First Meeting & Incentive Forum by Great Hotels a Success

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. October 14, 2008

LONDON, UK, June 8, 2006. The first Meeting and Incentive Forum by Great Hotels Organisation has proved to be a great success with over 250 participants taking part in the two day event at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square. Held on 8th & 9th May, the anticipated number of meetings well exceeded expectations. Each property enjoyed an average of 36 meetings during the event, meaning every single hotelier had over 28 meetings in the two days; the equivalent of two weeks of sales calls. The quality and effectiveness of the meetings was also proven by the fact that over 350 enquiries were placed.

The M&I Forums offer hotels and resorts the opportunity to attend an event with vetted, hand selected meeting and incentive planners, all of whom have confirmed budgets to spend. Participating hotels are able to conduct a series of private 20-minute meetings with qualified buyers during the two-day event. The meetings are all pre-scheduled, with the buyers themselves booking the appointments so that the hotels can be assured of their genuine interest in the property. In addition, further networking opportunities are presented through the lunches, refreshment breaks and champagne receptions, which are also included.

Exhibitor Rupert Radford-Hardy of Rocco Forte Hotels commented: "As a first time participant of the Meetings & Incentive Forum, I was delighted to experience a new way of meeting potential customers who were pre-qualified and interested in learning about the hotels and facilities we have to offer." Buyer Jackie Freer, from Zibrant, commented that: "The difference with M&I Forums is you are able to see a lot of people in a short time, which is so important when our time is so precious. The system of pre-arranging appointments allows you to only have meetings with hotels that are relevant to you."

The 100% business focus is already significantly different to the traditional trade show format but the lack of need for expensive exhibition stands sets apart the new M&I Forums even further. With the facilities and meetings all organised in advance, the new M&I Forums represent exhibitors a very cost effective platform and genuine return on investment.

Remaining Forum dates for 2006 are:

Benelux: October 10 & 11 2006 (Moevenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre)

France: November 15 & 16 2006 (Dream Castle Hotel)

In 2007 the forums will take place outside the hosted buyers' home destinations. So far confirmed:

Germany: February 26 & 27 2007 (Grand Hotel Parco Dei Principi, Rome)

The cost of participation includes pre-scheduled meetings with up to 60 key buyers (30 each from France and Benelux), opportunities to network with more than 400 key buyers, a presentation table, networking lunch each day and an invitation to the champagne reception on the first evening of each Forum.