Don’t be a Twanker or a Twidiot!

Hospitality industry members: Are you using influential marketing blogs appropriately? Share your valuable information on Twitter, but do so appropriately. Twitter has evolved greatly since its beginning, yet there are still many users who do not know how to use it, use proper etiquette or know its overall potential. Follow these ten simple “rules” and you won’t be a Twanker or a Twidiot. http://tinyurl.com/oeba8q

“More heads in bed” VS “Room revenue bottom line”- The Battle Continues…

A study was conducted based on two branded, high tier, hotels assumed to be located in a downtown area in a major US market, same in size for sleeping rooms and meeting space, and competitors to each other. From July 2008 to June 2009, one hotel opted to lower the Average Daily Rate (ADR) aggressively. Over the same time period, the other hotel opted to maintain a consistent ADR. Both hotels anticipated a high room revenue in the end. Who had the right answer? See if you can determine for yourself at http://tinyurl.com/l9tl4n (Part 1) & http://tinyurl.com/kk7y8j (Part 2)

W Hotel in Chile? YES!

The first W branded hotel in South America is in Santiago, Chile. It is located in the “fashionable” district of El Golf. The hotel has 196 guestrooms offering views of the Andes Mountains and city. With three restaurants, a rooftop bar and more than 1,800 square meters of modern meeting space, this hotel offers its guests a classy environment to mingle. http://tinyurl.com/lbmecr

Consumer confidence soars

While the economy is still in a recession, a key measure of consumer confidence jumped much more than predicted in August 2009, as the job market outlook and business expectations improved. To read more, click below:
http://tinyurl.com/mtj3w2

Meeting Sites Pro Community Update

Join Meeting Sites Pro in a celebration marking the 35th Anniversay of Torrey Pines State Reserve Extension. MSP supports saving this natural habitat for future generations. Event date: August 22, 2009. For more information visit http://www.torreypines.org/1_events/events.html

BOW WOW BRUNCH

NEW in San Diego! Bow Wow BRUNCH Cruise Coming Sept. 20th Dogs are WELCOME on the Exclusive Hornblower Brunch Benefitting HWAC. Check it out at http://tinyurl.com/mklutp

Meeting / Event Planners Want It All

In today’s economy, properties exemplifying over-the-top customer service practices are walking away with most of the meeting planning industry’s business. Even when meeting planners are working with a smaller budget, they are not willing to sacrifice good customer service for cost-saving purposes. In a recent study, 85% of meeting professionals claimed customer service as their number one factor in choosing a venue for their programs. From early on in the planning process, sales managers have the ability to win over meeting planners. Being knowledgeable about their property and spending time studying the client’s program to see how it can best fit into their property instills a level of confidence that is invaluable to planners. Brands that ensure employee satisfaction acknowledge that if employees are satisfied with their job, the customers will be satisfied with the property and will develop brand loyalty and repeat business. Building personal rapport with clients is key in customer service as well. Taking the time to send birthday cards or specialized items that the client is interested in even long after an event is over helps build rapport and repeat business. These standards are winning over clients in today’s economy and will allow properties to thrive.
http://tinyurl.com/mkuabbm

Discover an Island

The Island Hotel in Newport Beach, CA is the perfect place for business and leisure. It is a mid-point between Los Angeles and San Diego in the heart of Newport Center. This hotel offers great meeting space. The Island Hotel’s Grand Ballroom is over 6,000 square feet. After a full day of meetings, you can relax by doing some shopping right next door at Fashion Island; or head over to the beach to catch the last rays of sun followed by some fine dining and cocktails. If you are business by day and fun by night, then dive in and discover this island for yourself at http://tinyurl.com/oc6dcw.

Blackstone mulls Hilton break-up

The Hilton group could be broken up under plans being drawn up by its owner Blackstone in an attempt manage debt repayment deadlines in three to four years.
http://tinyurl.com/pbu8be

Technology News Resource

A Great Resource for Technology News: http://www.freshnews.com/

Living the Language of Business

Talking the talk and walking the walk gets planners and the global meeting and event industry a seat at the CEO’s table. Take a look...
http://tinyurl.com/oa9nah

10 great places to eat regionally, eat well

This country's most unique foods are best experienced in native settings. A new book, "500 Things to Eat Before It's Too Late", is a state-by-state guide to must-eats across America. Here is a list of favorites.
http://tinyurl.com/qsmezh

Phoenician Hotel, Scottsdale

Arizona has been a hot spot for winter meetings and with January right around the corner, we’ve been busy looking in this area. A great hotel for vacation or business is the Phoenician in Scottsdale. With over 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, this property has the flexibility to accommodate the most intimate meetings to the most expansive meetings. The hotel features ten exquisite restaurants, a beautiful championship golf course, a luxurious spa, nine inviting pools, an attractive $25 million art collection and an astonishing cactus garden. You can find out more about this fabulous hotel at: http://www.thephoenician.com/

VACATIONS: THE NEW DEFICIT

A few days or even two weeks of vacation does not seem like much in comparison to the number of days that we work. Nevertheless, people look forward to their vacation the day they return from their previous one. The Access America Vacation Confidence Index for 2009 reports that out of 1,000 surveyed Americans only 37% have taken a vacation as of July 20. The combined 63% of those who haven’t taken a vacation and those who most likely won’t has created a vacation deficit. Of course the first to notice are the varied destinations hotels and their staff. Hotels are overwhelming consumers with great vacation deals for this summer, so take a peak and find your vacation- you know you need it…and the hotels need it, too! http://tinyurl.com/nzvm4b