June 05, 2018 // 5 min read
While Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter continue to be hotel brand priorities in 2018, Pinterest often gets overlooked. It’s a shame, because the platform is far more than a place...
May 24, 2018 // 3 min read
Drawing attendees to trade show booths is a must for hotels, destinations, and venues to ensure a steady stream of group business leads, year after year. But not all attendees are created equal, and not all activities or “booth bait” solutions are successful. What works and what doesn’t? Here’s a look at some best practices
May 02, 2018 // 4 min read
When Instagram Stories first came out in 2016, users were confused. Was Instagram trying to become Snapchat? Should brands recycle content across their channels? Today, though, Instagram Stories have become a social stories platform unlike any other. Brands across industries — including hotels — are utilizing them to creatively market themselves. Why? Because Instagram Stories
April 04, 2018 // 4 min read
You’ve probably heard how important it is to make a great first impression. It’s an important guideline for CVBs wanting to attract more meetings and events business, too. One resource CVBs use to persuade potential clients is a “toolkit,” often an online folder full of PDF city guides, maps, photos, videos, and logos. While there’s
March 14, 2018 // 3 min read
A divisive political system. A groundswell in social movements. A growing interest in people connecting with people, not technology. All of these are fueling some changes in how events are produced and managed. Jeff Kear is the owner and co-founder of Planning Pod, an online event management software platform for meeting and event professionals. One big
February 14, 2018 // 5 min read
With so much of today’s business taking place online, it’s easy to see why some believe the art of the conversation is dead. But if you’re a CVB looking to increase meeting and events business in the new year, you should take another look, specifically at conversation selling. While traditional selling requires new products and experiences for potential clients, conversation selling involves
January 31, 2018 // 4 min read
Looking to showcase your hotel in front of new audiences? Influencer marketing is all the rage — and for a good reason. In summer 2017, a study done by influencer marketing platform gen.video and shopper marketing agency Geometry Global found that “upwards of 90% of social media users are persuaded to make a purchase after seeing
January 17, 2018 // 3 min read
Suffice it to say that hotel and hospitality professionals will have a lot on their plates this year as they react to everything from rapid technology advancements to changing consumers’ needs. Here’s a look at some of the top trends likely to impact you this year. Creative Group, a boutique advertising agency based in Appleton,
January 10, 2018 // 4 min read
Around the country, hotels are using technology to provide high-touch experiences for guests. Their goal: to understand and anticipate their needs, and by offering new conveniences and options to boost the guest experience. Data and Communication are Foundational Bill DeForrest is CEO of Spire Hospitality, a hotel management company based in Chicago. DeForrest says he
January 03, 2018 // 3 min read
Hotels and Destination Marketing Organizations are embracing VR in a big way. According to an article in Hotelier Magazine, “In the past year, Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Shangri-Law Hotels, and Resorts and Airbnb have all incorporated VR into the guest experience in some
