RSS 2.0 FeedVol. 3, No. 11, November 2007, Tumbling Dice
Meeting Expectations
Las Vegas casino operators are changing their standard operating procedures regarding moderate conventions, largely in an effort to build brand loyalty and brace for the opening of more than 30,000 rooms that will be coming in a few years.
Sherry Parks, a California-based meeting planner, noticed a dramatic shift in attitudes in recent months. Where she once would wait days for people to return her calls—if they ever even bothered to do so—her calls are now returned almost immediately.
While she said hotels would do what they could to provide rooms for her smaller conventions—200 to 800 people—they are now eager for her business. In the past, hotels would book larger events first and delay commitments to smaller events as long as possible. end.
“They’re more vocal now about marketing to smaller groups,” said Tim McKenna, a senior manager for Carlson Marketing Worldwide in Minneapolis. “And they’re more like the rest of the hotel industry, in terms of getting back to people within 24 hours.”
Michael Gasta, a former sales executive on the Strip, started his small meetings consulting practice, America’s Guest, five years ago after hearing complaints from customers.
“Sometimes I’d get calls from meeting planners saying they were getting a response from properties but weren’t happy with the sales. The group wanted shows, dinners, this and that, and the salesperson, who was probably straight out of college, said, ‘We have this date at this rate for this many rooms. Take it or leave it.’
“Hotels now realize this is where the money is, and they’re trying to get as much as they can on their books,” Gasta said. “Everyone knows we’ve got 30,000 new rooms to fill over the next few years.”
Sherry Parks, a California-based meeting planner, noticed a dramatic shift in attitudes in recent months. Where she once would wait days for people to return her calls—if they ever even bothered to do so—her calls are now returned almost immediately.
While she said hotels would do what they could to provide rooms for her smaller conventions—200 to 800 people—they are now eager for her business. In the past, hotels would book larger events first and delay commitments to smaller events as long as possible. end.
“They’re more vocal now about marketing to smaller groups,” said Tim McKenna, a senior manager for Carlson Marketing Worldwide in Minneapolis. “And they’re more like the rest of the hotel industry, in terms of getting back to people within 24 hours.”
Michael Gasta, a former sales executive on the Strip, started his small meetings consulting practice, America’s Guest, five years ago after hearing complaints from customers.
“Sometimes I’d get calls from meeting planners saying they were getting a response from properties but weren’t happy with the sales. The group wanted shows, dinners, this and that, and the salesperson, who was probably straight out of college, said, ‘We have this date at this rate for this many rooms. Take it or leave it.’
“Hotels now realize this is where the money is, and they’re trying to get as much as they can on their books,” Gasta said. “Everyone knows we’ve got 30,000 new rooms to fill over the next few years.”
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