Louisville, Kentucky Nearly Doubles Year-Over-Year Event Volume, Hits 94.9 Percent Growth in July
Knowland | August 21st, 2024
Knowland Unveils Enhanced Navigation Infrastructure for Improved User Experience
Knowland | July 31, 2024
Updated horizontal design provides an intuitive and efficient way to access features and functionality ARLINGTON, Va. – July 31, 2024 – Knowland, the global leader in data-as-a-service insights for hotels, convention centers, and conference centers, today announced the launch of an enhanced user-friendly navigation infrastructure within its industry-leading platform. This update gives customers a more intuitive and efficient way to access features and functionality. The streamlined horizontal navigation bar, featuring simple icons and clear descriptions, empowers users to quickly access actionable insights and drive sales performance. ...
2024 HSMAI Adrian Awards Open for Entries: Wish You Were Here
HSMAI | July 16, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McLean, VA (July 15, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is now accepting entries for 2024 Adrian Awards. The theme for the 68th annual Adrian Awards competition is Wish You Were Here, highlighting the most memorable and successful travel marketing and public relations campaigns, ads, earned media programs, and experiential and digital experiences. Winners will be honored at the HSMAI Adrian Awards Celebration in 2025. "We have seen a remarkable increase in entries, with submissions growing by 20% annually since 2020," said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president and C...
Amadeus and Meeting Professionals International Unveil Six Pivotal Sales & Event Trends Shaping the Industry in 2024
Amadeus | July 16, 2024
• Group travel is set for continued growth with worldwide group revenue up 5% through June 2024 over the same period last year. • Providing value and personalization is crucial in today’s market, driven by the rising demand for unique experiences and an increasing focus on sustainability. July 16, 2024 - A new report from Amadeus and Meeting Professionals International (MPI) integrates global market data with insights from industry specialists to highlight six crucial trends that will shape hospitality over the coming year. The comprehensive guide, Hotel Sales Stars: The Ultimate Strategy Playbook, is designed to assist hoteliers ...
Maximizing Group Sales With Automation: How Hotels Can Win Big Even With Small Teams / Mike Pavicich
Mike Pavicich | July 10, 2024
By Mike Pavicich, Director, Global Sales at SalesAndCatering.com, LLC Delaying the automation of your sales and catering operations might seem harmless, but it could be a costly mistake in the fast-paced Hospitality Sales industry. Waiting now means risking falling behind and struggling to catch up later. Early adopters of Sales & Catering systems are already reaping the benefits, gaining a significant edge over their manual counterparts. They effectively manage sales tasks and understand their clients better, a crucial factor for crafting well-timed, personalized interactions. In the end, they build and manage their sales strategies mo...
Introducing the Next Big Thing in Hotel Marketing: Social Media Amplified
Lodging Interactive | July 9, 2024
Lodging Interactive’s Commingle division, elevates hotel social media marketing by incorporating conversion-optimized and socially connected promotional landing pages. Lodging Interactive introduces Social Media Amplified, the next evolution in hospitality social media marketing. The innovative service, offered by Lodging Interactive’s Commingle division, elevates hotel social media marketing by incorporating conversion-optimized and socially connected promotional landing pages. Social Media Amplified seamlessly integrates with hotel social media channels, providing an effortless way to connect with potential guests on a deeper ...
Unlocking Success: 9 Reasons Hotels Are Adopting Omni-Channel Marketing
Jeannie Zaemes | July 2, 2024
By Jeannie Zaemes In the ever-evolving landscape of the hospitality industry, hotels face the challenge of reaching and engaging customers across a multitude of channels. Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Expedia and Priceline have 39% of the U.S. online booking market and that number is likely to increase as direct online bookings decreased from 79% to 67% in 2023. With the rise of digital platforms and changing consumer behaviors, the need for a comprehensive and cohesive marketing strategy has never been more critical. This is where the omni-channel approach steps in, offering hotels a dynamic solution to maximize visibility, enhance cu...
SalesAndCatering.com and LodgIQ™ Announce Partnership To Deliver Market-Leading AI Revenue Management for Group Sales
SalesAndCatering.com | June 18, 2024
Seamless integration delivers powerful group commercial optimization capabilities, empowering hotels to make data-driven decisions that accelerate revenue growth and sales performance. Charleston, SC—(June 18, 2024) –SalesAndCatering.com and LodgIQ™ today announced a new strategic partnership to integrate LodgIQ's revolutionary artificial intelligence (AI) revenue management technology into SalesAndCatering’s award-winning group and event management platform, STS Cloud. Effective group revenue management is critical for hotels seeking to maximize revenue and profitability in today’s competitive marketplace. Both companies will wo...
Knowland Announces an Automated Prospecting Tool, Knowland Select for Hotels With Limited Meeting Space
KNOWLAND | June 18, 2024
Streamlines prospecting to improve sales productivity and help smaller properties build agile, proactive sales strategies to accelerate group business growth ARLINGTON, Va. — June 18, 2024— Knowland, the leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, announced the introduction of Knowland Select, a new product specifically designed for hotels with limited meeting space. Knowland Select subscribers will receive a curated list of target accounts for upcoming need periods directly to the seller’s inbox. It provides a low-cost option to help optimize resources, save time and improve performance while...
