs...read more

Meetings and Conventions Magazine recently polled 242 meeting professionals in order to find out what is a real turn off when it comes to hospitality marketing efforts. As it happens, the hard sell is probably the fastest way to make certain they never call you back.  But hotels and convention...read more

When a Director of Sales is wondering what else could possibly could boost hotel group sales, it’s probably time to shake things up. Einstein said “Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results” and it’s universally applicable to the sales process in hotels - there must be change!...read more

Some hoteliers have identified a strong playing power that wins new group business. A typical contract between a hotel and planner lists services that are contracted for the particular group. However, the hotel winning group business is the one who can add the most goods and services valuable to the...read more

PCMA recently polled over 200 meeting professionals with the intent to understand how they believe hotel sales personnel size up their business. The findings are interesting to say the least and Cvent Hospitality would like to know your views on these findings.  One of the most interesting findings...read more

What’s the return on social media for unique meeting venues, hotels and conference centers? Great social media can build new relationships, strengthen customer loyalty and amplify the hotel’s message, while unmanaged social media can destroy customer relationships and churn a negative hotel...read more

Everyone loves a bargain.  So, you set a nightly special in your primary food and beverage outlet, but no one is taking you up on it and you do not understand why. I venture to say the reason your guests are not aware of the specials is because they are tuned into their handheld devices. They are...read more