July 03, 2015 // 3 min read
I just returned from a wonderful trade show. Unfortunately, the onslaught of pre-show emails from exhibitors was relentless and annoying. I shared a cab ride from the airport to...
June 30, 2015 // 7 min read
With such a heavy focus on increasing group bookings at hotels, it’s no wonder that marketing often gets the short end of the stick throughout the hotel industry. It’s the same reason that you’ll see robust sales teams but skeleton marketing crews, or a director of sales and rarely a director of marketing. Your best
June 22, 2015 // 4 min read
Salespeople sometimes unfairly get a bad rap. They’re perceived as sleazy, aggressive, spammy and willing to make promises that can’t be delivered to close the deal. And, for hotel salespeople especially, they have another challenge to contend with – the staggering amount of competition also vying for attention from meeting planners. So what’s a group
June 10, 2015 // 3 min read
When the Hilton Hong Kong installed the world’s first minibar in 1974, in-room drink sales shot up 500%, boosting the company’s net income by 5% that year. But today, it’s all about free Wi-Fi, complimentary social hours, and community-focused lobbies. The minibar is a dying breed. Guests Have Better Options than Overpriced Snacks Minibars are
June 06, 2015 // 4 min read
Don’t let great stays at your property go unnoticed. Hospitality marketing thrives on positive and memorable guest experiences. But it does no good for you or for other travelers, if your guests aren’t compelled enough to leave any feedback – positive or otherwise. Short of bribing (an absolute no-no), the secret to encouraging reviews is
May 26, 2015 // 2 min read
Everyone in our industry is talking about the rise of the millennial (Gen Y) planner generation. Their online-first behaviors, early-technology adopter mentalities, and aversion to conflict are fundamentally changing the way hoteliers and destinations are marketing and selling to them. Yet no one has data on millennial planners specifically. Who are they? What are their
May 05, 2015 // 5 min read
Marketing hotels on the internet via social media channels goes a long way in determining how well you’ll engage with your audience and if you’ll create a solid fan base amongst travelers. Yet a common problem for hotel marketers is running out of content ideas. So, whether you’re stuck on what to post on Facebook,
April 30, 2015 // 4 min read
The hottest and what I believe is most fashionable wearable hit the market last week after months of speculation and anticipation. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, the Apple Watch is poised to have a big impact on the lives of its users. I am one of the estimated 20 million people who will have an
April 09, 2015 // 3 min read
CrowdCompass and the Event Marketing Institute (EMI) have partnered on a research report covering the momentum of mobile event apps. The report reveals some key findings about “how attendees value and engage with mobile event apps.” It also reveals the obvious benefit/opportunity of mobile apps for planners: the cost savings on printing fewer directories. There
March 30, 2015 // 3 min read
It is an alchemist’s blend of art and science when it comes to qualitative marketing research. The analysis of open-ended questions found on most surveys is indeed a qualitative endeavor. At its core this is an iterative process, even with the use of text analytics tools such as OdinText. Where do you start? In my