Ivana Johnston Named CEO of Hotel Tech Advisory Firm Puzzle Partner
Puzzle Partner | June 17, 2024
The current co-founder and chief marketing officer of the industry’s most trusted technology marketing consultancy will transition to chief executive officer. Toronto, Ontario (June 17, 2024)—Puzzle Partner, a leading strategy and marketing agency in the hospitality and travel technology industry, has appointed Ivana Johnston as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With a wealth of experience in the sector and as a co-founder of the firm founded over 10 years ago, Johnston is set to bring a fresh perspective, accelerate transformation, and drive new growth initiatives to the company. Puzzle Partner has helped clients outperform the ...
Pricing Transparency Without Hidden Mandatory Junk Fees. Does This Apply to Restaurants Too?
Mark S. Adams | June 10, 2024
New California proposed law (SB 1524 ) says “No!” Can this be right? By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com Note: If you are a consumer with a Junk Fee issue, please do NOT contact us! We do not represent consumers against hotels, restaurants, or other business owners. We are part of the fabric of the hospitality industry and are committed to informing, educating, and assisting the industry. We represent business owners, helping them to understand and comply with applicable laws and defending them from consumer charges. Pricing transparency without hidden mandatory junk f...
Luxury Hotel Marketing: 5 Key Strategies to Succeed
June 5, 2024
Infinity pools with breathtaking views, spacious beachfront bungalows, exclusive spa treatments, Michelin-star restaurants, exquisite design, and exemplary service are all elements we typically associate with luxury hotels. But how do you communicate the elements that make your hotel exceptional to prospective customers? To be effective, your luxury hotel marketing strategy must tell a story that shows your customers what sets you apart and makes the experiences you offer unique. Importantly, you must actively target a distinct group of customers and ensure your messages appear in all the right places. In this article, we’ll explore t...
Las Vegas Leads in Meetings and Events Growth in May With an 18.5 Percent Uptick Reports Knowland
KNOWLAND | June 5, 2024
Oahu Island hits 17.9 percent growth with technology and travel groups acting as key drivers to growth ARLINGTON, Va. — June 5, 2024 — Knowland, the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, reported that Las Vegas took the lead in group business with a solid 18.5 percent growth in May year-over-year (YoY). Oahu Island pulled in second at 17.9 percent YoY growth. This data is sourced from Knowland’s sales intelligence platform and designed to help hoteliers protect and grow their revenue base. The average space used for meetings in the Top 25 markets was 3,615 sq. ft., and ...
Are You Overpaying for Your Hotel Group Sales Management Technology?
MIKE PAVICICH | May 30, 2024
By Mike Pavicich Hospitality companies looking to reduce costs are turning to alternative sales and catering solutions that provide the same functionality without the hefty price tags Have you ever wondered if your current Sales and Catering (S&C) solution is overpriced? Are you seeing rates go up every year after thinking you got a great deal when you signed up? A common scenario is hoteliers unintentionally spending extra money on systems. Of course, with so many solutions claiming to offer comprehensive group sales and event management features, it is understandable that there is indecision and confusion. When you break down th...
How to Price Buy-Outs of Smaller Hotels in Leisure Markets
Larry Spelts | May 24, 2024
By Larry Spelts Small properties (one hundred rooms or less), especially upper-upscale and luxury boutique hotels in destination markets that are principally leisure with higher ADRs, are often attractive buy-out destinations for certain kinds of groups. This can range from weddings and reunions to corporate and association retreats or incentive travel. The Challenge of Hotel Buyouts for Weekends: Case Study It is essential to good revenue management that opportunity costs be factored into weekend buyouts because hotels that are in principally leisure segment-dominated locations tend to sell out on many weekends perennially, and beca...
Knowland Announces Sub-Market Data Enhancement to Market Snapshot Report
KNOWLAND | May 22, 2024
Localized data enables hotel sales teams to quickly identify and pursue top local targets and new-to-market accounts, jumpstarting potential new business ARLINGTON, Va. — May 22, 2024— Knowland, the leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, announced an advanced data enhancement, Sub-Market Filter, to its popular Market Snapshot Report. The new filter was added to Knowland search and dashboard functions, including Market Snapshot and New-to-Market capabilities, enabling filtering down to the sub-market level within larger markets, saving time and effort by pinpointing localized opportunities...
Transforming Your Hotel Website Into a Room-Selling Powerhouse
Cendyn | May 21, 2024
A hotel’s website has become a must for selling rooms online. It allows hoteliers to get direct bookings and to reduce the share of OTAs on their turnover. The final goal is to convince the traveler to book on your website and not elsewhere. That’s why, on your website, you must provide future customers with the most pleasant booking experience possible. This is done by providing relevant information to the internet user on your hotel website. Find below some elements that will allow you to better sell your rooms on your site. Connect a booking engine to your hotel website To sell your rooms on your website, you must have a bookin...
