HOTEL BUSINESS REVIEW

September FOCUS: Hotel Group Meetings

September 2023

The pandemic gave rise to the advent of fully virtual events but now, as in-person meetings are resuming, hotel group managers are adapting to a new hybrid model. In this model, in-person live events must also have a digital component. It is a means to expand a meeting's reach by allowing a virtual audience to participate. In a real sense, meeting planners must now organize their events for two audiences - one in-person and one virtual. The in-person event strives to create a unique experience that is focused on safety and networking, while the virtual experience drives engagement before, during, and after the event. It is a “one event, two experiences” design that highlights the location's value but multiplies its reach through virtual technology. For hotels, providing a seamless event for clients has its challenges - proper staff training, investment in the necessary equipment, and more complex coordination and planning with meeting organizers. The September Hotel Business Review will report on what some hotels are doing to adapt to the new realities of group meeting business in their operations.

Run Date:   09/03/2023 - 09/30/2023
Editorial Deadline:   Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Advertising Deadline:   Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Review our 2023 Features Calendar for other editorial opportunities

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Coming up in June 2023...

Sales & Marketing: Integrating Technology


The Sales & Marketing department is responsible for maximizing a hotel's revenue by developing programs to increase occupancy and to make profitable use of its meeting and leisure facilities. Increasingly, managers are utilizing sophisticated digital technology to help them achieve those goals. Virtual Reality is being integrated into booking engines which provide potential guests the opportunity to tour a property from afar, including wedding, event and food & beverage facilities. Voice Search has also become a popular marketing tool. Using smart home devices, it's now possible for customers to book hotels entirely through voice commands. Chatbots are becoming more ubiquitous as hotels seek to refine their online customer service. Chatbots can answer common questions, push key marketing messages, increase direct bookings, and even guide customers through the booking process. Finally, hotels are already preparing for the debut of the Metaverse and planning how sales and marketing departments will fully participate. The June Hotel Business Review will focus on the sales and marketing strategies that some hotels are adopting and how they are benefiting from them.