Lodging Interactive Launches Next-Level Social Media Service To Drive Hotel Revenue
Lodging Interactive | May 20, 2024
Commingle Social Media Amplified enables hotels to capture new revenue opportunities that have been missed until now. Lodging Interactive, an award-winning digital marketing, social media, and guest review engagement agency exclusively serving the hospitality industry, today announced the rollout of Commingle Social Media Amplified, its next-level hotel social media marketing service. The service combines the agency's proven social media marketing expertise with its innovative Commingle360 landing page service to create a comprehensive solution that drives direct bookings and ROI tracking for hotels. “Most social media posts ne...
5 Practical Ways To Create Instagrammable Spaces in Your Hotel
Debbie Miller | May 16, 2024
By Debbie Miller In the age of social media dominance, providing an experience that’s not only memorable but also shareable is crucial for attracting and retaining guests. You may have a highly engaged online audience along with numerous loyal in-person hotel patrons. But is that audience one-in-the same? Many social media users discover brands they follow online. This means most of your Instagram followers may have never set foot on property. Similarly, those who frequent your hotel may not feel naturally inclined to snap pictures to post on social media. So, what’s the solution? Bridge your Hotel’s Online and Office Experience...
Drive More Bookings: Innovative Strategies for Hotel Landing Pages
Lodging Interactive | May 16, 2024
For the past 25 years, it has become evident that most hotels fail to adequately capitalize on opportunities presented by seasonal holidays and event business drivers. The lack of optimization of these revenue opportunities is due in part to two factors: (1) the DOSM simply doesn’t have enough time and resources to organize marketing materials, and (2) the hotel’s website lacks the ability to create marketing landing pages ‘on the fly,’ which rings especially true for branded properties. Today, potential guests are overwhelmed with endless social media distractions; hotels must cut through the noise and guide potential guests strai...
Marina Inn at Grande Dunes Launches New Website
Marina Inn at Grande Dunes | May 15, 2024
Myrtle Beach, SC – May 15, 2024 – Marina Inn at Grande Dunes is excited to announce the launch of our newly redesigned website, now live at https://marinainnatgrandedunes.com. The revamped site offers a fresh, user-friendly design that perfectly captures the elegance and sophistication of our premier resort destination. Enhanced User Experience and Design Our new website showcases a modern, intuitive layout that enhances user experience, making it easier for guests to explore our world-class amenities, accommodations, and services. The site features stunning visuals, detailed information about our offerings, and seamless navigation ...
What It Really Takes To Book More Groups, Meetings, and Events These Days
Doug Kennedy | May 14, 2024
By Doug Kennedy Today’s hotel and event salespeople work in completely different environments than most of their leaders experienced. Meeting and event booking sites have created a flood of leads, which can be overwhelming for those working in a sales role equipped and staffed for the era when leads came in by phone or website inquiry forms. When revenues drop, salespeople are required to meet prospecting quotas, based on a set number of calls, sent emails, DMs, or door knocks. Yet calls go to voicemail, emails go to spam, random DMs go unread, and the office doors being knocked on are either locked, or if open, there’s no one at th...
Sojern Expands Its Guest Experience Solutions to Europe
Sojern | May 14, 2024
SAN FRANCISCO – 14 May 2024 – Sojern, the leading digital marketing platform built for travel, today announces its suite of Guest Experience Solutions are now available in Europe. The launch will kick off in Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom and Ireland, with France and Portugal to follow. In 2023, Sojern acquired VenueLytics, hospitality’s most integrated guest experience platform, and incorporated VenueLytics’ capabilities as an extension of the Sojern Travel Marketing Platform, known as Guest Experience Solutions (GES). In North America, Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) spoke highly of the increased guest satisfact...
Unlocking Success: Why Your Hotel Needs a Lightning-Fast Website
Cendyn | May 13, 2024
In the digital era where speed is the norm, it’s critical to the success of your establishment to provide users with a fast-loading website. In a connected world and thanks to globalization, travelers from all over the world are likely to visit your website to learn more about your hotel and make a direct booking. That’s why it’s important to have a fast-loading website, across all media (mobile and desktop) and around the world. According to a Google study, 75% of users consider that the most important element of a website is its speed. More surprisingly, it is considered much more important than the attractiveness of the website. M...
Tourism Tidbits: Travel As an Educational Tool
Dr. Peter E. Tarlow | May 13, 2024
By Dr. Peter Tarlow In the northern hemisphere, the months of May and June not only represent the dawn of summer but the end of the academic year and the start of tourism’s high season. From the tourism industry’s perspective as the academic year wanes, tourism enters into its high seasons. It is also at this time of the year that new tourism educational opportunities begin to emerge. Educational tourism is one of the fastest-growing areas of the travel and tourism industry. It is also one that is too often overlooked by tourism professionals and marketers. Educational tourism is not only for young students. People of all ages...
